Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Anchor (2014), Edition: Reprint, Paperback, 272 pages
Description
Mma Ramotswe is asked to help the proprietor of the Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon, who is having trouble with her business. The salon has suffered some unfortunate events, including face cream that burns the skin. Could someone be trying to put the salon out of business? Meanwhile, on the home front, Mma Makutsi is going to have a baby. But in Botswana--a land where family has always been held above all else but which is on the crossroads between old and new--this may be cause for as much controversy as celebration.
User reviews
LibraryThing member joyceBl
The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon, by one of my favorite authors Alexander McCall Smith, continues the story of Mme Remotswe and her friend and now partner at the #1 Ladies Detective Agency, Mme Makutsi. In this, the 14th book in the series, Mme Remotswe finds the answer to who is spreading
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malicious rumors about a newly opened beauty salon. Mme Makutsi has a baby, whose middle name reflects their reverence for the inspiration behind their sleuthing. The CD edition of the book, read by wonderful Lisette Lecat, is warm, kindly, gentle, amusing, and another winner. Show Less
LibraryThing member Clara53
If I were a newcomer to the series - 5 stars, no question. But having read all the installments of "No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency", I found this latest one (though great in its own right) having some repetitiveness of ideas and notions.
LibraryThing member arielfl
Usually the new book in this series is released in April which happens to be my birthday month making it my annual gift to myself. My only complaint is that I had to wait until November to get it. In this installment we find Mma Ramotswe presented with two new mysteries, a character assassination
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against a beauty parlor and a nephew who may or may not be heir to a farm. Mma Ramotswe is on her own for the most part because Mma Makutsi is on maternity leave and she keenly misses her dear friend. Meanwhile Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni is left pondering the role of a modern husband. I love these novels. I am always anxious to see what nuggets of wisdom Alexander McCall Smith is doling out through his characters. Precious Ramotswe is a particular favorite of mine. Smith's musing on what makes husband and wife relationships work is especially on point here. It does matter who cooks the sausage but the kindness that is shown to one another. Another excellent addition to the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member etxgardener
This is the 14th installment in the No.1 Lies Detective Agency series that has to be the coziest of cozy mystery stories. In fact, I'm not sure that these little vignettes of life in Botswana even qualify as mysteries. Instead they seem more to serve as ruminations on the life philosophy of
But the most important story in this volume is not concerning a mystery at all. Grace Makutsi, Mma Ramotswe's secretary (and now associate detective) if pregnant and gives birth to a baby boy. How this changes the relationship of the two detectives (and also those who surround them) provides the most interesting narrative in the book.
In a time when we mostly hear horrible stories of man's inhumanity to man, it's a true pleasure to read these books that are full of well meaning, good natured people caring and looking out for each other. I hope this series never ends.
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Precious Ramotswe, the founder and chief detective of the agency. In this installment Mma Ramotswe has to discover whether or not a young man is, indeed who he says he is and if he truly is the rightful heir of a deceased farmer's land. She also has to ferret out the individual who is trying to destroy business at the new Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon. Is it the ladies' arch nemesis Violet Sephotho who seems to be capable of all sorts of nefarious deeds? Or is another person responsible?But the most important story in this volume is not concerning a mystery at all. Grace Makutsi, Mma Ramotswe's secretary (and now associate detective) if pregnant and gives birth to a baby boy. How this changes the relationship of the two detectives (and also those who surround them) provides the most interesting narrative in the book.
In a time when we mostly hear horrible stories of man's inhumanity to man, it's a true pleasure to read these books that are full of well meaning, good natured people caring and looking out for each other. I hope this series never ends.
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LibraryThing member mamzel
I have really enjoyed this series with the peaceful, insightful Mma Ramotswe and her assistant, Mma Makutsi, graduate of the Botswana Secretarial College (97%). Mma Ramotswe used the proceeds from the sale of her inherited cattle to open a detective agency in Gabarone and has been helping the
In our modern world of cell phones and internet, Mma Ramotswe relies instead on her intuition and ability to read another's expressions. Instead of bullet trains and jets, she gets around in her little white van which fits her "traditionally built" body perfectly. Rounding up her family is her husband JLB Matekoni, owner of a car repair and her two adopted children.
