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kschmoldt's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very satisfying read, and gave me all the warm fuzzies that I normally get from these books. However, the book was more about situations with friends and there was not a mystery to be solved per se. Still, I found it very enjoyable.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
Another feel-good cozy mystery from one of my favorite authors! All of the regular Botswana crew is back in this story focused on the growing office tension between Precious and Grace. Grace keeps overreaching her position in the agency and Precious is increasingly tired of trying to defend her right as the No. 1 owner of the Detective agency. I really related to the career burnout and general feeling of depression Precious experiences in this book! Full of all the trademark philosophical quandaries we've come to expect plus a side story that sees the Double comfort furniture store being threatened by a competitor. Good on audio, if you love this series/these characters you are sure to not be disappointed. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
caityy's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
deborahlaura's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
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.