The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Number 13 [Unabridged] [Audible Audio Edition]

Take a slow, deep breath, curl up in your favorite chair with a hot drink and prepare to enjoy another satisfying meal of literary comfort food. The latest instalment in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series may not win any new converts, but it will most definitely not disappoint its fans. All the familiar characters are back and their stories are woven in with little musings on subjects like always doing your best or the value of taking time out just to sit, gaze upon static things and be calm.

Ever since Mma Ramotswe embarked on her career as a private detective, her "bible" has been Clovis Anderson's book about the principles of private detection. She is thrilled to discover that he is visiting Botswana. They become friends, but it is apparent that Clovis is troubled by something. It's quite endearing to read her gushing praise of him, her assumption that he is internationally renowned, while he is clearly nothing of the sort. However they do work together on a case, which makes a refreshing change in formula.

Mma Ramotswe's case is very dear to her heart. Her friend Mma Potokwani, wants her to check the motivations of a member of the orphan farm board. As the conflict between Mma Potokwani and her foe escalates, Clovis and Mma Ramotswe will need to combine their talents to get to the bottom of the affair.

Meanwhile, Fanwell (one of the Speedy Motors apprentices) is getting himself into hot water. A favor for an old acquaintance has lead into illegal territory. And Mma Makutsi's new husband has decided to build them a new home. However the builder whom he has chosen is not particularly interested in Phuti's input and is even less interested in anything that Mma Makutsi has to say. It also appears that one of his builders is wary of Phuti - but why?

If you love this series - as I do - you are bound to enjoy this addition to it.

I've always enjoyed Alexander McCall Smith in just about everyone of the books he's written, including the other series; but the crowning achievement is the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books. McCall Smith has kept this series going through thirteen titles, and I'm surprised that no-one has written a review saying that this volume is not up to standard, as they did in previous Ladies' Detective" books.

In my less-than-humble opinion this book shows the same plotting skills as the previous dozen, plus I was constantly impressed by the quality of McCall Smith's writing. Some little turn of phrase begins to be something delightful, and this happens throughout the book. All the usual crew is here, doing the usual things, except for one of Mr. J.L.B Matekoni's apprentices - and it's not Charlie, for once, but the now ex-apprentice Fanwell who falls foul of the law.

One smart move by McCall Smith is to have a cast of characters who are so enjoyable we don't want anything bad to happen to them. We want those in trouble to come out on top, and we want Mme Ramotswe to uncover the truth and help out her clients, and in this book it's Mma Potokwane, the matron of the orphans farm, who is facing dismissal from her job. Add to this Phuti Radiphuti and his new bride, Grace Maskutsi are having a house built by a contractor who isn't quite following the rules. I raced through the book, hoping that all would come out well in the end.

One development that I thought McCall Smith would have trouble with was the arrival of Clovis Andersen, whose book The Principle of Private Detection has been the guide for the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency since day one. Yet somehow McCall Smith handles this brilliantly, with Andersen playing a largely supportive role and not taking over the entire book. And there's hours of hilarity awaiting you with a description of "Gaborone's Worst Lawyer" fouling up royally in court.

There is in fact plenty of humor in this book, more than usual but it doesn't intrude. My favorite moment was on page one, where Precious Ramotswe considers the effect of a spray that cured an uncomfortable conscience, and how it wouldn't work on the person who invented it, because he would have to consider the consequences of his action.

Even if you've never read a book in this series, this one will be understandable just like all the other ones, as McCall Smith ruminates on human nature. Nothing bad happens to the innocent, yet the personalities of the characters could lead to that. This isn't a Susie Sunshine story, even though it indulges feelings of comfort food.

So if you've ever had the slightest inclination to read one of the books in this series, just get any one of them and settle down for a comfortable few hours of reading. I can't believe that you'd come away with anything but a positive feel and the willingness to read every one of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

This book will not disappoint. McCall Smith reminds us through the lives of our beloved Motswana cast of the strength of human character. It is a comfort to have confirmed the goodness and decency in our fellows, to know that we can be flawed but wise, that we are not defined by our mistakes but are loved despite them. There are no surprises in the latest of volume of this wonderful series, unless it is that a series of books can be so consistently good.