I love the gentle rhythm of these stories and listening to the audio version was that much more enjoyable. The narrator, Lisette Lecat, speaks with a lovely accent and rolled "r"s when speaking for a character. I can't imagine anyone doing a better job. I found that I was driving a little slower and more carefully both as a result of the calmness of Mma Ramotswe as a desire to have a little more time listening.
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citizens of her small town with their difficulties. This time she assists a woman lawyer by ascertaining the truth of the identity of a young man on a farm whom the lawyer believes is an imposter. Mma Ramotswe also helps the owner of a beauty salon discover who has been spreading nasty rumors and sabotaging her new business. Mma Makutsi has her baby son and is out of commission for a while which is enough time for Mma Ramotswe to realize how much she has come to rely on her company and view point.In our modern world of cell phones and internet, Mma Ramotswe relies instead on her intuition and ability to read another's expressions. Instead of bullet trains and jets, she gets around in her little white van which fits her "traditionally built" body perfectly. Rounding up her family is her husband JLB Matekoni, owner of a car repair and her two adopted children.
I love the gentle rhythm of these stories and listening to the audio version was that much more enjoyable. The narrator, Lisette Lecat, speaks with a lovely accent and rolled "r"s when speaking for a character. I can't imagine anyone doing a better job. I found that I was driving a little slower and more carefully both as a result of the calmness of Mma Ramotswe as a desire to have a little more time listening.
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LibraryThing member khiemstra631
The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon has moved to new quarters and finds itself the target of a vicious slur attack resulting in a total lack of customers. And, a young nephew is named to inherit his uncle's farm, but the lawyer handling the case has doubts that he is who he says he is. These two
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cases present themselves to the ladies at The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency for solutions in this installment. As always, the book is lyrically written and rhapsodizes about Botswana. For a relaxing read over the holidays, this one is not to be missed. Delightful. Show Less
LibraryThing member repb
I love this kind, gentle series. I love the characters and the background remarks about Botswana. I am a bit confused as to how Smith handled the ending, however. It's almost as if he was not sure how to smoothly handle the conclusions of the two major conflicts ... or what. I wish he would have
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been more concrete. Show Less
LibraryThing member delphimo
This audio book presented a delightful excursion to Africa after all the Christmas rush. I love to hear the pronunciation of the names that seem so musical. The birth of Grace's birthday and her very short maternity leave expound on the ups and downs of a relationship. Smith presents a love of
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country and an acceptance of life. Precious plods on with her detective business, but realizes how greatly she misses Grace. Jealousy and greed play a small role in the story, but truth and honesty prevail. The chapter where J L goes to a class to become a modern husband is hilarious, but also sadly filled with truth Show Less
LibraryThing member mabith
Smith certainly has a brilliance for naming his books (and the world within them).
This follows in the usual line of the Number Ladies Detective Agency books. It is light, humorous, thoughtful, and warm. This one focuses on the main mystery a little less than some of the other books, or maybe it
While I think these books are well-written and interesting, the true draw for me is Lisette Lecat, the reader for the audiobooks. A good reader can add so much to a book, and that's the case with this series. She uses the perfect mix of animation and straight reading, never letting her reading become too theatrical.
This follows in the usual line of the Number Ladies Detective Agency books. It is light, humorous, thoughtful, and warm. This one focuses on the main mystery a little less than some of the other books, or maybe it
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was just less of a mystery in general. There's a lot of change afoot in the agency as Mma Makutsi has a baby and both she and Mma Ramotswe struggle to express their feelings about their friendship and partnership. While I think these books are well-written and interesting, the true draw for me is Lisette Lecat, the reader for the audiobooks. A good reader can add so much to a book, and that's the case with this series. She uses the perfect mix of animation and straight reading, never letting her reading become too theatrical.
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LibraryThing member Cobscook
In this, the 14th book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, we see some major changes in the relationships of our main characters. As always, Mma Ramotswe uses her common sense and a few well placed questions to solve two separate cases. While Mma Ramotswe investigates, we explore questions
This is my favorite audiobook series by far. Lisette Lecat is a perfect narrator for these stories, lending her British accent to the proper pronunciation of the Botswana words. The books are slow paced and contemplative so don't expect a hard boiled detective novel here. Botswana is more than a backdrop, in fact it is practically a character all on its own. After 14 books, I still look forward to the next one and that is a pretty high recommendation in my opinion.
