ok, really, i can't say too much about this novel anyway because one of the beautiful things about the story is how all the little details unfold slowly, teasing you into the lives of the characters so that you never want to let them go. it's a brilliant work of fiction. the brief above is probably the only thing that i can say without giving too much away. i did love this book and didn't want it to end. it was a great way to end the year on a high literary note!

another great book from the no. 1 ladies detective agency series. in this tale, mma ramostwe is asked to investigate the poisoning of a great official's brother. meanwhile, her assistant detective and trusty secretary, mma makutsi, investigates a beauty pageant to make sure that the girls who are participating are of the best kind of people: loving, caring, and respectful. each case has its issues, problems, and pitfalls. thankfully the storytelling is right on par with the rest of mccall smith's novels. i enjoyed this one as much as the others!

second in the no. 1 ladies detective agency series, this book is just as good as the last. mma ramotswe not only takes on a few small cases but also a larger case with a missing person been gone over 20 years. this time around the story, though, she must deal with her new fiance, mr j.l.b. matekoni, and his very soft heart.

it's always hard for me to say which book in a series i like the best and it's no easier with the no. 1 ladies detective agency. each one is equally poignant and well-written. i only wish that they were longer. i've delayed writing this entry because i actually finished this book two weeks ago! i'm reading the next book in the series and taking it much slower this time around. it's better for me to actually sit back and enjoy them, rather than run through them super quick.