The Satisfaction Guaranteed Detective Agency has opened across town, and it is drawing attention. The brusk owner Cephas Buthelezi, who claims to be ex-CID, is polite to Mma Precious Ramotswe, owner of No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency when she comes to visit her new competition, but he is rude to Mma Makutsi, her partner and assistant manager. It is worrisome that a man of such credentials has opened a detective business in the small town in Botswana, a country of 2 million people. Ramotswe is not really earning enough to stay in business, but she and Makutsi have already helped so many people, earning trust and good will. With the agreement of her fiancé, Mr. J. L. B. Matekobi, proprietor of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, she maintains a very clean and inviting office in the back of Matekobi's garage and keeps her doors open with enough clients that there is much mutual advantage for all. However, there is not enough cash being earned. Perhaps she should push Matekobi to get married at last?Her two foster children are a worry as well, especially Puso, the boy. He killed a hoopoe with a stone, and he is unaccountably sullen and angry. Could it be something at school? She makes a note to herself to visit with the orphanage and Mma Potokwani and get advice.Mma Makutsi has started a third job for herself. Besides being Mma Ramotswe's assistant and also Matekobi's assistant in the garage, she opens a typing school for men. It is going very well, and one of the men has taken a personal interest in her! The problem is Mma Ramotswe has learned from one of her clients that the gentleman is hiding a very important fact about his availability for marriage - he has a wife.The problems seem without solutions unless Mma Ramotswe can find a way for everyone to save face with minimum harm - it is unthinkable to her to cause unnecessary pain. Everyone has sins on their conscience - but she knows the confession of sin is not what saves the day, but it is in the fixing of the damage that makes it right.

Just as with all the other books in the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency series, this one evokes a clear sense of place and characters. Simply put, it makes me want to be in Botswana right now. One of the things I like best about Alexander McCall Smith's writing is the way he develops his characters through their lives and actions and not much in the way of a narrator's analysis. The author seems to feel a great deal of affection for his characters even when they make unwise choices. These books are fresh, unpredictable, and plain ol' addictive. I actually read this one but have listened to the previous ones in the series on audio CD. I'd recommend listening to at least one title in this series to hear the cadence of the names and places.

****Second read****4.25 stars. This is a wonderful series I thoroughly enjoy reading. AMS's humor is all over these books, and I'm always chuckling as I'm reading or listening. These characters are real, and for the most part, they are kind people. The community sticks together and helps each other. It's just what you do, and not even thought of as being especially anything other than human to do for others. This is a series to read when you want to have faith in humankind, when you want to smile, when you want to read about a simpler place and time. Mma Ramotswe is just priceless; we all need to have a Mma Ramotswe or two in our lives. I want to once again thank Mr. Alexander McCall Smith for sharing his wisdom, sense of humor, kindness and humanity, as well as his love for Botswana with the world. The world is a better place because of this man and his novels. Thank you, sir. ****First read review****4.5 stars. I love this series so much. In my opinion, it's the best series currently being written. Nothing earthshaking going on, but it's about people who try to do the best they can all the time to help one another. And it can be pretty funny too. And not at all crude or off-color, but not sickening sweet either. I just love it! I can see why it's internationally loved.

Alexander McCall Smith - image from famousauthors.org Guilt is the subject here. The theme is threaded throughout. The primary client of the book is a mister Molefelo, a hotelier and ostrich farmer. He had committed a crime as a youth and sought to atone for his sins. Precious helps him of course. Mma Makutsi acquires a beau, Mister Seleliping. She also attempts to begin a new business, and does, the typing school of the title. The detective agency gains competition in the form of a male-run enterprise run by a very pompous individual. Jill Scott as Precious Ramotswe - Image from BBCThis is the usual comfortable tale told in the usual manner. Smith maintains his high standard. The cast of characters has come to seem familial. We wonder at Mister Maketonis recovery from depression. What was it all about? Will Makatsi every have a true boyfriend? Will she become rich beyond all her dreams? Will Precious ever get married to Maketoni?Anika Noni Rose as Grace Makutsi - image from HBOIf you are new to the series. I would stop, go back and read The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. It makes a difference seeing the characters develop over time. And if you can, I would definitely check out the HBO series. It is a true shame that the series was killed after only six episodes. Those shows are precious indeed..

Still loving the series!