LoveReading Says
The bestselling No:1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series continues in fine style with the 27th novel to feature the wonderful characters and setting of Botswana. I want to applause every time I rejoin Precious Ramotswe, I’m not sure how award-winning author Alexander McCall Smith is able to bring a fresh story each time while still retaining the comfort of familiarity but I’m very glad he does!
Trainee detective Charlie is entrusted with looking after the agency while Mma Ramotswe and Matekoni head north to an elephant sanctuary. If this series is a firm favourite, you will perhaps join me in holding my breath at the decision. If new to joining, then this very cosy and warming mystery can be read without knowledge of what has gone before, but I would also recommend going back and starting at the very beginning.
The mystery element of this series focuses around social intrigues and problems rather than solving hardened crime. Precious is a shrewd judge of human character: “There were many people in the world - far too many - who liked nothing more than to shout. They were usually the very people with the least to say, but they were never deterred by ignorance”.
The gentle humour and wit, compassion and empathy of these books is as famous as the characters. I love the fascination of Mma Matekoni’s shoes, which is an additional enchantment: “She was in a league all of her own - as were her shoes They were shoes with opinions. Opinionated shoes. Who would have thought that such a thing was even possible?” I can recommend this series, and this novel with my heart and soul, it truly is lovely.
The Big Cats Dance Party is a thoughtful, enjoyable and engaging read highlighting the beauty of Botswana, fascinating characters, and intriguing plot.
About The Big Cats Dance Party
Book 27 in the multi-million copy bestselling and perennially adored No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series
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The Big Cats Dance Party Synopsis
Book 27 in the multi-million copy bestselling and perennially adored No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series
"I am a fortunate woman to have such an eventful life," observes Mma Ramotswe of the No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Perhaps, but there are times when rather too much seems to be happening, and a quieter life might seem rather attractive. This latest despatch from Botswana is certainly full of events, even if it starts with a leisurely trip to buy a pair of shoes as a birthday present for Mr J.L.B.
Matekoni. As often happens in Mma Ramotswe's world, one thing leads to another, and we are soon caught up in an ill-thought-out plan hatched by Charlie, junior mechanic and enthusiastic trainee detective. Charlie has met up with two rising stars of the local musical world - jazz players known to their public as Lion and Leopard.
He is keen to plan a big event with them, even though Mma Makutsi sees nothing but disaster ahead. Mma Ramotswe would like to keep an eye on the situation, but she has to go up north, to the wilds of the Okavango Delta, where her friends at an elephant sanctuary are battling with a campaign being waged against them.
Mma Ramotswe's help is needed, and, of course, is given with all the generosity of spirit that illuminates the character of this most beloved of lady detectives. A happy ending? Of course.
About This Edition
About Alexander McCall Smith
Sir Alexander McCall Smith is the author of over one hundred books on a wide array of subjects, including the award-winning The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. He is also the author of the Isabel Dalhousie novels and the world’s longest-running serial novel, 44 Scotland Street. His books have been translated into forty-six languages. Alexander McCall Smith is Professor Emeritus of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh and holds honorary doctorates from thirteen universities. He was knighted by the King in 2024
Author Photo credit: Copyright Kirsty Anderson
Click here to read an exclusive interview with Alexander McCall Smith by Mary Hogarth.
A Lovereading guide to the works of Alexander McCall Smith...
The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency was first published in 1998 and then, suddenly, it took off in America to the extent that no less than11 reprints were required in 2003.
Since then, so prolific has been his output, and so has his popularity soared, that there was a time when the sheer multitude of McCall Smith's books led to confusion as to which book fitted into each of the various series under which he writes. One has hardly been able to keep up with the sheer abundance of books published - we reckon at least thirty in less than a decade.
Now, thankfully, things have settled down and the legions of McCall Smiths avid fans can compartmentalise his new books into the four main series under which they sit - The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency Series, The Isabel Dalhousie Novels, The 44 Scotland Street Series and The Corduroy Mansions Series with a few more on top!
There are constant features across the whole panoply of McCall Smith's output. Wry and witty observations about the day-to-day lives of normal people. An innocence and delight in the human condition. And, always, a twinkle on the eye shared by writer and reader. He is a happy writer and that makes for happy readers.
He is best known for the following 4 series of novels (they are shown below in the order they were published) :-
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Tears of the Giraffe, Morality for Beautiful Girls, The Kalahari Typing School for Men, The Full Cupboard of Life, In the Company of Cheerful Ladies, Blue Shoes and Happiness, The Good Husband of Zebra Drive, The Miracle at Speedy Motors, Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, The Double Comfort Safari Club, The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party, The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection, The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon, The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe, The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine, Precious and Grace.
Isabel Dalhousie series: The Sunday Philosophy Club,Friends, Lovers, Chocolate, The Right Attitude to Rain, The Careful Use of Compliments, The Comfort of Saturdays, The Lost Art of Gratitude, The Charming Quirks of Others, The Forgotten Affairs of Youth, The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds, The Novel Habits of Happiness.
44 Scotland Street series: 44 Scotland Street, Espresso Tales, Love Over Scotland, The World According to Bertie, The Unbearable Lightness of Scones, The Importance of Being Seven, Bertie Plays the Blues, Sunshine on Scotland Street, Bertie's Guide to Life and Mothers, The Revolving Door of Life, The Bertie Project, A Time of Love and Tartan.
Corduroy Mansions Series: Corduroy Mansions, The Dog Who Came in from the Cold, A Conspiracy of Friends.
Author Photo © Graham Clark
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