The latest installment of this universally beloved and best-selling series finds Precious Ramotswe in personal need of her own formidable detect...
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Jul 18, 2010
Sandy
rated it: 
I really enjoy this series of books. I like the descriptions, the slow pace, the thoughtfulness, etc. And the stories are always interesting. There were lots of quotes I found interesting as well...
In thinking about her childhood, Mma Ramotswe pondered "arithmetic, with its puzzling multiplication tables that needed to be learned by heart--when there was so much else that the heart had to learn." (pg. 4)
As Mma Ramotswe looked up at her acacia tree and thought about More...
In thinking about her childhood, Mma Ramotswe pondered "arithmetic, with its puzzling multiplication tables that needed to be learned by heart--when there was so much else that the heart had to learn." (pg. 4)
As Mma Ramotswe looked up at her acacia tree and thought about More...
May 31, 2010
Bonnie
rated it:
I love McCall Smith's books for many reasons and for each one that I read I find more joy. If this series should ever end I shall be a sad girl indeed.
Two lines I liked from this book, the first about the sky and weather, because I always love how he describes the sky of Botswana, and in fact,
I keep a running diary of his weather/sky comments: "So she said nothing, but noticed, when she looked up, that the rain clouds had moved across the sky with great speed, and now the More...
Two lines I liked from this book, the first about the sky and weather, because I always love how he describes the sky of Botswana, and in fact,
I keep a running diary of his weather/sky comments: "So she said nothing, but noticed, when she looked up, that the rain clouds had moved across the sky with great speed, and now the More...
Mar 30, 2010
Donna
rated it: 
Amazon.com kindly informed me that this latest in the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series was available in paperback, and I started clicking. This is one temptation I don't even try to resist. Alexander McCall Smith's books are good for me—like a few days' vacation.
Once it arrived, I tried to read Tea Time for the Traditionally Built as slowly as possible, rationing myself to just a few pages a day. Although Smith is a prolific author, his books don't come out every day and—like fa More...
Once it arrived, I tried to read Tea Time for the Traditionally Built as slowly as possible, rationing myself to just a few pages a day. Although Smith is a prolific author, his books don't come out every day and—like fa More...
Dec 13, 2009
Aaron
rated it:
Precious Ramotswe is back for another adventure as she delves into the world of football, which we Americans confusedly call soccer. She has been hired by Mr. Mologololo, the owner of the local Kalahari Swoopers, because has some serious concerns about the bad record of the team. Considering the high level of talent on the team, he things that one or more of the players is doing something to make the team lose. He hasn't been able to sort out who it is, but he thinks that Mma Ramotswe's sk More...
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Nov 22, 2009
Mary
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Could a book that is slow-paced where little happens, compared, say to a Douglas Preston/Lincoln Childs crime novel, be a good book? In this case, very much so. This is a relaxed, slow-paced, pleasant, cheery and inviting novel about Precious Ramotswe, the proprietor of the Number 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana. It's the tenth book in a series, and I read it out of order, but I enjoyed it anyway. I thought it had a loose end, or I would have given it 5 stars instead of 4. It's an inte
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Sep 16, 2009
Marcy
rated it:
Once again, Alexander McCall Smith has written another wonderful detective book about the Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi. McCall has such a wonderful sense of people and how they think; In simple words, he delves into their innermost reflective thoughts. As he describes in detail what people are thinking about, I find myself connecting to similar thoughts I used to have when I was younger and innocent, and had more free time to reflect upon the goodness of people and the world.
Mma More...
Mma More...
Jul 25, 2009
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, by Alexander McCall Smith, A. Narrated brilliantly as usual by Lisette Lecat. Produced by Recorded Books, downloaded from audible.com. Tenth book in the sries.
In this one Precious is investigating a case for the owner of the town’s football team. They keep losing games, even against teams who are not as good as theirs. He thinks someone, maybe one of the players, is cheating and selling the team out to the enemy. Precious tries to tell him More...
In this one Precious is investigating a case for the owner of the town’s football team. They keep losing games, even against teams who are not as good as theirs. He thinks someone, maybe one of the players, is cheating and selling the team out to the enemy. Precious tries to tell him More...
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Jul 16, 2009
Leanna
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Precious Ramotswe is back in Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, the latest installment in Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. This time, she is investigating a flagging football (soccer) team and facing the possible demise of her little white van. Meanwhile, her assistant, Grace Makutsi, has a rival for her fiancé’s affection.
Tea Time is a fine addition to the series. Like the other novels, it has a gentle, relaxing, and rhythmic tone and pattern to it. More...
Tea Time is a fine addition to the series. Like the other novels, it has a gentle, relaxing, and rhythmic tone and pattern to it. More...
