21 August, 2024

#BookReview: To the Land of Long Lost Friends (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #20) by Alexander McCall Smith

 

'To the Land of Long Lost Friends' is the 20th book in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith, and it's another heartwarming read that fans of the series will love. If you’ve read the previous books, you'll be excited to see what Precious Ramotswe and her friends are up to next. If you're new to the series, I would suggest you read from the beginning to get some idea about the characters that are regular in the series and get acquainted with them before reading this book.

Precious Ramotswe is a detective who runs her own agency in Botswana. She’s known for her gentle, wise nature and always tries to do what’s right. Her assistant, Mma Makutsi, has a bit of a temper but is very dedicated to her work. She started off as a secretary but has become a detective with experience over time. She is quiet a powerhouse and has the agency running smoothly. Then there's Charlie, who helps out wherever he can and wishes to become a detective too.

In this book, Precious reconnects with an old friend who seems to be having problems with her grown-up daughter. The daughter has a fancy job and lives a luxurious life, which makes Precious suspicious. She also learns that another friend who used to be wealthy is now poor. Precious wants to help these people around her and make things right. There's another cub-plot of a case involving a woman who thinks her husband might be cheating on her. Nothing is as simple as it may seem, and it is upto Mma Ramotswe to sort out the tangled web in the most humane way possible.

The book (like most in the series) is not like most mystery novels that have lots of action and big secrets. Instead, it focuses on small, personal problems and how the characters handle them with kindness and wisdom. The mysteries are about everyday issues and mostly revolve around human connections. The book’s heart is in the way it shows how people connect with each other and solve their problems. Precious Ramotswe’s wisdom and caring nature shine through as she helps her clients. The characters have their flaws but are very relatable and real.

This series may not be full of fast-paced action, but it always offers a thoughtful and uplifting experience that the existing fans enjoy, and new readers will find a welcoming and comforting world to explore.





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