Reviewed by Jeanne
When a young woman complains that she was unfairly dismissed
from her job, the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency has a new case. Charity was accused of being rude to a
customer, a charge she denies. Was she
really guilty, or is there something else going on at the store?
Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe discovers there is another woman with
the unusual surname of Ramotswe. She
must be a relative, but how are they related?
Adding to her stress is that a man from her past is in town,
someone she wants to avoid.
Everyone knows the formula for these books. Problems are solved over cups of red bush
tea, fruit cake is consumed, and the state of the world is discussed. These are
characters we know and love, and we care about them. This entry has the usually unflappable Mma
Ramotswe suffering emotional pain. As
Mma Makutsi thinks, “Mma Ramotswe being sad was like a day with no sun, a day
with no birdsong at dawn, a day without tea. . . .”
I hesitate to describe the plot any further, because I don’t
want to spoil anything.
Be assured that all turns out well in the end, with a surprise
or two along the way, but the emotional depth that run through the book makes
this volume a standout for me. I’ll admit that some of the books have run
together but there are some I remember vividly, and I think this will be one of
those.
McCall Smith knows how to aim for the heart.
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