Sonderbooks Book Review of The Kalahari Typing School for Men

Reviewed July 7, 2003.
Pantheon Books, New York, 2003. Originally published in Scotland in 2002. 186 pages.
Available at Sembach Library (F MCC)
A Sonderbooks’ Stand-out of 2003: #1, Mystery and Adventure

This is the fourth book in the series about The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency of Botswana, and the last one published in America so far. (I will definitely check if there are any more available in Scotland.)

There’s nothing thrilling or earth-shaking in this book. It’s simply delightful reading. The assistant detective of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency has an idea for a side business—a typing school for men. After all, men need to type on computers, but they don’t like to take secretarial classes with a lot of women, when they might be shown up.

There aren’t many cases for the ladies to solve in this one, but they do have competition in Gabarone with an agency set up by a detective who boasts that people should hire a man to solve their problems. The book also includes worries about their orphan children and wondering when Mma Ramotswe’s fiancé will set a date. Mostly, it hums along with the delightful rhythm of Botswana. These books will make you think, will make you smile, and are simply enjoyable.

Reviews of other books in the series:
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (Book 1)
Tears of the Giraffe (Book 2)
Morality for Beautiful Girls (Book 3)
The Full Cupboard of Life (Book 5)
In the Presence of Cheerful Ladies (Book 6)
Blue Shoes and Happiness (Book 7)
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (Book 8)
The Miracle at Speedy Motors (Book 9)
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built (Book 10)
The Double Comfort Safari Club (Book 11)
The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party (Book 12)
The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection (Book 13)
The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon (Book 14)
The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café (Book 15)
The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine (Book 16)
Precious and Grace (Book 17)
The House of Unexpected Sisters (Book 18)
The Colors of All the Cattle (Book 19)

Reviews of other books by Alexander McCall Smith:
The Great Cake Mystery
The Mystery of Meerkat Hill
The Sunday Philosophy Club
Friends, Lovers, Chocolate
The Right Attitude to Rain
The Careful Use of Compliments
The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday
La's Orchestra Saves the World
The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs
Emma
My Italian Bulldozer
The Cowgirl Aunt of Harriet Bean

Book Reviews by Sondra Eklund

*****The Kalahari Typing School for Men*

by Alexander McCall Smith