Mma Grace Makutsi enjoys shopping. New dresses are a fine thing to buy, but for Grace, shoes are nearly an obsession. While most people are limited in their available shopping times, Grace has a bit more flexibility. One day, she follows her impulse to visit the shops. What follows is a cascade of events with unexpected results. Among other things, it brings on a clash with her employer, Mma Precious Ramotswe of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. The confrontation is rather intense for two such mild-mannered ladies, but the success of the business may be at stake - as well as the type of lifepath each lady will follow. Grace makes a decision regarding her future. It's the first of several mis-steps that occur in this tale.
McCall Smith may have reached a new peak with this book. Each character seems enlarged through this volume - particularly when compared to the earlier works. Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, proprietor of the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors facility - which also houses the Agency - takes on a richer role here. As Precious' husband, he is challenged as never before, as a man and as a mentor. The author grants him more introspective opportunities, and we learn even more about him than the earlier books conveyed. Even Charlie the apprentice mechanic becomes something more than just an aggravation to both Mr Matekoni and Grace. For one thing, Charlie has also determined to enlarge his role - in unexpected ways. It, too, proves a difficult, almost tragic, step in the wrong direction.
The "mysteries" the Agency must resolve are of the usual type. There is the suspected unfaithful husband. A printing shop is being victimised by one of its own employees. And in distant Mochudi, patients in the local hospital have died under mysterious circumstances. Mochudi, of course, is a special place to Mma Ramotswe, and she must travel there to investigate this bizarre circumstance. Meanwhile, Mr J.L.B. Matekoni has taken it upon himself to address the adultery issue with surprising results. Is he going to become a detective instead of keeping to his beloved mechanic's role?
McCall Smith seems to add triumph upon triumph in this series. His ability to depict characters is unexcelled, brought here to new heights. He has already given vivid life portrayals to both Precious and Grace. They are more fully revealed in this book. The added thoughts and feelings of Mr J.L.B. Matekoni are especially moving. Although most of these novels may be read without reference to the other works, this one's value cannot be fully embraced without having at least the first one under the reader's belt. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
