In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series)
Alexander McCall Smith

The ever-resourceful Precious Ramotswe finds herself overly beset by problems. She is already busier than usual at the detective agency when added to her concerns are a strange intruder in her house on Zebra Drive and the baffling appearance of a pumpkin. And then there is Mma Makutsi, who decides to treat herself to dance lessons, only to be partnered with a man who seems to have two left feet. Nor are things running quite as smoothly as they usually do at Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors....

There is such a wonderful, gentle quality to these books! The narrative and dialogue have a simple, almost primitive quality - but they are not simple stories. Smith brings such wisdom and depth out of these people!

These books are a paradox! The stories are short and easy to read quickly, yet I find myself slooowwwing down as I read them, so reluctant am I to finish and have to say goodby to Precious and her friends and family. I only hope the next one comes soon!