Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #63 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-03
• Released on: 2008-03-01
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

SUNDAY TIMES
'Nothing spoils [McCall Smith's] vision of Botswana as a place where decent people triumph over mischief-makers'

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
'The writing is as fluent and gracious as ever, and charmingly conveys the practical wisdom of much of African life'

DAILY MAIL
'Written with the gentleness of its predecessors and with a charm that is quite exceptional in modern detective fiction'

Customer Reviews

Gentle and Evocative
I have loved reading every one of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency books, including this latest offering. I sometimes find myself wondering how Alexander McCall Smith keeps up such a high standard book after book, but yet again he has delivered a masterpiece. The gentle philosphising of Mma Ramotswe is evocative of a way of life we would all like to have. The mysteries that she solves in some ways take a back seat to the life stories of the characters, but this does not in any way detract from the enjoyment. Precious and Mma Makutse continue to work well together despite their obvious differences and the exchanges between them are an entertainment in themselves. Despite this the agncy manages to always get their man, or woman, with not a hint of violence to be found. I have to admit I am on tenterhooks waiting for the marraige of mma Makutse I am so caught up in the lives of the characters. I would heartily recommend this book for all Alexander McCall Smith fans. However, if you have not read any others start with the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

Heart-Warming Vignettes About Caring for One Another
My favorite books in this series are filled with authentic stories of Africa and her people. As the series has developed, it's often reading more like people anywhere rather than Africans.

The Miracle at Speedy Motors examines the themes of marital love, parental responsibility, honesty, jealousy, commitment, bonding, handling mistakes, and friendship. In keeping with the detective focus of the series, there are cases to be solved. A woman wants to find an unidentified person. Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi receive threatening letters. A landlord wants to get rid of a tenant.

The focus of the book, however, is on the relationships among the continuing characters, especially Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni and Mma Ramotswe, Mr. Phuti Radiphuti and Mma Makutsi, Mma Ramotswe and Mr. Polopetsi, and Mma Makutsi and Charlie in the garage. You also get to read more about Mma Potokwane and Motholeli than in most of the other books.

What made the book special to me were the heart-felt commitments that some of the characters made towards doing the right thing, no matter what. Alexander McCall Smith loves people and when he expresses that love through his characters it feels great just to be alive.

I found Mma Makutsi more annoying than usual in this book, and not nearly as funny in her foolish scenes. Otherwise, I would have graded the book at five stars. I hope that the next book will focus more on Precious and her family.

Not the best female detectives I have read
This is ok and not much more than that really. If you like female characters in crime read Soft Target by Conrad Jones. The women in that will keep you turning the pages until the end. A real rollercoaster novel.