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about what makes a good husband, how childbirth affects relationships, and the importance of friendship. In this book more than the others, we see a juxtaposition between modern and traditional Botswana life. We see major developments in Mma Ramotswe's relationship to Mma Makutsi, Charlie the apprentice's attitude toward life, and Mr. JLB Matakoni's thoughts about marriage. This is my favorite audiobook series by far. Lisette Lecat is a perfect narrator for these stories, lending her British accent to the proper pronunciation of the Botswana words. The books are slow paced and contemplative so don't expect a hard boiled detective novel here. Botswana is more than a backdrop, in fact it is practically a character all on its own. After 14 books, I still look forward to the next one and that is a pretty high recommendation in my opinion.
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LibraryThing member hardlyhardy
Among the many charms of Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels are the names Smith gives to the businesses in Botswana. Many of these find their ways into his titles, "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" being but one of them. Among others are "The Kalahari Typing School for
When Precious Ramotswe gets a "free" facial at the newly opened Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon, she soon realizes the proprietor expects a favor in return. Someone is already trying to destroy the business by spreading terrible false rumors. How does one go about tracking down the source of a rumor, Mma Ramotswe wonders.
Another case proves even more challenging. A lawyer wants Mma Ramotswe to discover whether a nephew about to inherit his uncle's estate is really who he claims to be.
This being an Alexander McCall Smith mystery, you know the subplots will often overpower the supposedly main plots, and that is the case in this 14th book in the series, as well. This time, Mma Ramotswe's husband, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, attempts to become a modern husband and Grace Makutsi, her long-time assistant (no, better make that associate), gives birth to a baby boy and then must put up with her husband's overpowering aunt moving in and attempting to take over, all in the name of tradition.
I have listened to, rather than actually read, most of the books in this series, and I did that again with "The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon." Native South African Lisette Lecat has been narrating the series from the beginning, and as always she does a perfect job with this installment. With Lecat reading Smith's prose, what's not to like?
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Men," "The Miracle at Speedy Motors" and, most recently, "The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon."When Precious Ramotswe gets a "free" facial at the newly opened Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon, she soon realizes the proprietor expects a favor in return. Someone is already trying to destroy the business by spreading terrible false rumors. How does one go about tracking down the source of a rumor, Mma Ramotswe wonders.
Another case proves even more challenging. A lawyer wants Mma Ramotswe to discover whether a nephew about to inherit his uncle's estate is really who he claims to be.
This being an Alexander McCall Smith mystery, you know the subplots will often overpower the supposedly main plots, and that is the case in this 14th book in the series, as well. This time, Mma Ramotswe's husband, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, attempts to become a modern husband and Grace Makutsi, her long-time assistant (no, better make that associate), gives birth to a baby boy and then must put up with her husband's overpowering aunt moving in and attempting to take over, all in the name of tradition.
I have listened to, rather than actually read, most of the books in this series, and I did that again with "The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon." Native South African Lisette Lecat has been narrating the series from the beginning, and as always she does a perfect job with this installment. With Lecat reading Smith's prose, what's not to like?
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LibraryThing member RidgewayGirl
Let me first say that I don't like cozy mysteries. I really don't. Yet, I can't resist the pleasant fantasy version of Africa Alexander McCall Smith has created in The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency series.
In The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon, Mma Makutsi has her baby, Charlie the hapless
In The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon, Mma Makutsi has her baby, Charlie the hapless
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apprentice displays a bit of depth, Mma Ramotswe realizes how much her associate detective means to her and Mr JLB Matakoni takes a course in how to be a modern husband. There are also two mysteries, which are entertaining, but negligible. Smith knows what he's doing with this series, and the only misstep in this installment is the woman teaching the Modern Husbands class. Show Less
LibraryThing member Neale
An enjoyable addition to the series with a twist at the end.
LibraryThing member jnwelch
Mark recently asked whether this Precious Ramotswe, No.1 Ladies Detective Agency mystery series is dark and gritty. The answer is no. Begun in 1998 and set in Botswana, it features "traditionally built" Precious, applying deep common sense and keen intuition about people to unmask deception and
SPOILER ALERT As this is the 14th in the series, this inevitably will mention parts that a new reader won't have encountered.
