An interesting mystery of ladies detective agency set in Botswana with the attendant introduction to Botswanan culture, food, dress and customs. Fun read. ( )

Double comfort just about sums up these gentle mysteries set in Botswana. This time round Precious Ramotswe is asked to investigate an allegedly unfaithful husband and find a tourist guide who has been left a legacy. Also, Mma Makutsi's romance has run into difficulties. ( )

That was the way the world was; it was composed of a few almost perfect people (ourselves); then there were a good many people who generally did their best but were not all that perfect (our friends and colleagues); and finally, there were a few rather nasty ones (our enemies and opponents).”

The eleventh book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, is another feel-good story with more quotable insights from Mma Ramotswe, although this book has a darker turn of events featuring Phuti Radiphuti and Mma Makutsi. Even this is written with sensitivity and McCall-Smith's trademark humor.

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I enjoy this series the farther I go in it. It's a unique "mystery" series, because the mysteries are not very intense, and often it's just a case of being observant and finding the right person to ask. They're little mysteries, and they have a lot to do with people's personalities. There are also several side-by-side stories that enhance the main characters' plot arcs and personal lives.

For instance, in this one, Mma Ramotswe and her assistant Mma Makutsi are asked to find a safari guide who is to receive an inheritance. The only problem? They don't know his name. The American woman who left him a legacy merely remembered that he was extraordinarily kind to her.

Meanwhile, Grace Makutsi's fiance has been terribly injured and is now being held hostage by a jealous aunt. How is Grace to get her foot in the door to be reunited with her man?

I love the humorous moments and the running jokes in the series. I will have to mark quotes and share some in the future. Rarely have I ever read something that is so good at combining laughs and serious thoughts. It is very human, and very positive.

Also Mma Ramotswe's observations about people and life are witty while also having the charm of being very simple and natural. The voice feels great, something you can get lost in and almost forget there's an author creating this world. That's pretty skillful! ( )

Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi head to a safari camp to carry out a delicate mission on behalf of a former guest who has left one of the guides a large sum of money. But once they find their man, Precious begins to sense that something is not right. To make matters worse, shortly before their departure Mma Makutsi’s fiancé, Phuti Radiphuti, suffers a debilitating accident, and when his aunt moves in to take care of him, she also pushes Mma Makutsi out of the picture. Could she be trying to break up the relationship? Finally, a local priest and his wife independently approach Mma Ramotswe with concerns of infidelity, creating a rather unusual and tricky situation. Nevertheless, Precious is confident that with a little patience, kindness and good sense things will work out for the best, something that will delight her many fans. ( )