Jul 15, 2009
Ian
rated it:
The tenth book in a series which shows no signs of slowing down or becoming dull or tired. Once more Mma Precious Ramotswe, a 'traditionally built' [i.e. large:] lady who loves tea [and donuts:] with her assistant, Mma Grace "97%" Makutsi, are required to do some private investigation [this time for the manager of a football team that is now continually losing:], and on the way we find out about love ["There is plenty of work for love to do" as Bishop Mwamba says in a convers
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Jun 29, 2009
Judy
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I'm addicted to this series of gentle books by Alexander McCall Smith that take place in the southern African country of Botswana. The stories are about the conflict between the traditional way of life and the emergence of modern culture that is placing strains on the people of Botswana. And in the telling of that story, throw in a gentle mystery or human problem or two and you have yourself a good read. In this book, Mms Ramotswe is asked to find out why the popular local soccer team is sudden
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Jun 15, 2009
Terri
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This is one of the authors/series (along with Janet Evanovich and John Grisham)whose books I await eagerly and insist on owning. And I am never disappointed. How I love Mma Ramotswe and this endearing cast of characters (Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, Mma Makutsi,Phuti Radiphuti, Violet Sephotho, and all the rest - it is a real treat to hear the audio version of these books - the names just roll off the tongue - so beautiful)! And it is so refreshing to read a book set in Africa in which people go about t
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Jun 08, 2009
Gaby
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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May 23, 2009
Dorothy
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This tenth installment in the gentle mystery series starring Precious Ramotswe is every bit as endearing and engaging as all the others.
The main mystery that Precious must solve this time is why a local football team is suddenly losing all of its games when, in the past, it had been a very successful team. The owner of the team, a very impatient man, demands answers and the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency must provide them for him in order to earn their fee - even though neither of th More...
The main mystery that Precious must solve this time is why a local football team is suddenly losing all of its games when, in the past, it had been a very successful team. The owner of the team, a very impatient man, demands answers and the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency must provide them for him in order to earn their fee - even though neither of th More...
Jul 04, 2010
Deb
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I have been following this series for years, and it never fails to cheer me up and give me several hours of pleasant reading. Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are among my favorite fictional characters. In this story, they must investigate a losing football (soccer) team whose owner suspects that one of the players is throwing the games. Since neither Mma Makusti or Mma Ramotswe knows anything about soccer, they rely on their skills in understanding human nature, and the help of Mma Ramotswe's fo
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Jul 26, 2011
Jenny
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Not as good as I thought it would be. How can one couple be friends with a guy like Gomez after the role he has played in their lives? As a female, Claire should have been disgusted with Gomez. Also, the reality of it - which obviously there is not much reality too, but for the book to be more believable I think that Henry, with all the people that knew about his "disease" should have been exploited by somebody. Someone would have tried to sell the story to the tabloids. It's a bit rid
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May 26, 2009
Beth A.
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The First Ladies Detective Agency books are mostly books about people. They are full of the everyday lives and conversations of the characters. Mma Ramotswe solves her cases due to her intuition and knowledge of people.
"Much as Mma Ramotswe admired Clovis Andersen's The Principles of Private Detection, it had to be said that this was one matter on which she felt she knew better than Mr. Andersen himself. Nowhere in that great book did the author recommend the practice that Mma R More...
"Much as Mma Ramotswe admired Clovis Andersen's The Principles of Private Detection, it had to be said that this was one matter on which she felt she knew better than Mr. Andersen himself. Nowhere in that great book did the author recommend the practice that Mma R More...
Jul 30, 2011
Stuart
rated it:
So how can you not love these books? Very little actual detective work takes place – in this installment of the #1 ladies detective agency series, Precious Ramotswe has only one real mystery to solve – specifically why is the local football (soccer) team losing? Is someone being bribed? Of course she solves the problem, with help from her adopted son this time. I like that there is no blood and gore coating the whole environment!
The bigger crisis in Precious’ life is the series of noises coming More...
The bigger crisis in Precious’ life is the series of noises coming More...
Dec 27, 2009
Sri
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Oct 06, 2009
NancyG
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This is the 10th book in a series with a delightful host of characters living in Botswana, now Zimbabwe. The main characters are the "traditionally built" Precious Ramotswe, her husband whom she calls Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, and Precious's assistant detective, Mma Makutsi, whose claim to fame is scoring 99% on the secretarial test. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency solve everyday mysteries with not a drop of death or mayhem. The big mystery in this book is why the local soccer team is
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May 12, 2009
Laura
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I didn't enjoy this as much as previous books in the series. I don't know if I was just not in the right mood for it, or if the book wasn't that compelling. All of the books have a very comfortable feel to them, like hanging out with interesting neighbors. In this book, the neighbors are having an off day.
The mystery of the under-performing football team led to some interesting observations on human nature. I think there are a lot of similar conversations happening locally as we More...
