Rating: 
Summary: A Worthy Follow-Up
Review: Alexander McCall Smith's second book of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, Tears of the Giraffe, continues to develop the idea of the female African narrative. In the first book, McCall Smith concludes with Mma Ramotswe agreeing to marry an admirable fellow, the mechanic Mr. J.L.B Matekoni. McCall Smith immediately picks up where he left off, pushing the theme of the family. By using two established people, the book challenges the conventional forms of marriage and family in Botswana culture. Mma Ramotswe and Mr. Matekoni must, through compromise, decide on a lifestyle that will provide for them. Although they share responsibility, McCall Smith's achievement rests in the fact that his main character, Mma Ramotswe, uses her independence to transform her culture. She uses strength and courage to infuse a modern viewpoint on a culture where female dependence is embedded in its history. By the end of the book, Mma Ramotswe's views become infectious, and her effect on Mr. Matekoni clearly shows the manner in which she has revolutionized an entire way of thinking.
Aside from issues of the family, McCall Smith also explores his fascination with the disappearance of the "Old Africa," and mulls over the issues that modern society's growth comes at the expense of tradition and custom. He considers the status of good old-fashioned hard work. Does passion for one's work still exist or has it been eaten by modernity? Mma Ramotswe's secretary has her own theory. She thinks that the more Mercedes Benz a country has, the worse off that country is. As in this case, McCall Smith often uses characters with a limited point of view to produce moments of humor, but he simultaneously makes poignant observations about conflicting culture. At times, he offers more serious and direct commentary. As a result, the book not only takes the shape of histoircal documentation, but it also serves to instruct, to give hope, and to provide some examples of how to deal with a rapidly passing history. Through his series of books, McCall Smith has found a means to combine the local with the vast. He has invented Mma Ramotswe in order to show that one person can make a difference because Africa is comprised of a collection of individual stories. He craftily weaves these stories together to produce his African history, and in doing so contemplates and applauds the progress of a culture.
Rating: 
Summary: Charming and touching reads
Review: Minimum violence, sex, profanity but full of a charming and unforgettable characters, Precious Ramotswe, her able assistant Mma Makutsi, her fiance Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni and a colorful cast of others. Set in Botswana, Africa, it has widened my appreciation of that country and it's culture. I could not stop until I had read all three books in this series and I enjoyed each one more than the other. Buy these books because you will want to share them with your friends.
Rating:
Summary: A sequel as wonderful as its predecessor
Review: After stumbling upon "The # 1 Ladies Detective Agency," I was so eager to read the sequels that I managed, at great travail, to track them down even before their publication dates in the U.S. Never before have I searched out books so vigilantly, and never before have I written a review.
"Tears of the Giraffe" and "Morality for Beautiful Girls" are even less strictly mysteries that the first in the series, but they are just as wonderful as "#1...". Light reading but with a literary bent, the books contain rich characters, uniquely African and clearly depicted. The ones we know well are big-hearted, kind, well-meaning.
The main character, Precious, solves the few actual mysteries in the sequels in creative ways that surprise the reader. These sequels, particularly "Giraffe," are a bit more about Precious' relationship with J.L.B. Matekoni, a bit less about the detective agency. But they follow smoothly from "#1 Ladies..." and are equally good. Set in Botswana, the books give such a clear and beautiful picture of that country today that now I would like to learn more about it. If the books are realistic, Botswanians fiercely love their home.
Nothing raunchy in any of the 3 books. Terrific "reads."
Rating: 
Summary: Another Installment of Joy
Review: After reading Alexander McCall Smith's first book in this series "The #1 Ladies Detective Agency" I felt I had to read the following books as well because they are so enjoyable."The Tears of the Giraffe" reads almost like a fable allowing us to determine whether or not lying for good or bad reasons can be wrong. It is an interesting delimma. I absolutely enjoy the way that Smith writes his characers. Precious Ramotswe, her secretary/assistant Mma Makutsi and her fiance Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni are immediately likable and often shyly funny in the way that they interact with one another. This book brings two orphan children into Mma Ramotswe's life and leaves a door open for the next installment. The ending of the book is left with a wonderful fable-like suggestion about baskets being woven from the tears of a giraffe because that is all they have to give us. We can all give something no matter how small or insignificant it may seem and Alexander McCall Smith has given us a true treasure here.
Rating:
Summary: Joy
Review: The obvious success of this book is due to the #1 Ladies Detective Agency. And the desire to see what comes next is understandable. This is one great series of books and they deserve their place on the bestseller lists. The main character, Precious, solves the few actual mysteries in the sequels in creative ways that surprise the reader. These sequels, particularly "Giraffe," are a bit more about Precious' relationship with J.L.B. Matekoni, a bit less about the detective agency. But they follow smoothly from "#1 Ladies..." and are equally good. Set in Botswana, the books give such a clear and beautiful picture of that country today that now I would like to learn more about it. Would also recommend Life of Pi and The Bark of the Dogwood.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Reading Again-Love These Books!
Review: In Tears of the Giraffe, Mma Romatske has a new mystery to solve. A mother comes to her asking her help to find out what happened to her son 10 years before. So Mma Romatske, after being given the history, starts to dig up the facts until she does find out the whole story.