Despite their sweetness, the books have always had dark aspects. Precious herself was physically abused by her musician first husband and lost a baby. She now is married to the wonderful mechanic and auto repair shop owner, J.L.B. Matekoni, who years later still cannot believe his luck that she accepted his proposal. They are raising two foster children, one a smart, capable wheelchair bound girl threatened by a degenerative disease, and the other a charming but constantly daydreaming young boy. As the book opens, Grace and her new husband are expecting their first baby, with Grace determined to stay involved at the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.
This time Precious has two mysteries to solve - is the boy set to inherit his recently deceased uncle's farm really who his mother says he is, and who is scaring people away from the new Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by spreading rumors of dangerous practices and exorbitant expense. Per usual, the personal issues of the characters are featured as much as the mysteries. Quirky details bring much of the humor - e.g., Grace's shoes talk to her, and once even Precious hears them; Grace's husband figures out an unexpected way to get a disagreeable aunt to leave their home; Precious nurses along her old, beat-up white van that should have been junked long ago; husband J.L.B. haplessly tries to help with the cooking, mashing the potatoes before cooking them and looking for "red beans that grow in cans". The attempt to cook is the result of his attending a horrifying class on "Being a Modern Husband", which has stupidly lying male students and a domineering female teacher.
Grace's motherhood separates the detecting team for the first time since the agency opened, and they are both thrilled when she is able to return part-time, with baby in tow. Precious can't say how much it means to her. “She wanted to say we are back again in the team that has always worked so well. She wanted to say you were only away for a very short time, but I’ve missed you so much. I’ve missed your odd remarks, I’ve missed your talking shoes. I’ve missed everything.”
But she doesn’t say such things — “For once again she sensed that our heart is not always able to say what it wants to say and frequently has to content itself with less.”
This series is consistently involving and uplifting. The importance of kindness and understanding is emphasized in every volume, with villains, sometimes dark and gritty ones, exposed and outwitted. This latest entry has all the virtues of its predecessors, and offers a fine time revisiting old friends.
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right wrongs. She is assisted by her prickly but insightful "associate detective" Grace Makutsi, who scored 97% on the critical test at the secretarial college, and isn't about to let anyone forget it. The books feature a relaxed pace and gentle humor, with life in Botswana, where cattle can still signify wealth, on display.SPOILER ALERT As this is the 14th in the series, this inevitably will mention parts that a new reader won't have encountered.
Despite their sweetness, the books have always had dark aspects. Precious herself was physically abused by her musician first husband and lost a baby. She now is married to the wonderful mechanic and auto repair shop owner, J.L.B. Matekoni, who years later still cannot believe his luck that she accepted his proposal. They are raising two foster children, one a smart, capable wheelchair bound girl threatened by a degenerative disease, and the other a charming but constantly daydreaming young boy. As the book opens, Grace and her new husband are expecting their first baby, with Grace determined to stay involved at the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.
This time Precious has two mysteries to solve - is the boy set to inherit his recently deceased uncle's farm really who his mother says he is, and who is scaring people away from the new Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by spreading rumors of dangerous practices and exorbitant expense. Per usual, the personal issues of the characters are featured as much as the mysteries. Quirky details bring much of the humor - e.g., Grace's shoes talk to her, and once even Precious hears them; Grace's husband figures out an unexpected way to get a disagreeable aunt to leave their home; Precious nurses along her old, beat-up white van that should have been junked long ago; husband J.L.B. haplessly tries to help with the cooking, mashing the potatoes before cooking them and looking for "red beans that grow in cans". The attempt to cook is the result of his attending a horrifying class on "Being a Modern Husband", which has stupidly lying male students and a domineering female teacher.
Grace's motherhood separates the detecting team for the first time since the agency opened, and they are both thrilled when she is able to return part-time, with baby in tow. Precious can't say how much it means to her. “She wanted to say we are back again in the team that has always worked so well. She wanted to say you were only away for a very short time, but I’ve missed you so much. I’ve missed your odd remarks, I’ve missed your talking shoes. I’ve missed everything.”
But she doesn’t say such things — “For once again she sensed that our heart is not always able to say what it wants to say and frequently has to content itself with less.”
This series is consistently involving and uplifting. The importance of kindness and understanding is emphasized in every volume, with villains, sometimes dark and gritty ones, exposed and outwitted. This latest entry has all the virtues of its predecessors, and offers a fine time revisiting old friends.
