Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 34
 Exactly what you would expect, and no worse for that July 23, 2010
Mrs. K. A. Wheatley (Leicester, UK)
This is the eleventh book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency novels featuring Precious Ramotswe, and it is exactly like the previous ten. This is no criticism. McCall Smith has found a formula that works, sympathetic characters and a niche market for detective novels which aren't really detective novels, but rather a gentle amble through the foibles of the human spirit in the company of some likeable people.
Unlike other crime series where the novelist has found a winning formula and made it stale (I am thinking of Janet Evanovich here), because the characters do not progress at all, McCall Smith keeps things fresh by allowing his characters to develop in their lives and personalities. Here Mma Makutsi, Mma Ramotswe's secretary and assistant detective, takes centre stage as we are swept up in the continuing drama of her relationship with her fiance Phuti Radiphuti and the fate of her evil nemesis Violet Sephotho.
In the background Mma Ramotswe carefully clears up the mystery of the legacy to a tour guide in the Okavango Delta, an unhappy marriage problem and saves a young man whose hopes of a happy future are about to be dashed by Violet. As always she manages it with maximum grace, minimum fuss and industrial quantities of red bush tea. Very satisfactory.
 The Sweetness of Life June 6, 2010
Professor Donald Mitchell (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 96,000 Helpful Votes Globally)
"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones." -- Proverbs 16:24 (NKJV)
The Double Comfort Safari Club ranks among the finest books in this superb series, evoking memories of an earlier Botswana when people cared about one another, the land, and their cattle. Alexander McCall Smith provides a loving microcosm of what humanity has lost around the world, portrayed with gentle humor. Mma Precious Ramotswe once again represents the values of the older traditions as she seeks not so much to solve crimes as to seek gentle harmony. Mma Makutsi symbolizes the ambitious strivers who want to get ahead but whose hearts are still mostly pure. Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni is a man who cares about his work and his family . . . and is content, a model of what happiness should be.
The book presents Precious with a series of challenges, all of which seem quite difficult to surmount at some point . . . until the inner harmony of natural living emerges. A husband and wife suspect each other of infidelity. A man has lost his inheritance in a swindle. A grateful tourist leaves a legacy to someone who needs to be tracked down. Phuti Radiphuti's aunt tries to freeze out Mma Makutsi.
The humor in the book is mostly provided by Mma Makutsi's love of shoes. As the two detectives prepare to search for a missing heir, Alexander McCall Smith has written one of his finest sequences about what a business trip can be like.
The book begins with a beautiful sequence where Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni tries to think like his wife. It's precious!
Come prepared with love in your heart, a smile on your face, and good will towards all.
Double Comfort Safari Club June 4, 2010
Auld-Yin (Scotland)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Another very good read from AMS. It has all the usual characters and is a nice gentle read.
 Double Comfort Safari Club May 24, 2010
A. Mendes (Glasgow Scotland)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Double Comfort Safari Club is another book about that endearing African Lady detective. The "mysteries " she solves are not too complicated and wouldn't hold a candle to a "Wallander" mystery or "Inspector Morse" but that is not the real point. They demonstrate the goodness and kindness of Mma Ramotswe and her assistant and each "mystery" is solved with humour and understanding of human frailty.These stories have become somewhat formulaic but they are a relaxing ,enjoyable read with a large "feel good" factor.
The Double Comfort safari Club May 19, 2010
C. Cook (Sussex, England)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
What can I say, another Gem from Alexander McCall Smith, such an easy and enjoyable read, that I am dissappointed when the book ends, and just hope that he writes another one very soon!
Any one thinking of buying this book should consider reading all of the No1 Ladies detective Agency books first, although each book in the series can be read alone, as they are all such comfy warm and enjoyable stories, its just that if you read them in the correct order you can get to know and love the characters all the more!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 34
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