Mma Romatske is also preparing to marry J.L.B Matekoni, and lo and behold, they will have two children come into their lives to provide a home for as well. These two children were from the orphan farm, and needed somone to love and provide for them forever. So of course, what better place than with Mma Romatske, and J.L. B. Matekoni?
Amongst other uncertainties is the maid of J.L.B. Matekoni, who is very angry and jealous when she finds out that Mma Romatske will be in the picture for good. She is up to no good when she finds out about the impending marriage, and tries to plant some evidence to incriminate Mma Romatske. However, Mma Romatske will outwit her, and uncover the maid's unscrupulous ways.
This is only the second book of the series, and I look forward to reading the other books!
Rating:
Summary: Private Eye Precious Ramotswe And Company = Pure Delight!
Review: "Tears of the Giraffe," is the second novel in Alexander McCall Smith's absolutely delightful "Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency" series. Although the primary setting is Gaborone, Botswana, the author take the reader along with Private Eye Precious Ramotswe when she travels throughout her beautiful, but desolate native countryside. Mma. Ramotswe, our plus-sized protagonist, who possesses an overabundance of intelligence, intuition, cleverness and a wonderful sense of humor, is presently busy juggling her personal life with her ever increasing success as a detective.
She is now officially engaged to local master mechanic Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, the most gentlemanly of men. While Mma. Ramotswe presides over her detective agency, and is, in fact, the only female private detective in all Botswana, Mr. Matekoni has entrepreneurial expertise as well. He owns Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors. An honest, loving man with an extremely kind heart, he recently went to fix a water pump at a local orphanage, free of charge, and left with two children in tow.
Now Mma. Ramotswe has her hands full planning a new life with her fiance and newly found family, dealing with the nasty housekeeper, and building a relationship with her foster children. She also strikes a blow for feminism when she promotes her secretary to Assistant Detective and gives her a case to solve. Then Mrs. Curtain, an American whose son disappeared in the Kalahari desert, enters the picture when she passes through the doors of the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency. Michael Curtain had been living and working on a commune, experimenting with systems for growing vegetables in the harsh conditions of the Botswana desert. One night, ten years before, he vanished without a trace. His mother has been searching for him ever since, exhausting every available avenue. The American Embassy recommends Mma. Ramotswe's services, as a last resort. Word does get around! Although the "cold case" does not look promising, our lady detective takes the job. I think she empathizes with the woman's pain and sense of loss, as she once lost a child of her own.
Mma. Ramotswes spirit is luminescent. Ultimately, she is a good woman, a really decent person with a kind heart. She loves her fellow man, but most of all, and most inspiring, is her deep and abiding love for Africa, and for Botswana and its people in particular. "They are my people, my brothers and sisters. It is my duty to help them to solve the mysteries of their lives. That is what I am called to do."
Author Alexander McCall Smith's narrative is written simply, in a clear, uncluttered style. And our Number One Detective is both extraordinary and original - as are the people she deals with, and their everyday problems which she helps them resolve. I am captivated by Precious Ramotswe and this series. Highly recommended!
JANA
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic story
Review: A fast flowing story set, Tears of the Giraffe is one of the best books I have read. With good values expressed through characters that are lively, this book showed a beautiful side of Africa, where commitment is held sacred, where love is deep and hospitality is the norm. Fast paced and hilarious, this book hooked me all the more to the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency.
Also recommended: The Usurper by Janvier Tisi, The Full Cupboard of Life, Disgrace, Disciples of Fortune
Rating:
Summary: I Love This Series
Review: Continuing what was started in "The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency', Alexander McCall Smith once again creates another beautiful novel that is unfair to classify under a specific genre such as mystery. To do that would limit the scope of the book. Beyond the mystery or mysteries to be solved, this time revolving around an American woman searching for her long lost son, there is much political and social commentary which can be both humorous and touching depending on the circumstances. Told with a simple, direct style, Precious Ramotswe becomes even more endearing in this book, and her supporting cast of characters like her fiance Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, and her secretary Mme Makutsi,manage to root a place in your heart as well.
Rating:
Summary: Meanwhile, back in the bush...
Review: Returning to the natural order of things after having finally received a wayward copy of this book, I hastened to fill the empty space between books one and three.
Again, we are treated to several short stories, expertly blended into the ongoing domestic affairs of Mma Ramotswe, her fiancé Mr. Matekoni and the irreplaceable Mma Makutsi.
More emphasis is placed on the personal lives this time, with Mma Ramotswe doing her inspection of her fiancé's house and maid in true aisle - altar - hymn fashion. However, little does she know that a surprise awaits her, and that her future husband has two new responsibilites that will change her life forever.
Having set herself on the road to marriage, Mma Ramotswe considers passing along some encouragement to her secretary, but should have been keeping closer tabs on the disgruntled maid instead.
The cases in this instance are:
An American woman looking for closure after the disappearance of her son ten years before.
A moral dilemma awaits Mma Makutsi on her first case as an Assistant Detective, when she needs to solve the case of the appearing school fees.
The grand finale casually drops a little gem of information about a precious ring from Judgment-day.
Another one-day read in an enthralling series.
Amanda Richards, November 22, 2004
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