The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection: The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Book 13 by Alexander McCall Smith
| The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection: The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Book 13 by Alexander McCall Smith | |
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| Category: General Fiction | |
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Reviewer: Ruth Ng
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| Summary: Alexander McCall Smith's thirteenth episode in the Number One Ladies Detective Agency series certainly isn't an unlucky one. Full of his usual thoughtfulness and charming characters, this doesn't disappoint. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 272 | Date: March 2012 |
| Publisher: Little, Brown | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1408702604 | |
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Those of you who are frequent visitors to The Bookbag will know that I am a big fan of Alexander McCall Smith's writing. I am supremely happy that he continues to write so regularly and reliably, providing me with much looked forward to reading matter several times through the year. This time it's the turn of Mma Ramotswe to slip back into my mind as we read of her detecting adventures in this, the thirteenth book in the series.
Mma Makutsi is now, of course, happily married to Phuti, and through the story we see them settling into married life and having their very own brand new house built. This is not without its troubles, however, since the builder resolutely ignores Mma Makutsi, much to her great indignation! Mma Ramotswe meanwhile has had a strange dream in which she meets a mysterious stranger. Who could that man be, and will the dream come true? Also, Mma Potokwani, that formidable lady who runs the orphan farm, finds herself facing a terrible situation on the farm, and she enlists Mma Ramotswe's help in getting to the bottom of the matter. And finally to everyone's great surprise Fanwell, one of the garage's apprentices, finds himself in trouble with the law.
These, then, are the dilemmas facing the Number One Ladies Detective Agency this time around. The story isn't really about the cases, but rather (as is often the case) about the characters involved. I love Mma Ramotswe more and more, particularly her inner responses to Mma Makutsi and her quiet thoughtfulness and dignity. Mma Makutsi's shoes speak out again in this book (you'll have to read it to know what I'm talking about...) and I was intrigued that it appeared Mma Ramotswe may also have heard something from them this time! Mma Makutsi continues to make me laugh, since she is both lovely and irritating at the same time.
I feel incredibly safe when I read these stories. I know what to expect, and how the book will make me feel, and they are always such an absolute pleasure to read. Books can fulfil different purposes in your life, and these books always leave me feeling more positive, more optimistic, more content. I love the strength of character, the politeness and respect, and the sense as I read that I am sitting in the hot Botswana sunshine, just waiting for Mma Ramotswe to brew me a cup of redbush tea. AMS fans will find nothing disappointing here, other than the soft sigh as you turn the final page, knowing you must wait a little time again for the next instalment!
If you can't quite face reading all 13 books in this particular series perhaps you might enjoy his stand alone novel La's Orchestra Saves the World by Alexander McCall Smith. If you're ready to dive in, however, and immerse yourself in Botswana then this is the place to start: The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency.
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You can read more book reviews or buy The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection: The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Book 13 by Alexander McCall Smith at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection: The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Book 13 by Alexander McCall Smith at Amazon.com.
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