The Miracle at Speedy Motors (No1 Ladies Detective Agency 9) by Alexander McCall Smith (2008)

if you want to get a round-about way to learn about botswana, here you go. it's like watching law in order to understand the USA

This may be my favorite Ladies' Detective Agency book.

The real mystery in this series is how the author manages to continue the charming adventures of Precious Ramotswe, Grace Makutsi and Mr. JLB Matekoni well past the original seven volumes he had originally intended. Now on Book #9, McCall still manages to breathe new life into his characters, even if they still maintain habitual bush tea drinking or conversations with their shoes!

One of the gifts or major frustrations of this series (depending on your preference) is the slow rate of character development (at least in terms of their interpersonal relationships). While Mma Potokwane can still be relied upon to supply fruitcake and charm Mr. JLB Matekoni into doing odd jobs, other characters begin to grow and mature, even if only by inches. The changes are subtle, but this is what keeps readers coming back for yet another volume.

I have to admit to skipping over some of the repetitions (Smith writes so that you can pick up any volume in the series, but I do recommend reading them in order) but I found the plot coherency better in this book than in the Good Husband of Zebra Drive, for example. There is still a sense that perhaps he sets up too many loose ends and feels a pressure near the end to tie them up, but it doesn't detract from the general enjoyment of the novel.

This series is look a good cup of tea, comforting.

lyrareadsbooks's review

2.0

The story was pleasing, a quiet character driven novel reveling in everyday matters. I probably would have enjoyed it more if it hadn't been for the irritating narration of the audio book. It detracted, rather then enhanced, the story. The character names ran into each other so much, I couldn't keep the female characters straight until half way through the book.
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karenleagermain's review

3.0

Enjoyable, but probably my least favorite in the series. I find it tiresome when Alexander McCall Smith sets up the characters in each book. I know he does it, so that people who have not read the series can be clued in, but having read the whole series, it's irritating.

I liked the character development of J.L.B Matekoni and Motholeli. I am glad that their story line didn't have a convenient resolution.
lizzina's profile picture

lizzina's review

4.0

The comfort read that never let me down. I have started the series years ago and I read a book every now and then, especially when I am undecided what to read or been let down from a book.
I immerse myself in the warmth of Botswana, sipping red Bush tea and enjoy the next adventure of Mma Ramotswe and her circle of friends and family. And I smile ☺
lavoiture's profile picture

lavoiture's review

4.0

I just love these books. They are total fluff, but they are always pleasant and make me happy and calm. And I always want to move to Botswana when I read any of the books! I just love Mma Ramotswe. She is one of my favorite characters ever...
ebokhyllami's profile picture

ebokhyllami's review


Sommer-forfatteren min infrir igjen! Jeg har nettopp lest ferdig bok nr. 9 i serien om Botswana's Nr. 1 Ladie's Detective Agency, og jeg er like varm om hjertet denne gang. Hvor utrolig autentisk botswanske er vel ikke disse bøkene, og littegranne naive, slik vi europeere oppfatter dette afrikanske folkeslaget. Les gjerne mer om Alexander McCall Smith HER.

Om "The Miracle at Speedy Motors"

Mma Ramotswe og hennes sekretær har nå flyttet kontoret sitt inn i samme bygget som hennes ektemann driver verkstedet "Speedy Motors" og detektivbyrået går strålende. Det har imidlertid ikke gått opp for Precious Ramotswe at det kan følge ulemper med å være den mest kjente kvinnelige detektiven i Botswana før hun mottar et anonymt trusselbrev. Mma Ramotswe blir plutselig tvunget til å revurdere sin egen ubøyelige tro på en god verden og snille naboer.

Imens hun funderer på identiteten til brevskriveren så får hun flere problemer å løse, både profesjonelle og persolinge. En adoptert kvinnes søken etter hennes virkelige familie og hennes ektemann Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's jakt på et dyrt mirakel for deres egen fosterdatter Motholeli som sitter i rullestol.

Med disse siste hendelsene i Tlokweng Road åpenbarer Alexander McCall Smith med sin brilliante evne til å fortelle historier at det er veldig få problemer som ikke kan løses med vennlighet og at veldig få afrikanske tørketider ikke ender i en velkommen og etterlengtet regntid.

Selv om boka i og for seg handler om privatdetektiven Mma Ramotswe så er dette langt fra en krim-bok. Den inneholder ingen kompliserte og teknisk krevende saker. Poenget med bokserien er ikke sakene som løses i seg selv. Det er Mma Ramotswe's kjærlighet til Afrika, og hennes visdom og varme humor som skinner gjennom hver side i boka. Jeg er veldig glad i serien og anbefaler den på det varmeste.