The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Book 8)

I discovered this series only recently and I can understand why, as I found out, it is such a world-wide success and why Mma Ramotswe has become such an icon. It is not great, ponderous literature -- it is much more than that! The plots are simple but well done; the writing very pleasant. However, in my opinion neither plot nor style, perfectly unobjectionable as they are, are these books' main attraction. The characters are, and their interaction. The people come to life all the time: wise, funny, loyal, weak -- completely human. There are great life lessons to be learned in these apparently simple books, from love for humanity, to the need for forgiveness and respect. Objects, and the land, also play an important and unforgettable role. I barely knew where to find Botswana on the world map before, and now it is so vivid in my mind as if I lived there for ever. One warmly given suggestion: read these books chronologically. You will enjoy them even if your read them in an hapazard order, but if you read them as they were written you will be drawn even more into this jewel of a world.

Well, here we are again - book eight of the captivating series by Alexander McCall Smith, about the life and times of the traditionally built proprietress of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Fans of the series will once again delight in the straightforward storytelling, the comfortable atmosphere and especially the characters that by now are as familiar as a favorite cup of tea. Although this one isn't his best, it brings in a few new developments that more than make up for the old chestnut of a plot line that he resurrects for a new client who is in fact a distant relative of Mma Ramotswe. Anybody who has come across a certain medically themed cartoon or keeps up with urban legends will solve this case immediately, and although I kept hoping that there would be a twist, I was disappointed to find out that I was right all along. That aside, Mma Ramotswe has her hands full with a human resources problem, Mma Makutsi branches out and Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni finds that detective work is more difficult than he had expected. Problems arise in life, love and apprentices, but Mma Ramotswe proves that everything can be overcome after some pumpkin and good Botswana beef, or a thick slice of cake and a cup or four of red bush tea. This one is a quick and easy read, and although it's not bad for a book eight in a series, it isn't his best writing to date. If, however, you've been following the series from the beginning, you'll love the character development in spite of the somewhat lame sub-plots. Amanda Richards, May 5, 2007

In this latest installment of the #1 Ladies Detective Series, we find Mma Ramotswe finding challenges in the most unexpected places: the resignation of Mma Makutsi, holder of the 97 percent degree from Botswana Secretarial College; the desire of husband Mr. J L B Matekoni to take on an investigative case in the belief that life as a detective is more exciting than his work as a mechanic; the case of the late patients of a local hospital overseen by her cousin. Throughout the book we find ourselves drawn in to the slower pace of the Botswana life, where people stop to watch the birds in the trees and contemplate life. A perfect respite from our own fast-paced world. But the faster pace of life outside Botswana seems to be making inroads in this book. The types of cases being investigated have begun to change, causing Mma Ramotswe to look to her compatriots for their input and finding that if one but takes the time to sit back, think things through, and open their eyes to the things around them answers to life's questions can be found. Easy to read, this work packs a lot of information and entertainment in its short span of 210 pages. But really, how long does a work need to be if the message can be delivered succinctly? Once again, McCall Smith has given me a good solid read and I look forward to the next chapter in this series. Also recommended: The first 7 books in this series.

Lecture facile car les caractères sont relativement gros pour ce beau roman, très bien écrit et plein d'humour.

Tack, perfekt skick!

Excellent Service, book in great condition. Would Recommend

Alexander McCall Smith never disappoints!

This book of McCall Smith's, again one of the Mma Ramotswe series, is - again: so much more than a "thriller" (and, by the way, MacCall Smith's books are anyhow never-ever "thrillers" in the tradition of famous - and excellent, too - authors), but, again, as in his former Mma Ramotswe novels, a kaleidoskope of human worries, joy, problems, happyness, depressions........well, everything. And a book which, again, is equally entertaining as it is providing food for thought. With a plot which is divided in two, three, more plots but every single thread reaches it's end. Marvellous, moving, stimulating, a MUST BUY!!!