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

Fiction has the ability to transport a reader into the world of the author's choosing. The best fiction enhances the reader's ability to deal with reality. The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series, of which this volume is the eighth installment, brings the reader to Botswana--an African nation struggling to maintain its identity as it adopts modern ways--and shows the power to be had in moral living, in trying to do good and be good. No reader can or will regret time spent in Mma Ramotswe's world. The author's love of Africa pervades his stories. His characters are good people who deal with their circumstances and foibles in an honest and forthright manner so lacking in more "modern" cultures and settings. Africa seems to have retained habits of polite respect, habits now rarely found in this Californian's world. By this eighth volume we have come to know and respect Mma Ramotswe as a person with a singular gift of insight. By now we have seen her deal with numerous difficulties and the author is concentrating on her husband Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni who must deal with a mid-life crisis, her friend Grace Makutsi who must adapt to success, Charlie the Apprentice who is apt to make a mess of things as well as the typical clientele of the Agency; problems are solved. The genius of Mr. Smith's series is the pacing. There are no hurries. He takes the time to explore his characters' feelings and reactions to life and does so in an engaging, surprisingly readable manner. In a very telling scene, though there may be dangerous crocodiles in the water, Mr. Smith demonstrates that Mma Ramotswe can still, though wary, appreciate the beauty of her wild country. Likewise, though our world is inhabited by crocodiles of a different sort, we learn that happiness can still be found and enjoyed despite all difficulties. There is an unequalled depth to these characters and their stories are mixed with wry commentary on the human condition that is alone worth the price of the book--there is wisdom in these stories that far exceeds most of the drivel masquerading as literature. Marriage is sanctified, virtue is rewarded, mercy is extended and rewarded; Mr. Smith convincingly portrays the conditions precedent to happiness and true satisfaction with life. His stories give hope. I prescribe all eight volumes for anyone who is weary of the world in which we live. These books demonstrate that a gentle, peaceful life can still be had amongst the crocodiles.

The characters are lovable believable and the kind of people you would like to spend some time with. They're kind and thoughtful and their thoughts at times are even inspiring. While the book does slow down occasionally, those times are easy to put up with because the characters themselves are just so enjoyable to be with. And added Plus for this book is that it will give you a deep appreciation of the beauty of Africa.

It is often said, "What goes around, comes around." Or perhaps more succinctly and more personally, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." In this book, the 8th book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Series, McCall Smith concentrates on Work Ethics on the job. Many interesting events take place in this volume for followers of the series. We have two resignations, Mma Makutsi and Rra Charlie, the older mechanic apprentice; each for their own reasons. And, each returns for totally different reasons. Both are welcomed back, despite the terms of their resignations. Each of these allowances for their returns are deeply embedded in the high ethical positions of both Mma Ramotswe and Rra J.L.B. Matekoni. Both run the most highly ethical types of lives and these high ethics extend also to their work and how they treat people in their work and outside their work. Ethics in work is perhaps even more important than ethics in the rest of life, as at work, there is a job to keep secure and a salary to earn that supports families, children, and spouses; if not others. Perhaps the most interesting of all the ethical questions tackled by McCall Smith in this book is that of Medical Ethics. There is a case that comes into the Agency, involving the mysterious death of three people, who died in the same bed at the same time; each occurrence happening on a Friday. Surely this could be a coincidence, but the odds of such a coincidence must be astronomical. It is Mma Ramotswe's job to investigate and evaluate whether there is something or someone responsible for these mysterious deaths, or whether the unusually odd statistical probability is just that, a coincidence. With her usual style, Mma investigates this situation with the assistance of her unusually acute sense of awareness. She looks for something different, particularly at that time on Fridays. She does in fact find just such a difference. It turns out, that the Assistant Administrator is aware of this situation, but he had been the one to call in Mma Ramotswe and the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. That decision was one of ethics. Despite the Administrator's awareness of the reason, he wanted an outside agent to write a report indicating that there was nothing amiss in these deaths. When it turns out, that the one responsible for the mysterious occurrence is not aware whatsoever of what she had caused, it was left to Mma Ramotswe to decide what would be the ethical thing to do. All those who lost their lives had been old, with no dependent relatives and they had been very, very sick. Mma decides that the protection of the inadvertent perpetrator's sense of ethical propriety is the most ethically correct position to take. She therefore agrees with the Administrator to indicate that there is nothing unusual about the incident and to let it end right there. This volume is particularly fine in the series. By this the eighth book in the series, there is considerable character development and readers of all 8 books understand and know the ways of the characters that appear in the series. Because of this situation, McCall Smith is able to play on their past behaviors to work out some very tricky and sticky Work Ethics problems and considerations. The book is recommended to all readers interested in ethical behavior and all readers of McCall Smith books who want to read perhaps the very best of the series since the first book.

There is just no one who can make one fall in love with the delightfully simple yet consistently entertaining and insightful characters in the #1 Ladies Detective Series by Alexander McCall Smith. I hope he never stops writing their stories!

Dear Mma Ramotswe, After reading this latest book about your detective agency, I suspect that you may soon be looking to hire a new assistant detective. Although I trained as a librarian, I believe I have the qualities you are looking for on Tlokweng Road. First of all I achieved a grade of 98 percent on my library exams, which I believe betters the score of a certain graduate of the Botswana Secretarial College. Through all of your mysteries I have come to love the peaceful nation of Botswana, its father Seretse Khama, its cattle, your daddy Obed, bush tea, the tiny white van, and, most importantly, traditionally built ladies. Of all the mysteries that we order for my library, yours are my favorite. True, each one is much like the other. But that is what I love, the ability to almost complete your sentences, read your thoughts, to know what you will be having for dinner (stewed pumpkin). I never feel more at peace than I do upon re-entering your world in Gabarone. In this book, I love the way familiar friends are placed in unfamiliar situations. Mma Makutsi's red dress and talking shoes alone provide enough drama for an excellent addition to the series, never mind that philandering husband or that unlucky hospital bed. A novel a year is simply not enough for me though--I would like to spend every day with you, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni and even those good for nothing apprentices who are so like some of my feckless after school volunteers. Patron references available upon request. The Stern Librarian (I also understand engines).

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.

In this installment of the enchanting #1 Ladies Detective Agency series, life under the acacia tree on Zebra Drive in Gaborone, Botswana continues with its usual rhythm. Several key characters step outside their traditional roles: Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni (Mma Ramotswe's husband and owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors) takes an interest in detecting, Mma Makutsi (her assistant detective) considers another career and Charlie the automotive apprentice starts a small business. Three mysteries (perhaps four if the mysterious photograph is counted) are resolved and much bush tea is drunk. Each of these books - and this one is no exception - gives the reader a gentle vignette of life under the wide and empty African sky. They are written with great love and understanding of place and people. I eagerly await each new volume.

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

Nourishment for the soul. Comfort for the heart. If you are looking for a read that will stay with you, you won’t regret this one.

Alexander McCall Smith never disappoints!