{"id":34689,"date":"2018-05-02T22:46:05","date_gmt":"2018-05-03T02:46:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=34689"},"modified":"2018-05-02T22:46:05","modified_gmt":"2018-05-03T02:46:05","slug":"review-of-the-house-of-unexpected-sisters-by-alexander-mccall-smith-narrated-by-lisette-lecat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=34689","title":{"rendered":"Review of The House of Unexpected Sisters, by Alexander McCall Smith, narrated by Lisette Lecat"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The House of Unexpected Sisters<\/em><\/p>\n

by Alexander McCall Smith
\nnarrated by Lisette Lecat<\/p>\n

Recorded Books, 2017. 9.5 hours on 8 compact discs.<\/p>\n

Another book about Precious Ramotswe of the No. 1 Ladies\u2019 Detective Agency! I keep reading these books (now listening) because the characters feel like an extension of my family. Now that I\u2019m on the 2019 Newbery committee, during 2018 I\u2019m trying not to listen to Newbery-eligible books, not wanting to be swayed by a good or bad narrator. But that gives me one opportunity to \u201cread\u201d books for adults \u2013 during my commute. This is a wonderful choice, because Lisette Lecat\u2019s accents make me feel like I\u2019m in Botswana itself.<\/p>\n

I wouldn\u2019t, though, recommend that anyone first introduce themselves to the No. 1 Ladies\u2019 Detective Agency with this book. They only have one real case, and it\u2019s one they don\u2019t get paid for, which makes me wonder how they\u2019re carrying on.<\/p>\n

Alexander McCall Smith\u2019s books all seem to progress at a leisurely pace, but this one seemed even slower than usual. I still enjoyed it \u2013 because I love these characters. But even I thought of switching to something else a few discs in.<\/p>\n

One place where I laughed out loud \u2013 not in a good way \u2013 was when something villainous came up and you-know-who was involved \u2013 Yes, none other than Violet Sepotho! It\u2019s getting a bit silly how much she gets around. I remember at the beginning of the series, there were some very creative puzzles. Instead of having the main mystery be how did Violet Sepotho cause trouble this time?<\/p>\n

But the part I enjoyed most was the part that related to the title \u2013 discovering unexpected sisters. I won\u2019t say more, because I\u2019ll let you enjoy what drama there is. It is truly a surprise \u2013 but ends up (no surprise there) being a delightful one.<\/p>\n

recordedbooks.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Fiction\/house_of_unexpected_sisters.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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