The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party
No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Mystery, #12
Alexander McCall Smith

Little, Brown
3 March 2011 / ISBN 9781408702581
Contemporary /Botswana
Amazon US || UK

Reviewed by Rachel A Hyde

This is no longer just a series of books, but a national treasure and each new installment is treated with great joy. This time Mma Makutsi’s wedding approaches, and she of course needs new shoes to wear. Mma Ramotswe has spotted what might be a ghost in the shape of her much loved little white van, Charlie has fathered twins, and a provoking case is taken on involving a man, his cattle, his staff and possibly his neighbor.

Perhaps what the book is about is less important than the general feeling of well being and life affirmation that readers have come to anticipate. Whatever crises loom they can be dealt with by the use of humanity, common sense and redbush tea. Life is nothing if there is no time to sit back and enjoy it whenever possible, and the blessings of family and friends are never to be taken lightly.

I would have liked to have heard more about Violet Sephotho’s standing for election as this part of the story just fizzled out, but maybe this is to be dealt with in the next volume. Some critics of the series have mentioned that more ought to be made of the problems faced by Africans, but even these are dealt with obliquely and during the case of Rra Moeti, rather more directly. But these books’ success is surely that, unlike most other modern books, they focus on the positive things in life and how to enjoy them. Long may they continue to do so.

Reviews of other titles in this series

Blue Shoes and Happiness, #7
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive, #8
The Miracle at Speedy Motors, #9
Tea Time For The Traditionally Built, #10
The Double Comfort Safari Club, #11
The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party, #12
The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon #14
The Handsome Man’s DeLuxe Café #15
The Woman Who Walked In Sunshine #16
Precious and Grace #17
The House of Unexpected Sisters #18
The Colours of all the Cattle #19