Book Review- Alexander McCall Smith's The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine

The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine is the sixteenth book in Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. It's amazing to me that I've been following these characters since 1998. I'm even more astounded by Smith's productivity. He writes several different series and stand-alone books for both adults and children, releasing multiple books every year. I can't think of a contemporary author who is more prolific. Maybe he's dreaming of taking a vacation like Mma Ramotswe? Keep writing Smith!

PLOT - Workholic Mma Ramotswe is convinced by Mma Makutsi, to take a much deserved vacation. However, Mma Ramotswe cannot help but be a detective, even while attempting to take a break.  Mr. Polopetsi has been given a temporary job in the agency and Mma Makutsi is determined to show that she can handle things while Mma Ramotswe is on holiday. To complicate matters, Mr. Polopetsi asks for Mma Ramotswe's help, when he fears that Mma Makutsi has a case that she cannot handle. 

LIKE- In this series, characters always take center stage. Sixteen books and I still can't get enough of this story world and its inhabitants. Smith has a wonderful understanding of human nature and I get a kick out of how his characters interact, both the manners and the subtext. 

 I enjoyed the secondary plot line of Mma Ramotswe saving a young child and finding out what happened to his mother. The ending of the book is sentimental and touching. There are plenty of thought provoking themes woven throughout the story involving honesty, friendship, and secrecy. 

DISLIKE- This is one of the weaker books in the series. The big mystery involving the Potokwane family, wasn't very compelling. The only compelling component is the way it handled scandal, with Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi showing compassion towards Mma Potokwane. Similarly, the confrontation with Violet Sephotho, Mma Makutsi's arch enemy, lacked impact. 

RECOMMEND- If you're a fan of the series, you have to read The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine, not because it's the best, but simply because who can skip any books in a series? I can't. If this is your first experience with Smith or the series, don't pick this book to start. 

As a bonus, check out Smith's author page. I like the cheerful music!

Book Review - Alexander McCall Smith's The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe

The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe is the fifteenth installment in Alexander McCall Smith's popular No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I've read them all and each new book is like spending an afternoon with an old friend. 

PLOT- The title of the book, The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe, is in reference to Grace Makutsi's latest business venture as a restauranteur. She is still working as a recently promoted co-owner of the detective agency, but her marriage has made her a wealthy woman with new ambitions. On the opposite end of the financial spectrum, is Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni. His garage is seeing less business and he must make the tough decision to let-go of his apprentice, Charlie. Mma Ramotswe comes up with a plan to help Charlie out, by selling off her cattle to pay for him to work as an assistant detective. The agency is struggling to solve their latest case involving the identity of an Indian woman with amnesia. 

LIKE - This series gets better with every book and I think that is owed to the rich and wonderful characters that Smith has created. There is a sweetness and moral to every story, but it is never preachy. Last month, while I was on jury duty, I was discussing the series with a fellow juror and Smith fan. The conclusion that we drew as to why we found the stories so endearing, is that they always left us with the warm fuzzies. The world needs more books that leave you with the warm fuzzies.

DISLIKE- Nothing to dislike, but I did miss the "Africa" repetition at the end. Where was it? I'm so used to it closing all of the stories and it was missed.

RECOMMEND- Yes. If you're a fan of the series, it's a must. If you haven't read the series...what's wrong with you? Get to a bookstore immediately!

Book Review- Alexander McCall Smith's Espresso Tales

Thankfully, Alexander McCall Smith has a huge fan base. A huge fan base that convinced him to continue with the 44 Scotland Street series beyond his second collection, Espresso Tales. I cannot imagine him abandoning such a colorful group of characters, but as he mentions in his forward, he had intended Espresso Tales to be the end of the series and it would have been, had not friends and fans convinced him otherwise at a publication party. 

Although, I would argue that his intention of ending the series it is what made these stories especially sweet. In particular, the story of Bertie and his overbearing mother, Irene, had a heartwarming resolution, that might have not come, if Smith hadn't aimed to end the series. Irene was so tyrannical and irrational in the first book and the first half of this book, that it would have been cumbersome to have her character continue in the same direction. By the end of Espresso Tales, she is beginning to see the damage that she has been inflicting on her family and although it's not a total transformation, it is a believable one. The real hero of the story is Irene's husband, Stewart, who finally puts his foot down and confronts his wife. 

Another stand-out is the relationship developments between Matthew and his father Gordon. In Espresso Tales, the prickly relationship finally has resolution when the two men have a chance to really engage in an honest conversation.

Smith has a knack for writing well-rounded characters and for making the reader empathize with even the most difficult personalities. This is one of the reasons that I love his No. #1 Ladies Detective Series. He writes sweet stories that manage to never be trite or belittle the readers intelligence. He is a keen observer of life and has a unique way of expressing it through his stories. 

I look forward to reading the further adventures of the residents living at 44 Scotland Street in his already published follow-up, Love Over Scotland. Lucky for me, I just discovered this series last year and I'm seven books behind! It's a book lover's dream!