Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC

5 out of 5

I've been a faithful reader of this series since the first book was published more than 25 years ago. I picked it up as I'm a devoted mystery reader, but I discovered something that really has no genre. There's rarely violent death in these books, and the mystery is more the mystery of the myriad ways humans can relate to each other.

These books are like a spa day for the brain, I just relax and immerse myself in a story of a different time and place (even though they are set in 'the present', much of the series has a nostalgic and timeless feel). Precious and Grace are a sweet duo, they're best friends who don't always agree. JLB and Charlie get some book time in this instalment too, as well as other secondary characters we've become friends with.

The author's love of the time he spent with the people and country of Botswana resonates with every word - these books are about friends and family.

Recommended for your best friend and your gran, fans of cosy mysteries and female wisdom, and anyone else you know who needs a smile.

One does not read any book in this series looking for hard-hitting, brutal crime. Mma Ramotswe, from this long-running series' first instalment has been the picture of commonsense, tolerance, and compassion.

The book opens with the people closest to her forgetting her birthday, then of Mma Potokwane bringing a dodgy singles club to her notice. Finally, a woman visiting from the US asks Mma Ramotswe to help her locate any relatives she might have in the country, based on a story passed down through the woman's family.

Nothing is terribly urgent in any of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency's cases, and their impact is rarely felt beyond a small circle of people, which is mostly the case again this time. The plots are rarely why I continue to read this series, though I was glad to see progress in Charlie's maturity, as well as Grace continuing to place too much importance on her status and achievements. Mma Ramotswe continues to be the voice of reason and thoughtfulness, even when handling difficult situations, as two of the cases turn out to be.

The series has long been a comfort read for me, and this book continued the trend, leaving me happy and calm by its satisfying end.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Grab your favourite tea and settle in for fun read. Alexander McCall Smith has crafted another wonderful Mma Ramotswe storyline that transports us to beautiful Botswana. This time, Mma Makutsi and Charlie the key players responsible for the ‘drama/mystery’. Our beloved friends at the No. #1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors continue to evolve and their adventures never fail to entertain. McCall Smith is a such a gifted writer! I look forward to the next installment in this series.
Thank You to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada and Alexander McCall Smith for the opportunity to read and thoroughly enjoy this ARC.

There is nothing more comforting than reading a new Alexander McCall Smith book, especially in the #1 Ladies Detective Agency series! In this latest installment an American lady comes to Botswana to find the family of her beloved grandfather after hearing a lifetime of stories about his homeland. And Charlie, their part time mechanic-apprentice and part time assistant detective takes on his first solo case investigating a singles club which appears to be for the not-so-single. With Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi on the case, you can relax with a cup of red bush tea and a piece of fruitcake and be sure they will find a good solution for everyone involved. I just love reading about all these characters, their problem solving skills and about the beautiful country of Botswana.

Time to cozy up with a cup of tea and read one of my favorite authors of all time! Charming cast of characters, wisdom, wit and insight into human nature. What is not to love about this series and really anything that Alexander McCall Smith writes. Highly recommended! A huge thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC.

From a Far and Lovely Country by Alexander McCall Smith is the latest installment of the brilliant The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Once again, we return to Botswana and are reunited with what feel, at least to me, like old and very dear friends.

Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi take on a new client, Ruth, who is American but is seeking to find answers in her grandfather's beloved homeland of Botswana. At the same time, apprentice Charlie is investigating a concern about the local Singles Club, and a fraudulent scheme involving some prominent married men in the community. It is with complete confidence that readers entrust that the resolution of such troubling matters will be satisfactorily resolved under the competent eye of Mma Ramotswe.

Reading these books is tantamount to indulging in a warm and comforting cup of tea, and I am alreading mourning the day when the author retires this beautiful and altogether charming series that has been such a delight and a comfort over the years. Hopefully that day is a long way off.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an ARC.

I know books in this series will be a pleasant and relaxing read. They contain a poignant, humorous and quiet philosophy of life. I have read all 24 books in the No. 1 Ladies Detective series, and it always feels like a reunion with gracious old friends. Mma Ramotswe is the proprietor of the famed detective agency, the best and probably the only one in Botswana. Very few of their cases touch on true crimes in this lovely and peaceful country. They are hired to solve everyday, often personal problems.

Precious Ramotswe tackles these cases with good sense, mercy, empathy and kindness., and welcomes input from her friends. Mma Maktusi started as office secretary. She has now promoted herself to Director, with all the titles she has bestowed on herself. Charlie, a part-time mechanic, works in the detective's office and hopes to become a detective. He tries to ignore Mma Maktusi's constant harsh and demeaning insults.

While visiting her good friend, Mma Potokwana, an orphanage matron, she learns that a housemother is unhappy. Her daughter enrolled in a singles club and discovered it made money in a fraudulent scheme by registering married men. Mma Ramotswe decides to help. She gives the enthusiastic Charlie his first assignment to investigate the sleazy singles club. Charlie successfully learns that the club is owned by arch-villainess Violet Sephoto and managed by Charlie's admired and former high school teacher and official. Mma Maktusi is impressed by Charlie's discoveries and gives him some well-intentioned advice. Unfortunately, it backfires and causes problems. Mma Ramotswe, her mechanic husband, Mmas Maktusi and Potokwana, and Charlie cooperatively try to solve the unfortunate fallout from the investigation. They have no luck in their endeavour until the cunning of Mma Maktusi solves it.

Precious Ramotswe is distressed as everyone seems to have forgotten her birthday. Her friend and colleague, Mma Maktusi, has ordered her a lovely red dress that is too small for her traditionally built figure. While trying it on, the dress is ruined. This presents a dilemma as the dress has not been paid for yet, and how does she inform her friend?

An American lady has come to a village to contact her late grandfather's relatives. It is a place where everyone assumes to be cousins and have similar family names. A pretender defrauds her but is happy to have a circle of new friends in the beautiful country without finding her relatives.

There is an unresolved issue. I wanted to know if the Singles Club had been legally shut down and if its owner, Violet, had any punishment. It is remarkable that author Alexander McCall Smith has maintained an interest in the characters and events through all 24 books in this series, along with writing all his other popular series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy.
The publication date is set for October 31. I am already looking forward to book number 25!