7 September 2011

Review: THE SATURDAY BIG TENT WEDDING PARTY, Alexander McCall Smith

  • Publisher: Large Print edition Thorndike Press, 2011
  • ISBN: 978-1-4104-3513-2
  • 319 pages
  • Source: my local library
Publisher's blurb
The twelfth installment in the beloved, best-selling series is once again a beautiful blend of wit and wisdom, and a profoundly touching tale of the human heart.

Precious Ramotswe is haunted by a dream in which she is driving her dear old white van. Grace Makutsi dreams that her 97 percent on the Botswana Secretarial College exam was a mistake. When Mma Ramotswe discovers that her van is actually still in use (and, of course, sets out to retrieve it), Mma Makutsi wonders whether her dream will turn out to be prophetic as well.

They can only wait and see, but, in the meantime, one of Phuti Radiphuti's apprentices has gotten a girl pregnant and, under pressure to marry her, has run away. Naturally, it is up to Precious and Grace to help the couple work things out. In other developments, Mma Ramotswe investigates a case of rural jealousy in which cattle are being poisoned. Add to the mix Violet Sephotho's newly begun, already unstoppable run for the Botswana Parliament and the possibility that wedding bells may finally ring for Phuti Radiphuti and Grace Makutsi--whose love for each other is as great as their love for Botswana--and we have a charming and delightful tale in the inimitable style of Alexander McCall Smith.

My take:

Reading the next installment in the cozy series The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency has become an annual delight and this one came up to expectations. Essentially they are quick and easy reads, set in Botswana, and just the cup of tea for those who like cozies.

On the eve of Mma Makutsi's long awaited wedding the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency takes on a new case with a new client who had not wanted to meet Mma Ramotswe in the office. Someone has killed two of Botsalo Moeti's cattle and he would like Precious Ramotswe to find out who and why.

This is typical of the cases that the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency takes on and eventually Mma Ramotswe comes up with several possible scenarios. She also applies her mind to a number of domestic issues, resolving all of them satisfactorily.

I'm sure the fact that I enjoy this series so much is related to the fact that I've been reading them since the first was published back in 1998. They've all been good reads, cozies, and there has been story-line development. So, if you've never tried them, hunt down the first THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY and begin your journey.

My rating: 4.5

Other reviews on this blog:
TEA TIME for the TRADITIONALLY BUILT
THE MIRACLE AT SPEEDY MOTORS

THE DOUBLE COMFORT SAFARI CLUB

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kerrie - Oh, I was so happy when I saw you were reviewing this. I am so very, very fond of this series and I'm glad you liked this one as much as you did :-). For me, too, each of these stories is a delight.

bermudaonion said...

I'm glad you enjoyed this so much! I haven't read this series in a while and really should get back to it.

Marg said...

I liked this one too! I need to catch up with some of his other series though.

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