The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe

“McCall Smith’s depictions of the sights and sounds of Botswana and his overarching theme of compassion make this novel radiant…Humor runs rampant, as always, except in the darkest situations…Calling Precious Ramotswe, owner and chief investigator of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency in Botswana, a detective doesn’t do her justice. ‘Problem solver extraordinaire’ would be much better. Mma Ramotswe takes on one or two true mysteries per novel, it’s true, but she also treats a whole range of human difficulties as they come her way, finding good solutions through her wisdom, kindness, and tact.” —Booklist (starred review)

“As usual, the problems that Precious Ramotswe tackles in Smith’s enjoyable fifteenth No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novel are more the province of a therapist-counselor than of a cop. Mma Ramotswe’s longtime assistant, Grace Makutsi, now a partner in their detective agency, hopes her good fortune will transfer to a new business venture…Series fans will be moved by a supporting character’s growth, and newcomers will be charmed by the gentle humor.” —Publishers Weekly

“Botswana’s peerless investigator Precious Ramotswe returns to consider more mysteries of human nature in her fifteenth adventure…As always, everyone’s worries are smoothed over with ample doses of red bush tea and ‘the old Botswana morality.’ Verdict: A welcome addition to McCall Smith’s bestselling series, this latest installment brims with the author’s signature warmth and charm. Fans of cozy reads won’t be disappointed.” —Library Journal

“A slow mystery season in Botswana—there’s only one proper case for the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency—leaves its employees free to pursue all manner of adventures on their own. The official case, as so often, involves no obvious crime…[and] Charlie, rescued from despair by Mma Ramotswe…provides the comic high point of this gentle tale. It’s not giving too much away to say that things don’t exactly work out as planned for Charlie—or for Mma Ramotswe’s partner Grace Makutsi, whose venture into the hospitality business, The Handsome Man’s De Luxe Café, runs into sadly predictable problems. If only her husband had drawn up a strategic plan. Thanks to that sturdy deus ex machina, Orphan Farm matron Mma Potokwane, all’s well that ends well in perhaps the most tranquil and unruffled entry in this renowned series.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Listeners seeking a warm, cozy mystery can comfortably settle into Lisette Lecat’s narration of this latest in the #1 Ladies Detective Agency series…The comic exchanges between Grace and Charlie, with Precious striving to maintain the peace, are delivered spot-on by Lecat. Equally enjoyable are Precious’s quiet reflections on the benefits of following traditional ways, her application of which, once again, results in a satisfying solution to all the problems at hand.” —AudioFile

“Amusing…An escape from life’s woes [as well] as a suggestion for how to make the whole deal more palatable.” —Boston Globe, praise for the series