The House of Unexpected Sisters

If I didn’t know better I might think this was the final installment of the series. The fact is, after 18 books I just assume the series will continue, though I know no such thing. But, this book ended with such a sense of joy and satisfaction, I suppose I would be content if it were the end. As usual, Mma Ramotswe’s level-headed and empathetic approach to life is a simple pleasure, even when it seems she is to face some hard truths of her own in addition to having to unravel the problems of all Botswana. And, is it my imagination or is Mma Makutsi becoming more insufferable all the time? I will confess I had tears in my eyes a couple of times in this story, though of course the series is such that things do come right in the show more end—and it is not a spoiler to say so. show less

It's book number 18 so obviously I like the series. I've never read any of the print editions. I've only listened to the audiobooks. I absolutely adore Lisette Lecat's narration of this series. She's delightful to listen to and I don't have to try and guess at some of the name and place pronunciations.

While it's sort of a series about a detective agency these certainly are not mystery books. Yes they have cases they investigate but even if they do involve a mystery it's really not the main topic of the book. These are a gently told love story to Botswana and to Africa and to "The Old Botswana Morality".

Precious Ramotswe and her family, friends and coworkers are old friends of mine by now. The "Unexpected" part of the title is something show more that definitely throws Mma Ramotswe for a loop and makes her sad for the first time I can remember in 18 books. As is typical for this series it all works out in the end but the journey to get there is an enjoyable, funny, charming and yes, sometimes sad one. These are the audiobook version of comfort food for me.

I'm looking forward to the next book and will be pre-ordering it as soon as it's available on Audible. show less

All the familiar characters are here. All those pleasing strangers too, with their hints of mysteries, and all the scents and sensual scenery of a land far from here. Plus the familiar ponderings on the nature (and changing nature) of humanity. But what if someone long trusted and honored proves false? And what if that falsehood, however small and theoretically forgiven, looms large and changes everything… or at least, changes the shape of everything? Unexpected Sisters offers possible deceit, honest appraisal, mystery, character, and the author’s cool blend of quickly told scenes in a slowly told story that make the No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novels such enjoyable reads. It’s a great addition to the collection.

Disclosure: I show more read it very happily on a plane. show less

In "The House of Unexpected Sisters," by Alexander McCall Smith, Precious Ramotswe, owner of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and her co-director, Grace Makutsi, take on the case of Charity Mompoloki. Charity is a forty-six year old widow and the mother of twin boys. She claims that her boss fired her without warning or just cause. Mrs. Mompoloki desperately needs the income to support her family and would like to be reinstated. Also preoccupying Mma Ramotswe is a shocking discovery that shakes her to the core. This new information threatens to undermine the tremendous admiration she has always felt for her late father, Obed. Finally, that pernicious viper, Violet Sephotho, once again emerges from her lair to stir up trouble.

The show more familiarity of this series is part of its charm. It is comforting to revisit Gaborone and various villages in Botswana, a peaceful but dry land whose inhabitants eagerly await the nourishing rains that enable the grass to grow and the cattle to thrive. We meet our old friends, Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni, Precious's devoted husband; the timid but helpful chemistry teacher and part-time sleuth, Mr. Polopetsi; and the benevolent director of the orphan home, Mma Potokwane, who is always there to soothe Precious with her sound advice, warmth, and slices of delicious fruit cake.

McCall Smith explores such themes as the inadvisability of drawing conclusions without knowing all the facts; the consolation of having good friends and family when one is disconsolate; and the power of forgiveness. Although McCall Smith's conclusion is a rushed--the author hastily ties up a variety of loose ends in a less than convincing fashion--Precious and Grace are so appealing that diehard fans will not quibble too much about the plot's contrivances. Mma Ramotswe is admirable—kind, well-mannered, compassionate, practical, and strong, while Mma Makutski is efficient, conscientious and, in spite of her occasional grumpiness, basically good-hearted. During these troubled times, it is refreshing to read "The House of Unexpected Sisters," a humorous, touching, and entertaining novel in which Precious Ramotswe embodies the old-fashioned virtues of morality, civility, and generosity. show less

Pantheon Books kindly sent me an advance copy of this book for reviewing purposes!


The House Of Unexpected Sisters is a worthy addition to the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. It has two central plotlines: one professional and one personal, both handled at the gentle, steady pace that characterizes this series. Frequent divagations take you inside the minds of the characters, and while these do tend to slow down the action, they are often amusing or relatable. It's a technique that renders especially the main characters quite vivid.


While I found myself wishing early on that the books wouldn't keep using the same villain, I was pleased that the solution did slightly subvert my expectations.


This book really shines in the show more developments in Precious's personal life. Things she has always been sure of suddenly seem to falter, and the narrative is honest and compassionate in showing her struggle.


I recommend this book to fans of Alexander McCall Smith's work but also to anyone looking for an easy and soothing read. This is a cozier-than-cozy mystery, in that there are no murders or violence, not even off-page. The investigations boil down to human nature. Even when that gets a bit complex, at the end of the day things are still incredibly positive in Mma Ramotswe's world. It's a nice place to be. show less

I love this series and look forward to all year. In this book Mr. Polopetsi comes to the ladies of the No. 1 detective agency with the case of a woman who may have been wrongfully terminated. This case may unknowingly have far reaching consequences for Mma Makutsi and her husband's furniture business. There is also the mystery of a woman who shares the unusual surname of Ramotswe with Precious and who even looks like her. Is she a long lost relation? In between solving these mysteries there will be rides in the tiny white fan, visits to the orphan farm and Mma Potokwani, fruit cake will be eaten, and liberal amounts of bush tea will be enjoyed. Villians Violet Sephotho and Note Mokoti even make a cameo.

Reading these books are like a show more comforting visit with old friends. I never fail to take away some important life lesson. In this book I liked " Families come in different ways, she thought: sometimes they are given to you, but sometimes you find them yourself, unexpectedly, as you go through life."This book is about family, the ones you are born with and those you choose to put in your life. show less

In book number 18 of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, Precious Ramotswe helps out a woman who says she was unfairly fired from her job, and also goes looking for someone with whom she may have a previously unknown family connection.

These are usually just pure, warm, snuggly comfort reading for me, but I felt a bit less of that for much of this one. It might partly be that I wasn't in quite the right mood for it, and might also be that there's a thread of melancholy through much of it, as Mma Ramotswe faces the possibility of learning things about the past that she might rather not know. But the end was just warm and lovely and as uplifting as ever, and left me feeling contented and happy.