Those lady detectives in Botswana save baby elephants
Why, I keep asking myself, do I continue to read these books about two ladies who operate as private detectives in Gaborone, Botswana? After all, they’re not really detectives. They don’t investigate crime and almost never encounter the police. They “help solve people’s problems.” Sorting out domestic disputes, for example. Or resolving feuds that have grown from misunderstanding. There’s little action in these stories, and not a whole lot of suspense. So, why do I persist after more than two dozen books in the series? Well, the answer’s simple.
Why do I keep reading these little books?
After gorging on often-gruesome thrillers and ugly stories of political malfeasance and stupidity in espionage and war, I welcome the change of pace. Alexander McCall Smith’s #1 Ladies Detective novels are simply charming. They’re delightful tales of clever, well-meaning women who love their country and their work. They give us a window into a fast-changing society where traditional values of decency and respect still have force. And the author’s latest, The Big Cats Dance Party, is a great example.
The Big Cats Dance Party (#1 Ladies Detective Agency #27) by Alexander McCall Smith (2026) 213 pages ★★★★☆
Recurring characters continue to charm
All the stock characters play their parts here. Mma Precious Ramotswe, proprietor of the agency. Mma Grace Makutsi, her second-in-command in their two-person firm. She’s proud of her 97 percent grade from the Botswana Secretarial College. Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, Mma Ramotswe’s husband, the best car mechanic in Botswana and owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors. (He is always referred to only as Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, rvrn by his wife.) His apprentice, Fanwell, has qualified as a mechanic. Charlie, his other apprentice, has not. But Mma Ramotswe has enlisted Charlie as an assistant detective, much to Mma Makutsi’s displeasure. The recurring characters also include, among others, Mma Potokwane, the wise and formidable matron of the orphan farm, known for her fruit cake. Like Mma Ramotswe, she is “traditionally built,” and a lover of her own fruit cake.
A new challenge from the elephant orphanage
The ladies learn of a challenging new case when the director of an elephant orphanage walks in one day. Even though the facility has worked closely with neighboring villagers and often done them favors, someone is spreading awful rumors about the place. And anger is rising among the local people. The director wants Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi to discover who is the culprit and put a stop to the rumor-mongering.
Against her better judgment, Mma Ramotswe agrees that the two of them will take a week away from Gaborone to visit the elephant orphanage and see whether they can solve the problem. But Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni is nervous that Mma Ramotswe’s cherished little white van will break down on the long trip. He insists on driving them in his much more reliable and roomy truck. So, the three of them leave in short order, with Charlie left behind to keep the agency’s doors open. Except that an important new client has shown up just before their departure. Mma Ramotswe believes Charlie can do the initial legwork on his own, but Mma Makutsi is certain he’ll screw things up.
Now, it is no surprise to any fan of these novels that (a) the ladies and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni put a stop to the ugly rumor-mongering, and (b) Charlie solves the new client’s problem despite falling for an expensive scam by two con men that will cost the agency a lot of money. Even that problem has gone away by the time the three return to Gaborone. So, all is right in the end. Of course.
Reality check
Conservationists refer to the largest, most recognizable animal species such as African elephants, Bengal tigers, and giant pandas as charismatic megafauna. And every one of these species faces the long-term prospect of extinction. Climate change, habitat loss, wildlife trade, and the practice of killing animals for bushmeat are the principal reasons why so many of these large animals are increasingly endangered. But in what may be the cruelest of all these dangers is the killing of elephants for their tusks
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Of all the world’s countries, the southern African nation of Botswana has the largest population of elephants. The total is estimated at more than 130,000. And some conservationists contend that the number is too large, not too small. But every elephant killed for its tusks leaves behind one or more juvenile elephants. These orphans roam through the forests and savannah at the mercy of predators. And in response to the problem, which is large, elephant orphanages have sprung into existence. There are two in Botswana, although only one is open to visitors. It’s called Elephant Havens, and it’s clearly the model for the facility Mma Ramotswe and her team visit in this novel.
About the author
Alexander McCall Smith has three sets of abbreviated capital letters following his name. They represent some of the many honors bestowed on him for his extraordinary contributions as a medical legal expert and the author of more than 100 books. Although he has written several series of novels, the #1 Ladies Detective Agency has been his main claim to literary fame. He has been writing the series since 1998, publishing one almost every year since.
For related reading
I have read all 26 previous novels in this series and reviewed those that have appeared since 2010. Most recently these include:
- In the Time of Five Pumpkins — #1 Ladies Detective Agency #26 (A charming portrait of an African country that breaks the mold)
- The Great Hippopotamus Hotel — #1 Ladies Detective Agency #25 (Those lady detectives rise to the challenge again)
Be sure to check out 30 top books about Africa and The best mysteries set in Africa.
You might also enjoy my posts:
- Top 10 mystery and thriller series
- 5 top novels about private detectives
- 30 outstanding detective series from around the world
- Top 20 suspenseful detective novels
And you can always find the most popular of my 2,500 reviews, and the most recent ones, on the Home Page of Mal Warwick on Books.
