In the Company of cheerful Ladies -- A Book

In the company of cheerful ladies
This is the second book to The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. It is written by Alexander McCall Smith. Both of these books detail the work of female private detectives in Botswana. The characters are likable and very funny. The lead detective is an overweight Botswanian who is called Precious. Her sidekick is Ms. Makutsi. They are both amateur detectives that use common sense and practicality to solve the cases that come across their desk. This time around mma Botswana (as she is referred to in the entire book) has married Mr JLB Matekoni, the successful mechanic in whose car repair shop she used to drop in and chat with. Mr. JLB Maketoni (as he is also referred to in the entire book) has 2 apprentices working in his garage. Charlie and another one, whose name escapes my memory. Mma Botswana has a nasty encounter with a stranger that broke into her home. Quick snapshot of this scene. Picture an old tinish house in the deserts of Africa. 1 level house (obviously) and picture an old style brass bed (without the fancy brass) very low to the ground. Anyway, mma Botswana has checked all the rooms and has decided that her suspicious mind is getting the best of her. So she decides to lay down on her bed and take a quick nap before the husband and kids come home. So she lays down and she hears a sound right by her window that sounds like an old dog howling or something. So she jumps up and checks the window looking towards the bushes. Seeing nothing she returns to the bed. That's when she heard the noise again and realized that it was coming not from outside her window but from underneath her BED! All of a sudden this guy leaps out and runs out the house partially naked because his pants got stuck on a coil from the mattress! She was literally crushing this guy to death! OMG. When I read that I busted out laughing. I could totally picture this scene in my head. And I'm sure that in years to come and senility sets in I will swear that I saw it in a movie, when in fact it is totally not a movie, but rather a good book. Anyway, the author paints such a graphic description of a slow moving and quaint life in Africa, that I found myself wish I had her life. The simplicity and lack of the RAT RACE was so enticing!! I first read the first novel a few years ago and on Monday found myself thinking about it. Well imagine my surprise when I went on Tuesday to the library (as I do every Tuesday) and saw the newest read! I was excited. I called Lisy just to talk about it. As I truly am a book enthusiast. lol

I found the author's web page and am including it here. In my humble opinion, I suggest you pick up both books and become familiar with his writings and fall in love with these simple, yet lovable characters. If you find yourself wanting to discuss the book, just drop us a line.

I personally DESPISE my space, so you will never catch me on it. However, my co-conspirator has created a my space page. So feel free to drop her a line if you want to.

Enjoy the good read! :)

http://www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/Pages/Home.aspx


UPDATE: I decided to poke around the website and realized that while "In the Company of Cheerful Ladies" is the second book, there are really 8 books in the series so far! I've got alot of reading to do!! How could I have missed all those other titles! I'm so happy because I thoroughly enjoy the writings of Mr. Smith and I now have another good reason to visit the library! Do yourself the favor and pick up one of these books!! You'll never regret it. :)