Tears of the Giraffe - Alexander McCall Smith > Reviews

Advantages: A well-written, uplifting story.
Disadvantages: It isn't detective fiction!

Precious Ramotswe is the proprietor of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, set up with money left to her by her Daddy, Obed Ramotswe. She’s Botswana’s finest (and only) female detective. Her fiancé, Mr J.L.B. Matekoni is the owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors and they are planning their life together. Meanwhile Mma Ramotswe investigates the disappearance of an American student a decade ago and Mr J.L.B. Matekoni accidentally adopts not one, but ... Read review

Advantages: Entertaining read, great characters, authentic setting, gentle humour
Disadvantages: Complex names

...brought into their lives in Tears of the Giraffe and I felt that added an extra dimension to the story, which was definitely beneficial. I will look forward to reading more about them in future books. Tears of the Giraffe interweaves their lives along with the cases that come into the detective agency. Mma Ramotswe's work is different to traditional policing and the novels never get violent, frightening or gory. Although they deal with some serious ... Read review

Advantages: Warm and wise
Disadvantages: You won't want it to end

Tears of the Giraffe is the second in the seiries by Mcall Smith of the No. 1 Ladies Detecive Agency and follows straight on from the first novel. However you wouldn't have to have read the first book as relationships are explained and in fact, many characters are further developed. The main character is still Botswana's only - and finest - female private detective Precious Ramotswe, but the detection side is thin on the ground and there are even ... Read review

Advantages: Writing style
Disadvantages: Not everyone's cup of tea

This is the second in the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series and Mma Precious Ramotswe of Botswana continues with her adventures and her friend Mr J.L.B Matekoni of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, manages to have a surprise (or two) up his sleeve. In this book Mma Ramotswe helps find a missing son and helps a man who thinks his wife is having an affair. Whilst the investigations do not use cutting edge crime busting techniques, Mma Ramotswe solves them ... Read review