The mystery of the under-performing football team led to some interesting observations on human nature. I think there are a lot of similar conversations happening locally as we More...
Oct 31, 2009
Isis
rated it:
Another solidly enjoyable book in this series. My favorites are the ones in which a theme emerges, and here the theme is change; or rather, the idea that the things that one knows and loves should not be changed. Which isn't a theme I really embrace for myself, but I completely understand that change is a scary thing, and that one should not give into the temptation to change for the sake of change.
Mma Ramotswe gets a new vehicle; Mma Makutsi is afraid her fiance will exchange her More...
Mma Ramotswe gets a new vehicle; Mma Makutsi is afraid her fiance will exchange her More...
Jul 26, 2011
When I need a good, solid book with an entertaining plot that 'feeds' me, I turn to Alexander McCall Smith and his "Number One Ladies' Detetive Agency." This tenth title in the series, "Tea Time for the Traditionally Built," did not disappoint. With its simple tales of Precious Ramotswe and the other fine people of her village in Botswana, I finished the book feeling uplifted. From smiling through Mma Makutsi's observation in the first of the novel that "our fingers h
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May 02, 2009
Rachael
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As always, this was a pleasure to read. The characters have become like old friends, complete with their own particular quirks. They are so fully fleshed out that they seem as though they must be real! I can't tell you how much Mma Makutsi made me laugh out loud this time. It was also fun to finally learn more about "the younger apprentice" in Mr J L B Matekoni's garage. The cases in this installment were very benign, and sources of real amusement. I just love Alexander McCall Sm
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Sep 01, 2010
Kay
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Need a break from real life, but can't go on a vacation right now? Then do the next best thing and pick up "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" (book 1 in the series) or which ever one is "next" for you. This one is #10 in the series. I think I've read eight of them. If you love action adventure thrillers, then these books are NOT for you. But if you love quiet, character-driven, subtly humorous books, then this delightful series set in Botswana, South Africa are the perfe
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Jul 22, 2009
Stephanie
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Having just read Michael Connelly's Scarecrow, I have to laugh at the assignment of McCall Smith and Connelly both to the mystery section (at least in our library). Nothing terrible really happens to the honorable women of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Nobody slugs them into unconsciousness or otherwise attempts to deprive them of their civil liberties. Their mysteries don't embody the sadistic or nastily destructive acts of other detective fiction. The mysteries are ...well... ladylike.
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Aug 08, 2009
Jean
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Now this is what I'm talking about! And I don't give five stars only because I think a person really does have to have read others in the series to fully appreciate the nuances of characterization and stuff. I see a delightful similarity between the Mmas and Rwas and the folks of Lake Wobegon. Conventional politeness and downright goodness leaves room for all those private thoughts or silences in conversation that are so funny. The dialog has such a beauty, and it also reveals so much personalit
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May 02, 2009
Will
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The 10th in the series, if you are reading this you are already a fan. Smith maintains the same delightful level offered in the prior nine. The central mystery here concerns a soccer team and whether or not someone is throwing games. Mma Makutsi faces a personal challenge as an old rival attempts to insinuate herself between Makutsi and her fiancée. Mma Rawotse must come to grips with the likely demise of her beloved van. Along the way we meet more of the fascinating characters that populate Smi
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Jun 21, 2009
Donna
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The author obviously doesn't know what it's like to drive an really old car, never knowing how much longer it will run, or if it will break down during an important trip. You're always on edge! Every little weird sound or smell sets you off! You know what I'm talking about! Mma Ramotswe is married to an excellent mechanic who buys her a new car with air conditioning, new paint, and smooth shocks (for now). Anyone who's ever driven a really old car, even though they're attached to it, would
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Jul 18, 2009
Sylvie
rated it:
OK this is not what I was expecting at all.
At first I was really tempted in changing channel ... from this book of clichés. Yes, lots of saying are repeated in this book, from what your mother has told you to relations between men and women.
This is NOT a detective book. I would qualify it more as a reflection on human behaviors ... I have read some reviews from other readers (or listeners) and I would say that if you have followed the characters during the previous 9 books, may More...
At first I was really tempted in changing channel ... from this book of clichés. Yes, lots of saying are repeated in this book, from what your mother has told you to relations between men and women.
This is NOT a detective book. I would qualify it more as a reflection on human behaviors ... I have read some reviews from other readers (or listeners) and I would say that if you have followed the characters during the previous 9 books, may More...
Nov 01, 2010
Michele
rated it:
I keep thinking, surely this is it, he has got to quit, but then I find myself quite entertained and enjoying the book which is something to say, really, when you are on book 10! He has such a philosophical way of looking at the world. I love Precious and all her goodness. I love her patriotism, her womanly caring ways and the whole thing. The mystery in this one really peters out and just doesn't cut it for a good ending. But I am still enjoying the characters and their lives. Didn't care
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