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LibraryThing member tututhefirst
I received the audio version of this latest in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series from the Early Reviewer program on LibraryThing.com. When I began the series years ago, I had a difficult time with the unusual language patterns and unfamiliar names. Then I discovered the audio books narrated
In this episode (the 14th), Mma Precious Ramatswe is working two different cases: one involving a questionable inheritance and heir, the other a case of trying to find out who is maligning the newly opened business "The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon." While she quietly and ploddingly works on these two cases, she is also helping Mma Makutse, her ertswhile side-kick and "associate detective" who is having a baby, and having to deal with the overbearing aunt of her husband Mr. Phuti Radiphuti. In the meantime, Mma Ramatswe's husband, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, enrolls himself in the "How to be a modern husband" night course at the local university. The results are not what he expects. The whole story is very focused on the personal lives of Mma Makutse, Mma Ramatswe, their husbands, and their friends. We see quite a bit more of the husbands and their musings about marriage.
While classified as detective stories, these books are so much more. The mysteries are generally the skeleton on which McCall Smith hangs gentle, beautiful and affirming stories of Botswana and its way of life. Precious Ramatswe is a woman wise beyond her years, but with a wisdom that recognizes there are always lessons to be learned from others, from life, and from the unfortunate happenings that befall all of us. No matter what happens, she manages to dispense gems of beauty that keep us reading and wanting more.
If you've tried others in print and decided they weren't for you, please give them a try in audio. The difference is incredible. These are fun, relaxing, inspiring and vastly educational all at once. They just keep getting better with each new installment.
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by Lisette Lecat. Her amazing ability to provide different voices and accents gave me an appreciation for the lyrical rhythm of the language, and caused me to fall in love with the whole series, the colorful the country of Botswana, and several of the colorful characters McCall Smith has so carefully crafted.In this episode (the 14th), Mma Precious Ramatswe is working two different cases: one involving a questionable inheritance and heir, the other a case of trying to find out who is maligning the newly opened business "The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon." While she quietly and ploddingly works on these two cases, she is also helping Mma Makutse, her ertswhile side-kick and "associate detective" who is having a baby, and having to deal with the overbearing aunt of her husband Mr. Phuti Radiphuti. In the meantime, Mma Ramatswe's husband, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, enrolls himself in the "How to be a modern husband" night course at the local university. The results are not what he expects. The whole story is very focused on the personal lives of Mma Makutse, Mma Ramatswe, their husbands, and their friends. We see quite a bit more of the husbands and their musings about marriage.
While classified as detective stories, these books are so much more. The mysteries are generally the skeleton on which McCall Smith hangs gentle, beautiful and affirming stories of Botswana and its way of life. Precious Ramatswe is a woman wise beyond her years, but with a wisdom that recognizes there are always lessons to be learned from others, from life, and from the unfortunate happenings that befall all of us. No matter what happens, she manages to dispense gems of beauty that keep us reading and wanting more.
If you've tried others in print and decided they weren't for you, please give them a try in audio. The difference is incredible. These are fun, relaxing, inspiring and vastly educational all at once. They just keep getting better with each new installment.
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LibraryThing member MrsLee
Another lovely addition to the world of Precious Ramotswe. Mma Makutsi is out of the office for much of this story, but not out of the story by any means. Mma Ramotswe plods along on her road to discovery in two cases, one the identity of an heir, the other the identity of a maligner trying to make
What made this story stand out for me was the narrator, Lisette Lecat. She manages to infuse each character not only with an individual voice, but personality, too. It was terrific to hear the accent and the pronunciation of the place and character names.
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the Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon fail. The story is full of the love, wisdom and sweetness we have come to expect. I became a bit annoyed with Mma Ramotswe spinning her wheels on the problem solving, but that is nothing new. One doesn't read these for the mystery or the detection. One reads them for the people.What made this story stand out for me was the narrator, Lisette Lecat. She manages to infuse each character not only with an individual voice, but personality, too. It was terrific to hear the accent and the pronunciation of the place and character names.
