Review of 'The Miracle at Speedy Motors'

The Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith
9th book in the 'No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' series

In this 9th instalment in the “No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency” series Detective Precious Ramotswe is asked by a woman to find her mother. She relates that she was brought up by a couple who recently passed away and never knew her real parents. Meanwhile Precious' assistant Mme Makutsi persuades her fiancé to buy her a fancy bed which she destroys by leaving in the rain. At the same time Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, owner of Speed Motors and Precious' husband seeks out an expensive potential treatment for their foster daughter Motholeli who is confined to a wheelchair. There is a lot going on in Gaborone, Botswana with Precious on the case…

Another easy, well written, read from McCall Smith taking in the on-going life and times of his famous lady detective. As with other instalments despite the relatively simple plot lines and characters the deeper truths of live are laid bear such as the love between family and daughter, the importance of truth and honesty as well as being sensitive to other people's feelings. The later is shown here with Precious' hesitancy about talking to her husband about her beloved small white van which is making distressing noises and with Mme Makutsi struggling over how to tell her fiancé about what she did with the bed, though both are resolved in different ways showing the deep integrity of the characters. It is the powerful characters that keep the series alive as they never fail to surprise and entertain no matter what life throws at them.

Perhaps these books are all-to-easily concluded (and in this case I am not entirely sure every thread is tied up, perhaps a few more chapters could have helped) but they are easy, gentle, pleasant books to read that are a bit of a break from my stack of much heavier “intellectual” reading pile.

Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2024-02-25

Genre: African

Publisher: Abacus

Publication Date: 2008

ISBN: 9780349119953

• The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (Book 1)
• Tears of the Giraffe (Book 2)
• Morality for Beautiful Girls (Book 3)
• The Kalahari Typing School for Men (Book 4)
• The Full Cupboard of Life (Book 5)
• In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (Book 6)
• Blue Shoes and Happiness (Book 7)
• The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (Book 8)
• Tea Time for the Traditionally Built (Book 10)
• The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party (Book 12)

• 44 Scotland Street (Book 1 of 44 Scotland Street)