A Song of Comfortable Chairs (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency)

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Charlie continues as a part-time detective in training and half-time as a mechanic in Precious's husband's car repair shop. He is still subject to taunts and insults from Grace, who contends this is sarcastic joking. Alexander McCall Smith has managed once again to write another wonderful tale where our leading lady, Precious, encourages us to slow down and express gratitude. To many it might seem simplistic, yet truly speaking, it is the superb craftsmanship of Alexander that provides devoted readers with a gentle reminder to be more open minded and extend warmth to those around us.

Human nature is so predictable….even in a little corner of Botswana. I shook my head when I read about the seemingly petty jealousy Precious had to deal with. As is always the case, the world over, there’s a reason for a behaviour…and Precious graciously waits and finds it out. I could learn from her. I’m a reactor rather than a responder. I need to change that. Now.

I appreciated this chance to hang out with good friends Precious Ramotswe, Grace Makutsi, and Mr J.L.B Matekoni and catch up on what has been happening in Botswana. I read about a furniture company that puts profit before quality and attempts to undercut Grace’s husband (Phuti) and drive him towards bankruptcy. I also read about Grace’s friend who has a troubled son. Both cases were solved with kindness, generosity and cleverness - the founding corners of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. This is such a comforting read with wonderful outcomes for all concerned. Yes, I confess, it did seem a bit fluffy, especially compared to some of my other grittier reads, however if I pay attention in my daily walk of life I notice that I am surrounded by people who reach out to others through small gestures of care and consideration that make their day just a bit brighter and their hearts a little lighter. My favorite quotes are about tea and comforting others:

Grace and Mma Ramotswe meet Grace’s childhood friend Patience, who appears to be dealing with her own issues. Mma Ramotswe comes up with ideas that might solve both issues and provide a happy solution for all of them. The novels of Alexander McCall Smith aren't yet prescribed on the NHS, but it might not be a bad idea' Daily Telegraph MY THOUGHTS: This was not at all what I expected and, to be quite honest, I felt cheated. Does it not say #1 Ladies Detective Agency? There is not much detecting takes place.

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That idea means that Orphan Farm matron, Mma Potokwani gets to star in an ad campaign and the photo shoot attracts not only staff of the Detective Agency and the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, but also a large support crew from the Orphan Farm. The books, like their author, have charm. You cannot overstate the power of this—it’s the missing ingredient in contemporary fiction.” — The Guardian Mr. Matekoni suggests Mma Makutsi is trying to make herself more important because she's insecure. Mr. Matekoni heard that Mma Makutsi's husband, Mr. Phuti Radiphuti, who owns the Double Comfort Furniture Store - is being driven out of business. The furniture store's best selling items are chairs.....

That was the problem, she reflected; that was the source of so much unhappiness - there were people who made it their business to stop other people from being themselves; who tried to make people be something they did not want to be. That led to swathes of unhappiness as wide as the Kalahari itself.’ Followers of this series are in it for the long haul as it’s like catching up with old friends. More often than not, it’s not the gentle story/investigation unfurling that draws you in, but rather the keen observations that make you smile, the pearls of wisdom that cause you to pause and ponder. The real art in going through life with dignity and with a modicum of happiness was to accept what you were, and, at the same time, to accept others and to love them all equally. That was hard, and for some people it was impossible, but you had to try.’ In this latest installment in the beloved No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, Grace Makutsi encounters a pair of quandaries that will require all of her and Mma Ramotswe’s cleverness and generosity to resolve EXCERPT: Mma Ramotswe sighed. There was so much wrong with the world. There were so many cases of people behaving badly in one way or another, of people doing things that they should not do, and the more we scrutinised what was going on around us, the more we discovered of just this sort of thing. Under every stone, she sometimes thought, there is bound to be a scorpion.and a firm called Twenty-First Century Chairs is selling new-age, adjustable seats at reduced prices. Unfortunately, Phuti can't compete. Meanwhile, Grace is approached by an old friend who has a troubled son. She and Phuti agree to take Patience and Modise in and lend a hand, but things don’t work out quite as intended, and the situation proves difficult for them to handle. It will require not only all of their persistence and dedication but also help from an unexpected quarter to find a solution that will make everyone happy.

Thank you, NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Knopf Canada, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. I enjoyed the larger role played by Charlie in this book. He is certainly beginning to mature. Just beginning mind you. I am happy that he has been introduced to tooth paste just in time to save his teeth! I found myself in total agreement with Mma Ramotswe about the importance in our lives of comfortable chairs and of sharing cups of tea and cake with our friends. It is all very cosy and reassuring.I like the main character PI Mma Precious Ramotswe’s formal and polite speech and kind treatment of others. Her pragmatic way of approaching a problem makes her an excellent detective. She has worked with Grace Makutsi for several years. Grace can grate on the nerves with her attempts to appear to be in charge, but Precious has more patience than I ever would with the whole Grace situation! THE AUTHOR: Alexander McCall Smith is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. In this latest installment in the beloved No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, Grace Makutsi encounters a pair of quandaries that will require all of her and Mma Ramotswe’s cleverness and generosity to resolve. There is no end to the pleasure that may be extracted from these . . . books.” —Janet Malcolm, The New York Review of Books to calm Mma Makutsi down with a few reassuring words and a cup of tea. Tea had remarkable calming properties when administered mid-crisis, and that, perhaps, was what was needed now.’