The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection

Starred review from March 5, 2012
Smith wisely doesn’t tamper with his winning recipe for literary comfort food in his 13th excursion to Gaborone, Botswana, in the company of bighearted PI Precious Ramotswe (after 2011’s The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party). An unknown tall man appears in a dream to Mma Ramotswe, and before long, one shows up for real, in the person of American Clovis Andersen, author of the bible of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, The Principles of Private Detection. Invited to the country by a woman working on an American project to build school libraries, Anderson ends up assisting his biggest fan in looking into the dirty laundry of a businessman whose plans to make the local orphanage more efficient threaten the role of its matron and its successful operation. As always, the detection is secondary to Smith’s continuing exploration of the rhythms and social dynamics of smalltown African life. Agent: Robin Straus, Robin Straus Agency.

In this episode of Alexander McCall Smith's popular series, there's much going on. The orphan farm is in danger of losing a cherished routine. One of J.L.B. Matekoni's apprentices is in trouble with the law. And Clovis Andersen, the American author of "The Principles of Private Detection" (the "bible" of the gentle ladies of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency), makes a surprise visit. Speaking beautifully fluid Botswanian-accented English, Lisette Lecat offers an energetic, wiry Grace Makutsi, a "traditionally built" Precious Ramotswe, and a substantial Phuti Radiphuti, Grace's new husband. Lecat narrates all the books in the series, so start at the beginning to fully enjoy an agreeable group of people with whom one would enjoy a cup of bush tea. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

Starred review from July 1, 2012
The 13th outing in the long-running "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" series cuts no new ground, but despite a chain of misfortunes to be sorted out, protagonist Precious Ramotswe maintains her common sense-based equanimity and solves all problems with gentleness and charm. All of the familiar characters are present, and the agency gets a wonderful surprise when Clovis Anderson, the author of Mma Ramotswe's battered guidebook, "The Principles of Private Detection", shows up on the doorstep. Narrator Lisette Lecat, originally from South Africa, reads with a musical accent that enhances a sense of being in Botswana and conveys the subtle humor of the tale. VERDICT This audiobook will delight the series' many existing fans and is an excellent choice for any listener who prefers mysteries without violence or strong language. [The Pantheon hc was a "New York Times" best seller.--Ed.]--Janet Martin, Southern Pines P.L., NC

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