Review of 'The Double Comfort Safari Club'

The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith
11th book in the 'No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' series

There is a lot happening at the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Mma Makutsi's fiancé Phuti has been seriously injured in an accident and his aunt refuses to let Makutsi visit him. Mma Ramotswe is asked by a woman to find out if her husband is cheating on her, track down an exceptional safari guide left a bequest by a grateful guest despite scarce details, and help out Mr. Kereleng who has been deceived into purchasing a house and signing it over to a charming woman who no longer wishes to have anything to do with him…the return of Mme Makutsi's familiar foe from Botswana Secretarial College…

Another pleasant visit to Botswana and the world of the ever affable Mma Ramotswe's Ladies' Detective Agency. Somehow Ramotswe is always able to untangle the most complicated of messes, here in cases all having to do with the relationships between men and women. She manages to do this with compassion and understanding, cutting through to the real issue and finding solutions were none appear obvious. It was fun to see her and Mme Makutsi slightly out of their element in visiting the wild Botswana delta, leaving behind the “urban” life of Gaborone, and scared of any movement coming from the bush. Of course, there are also the more mundane elements of everyday life including the discussion of using a larger or smaller tea pot. Life goes on, and despite some difficulties, it is all for the best.

“Do not complain about your life. Do not blame others for things that you have brought upon yourself. Be content with who you are and where you are, and do whatever you can do to bring others to such contentment, and joy, and understanding that you have managed to find yourself.” Words to live by.

Another pleasant chapter in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency which manages to find the best answers to often difficult questions…even if are delivered by fate.

Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”

Review Date: 2025-02-02

Genre: African

Publisher: Abacus

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN: 9780349119991

• 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)
• The Miracle at Speedy Motors (Book 9)
• 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)