The Handsome Man's de Luxe Cafe: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (15) - Hardcover

"Amusing . . . An escape from life's woes [as well] as a suggestion for how to make the whole deal more palatable." "--The Boston Globe"
"McCall Smith's accomplished novels [are] dependent on small gestures redolent with meaning and main characters blessed with pleasing personalities." "--Newsday"
"McCall Smith is a vivid observer and an elegant writer, honoring Botswanan customs and culture . . . Like the best traditions, this series is one we hope will endure." "--The Plain Dealer"
"Endearing . . . The long-running series has lost none of its gentleness or its love for Botswana." "--The Christian Science Monitor
"
"Alexander McCall Smith is a prolific, popular, and wonderfully peculiar writer. His capacity to deliver quality new installments . . . is unrivalled by any other modern writer." "--The Independent (London)"

"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)
"Enjoyable . . . Series fans will be moved by a supporting character's growth, and newcomers will be charmed by the gentle humor."--"Publishers Weekly"
"Amusing . . . An escape from life's woes [as well] as a suggestion for how to make the whole deal more palatable." "--The Boston Globe"
"McCall Smith's accomplished novels [are] dependent on small gestures redolent with meaning and main characters blessed with pleasing personalities." "--Newsday"
"McCall Smith is a vivid observer and an elegant writer, honoring Botswanan customs and culture . . . Like the best traditions, this series is one we hope will endure." "--The Plain Dealer"
"Endearing . . . The long-running series has lost none of its gentleness or its love for Botswana." "--The Christian Science Monitor
"
"Alexander McCall Smith is a prolific, popular, and wonderfully peculiar writer. His capacity to deliver quality new installments . . . is unrivalled by any other modern writer." "--The Independent (London)"

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)
Enjoyable . . . Series fans will be moved by a supporting character s growth, and newcomers will be charmed by the gentle humor. "Publishers Weekly"
Amusing . . . An escape from life s woes [as well] as a suggestion for how to make the whole deal more palatable. " The Boston Globe"
McCall Smith s accomplished novels [are] dependent on small gestures redolent with meaning and main characters blessed with pleasing personalities. " Newsday"
McCall Smith is a vivid observer and an elegant writer, honoring Botswanan customs and culture . . .Like the best traditions, this series is one we hope will endure. " The Plain Dealer"
Endearing . . . The long-running series has lost none of its gentleness or its love for Botswana. " The Christian Science Monitor
"
Alexander McCall Smith is a prolific, popular, and wonderfully peculiar writer. His capacity to deliver quality new installments . . . is unrivalled by any other modern writer. " The Independent(London)""

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency often helps people find things they have lost. But they have never had to help a client findherself—until now, in this latest installment of Alexander McCall Smith’s best-selling and beloved series.

A kindhearted brother and sister have taken in a woman known only as “Mrs.”—a woman with no memory of her name or of how she came to Botswana. And so it’s up to Precious Ramotswe and her new co-director, Grace Makutsi, to discover the woman’s identity.

Meanwhile, motherhood proves to be no obstacle to Mma Makutsi’s professional success. As she settles into her role as partner at the agency, she also launches a new enterprise of her own: the Handsome Man’s De Luxe Café, a restaurant for Gaborone’s most fashionable diners. But even Miss 97 Per Cent isn’t fully prepared for the temperamental chefs, drunken waiters, and other challenges that come with running one’s own business. Help may come from an unexpected source, if only Mma Makutsi can swallow her pride and ask.

And next door to the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni is all too familiar with the difficult decisions of business owners. He is finally forced to make a tough choice, one that will bring major changes to both Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors and the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency—and that will require all of Mma Ramotswe’s finesse and patience to sort out.

With sympathy and indefatigable good humor, Mma Ramotswe and her friends see one another through these major changes and discover along the way what true friendship really means.