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LibraryThing member brangwinn
What better book than a "No.1 Detectives Agency" novel on a cold rainy day. It takes me away from the cold rain to warm Botswana and gives me excellent company in Mma Ramotswe. This novel doesn't disappoint either. It's nice to see that Mma Makutsi, although a new mother, still remains a modern
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woman. Her absence from the detective agency is greatly missed by more than she probably realizes. Who would have thought that Charlie loves babies and the newest member of the cast weaves a spell over him. I'm ready for the next one Mr. McCall-Smith. Your books take me away from dreary old Seattle. Show Less
LibraryThing member Doondeck
One more chapter in the never ending story of Mme. Ramatose. The moral tales continue to weave their way through this latest version of the saga. A good and comfortable read (listen)
LibraryThing member streamsong
This is the 14th installment of the No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series.
I enjoy this series. The characters are quirky and fun, and the Botswana society interesting.
In this installment Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi tackle change. Their personal and professional lives are changing as is Botswana
All this and two fun mysteries, too: one involving a smear campaign against the Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon and one involving a mysterious heir. The mysteries are light comfort-food cozies served with lots of Botswana savor. As usual, they have enough of a twist that the solution is never obvious.
As I received a copy of the audiobook to review, I’d like to say that I love the reader, Lisette Lecat, who brings a perfect voice to complement the story.
If you need a bit of pleasant escapism, I recommend this series.
I enjoy this series. The characters are quirky and fun, and the Botswana society interesting.
In this installment Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi tackle change. Their personal and professional lives are changing as is Botswana
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itself. What is traditional that should be kept? When is modern better? All this and two fun mysteries, too: one involving a smear campaign against the Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon and one involving a mysterious heir. The mysteries are light comfort-food cozies served with lots of Botswana savor. As usual, they have enough of a twist that the solution is never obvious.
As I received a copy of the audiobook to review, I’d like to say that I love the reader, Lisette Lecat, who brings a perfect voice to complement the story.
If you need a bit of pleasant escapism, I recommend this series.
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LibraryThing member smik
The ability of these cozies to delight never ceases to amaze me. I was thinking after I finished this one that you rarely see a body and almost never sight blood. Most of the "cases" the agency takes on are domestic issues. The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency has been operating for some years now and
THE MINOR ADJUSTMENT BEAUTY SALON is all about relationships. Mma Makutsi's maternity leave brings Precious Ramotswe to a realisation of how much she enjoys Grace's company. Her absence in the office causes a temporary depression which sparks Mr J. L. B. Matekoni to consider how he can become a more modern husband and he has a disastrous experience in a night course he decides to attend. Mma Ramotswe takes on an inheritance investigation and misses her friend and associate when she looks for someone to bounce her ideas off.
The ending of THE MINOR ADJUSTMENT BEAUTY SALON and the knowledge that there will be another in the series will delight followers. I thoroughly enjoyed this one
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although it charges fees, rarely makes a profit when costs are taken into consideration. Many of the investigations they take on do not actually come in through the door, but result from people consulting Precious Ramotswe on a casual basis as she does or shopping or sits at the market drinking coffee.THE MINOR ADJUSTMENT BEAUTY SALON is all about relationships. Mma Makutsi's maternity leave brings Precious Ramotswe to a realisation of how much she enjoys Grace's company. Her absence in the office causes a temporary depression which sparks Mr J. L. B. Matekoni to consider how he can become a more modern husband and he has a disastrous experience in a night course he decides to attend. Mma Ramotswe takes on an inheritance investigation and misses her friend and associate when she looks for someone to bounce her ideas off.
The ending of THE MINOR ADJUSTMENT BEAUTY SALON and the knowledge that there will be another in the series will delight followers. I thoroughly enjoyed this one
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LibraryThing member jjvors
The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (14) by Alexander McCall Smith is another tender, warm, touching mystery, solved adeptly by Mma Ramotswe and her able associated Mma Makutse. Both live with their husbands in Gabarone Botswana and they handle affairs of the heart and
The 14th novel in this beloved series has not grown old, nor tiresome. The characters we know and love are there, still solving daily problems with wisdom and gentleness.
You may read each novel in the series out of order, but long range developments like marriages and babies may not be surprises. Also, the long range character development becomes more apparent if you read them in the canonical order.
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business mysteries that people need solved.The 14th novel in this beloved series has not grown old, nor tiresome. The characters we know and love are there, still solving daily problems with wisdom and gentleness.
You may read each novel in the series out of order, but long range developments like marriages and babies may not be surprises. Also, the long range character development becomes more apparent if you read them in the canonical order.
