Scan barcode
redcurrant_rum's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
nuhafariha's review against another edition
4.0
Is there anything as comforting as Alexander McCall Smith's No 1 Ladies Detective Agency? In a Song of Comfortable Chairs, we once again join Mmas Ramotswe and Makutsi as they solve the larger mysteries of life in urban Botswana. McCall Smith is masterful with his pacing and pontifications. It's as much of a mystery novel ad it is a philosophical meandering. I love this series and look forward to every new addition!
bickleyhouse's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is my first book by Alexander McCall Smith. I've seen dozens of his books at our library, as I frequently am shelving around that area, and have been intrigued by them. The reason I chose this book for a reading challenge, in which I needed a book with a piece of furniture on the cover. And this book, of course, has a chair on the cover. A very comfy looking chair, I might add.
I had no idea what to expect (my mother recommended this to me, by the way) from Mr. McCall Smith. No idea whatsoever. I knew this was part of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. It's number 23, I believe, in the series. And I will say that I will definitely head back to the beginning to read more of the series. But back to that bit about having no idea what to expect. I figured "cozy mystery," but was totally unprepared for what I got.
This. Book. Is. HILARIOUS!!! I don't think I have laughed this much while reading a book since I read Good Omens, by Pratchett and Gaiman! Mmas Ramotswe and Makutsi run the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency together. And their interactions are so funny. In this book, they wind up helping two different people with their problems. And for fans of non-violent mysteries, there was no killing in this story. No murder.
On one hand, the ladies help a woman with her misbehaving son. They cook up a plan to show him how good he really had things, hoping that he would come around. On the other hand, they wind up helping Mma Makutsi's husband out, because a rival furniture company seems to always be undercutting the prices on his (you could probably figure this out) chairs.
The story is absolutely delightful, and I just this second decided to change my rating to five stars. So there. I certainly enjoyed Alexander McCall Smith's writing, and his characters. There isn't a lot of character development or world-building in this one, because it's number 23. A lot of that has already happened, I'm sure. That's why I want to go back and see how he introduces our heroines.
I had no idea what to expect (my mother recommended this to me, by the way) from Mr. McCall Smith. No idea whatsoever. I knew this was part of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. It's number 23, I believe, in the series. And I will say that I will definitely head back to the beginning to read more of the series. But back to that bit about having no idea what to expect. I figured "cozy mystery," but was totally unprepared for what I got.
This. Book. Is. HILARIOUS!!! I don't think I have laughed this much while reading a book since I read Good Omens, by Pratchett and Gaiman! Mmas Ramotswe and Makutsi run the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency together. And their interactions are so funny. In this book, they wind up helping two different people with their problems. And for fans of non-violent mysteries, there was no killing in this story. No murder.
On one hand, the ladies help a woman with her misbehaving son. They cook up a plan to show him how good he really had things, hoping that he would come around. On the other hand, they wind up helping Mma Makutsi's husband out, because a rival furniture company seems to always be undercutting the prices on his (you could probably figure this out) chairs.
The story is absolutely delightful, and I just this second decided to change my rating to five stars. So there. I certainly enjoyed Alexander McCall Smith's writing, and his characters. There isn't a lot of character development or world-building in this one, because it's number 23. A lot of that has already happened, I'm sure. That's why I want to go back and see how he introduces our heroines.
thebookishpersuasion's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
heathersbike's review against another edition
I'm afraid I might have caught up to AMS.
linda_edwards's review against another edition
3.0
Again with the previous two books I feel that this series is running out of steam. I did enjoy it but not much happened, I wish there was some crime to actually solve rather than problems. I hear that there is a new one coming out soon, either the series ends or they get back to being an exciting read.
bags_and_bookz's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada, Knopf Canada and Alexander McCall Smith for free e-ARC of A Song of Comfortable Chairs in return of my honest review.
I applied for the book because I enjoyed the premise, I like a good cozy mystery and this book should have hit the spot. However, I was astonished when I finished it as it was not a real mystery, Agatha Christie type, it was not mystery whatsoever. It was a story basically about friends helping each other to do good business- to facilitate the sale of comfortable chairs to the locals when a new competitive store has open and started to disrupt the first business.
First of all, it was hard to concentrate as it was super slow (that I can understand as it might have been due to cultural peculiarities). I wanted some actions, at least a few leads to follow - here it was who said what to whom in a grocery line, who overheard and imagined the rest, bla bla bla… and it was a book 23 of the series!!!! It was tiresome, boring, uninspiring and overall sad…
I am glad I finished it (even through pain and tears). I will not pick up this author again. Thank you
I applied for the book because I enjoyed the premise, I like a good cozy mystery and this book should have hit the spot. However, I was astonished when I finished it as it was not a real mystery, Agatha Christie type, it was not mystery whatsoever. It was a story basically about friends helping each other to do good business- to facilitate the sale of comfortable chairs to the locals when a new competitive store has open and started to disrupt the first business.
First of all, it was hard to concentrate as it was super slow (that I can understand as it might have been due to cultural peculiarities). I wanted some actions, at least a few leads to follow - here it was who said what to whom in a grocery line, who overheard and imagined the rest, bla bla bla… and it was a book 23 of the series!!!! It was tiresome, boring, uninspiring and overall sad…
I am glad I finished it (even through pain and tears). I will not pick up this author again. Thank you
tmarjorie's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
karynhansen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0