The Colors of all the Cattle

After a couple of lackluster entries to the long-running “No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” series, Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi, and Mma Potokwane, and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni return with an enlivened plot and a few welcome twists. Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s favorite and perhaps its only woman detective, embarks on a quest to find the hit and run driver of a car that struck a revered doctor from her childhood, and she gets unlikely help from Charlie, the mechanic still figuring out how to change an oil filter.

The sub-plot with Charlie, now 26, is poignant and layered. It enriches the book as the young man falls hard for the beautiful and well named Queenie-Queenie, who, it appears, is far out of the league of the apprentice mechanic and detective. She’s not only gorgeous but from a very rich family; her well-toned brother is also highly protective and capable of causing bodily harm in any number of horrifying ways. Meanwhile, Charlie’s rather effective detective work roots out the hit and run driver, an amoral thug likewise willing to bring the hapless young man to perdition. His travails and triumphs flesh out a newly interesting character.

Meanwhile Mma Potokwane has decided, and therefore it will happen, that Precious will run for the equivalent of City Councilwoman in order to stop the development of a shady hotel (brothel?) way too close to a sacred graveyard. Of course, the always menacing Violet Sephotho lurks in the background of this nefarious scheme, as she always seems to lurk when the adjective “nefarious” applies. Interestingly, Violet is talked about but never appears in the story. Mma Makutsi’s botched detective work has no effect, and it is left to Mma Ramotswe to win the day by running against the formidable Violet.

One sour note is hit here. Mma Ramotwe is featured in the voting booth staring at the ballot adorned with her name and Violet’s making the election no longer theoretical but a frightening reality. Her inner agony at the prospect of voting for herself and her ultimate choice found me deeply disconcerted, even distraught. This was not the Precious Ramotswe I’ve come to know 19 volumes in. This is of course a personal reaction; others may perceive the scene quite differently.

All in all, however, the resolutions are satisfying and beautiful Botswana emerges once again a jewel in the African firmament. Contentment descends upon our beloved residents as they go about repairing cars, selling couches, embracing orphans, and, of course, solving the inscrutable mysteries that will never withstand the transcendent sleuthing skills of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

I love MMA Romotswe and all her friends. I love the descriptions of Botswana, the cattle, the sky, the landscape and the lives of the people who live there.

And, generally, I love these novels, but this one felt forced and a little off. The ending came quickly, as if the author had found something more important to do and just wanted it finished. I would never want these novels to end, but perhaps Mr. McCall Smith needs to take a bit of a break and recharge his Botswanan reserves.

I really like this series of books. They are a light read and are not inundated with sex, violence and foul language.

Fans of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency will not be disappointed with Book 19 in the series. “The Colours of all the Cattle” rekindles our relationship with the lovable characters of the book as well as the easy going life in Botswana. This volume introduced the fascinating new prospect of Mma Ramotswe as a politician! Heaven forbid! But it all works out as it should, and we wait in anticipation for Book 20.

I cant promise anythingbut I shall do my best. This is the campaign slogan that Mma Precious Ramotswe uses in her bid for a seat on the Gaborone City Council. She is doing this against her better judgement, having been coerced into the political arena by her friends Mma Potokwane, Mma Makutsi, and Rra Polopetsi. Her husband has wisely decided not to offer his opinion.

Of course there is the concern about a greedy land developer who wants to build the Big Fun Hotel next to a graveyard where most people believe those who have passed would consider it a dishonor. The deciding factor is her opponent, Violet Saphotho, who is the arch-enemy of Mma Makutsi (now Joint Managing Director of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency). Violet is running unopposed and is sure to win if Mma Ramotswe doesnt give her competition. It is Mma Makutsi herself who learns through solid detective work the Violet is conspiring with the land developer; she is willing to take a bribe in order to vote in favor of the hotel.

When a case of hit and run surfaces from Mma Ramotswes hometown of Mochudi, it is handled by the new assistant detective in training Charlie. Readers of the series will recall Charlie as something of a ladies man, as well as having been an apprentice in the motor shop. But in this installment Charlie is beginning to mature and finds himself in love with a young woman of means. He laments his former lifestyle and mourns the time he squandered instead of learning a trade. He is determined to be a good assistant detective.

In their own style, the characters who populate this book are not only old friends to many readers but also are a laid back commentary on life. I thoroughly enjoyed The Colors of All The Cattle. In this, the nineteenth book of the series, we see our friends begin to evolve as they reflect on life and their part in it. Another hit for the prolific Alexander McCall Smith. Great book to cuddle up with on a cold winter night or a warm beach day.