another great one from smith. i love this series!

I enjoy these books although I tend to leave a year or more between each one, as they are a much of a muchness. But it's like going back to visit old friends for a day or two, and really this series is just a happy place for me. There are some great one liners and reflections on life and the nature of people. And the life in these books is at a different pace to the way madness can feel here.
Honestly, there's not a heck of a lot to this book. There is an investigation in to a woman's real family - since her mother's death she's realised that her mother wasn't her mother; in fact she doesn't even know what date she was really born. They do a half arsed investigation on this, the details, such as a date of birth searched for. There's some hate mail coming in to the office which is neatly explained away. Mma Matkusi buys a bed.... yeah, it's not mind blowing, but as I say, it's the charm of these books that holds them up.

My least liked of this series. Not much happens except some further character development of Grace Makutsi. Mma Ramwotse does discover miracles in everyday events but the miracles seem tired and a bit contrived.

I love this series. It's the perfect thing for me to listen to while doing chores or driving to and from work. It relaxes me but also makes me think. Precious Ramotswe is bordering on a Zen master.

I keep coming back to this series for the likable characters, bright writing and beautiful descriptions. Alexander McCall Smith doesn't disappoint! I will be sorry when I'm all caught up, but for now I relish having these novels waiting for me in between longer, heavier books.

- 3.5/5 Stars -

Dit is de eerste keer dat ik een book van Alexander McCall Smith lees. Ik weet niet of het een goede keus was om enkel een boek midden uit de serie te lezen maar dat was nu eenmaal het enige boek dat ik van deze serie in huis had.

Dit boek brengt je even naar een andere wereld en laat je een geheel andere cultuur zien. Een cultuur/leefomgeving waar regen wordt verwelkomd, weesjes worden opgevangen door dorpsbewoners, mieren worden gegeten door kinderen (en smaken naar pindakaas), er nog de veronderstelling bestaat dat mannen een andere rol in de samenleving hebben dan vrouwen en het kopen van een bed in de vorm van een hart een geheel maandsalaris kost. Dit alles vond ik fantastisch aan het boek, het geeft me een rede om meer boeken uit deze serie te gaan lezen.

Aan de andere kant is het boek wel heel traag. Er lopen in het boek drie spanningsbogen echter blijft elke spanningsboog redelijk oppervlakkig en wordt er niks echt uitgediept, dit maakte het boek naar mijn mening soms saai.

Nice new addition to the series, keeping with the reflective style. New troubles confront the main characters, in addition to the new cases.

Reading books in this series are always like taking a vacation.

This particular installment made me laugh, even more than some of the previous ones, and I found all of the stories very compelling. The good thing about this series is that every book has several plot lines, some isolated to one book, and some of which continue from book to book like a lot of TV shows do.

This book was a welcome, light relief after reading the same looooong book all summer.

Another wonderful trip to Botswana! I love these characters and I love these simple mysteries of life. It always refreshes me to spend time with Precious Ramotswe.

I always look forward to these books! Nicely fleshed out characters, and the stories are peacefully told. Highly enjoyable.