Morality for Beautiful Girls (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (Paperback))

Morality for Beautiful Girls (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (Paperback)) In Morality for Beautiful Girls, Precious Ramotswe, founder and owner of the only detective agency for the concerns of both ladies and others, investigates the alleged poisoning of the brother of an important “Government Man,” and the moral character of the four finalists of the Miss Beauty and Integrity Contest, the winner of which will almost certainly be a contestant for the title of Miss Botswana. Yet her business is having money problems, and when other difficulties arise at her fianc?’s Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, she discovers the reliable Mr J.L.B. Matekoni is more complicated then he seems.
Customer Review: In which the characters ruminate far too much
I still find this series refreshing for its unusual setting, positive portrayal of Africa, and careful treatment of the relationships between the characters. But in this installment, plot (always a secondary consideration) takes a seat in the way-back of the tiny white van.

The various plots involve a few detective cases, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's deep depression, the two orphans living at Mma Ramotswe's house, and money troubles at both the garage and the agency. You would think that with all this going on, there would be plenty of material to fill up a short book without the characters (and the author) also indulging in extended mental rambles. Much of the book struck me as weak philosophical musings in the guise of character development.
Customer Review: Utterly wonderful, simple cases, appreciatively humourous author
I absolutely adore this series and I have no idea why I didn't discover them earlier. Alexander McCall Smith has a wonderful appreciation of language, idiosycracies of character and a sympathetic eye for nuance of language and manners which make this book (and this series) one of the best reads I have had. A series which I will continue to read over and over

In this, the third book of the series of Precious Rambotswe and the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, she is given some problems which only she can solve. Her fiance Mr J B L Matekoni has lost interest in his business, the Tlekwoni Rd Speedy Motors, and the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency is not doing as well as it might, putting the assistant detective, Mma Makutsi's latest promotion in danger. Mma Makutsi scored 97% in the final exam at the Botswana Secretarial college but does not wish to return to being simply a secretary. There are not enough secretarial jobs around especially for a secretary who is not pretty.

Precious is asked by a Government man to investigate his sister in law who he believes is poisoning his brother. She must also investigate the strange case of the boy who may think he is a lion and is now residing at the Orphan Farm. So Precious sets off for the Government mans farm to investigate (under cover) leaving the No. Ladies detective agency and the Tlekowni Rd Speedy Motors in the capable management of Mma Matuksi. Righly so for after she leaves Mma Matuksi receives a visit from the manager of the the Beauty and Integrity pageant. He wants to make sure the winner of this years contest is worthwhile, and not a bad woman like last years one who was arrested for prostitution and brought the Beauty and Integrity paegeant into disrepect - especially with the sponsors.

Alexander McCall Smith writes of his characters with real affection. Everything is worked out and it is all very small stuff - just as you would expect a detection agency would in a small town. The characters are steeped with the morals and manner (and language) of their place in society - that is of a traditional Botswanan society fighting the onslsught of modern manners.

There are genuinely hilarious moments, but mostly it is the gentle and sweet. I adore these, there are no car chases, or dramatic finales, they are simple tales, told with simple affection.