The fifth book in the multi-million copy bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series

The one where J. L. B. Matekoni takes a great leap . . .

Once again, Mma Ramotswe is asked to look into the love lives of fellow Botswanans: a rich woman has a number of suitors and wants her to investigate their motives. But to tell the truth, it is her own love life about which Precious wants answers. She has been engaged to Mr J.L.B. Matekoni for so long that she is starting to wonder if they will ever marry. His mind, though, is elsewhere - Mma Potokwani has persuaded him to perform a parachute jump for charity, and he is not happy about it at all . . .

'Hugely enjoyable' Sunday Times

'Extremely funny' Mail on Sunday

'I haven't read anything with such unalloyed pleasure for a long time' Sunday Telegraph

'McCall Smith is a natural born storyteller' Scotland on Sunday

*The fifth in the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series *Highly original 'detective' stories with unique setting and characters for people who are fed up with aggressive literature which dwells on selfishness, discourtesy and conflict.

About the Author
Alexander McCall Smith is the author of over one hundred books on a wide array of subjects, including the award-winning The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. He is also the author of the Isabel Dalhousie novels and the world's longest-running serial novel, 44 Scotland Street. His books have been translated into forty-six languages. Alexander McCall Smith is Professor Emeritus of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh and holds honorary doctorates from thirteen universities.

Reviews
Forget the library - the body is in the mud hut. An African Marple created by a Scottish law lecturer * Stephen McGinty, Sunday Times *
McCall Smith's familiar tone of wry amusement permeates the narrative, as does the detective's wisdom . . . hugely enjoyable * Sunday Times *
This is art that conceals art. I haven't read anything with such unalloyed pleasure for a long time * Anthony Daniels, Sunday Telegraph *
Highly amusing, intelligent and heart-warming * Scotland on Sunday *
McCall Smith is a natural born storyteller, filling his prose with rhythm and repetition . . . Charming, quirky and timeless * Scotland on Sunday *
Refreshing, funny and life-affirming * Geographical *
Addictive... our reviewer was so entertained, she bought the rest of the series! * Marie Claire *
Utterly enchanting * Chicago Sun Times *
Beguiling... The author's deceptively simple prose... is as supple as ever. His gift for effortless description of dusty, sun-baked Africa is undiminished * Seattle Times *
Smith's big-hearted Botswana series... allows his readers to escape into a world of simple, picturesque pleasures and upstanding virtues * New York Times Book Review *
Brims with the same old-fashioned charm as its lovely predecessors... An engaging read * Entertainment Weekly *
A treasure of wit and wisdom * Dallas Morning News *
Delightful... The warm humanity is what brings readers back... There is a simplicity and lyricism in the language that brings out the profound importance of everyday revelations * San Francisco Chronicle *
Enthralling... Mma Ramotswe is someone readers can't help but love * USA Today *
The greatest mystery in this witty and charming book is whether Mma Ramotswe will succeed in getting her fiance to name a date for their long-anticipated wedding. It's hard to conceive of any reader not being just as eager to find out as she is * Wall Street Journal *
Soothing... New readers can start here and enjoy a plot even more inventive than the earlier ones * People *
Forget the library - the body is in the mud hut. An African Marple created by a Scottish law lecturer * Stephen McGinty, Sunday Times *
McCall Smith's familiar tone of wry amusement permeates the narrative, as does the detective's wisdom . . . hugely enjoyable * Sunday Times *
This is art that conceals art. I haven't read anything with such unalloyed pleasure for a long time * Anthony Daniels, Sunday Telegraph *
Highly amusing, intelligent and heart-warming * Scotland on Sunday *
McCall Smith is a natural born storyteller, filling his prose with rhythm and repetition . . . Charming, quirky and timeless * Scotland on Sunday *
McCall Smith's familiar tone of wry amusement permeates the narrative, as does the detective's wisdom ... hugely enjoyable. * SUNDAY TIMES *
This is art that conceals art. I haven't read anything with such unalloyed pleasure for a long time * Anthony Daniels, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *
Highly amusing, intelligent and heart-warming * SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY *
McCall Smith is a natural born storyteller, filling his prose with rhythm and repetition...Charming, quirky and timeless * SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY *


Awards
Long-listed for Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2005 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9780349117256
Author Alexander McCall Smith
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Abacus
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 179g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 19mm