Customer Reviews:
 Our favourite novelist does it again March 8, 2010
C. Catherwood (Cambridge UK and Richmond VA)
Our favourite novelist has done it again - another magnificent Ramotswe novel. Seldom is no.2 as good as no.1, but in this case no.11 is as good as the previous ten, and all the wonderful cast of characters whom we have come to love are back and with as much enjoyment as ever.
Lions and people March 8, 2010
Damaskcat (UK)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Precious Ramotswe has several interesting cases to deal with in this latest story from Botswana. There is her friend the midwife who wonders whether her husband is having an affair; the unexpected commission from America which involves her going to a safari camp to track down a guide; and her own assistant Grace Makutsi has a problem when her fiancé is injured.
As usual, common sense and old fashioned values are essential in solving the various problems. In between interesting observations on human nature Precious reflects on the beauty of her own country and the way the old fashioned values still prevail with most people. Even in her husband's garage business the unruly apprentices are calming down as they get older and more experienced at their jobs.
I love the gentle humour of this series and the way Mma Ramotswe triumphs in the end through sheer perseverance and good humour and how she steers her prickly assistant in the right direction without offending her. There are lessons for all of us in this low key novel. Very enjoyable.
 Probelm with CD 1? March 7, 2010
C. A. Brooks (UK)
Have only listened to 2 disc's so far. Does anyone who has listened to CD1 think track 10 ends abruptly? Not sure if it is the disc or if it's meant to end like this.
A lovely, warm and fuzzy novel March 4, 2010
Julia Flyte
23 out of 23 found this review helpful
This is the 11th installment in Alexander McCall Smith's enchanting and uplifting series about a female detective living in Botswana. It is not necessary to have read ALL the other books in the series, but if you haven't read any, this is probably not the best place to start.
The structure is very similar to others in the series, with the familiar cast of characters appearing. There are essentially four interwoven storylines. Mma Makutsi's fiance Mr Phuti Radiphuti is in an accident and she clashes with his aunt over who should nurse him back to health. Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe has several cases on the go. She is asked to investigate whether a husband is being unfaithful, to assist another man who has been swindled out of his money and travels with Mma Makutsi to the Okavango Delta to track down a safari guide who has been left some money in a will. However the storylines often take a backseat to discussions about teapots, new boots and the merits of the new blue van.
The book opens with Mr J L B Matekoni musing about road rage and the futility of reacting to it and it ends with Mma Ramotswe musing about how to lead a good life. "Do not complain about your life. Do not blame others for things that you have brought upon yourself. Be content with who you are and where you are, and do whatever you can to bring to others such contentment, and joy, and understanding that you have managed to find yourself."
It's a lovely, warm and fuzzy novel that lives up in every way to the others in this gorgeous series.
The Time Traveler's Wife audio book February 28, 2010
Mrs. Margaret Taylor (England uk)
1 out of 17 found this review helpful
Glad I listened to the audio book as I found the book hard going. Enjoyed the story. Brought it to life just listening to it.
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