The Miracle at Speedy Motors: The New Novel in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency)

This is another hit for the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana, Africa. The book flows smoothly and is enjoyable to read. I could not put it down. Charming, as always. I have learned a lot about African life and different kinds of tea from this series.

Some of these books feel as if the author has turned the crank on his machine and produced the requisite 200 pages. Here we find the humor and the good hearted relationships established in the first of the series. Many of the small characters are given bigger roles here and actually a significant part of the story: Mr. Polopetsi has an important role and even Charlie's obsession with women turns to good stead.

Even though each of the children has an important event, the main family is still stiff and formal -- addressing each by formal names, while Mma Makutsi and her fiancé use their first names. Even though Mma Ramotswe finally refers to herself as "Mommy" in trying to comfort her adopted son, that never recurs. And you never forget they're adopted.

The main relationship is between the two women of the agency and that's particularly close here.

Apart from my complaints, the book is delightful. There are problems to be solved here and bizarre characters and great humor to be found in the solution. Don't miss the satire on Hollywood chase scenes -- played out in the most absurd of situations. Picture the scene as you read!

There is wisdom and kindness in Mma Ramotswe's discussions and Mma Makutsi even rises to acknowledge that she, herself, has not this wisdom -- although she recognizes it. This book has the humor and richness of the better books of the series with enough plot to keep it going.

In this series, there is little character or relationship development. Each book is an escapist entertainment using detective cases for much of the plot and family problems for the rest. The great value is the warmth of the relationships, the humor, and the particular -- or particular -- accent of the African style.

I have read and loved the entire series of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency. That said this one is my favorite. Each book in the series is a mini vacation to a simpler more innocent time in the beautiful African setting. Of all of the qualities that make this series so enjoyable, I think Alexander McCall Smith has captured them best in this book.I don't want this journey to end.

I have read all of the books in this series, as well as all of the other books this author has written. While I tend to like his other series slightly more, especially his satire, The #1 Ladies' Detective Agency is top of my list for a gentle and engaging read. The characters here are filled out with more detail than some of the earlier books in the series, and the plot somewhat more complex. As always, one can easily forget living in the midst of hectic suburban America and be transported to a land of cattle and tradition, where the day to day nuances of life remind one of what is important, and what is not. Highly recommended!

Like returning to an old friend. This is the kind of stories we enjoy from Mr. Smith.