Tea Time for the Traditionally Built: A No. 1 Ladies' Detective… (edition 2010)

This installment of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency is definitely one of my favorites out of the series to date. Many may categorize these books as mystery novels, but they do not fall into that category for me. These are sweet novels, full of guidance and morality that keep a smile on my face during most of the book.

There were not many mysteries for the detectives to solve in this installment, but there is plenty of action in the lives of Mma Makutsi and Mma Ramotswe. Grace is still keeping the secret of the ruined bed from the previous novel, but her newest problem is the appearance of her archenemy from the Secretarial College. When Violet is hired at Phudi's shop to work in the mattress department, Grace knows she has other intentions. It doesn't take the detectives long to figure this one out at all!

As Mma Ramotswe works on her latest cases she also must accept that her tiny white van has seen better days. When her husband decides that the white van should be put out to pasture, he surprises her with a new van. Mma Ramotswe has difficulty reconciling with her feelings as her white van has helped her through so many difficult times. She has no choice but to say good-bye to a lifelong friend. But I won't be surprised if the van makes an appearance in a future segment of the series.

If you are looking for a mystery that is full of suspense, murder, and action, then this book is not for you. But if you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, smile, and just feel happy while reading, then I highly suggest this one. With themes of honesty, friendship, and family, this novel was an enjoyment to read. I highly recommend this book for personal leisure or as a book club discussion. ( )

What is that saying? The more things change, the more they stay the same. When we catch up to Mma Ramotswe and the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Mma Ramotswe is now still at the agency but she is now married to Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni. Her assistant, Mma Matekutsi is still at the agency (although there is no mention of her typing school) and she is engaged to a well-to-do furniture salesman. The big drama lies with Mma Matekuts. She has a competitor, another woman trying to steal her fiance away with immoral tactics. Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe's home life is doing well with the exception of her beloved tiny white van. As it becomes older it gets harder and harder to fix. She soon begins to hide the troubles from Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni for fear he will tell her to get rid of it. It seems unusual for Mma Ramotswe to love the tiny white van as much as she does but she considers it part of the family and goes to great lengths to keep it around. The one "mystery" of the book involves an always-losing football team. The manager is convinced someone is a traitor and losing games on purpose. Mma Ramotswe has been hired to find the culprit, which of course, she does. ( )

As always Mma takes on the forces in Botswana and comes thru them wiser and in better shape. These books make me wish to visit Botswana one day and love it as much as the author does.

I liked the whole story, but refuse to give away plot points. All of them are jewels. ( )

Interestingly, I do not like the three other series that McCall Smith write. Somehow, this series, its characters, setting, and style - it's just perfect. Reading them relaxes me, and every chapter or so, I'll come upon a passage or sentence that takes my mind off the page and into further contemplation. There're always parts that I _have_ to share with someone because they're funny, poignant, etc. Perhaps the writing style matches the setting and characters, and Botswana's pace and mood create a beautiful book. ( )