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The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency)

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Author: Alexander Mccall Smith
Publisher: Anchor Books
Category: Book

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Used (9) from Ł3.40

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

10 reviews
Sales Rank: 463642

Media: Paperback
Edition: Reprint
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 240
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.2 x 0.8

ISBN: 1400075726
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.914
EAN: 9781400075720
ASIN: 1400075726

Publication Date: March 11, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
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Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 6-10 of 10

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Filled with Humorous Situations! April 27, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

If you haven't read any other books in the series, don't start with this one! Why? Most of the plot's impact relies on long-standing character and relationship developments developed in the prior seven books. Alexander McCall Smith does a fine job of referencing those histories, but the impact won't be the same without having read about those events in the earlier books. This is particularly important to the extreme sense of fun that the book can bring to you.

The theme of this book could be summarized in the humorous Joel Osteen aphorism, "The grass may look greener on the other side of the fence, but it still has to be mowed." Precious Ramotswe's world is turned upside down when many of those closest to her decide that they want changes in their lives. Her husband, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, wants to take a turn at being a detective. Mma. Makutsi, her able assistant, is increasingly restive as she looks forward to marriage to the wealthy Phutti Radiphutti and doesn't see herself in the assistant role any more. In fact, she decides she wants a new job! The woman-chasing Charlie decides to drop out of his apprenticeship with Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni and start his own taxi business. Never has Precious faced so many changes in those who are closest to her since her father, Obed Ramotswe, died.

Talk about a great set-up for a book. Wow!

Obviously, life isn't as easy to change as that. You have to know how to work with clients and detect in order to be a detective. The easy-going Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni is easily cowed by his client, the very rude Mma. Botumile. In fact, he just follows her direction.

Mma. Makutsi has forgotten that most offices in Botswana want to hire help for their appearance rather than for their skill. She also forgets that much of what she does with Precious is prepare tea and chat.

Charlie would probably be fine as a taxi driver, as long as there aren't any women to look at. Put a woman near him, and all bets are off!

Like the better books in the series, The Good Husband of Zebra Drive has several mysteries in it:

1. Patients on ventilators in the same hospital bed have unexpectedly died on three different Fridays. The ventilators check out and no one can think of any explanation for what has happened.

2. Mma. Botumile feels that her husband has taken up with another woman and wants to know who her rival is.

3. Valuable supplies are being stolen from a printing company. The owner thinks she knows who the thief is, but lacks proof.

Only the first of these mysteries provides satisfaction for the mystery fan. The other two mysteries are mere backdrops for character development.

As the book ended, I found myself a little disappointed by the facile resolutions (albeit humorous) put forward for the three seekers' desires to take a step up. I had hoped for more in those plot developments.

So the ending left me feeling that the promise of the book's premise hadn't really been met as well as I would have liked.

But none of the stories has more funny situations in it. You'll be laughing aloud throughout the book . . . especially if you enjoy Mma. Makutsi's fascination with shoes.

You won't put the book down. I started late and stayed up until 1 a.m. to finish. I was smiling as I did.

5 out of 5 stars

The best yet! April 9, 2007
17 out of 20 found this review helpful

I ordered this before it was published - and then it sat on a bedside table for weeks! I have just read it - couldn't put it down - it is his best yet Botswana story. The land and the people have developed a three dimensional quality. Now I want to know when the next is coming!

Unlike the last book in the series this volume has a greater sense of continuity. The characters are developed and have a greater part in the unfolding plot which contains fewer challenges for the detectives but a more "joined up" style. Thoroughly recommended.

5 out of 5 stars

Africa! Africa! Africa!................................ April 4, 2007
20 out of 21 found this review helpful

Welcome back to the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency - where the lives of the staff cause more problems for Mma Ramotswe then the cases her clients bring her. In fact, to any fan of detective fiction on TV or in books, the solution to the case that Mma Romotswe undertakes herself is all too familiar - yet the outcome at the end of the book is as warm and compassionate as fans of this series have come to expect.

Meanwhile, Charlie the apprentice has an idea for a business of his own - a taxi service for female clients only - but will Mr J L B Matekoni give his blessing to such a scheme? Should he insist that the apprentice-ship is completed first? And what of Mr J L B Matekoni's own attempts at detective work? He fails to warm to his first client, a rude woman - will this affect the work he undertakes on her behalf?

And Mma Makutsi - she of the 97% grade from the Typing School? Could a misunderstanding with her boss and friend really cause her to resign and seek alternative work?

Everything that readers have come to expect is contained in this new book. The gentle pace of life, the descriptions of the landscape, the Red Bush Tea drinking are beautifully laid before us like a feast. For new readers the story will unfold at a steady rate - and established fans will welcome another dip into the lives and case-loads of some well loved friends.

So, get into that little white van, stock up on Red Bush tea and rich fruit cake, and return to Alexander McCall Smith's glorious Botswana.

4 out of 5 stars

The ladies are still No, 1 among detectives March 7, 2007
42 out of 45 found this review helpful

Once more we are back in Botswana in the company of Mma Ramotswe, the 'traditonally built' proprietor of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency. Mma Ramotswe is, as always, kind and tolerant and understanding as she unravells yet another mystery. Her husband, Mr J.L. B. Matekoni, owner of Tlokwong Road Speedy Motors, decides he wants to do a little detecting for a change, so Mma Ramotswe, with some misgivings, allows him to take on a case. Naturally, things don't go quite as expected.

Mma Ramotswe's assistant, Mma Makutsi, is as always somewhat less charitable and more abrasive than her employer, and Mr J.L.B. Matekoni's two apprentices are as feckless as ever.

As usual, there are no murders or violent happenings, and nobody is really very wicked. Botswana is vividly evoked, so that you can almost see what Mma Ramotswe sees, and understand her passionate love of her country. A trip to Botswana with Mma Ramotswe is always a pleasure.

4 out of 5 stars

Delightful March 7, 2007
27 out of 35 found this review helpful

I love the warm humanity present in McCall Smith's novels and the simple language brings out revelations about everyday life. These adventures have a reassuring quality and you can never guess how things will turn out. The same is true in this eighth installment. Who could not love Mma Ramotswe?

I recommend this book along with another book I read called "Nexus" by Deborah Morrison and Arvind Singh, which is a psychological and spiritual adventure.