Sunday, February 11, 2018

Review of "The House of Unexpected Sisters: A No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Novel" by Alexander McCall Smith




In this 18th book in the "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series, Mma Ramotswe has numerous problems to solve. The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the characters is a bonus.

*****



As the story opens, Mma Ramotswe - owner of the 'No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency' in Botswana - takes a case at the behest of Mr. Polopetsi - a part-time chemistry teacher who helps out at the agency from time to time.

Mr. Polopetsi's acquaintance, Charity Mompoloki, lost her job as a furniture saleswoman at 'The Office Place' for being rude to a customer. Charity needs the job to support her children, and Mr. Polopetsi would like to see her reinstated.



Charity claims she wasn't rude, and suspicions arise that Charity's boss, Mr. Gopolong, had an ulterior motive for dismissing her. The suggestion is made that Mr. Gopolong, a married man, wanted to give the job to his girlfriend.



After speaking to Charity's mother, Mma Ramotswe concludes that Charity might actually have snapped at the customer. However, Mma Makutsi (who's gradually promoted herself from the agency's secretary to its co-director) insists that Charity is innocent.



Mma Makuski isn't inclined to be objective because Charity attended the Botswana Secretarial College, from which Mma Makutsi graduated with the unrivaled score of 97 percent.

To avoid conflict, Mma Ramotswe assigns Charity's case to Mma Makutsi, who promptly anoints herself 'Principal Investigating Officer.' (She's a hoot!) Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe makes a stealthy parallel investigation of her own.

During Mma Ramotswe's inquiries she accidently learns of the existence of a woman called Mingie Ramotswe, a nurse who turns out to be a relative. Though Mma Ramotswe is thrilled to meet Mingie, it's not an entirely happy discovery.



To add to Mma Ramotswe's concerns, she learns that Note Makoti - her abusive ex-husband - is back in town AND that someone is scheming to bankrupt the 'Double Comfort Furniture Store' - which is owned by Mma Makutsi's husband, Phuti Radiphuti.

With all this on her mind, it's no wonder Mma Ramotswe feels the need to visit her friend Mma Potokwane - for advice, tea, and large slices of fruitcake.



Various recurring characters make an appearance, including: Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni (Mma Ramotswe's husband) - a master mechanic who treats cars like they have souls; Charlie - the barely competent apprentice mechanic who has an eye for the ladies; Violet Sephotho - a sexy troublemaker; and Mma Ramotswe's little white van - which she loves with all her heart (LOL).

As usual, the characters drink a lot of tea, drive around, and engage in conversations about diverse topics - like the appropriate colors for men's clothes and whether employees are loyal to their bosses. This gives Mma Makutski the opportunity to voice her strong (and sometimes odd) opinions.....and to argue with Charlie.



Mma Ramotswe often has to divert the chitchat, to deflect disagreements. These conversations are meant to be humorous, but I didn't find them funny. Moreover, Mma Makutski's shoes (which are usually very talkative) didn't speak to her even once!

The detective work in this series always takes a back seat to Mma Ramotswe's gentle musings, the ambiance of Botswana, and the everyday lives of the characters.



In this book, though, there's almost NO detection at all. Though Mma Ramotswe sows some seeds, all the issues seem to magically resolve themselves - either by chance or by the actions of outside characters. This feels like cheating.....and is unrealistic. In real life, troubles don't just evaporate.

For me, this book isn't amongst the best in the series, but I enjoyed visiting with the engaging characters, who seem like old friends by now. I'd recommend the novel to fans of the "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.' 


Rating: 3 stars

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