He continues to write winners!

books:


	• The Miracle at Speedy Motors: The New Novel in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series (No. 1 Ladies' ... Alexander Mccall Smith Pantheon, 2008 - 224 pages average customer review:based on 74 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

He continues to write winners!

We all need to think and respond to life more like Smith's characters do. What great lessons he teaches us!

Not quite as good as the rest

Characters are the same and thoughts on life are equal but the mysteries are quite up to par with the other books. Still a good listen as this refers to the audio version. Still worth the time and contemplation.

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Botswana Ladies Score Again

Each addition to this refreshing and really different series is something I look forward to. When I first picked up "The #1 Ladies Detective Agency" I never dreamed it could become so addictive. Reading about a relatively unknown country and way of life is what makes books one of the best parts of our culture. Anyone looking for violence and sex with their mysteries would be amazed at how much better these Alexander McCall Smith's stories are and how enjoyable the reading.

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Subtle Masterpiece

The latest installment of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency starts out like previous books, but wends and weaves to a beautiful, understated climax. One of the best of the series.

Prizes little-noticed

We're all familiar with the big miracles: the little child as sole survivor of an airplane crash or the earthquake victim pulled alive from rubble a week after the event. Precious Ramotswe, however, is sensitive to the other kind, the little miracles with long-term meaning for family affairs. Founder of The Number One Ladies Detective Agency of Gabarone, Botswana, Precious has been rather miraculous in her own right. She solves others' problems, counsels her colleague, Grace Makutsi. Precious has also has an ongoing miracle with her husband, Mr JLB Matekoni, owner of Speedy Motors on the Tlokweng Road. But all that good fortune, and the notoriety gained thereby, seems to have produced an enemy, who is sending her threatening letters.

McCall Smith's many volumes in this series has allowed him to fill and strengthen his regular characters, while introducing drop-ins who never fail to leave an impact. Charlie, Mr JLB Matekoni's shop apprentice is a fine example. Appearing regularly in a minor role, Charlie seems readily predictable: brash, self-centred and arrogant, he seems destined never to mature. Is he a candidate for things miraculous? McCall Smith's portrayals are the foundations around which these fine stories are constructed. This may well be the peak effort, a finely written and gripping tale of mystery and resolution.

Precious' skills as a detective are on full display here, as is her humanity. She faces a serious challenge from the letters. Tracking down their originator will be a daunting task. Is she up to facing a serious enemy? Woven into this story is a shift in Mr JLB Matekoni's relations with Precious. A sudden act of independence might lead to tragedy for the family and his workshop. Yet, because the act is one of deep humanity, Precious is unable to resist his desire to see if their crippled adopted daughter, Motholeli can be successfully treated. Grace Makutsi becomes caught up in a web of deceit and fabrications. Is the web so tight it may choke her engagement to Phuti Radiphuti, owner of the Double Comfort Furniture Shop?

One thing you may count on with McCall Smith is a reasonably happy ending. At least, there are no serious tragedies to cope with. This one is no different, except in the sense that "miracles" must be openly defined. That is, after all, how real life works. The author brings you to his conclusions with his usual grace and wit. Applying many depths to his stories and their protagonists, a McCall Smith can be taken up again with no regrets. This one is unquestionably one of those. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

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reviews: 1, 2, 3, page 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

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