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LibraryThing member Copperskye
The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon is the 14th entry in Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Here Mma Ramotswe and her assistant, Mma Makutsi, seek to uncover who is behind the scare tactics and misinformation being distributed about a new beauty salon and, also, they try
I admit to only having read the first book in this series and finding it slow. When I saw that the audio version offered through LTER was read by Lisette Lecat (I’d previously enjoyed listening to her read Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight), I thought I might give it a try. Lecat reads all the audio versions of this series and she does a spectacular job here – her voice is lilting, pronunciations beautiful and unerring, and she makes the book come alive. Any parts of the story that I may have felt were slow or repetitious were actually an advantage when listening while driving. The story and the performance were both delightful.
But I think the highest compliment I can make is to say that by the time I started the final CD, I had the audio version of an earlier book in the series waiting for me at the library. 4.5 stars
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to ascertain whether or not the young man poised to inherit a local farm is truly who he says he is. Each of these cases is interesting but the true joy of this book is the characters, the Botswana location, and the gentle whimsy of Smith’s writing.I admit to only having read the first book in this series and finding it slow. When I saw that the audio version offered through LTER was read by Lisette Lecat (I’d previously enjoyed listening to her read Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight), I thought I might give it a try. Lecat reads all the audio versions of this series and she does a spectacular job here – her voice is lilting, pronunciations beautiful and unerring, and she makes the book come alive. Any parts of the story that I may have felt were slow or repetitious were actually an advantage when listening while driving. The story and the performance were both delightful.
But I think the highest compliment I can make is to say that by the time I started the final CD, I had the audio version of an earlier book in the series waiting for me at the library. 4.5 stars
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LibraryThing member sweetiegherkin
The big news (that everyone is tiptoeing around) at the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is that Mma Makutsi is pregnant. Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe has two cases to tackle. The first comes from a lawyer executing a will who believes that, despite having identity papers, the inheritor is not who he
As with some of the later titles in this series, I found the beginning of the book a bit unappealing. The plotline of Mma Makutsi's pregnancy and subsequent newborn felt rushed. Personally, I thought it would have been better to introduce the pregnancy in one book and the birth in another. This novel also made it abundantly clear the shocking lack of knowledge about child development held by the characters (and possibly McCall Smith himself, if one reads too much of the author into his characters) as well as how much the foster children being raised by Mma Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni are viewed as not their 'real' children. In addition, this early part relied far too heavily on tired running jokes, including repeated references to Mma Makutsi's 97 percent score in school. One or two references to this should be more than sufficient per novel, not five or six.
But happily the book picked up about a quarter (or perhaps even less) of the way in and became very interesting. Having two cases at once was a nice treat and both provided a good number of clues, red herrings, etc. They both had satisfactory endings, even if one was a tad bit disturbing in its explanation. With each case, I enjoyed that there were not necessarily clear-cut good and bad guys, as can sometimes be the case in this series. The "good" characters had done things they certainly shouldn't have, while the "bad" ones had some back stories that lent them sympathy.
As for the characters, everything about the pregnancy/baby felt rushed as I mentioned earlier, but it did for a while introduce a lonely Mma Ramotswe working on her own and realizing how important Mma Makutski is to her. There are some rather touching scenes depicted between the two women and even though I've found Mma Makutski increasingly annoying with each book, these made her more likeable. However, rather than exploring this separated relationship in greater depth, McCall Smith easily fixes the problematic situation presented: Mma Makutski is back at work, newborn infant in tow, in a matter of days, making her absence really negligible.
Another short-lived plotline (but one that I really enjoyed) involved Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, which seemed like a good idea given that he's had a smaller role in more recent books. Upon seeing his wife saddened at Mma Makutski's leave of absence, he decides he should comfort her by assisting more in household chores, like cooking, even though he doesn't have the slightest idea where to start. It's another touching characterization and highlights why you want to spend so much time with these people, even over 14 books.
The foster children, meanwhile, get a brief nod in this book when Mma Ramotswe visits their school and talks to their teachers. It's more than we've seen of them in a while, but I was still disappointed that the children have largely faded into the background of the series, even while we still get five or six references to Mma Makutsi's 97 percent and multiple passages related in some way to Mma Ramotswe's love affair with bush tea.
Through its various plotlines, this book hits heavily (more so than in some of the other titles in the series) on the theme of modernity versus tradition. In that respect, it provides some interesting food for thought. Does modernity necessarily equal progress? Are some traditions worth saving perhaps only in a modified way? As is frequently typical in this series, gender politics are also an ongoing theme in this title. While I didn't necessarily agree with everything McCall Smith presented with either of these themes, they do make for thoughtful reflection upon reading.
To sum up this rather lengthy (and perhaps rambling) review, fans of this series will most likely enjoy this book. While it was not my favorite amongst the series, it was also better than some other titles in the series. For the audiophile, Lisette Lecat was once again spectacular, making the listening experience all the more enjoyable.
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claims he is. The second comes from Mma Ramotswe's new friend Mma Soleti (introducted in the previous book as the owner of the Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon), who received a disturbing message in the mail that could be interpreted as a death wish. As with some of the later titles in this series, I found the beginning of the book a bit unappealing. The plotline of Mma Makutsi's pregnancy and subsequent newborn felt rushed. Personally, I thought it would have been better to introduce the pregnancy in one book and the birth in another. This novel also made it abundantly clear the shocking lack of knowledge about child development held by the characters (and possibly McCall Smith himself, if one reads too much of the author into his characters) as well as how much the foster children being raised by Mma Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni are viewed as not their 'real' children. In addition, this early part relied far too heavily on tired running jokes, including repeated references to Mma Makutsi's 97 percent score in school. One or two references to this should be more than sufficient per novel, not five or six.
But happily the book picked up about a quarter (or perhaps even less) of the way in and became very interesting. Having two cases at once was a nice treat and both provided a good number of clues, red herrings, etc. They both had satisfactory endings, even if one was a tad bit disturbing in its explanation. With each case, I enjoyed that there were not necessarily clear-cut good and bad guys, as can sometimes be the case in this series. The "good" characters had done things they certainly shouldn't have, while the "bad" ones had some back stories that lent them sympathy.
As for the characters, everything about the pregnancy/baby felt rushed as I mentioned earlier, but it did for a while introduce a lonely Mma Ramotswe working on her own and realizing how important Mma Makutski is to her. There are some rather touching scenes depicted between the two women and even though I've found Mma Makutski increasingly annoying with each book, these made her more likeable. However, rather than exploring this separated relationship in greater depth, McCall Smith easily fixes the problematic situation presented: Mma Makutski is back at work, newborn infant in tow, in a matter of days, making her absence really negligible.
Another short-lived plotline (but one that I really enjoyed) involved Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, which seemed like a good idea given that he's had a smaller role in more recent books. Upon seeing his wife saddened at Mma Makutski's leave of absence, he decides he should comfort her by assisting more in household chores, like cooking, even though he doesn't have the slightest idea where to start. It's another touching characterization and highlights why you want to spend so much time with these people, even over 14 books.
The foster children, meanwhile, get a brief nod in this book when Mma Ramotswe visits their school and talks to their teachers. It's more than we've seen of them in a while, but I was still disappointed that the children have largely faded into the background of the series, even while we still get five or six references to Mma Makutsi's 97 percent and multiple passages related in some way to Mma Ramotswe's love affair with bush tea.
Through its various plotlines, this book hits heavily (more so than in some of the other titles in the series) on the theme of modernity versus tradition. In that respect, it provides some interesting food for thought. Does modernity necessarily equal progress? Are some traditions worth saving perhaps only in a modified way? As is frequently typical in this series, gender politics are also an ongoing theme in this title. While I didn't necessarily agree with everything McCall Smith presented with either of these themes, they do make for thoughtful reflection upon reading.
To sum up this rather lengthy (and perhaps rambling) review, fans of this series will most likely enjoy this book. While it was not my favorite amongst the series, it was also better than some other titles in the series. For the audiophile, Lisette Lecat was once again spectacular, making the listening experience all the more enjoyable.
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LibraryThing member hailelib
Another lovely installment in this series with Mma Ramotswe and her family and friends. While the mysteries are somewhat minor the daily lives of the main characters are always interesting and I like this series best of all the author's books mainly for the setting and Mma Ramotswe herself.
LibraryThing member SashaM
While I can see the appeal this story just doesn't grab me enough to pick up another one. Characters are cute. Crimes are non violent and there is a pleasant "feel" to the whole thing that is entertaining and funny.
Language
Original publication date
2013-10-03
Physical description
272 p.; 5.17 inches
ISBN
0307473007 / 9780307473004
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