The Good Husband of Zebra Drive: The New Novel in the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series (Random House Large Print (Cloth/Paper)) | 
 enlarge | Author: Alexander Mccall Smith
Publisher: Random House Large Print
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $5.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  131 reviews
Sales Rank: 602115
Format: Large Print
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 368
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.3
ISBN: 0375433619
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.914
EAN: 9780375433610
ASIN: 0375433619
Publication Date: April 17, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
The eighth installment in the universally beloved, internationally bestselling series.
In the life of Mma Ramotswe – a woman duly proud of her fine traditional build – there is rarely a dull moment, and in her newest round of adventures, challenges and intrigues, the same certainly holds true. But one thing above all else is keeping her occupied – her estimable husband, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni. He has been hinting for some time now that he intends to do something special for their adopted daughter, Motholeli, and it seems that the time for this good deed has come. Of course, good deed or not, his plan is bound to hit some snags. And that’s when he will undoubtedly consider himself doubly – perhaps even triply – lucky to be married to the ever-resourceful, ever-understanding Precious Ramotswe.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 126 more reviews...
 It's About People, Not Plot September 26, 2008
I loved the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency series when it first appeared, but like so many things in life, as I read further entries in the series, they grew progressively less enchanting. Perfectly fun and readable, but somewhat familiar and no longer greatly anticipated, until I stopped after the fifth. Needing something fairly simple for short a car ride, I picked up the audio version of this eighth in the series, and revisited the familiar characters and their beloved Botswana.
This installment features three separate cases for the detective agency, all of which underscore the book's (and series') main theme: personal relationships. Mma. Ramotswe is asked by a distant relative to investigate the mysterious deaths of three patients at the hospital he works at. Mma. Makutsi is assigned a case in which the owner of a printing company suspects one of their employees of theft. Finally, Rra.Matekoni even gets in the act, and takes up a case which involves tailing a suspected wayward husband.
However, these cases act more as subplots than anything else, as the real focus is on the family of main characters. There's Mma. Makutsi's impending marriage and financial security, which leads her to question the need for her job. There's Rra. Matekoni's insecurity about his marriage to Mma. Ramotswe. There's even apprentice Charley, seeking to leave the garage to embark on grand schemes of his own. Smith seems a lot more interested in how close friends and family relate to each other and allow for periods of growth and change, as well as the benefits and pitfalls of trusting one another. It's a little striking then, that Mma. Ramotswe's children barely show up at all.
Nonetheless, the personal interactions are well-drawn and handled with Smith's usual gentle touch, and fans of the series will be pleased by them. However, the "crime" sections are rather forgettable. The hospital case is based on a famous disproven urban legend from South Africa, and thus rather predictable. The theft case is completely underwhelming and barely resolved. And the adultery case is marred by Rra. Matakoni's abandoning his methodical nature, which makes the whole enterprise somewhat silly. On the whole, the book feels somewhat flat and tired, and I'm reminded why I stopped reading the series.
 Coincidence? September 23, 2008
The first word that springs to mind when describing AM Smith's books is "gentle" and this is especially so with the Mma Ramotswe works. I enjoyed this the way I have enjoyed the others in the series. (I like the Dalhousie works too but had to give up on Portuguese Irregular Verbs)
My only concern was that the degree of coincidence between the plot thread involving deaths at the Mochudi hospital and an episode of "A Touch of Frost" that aired in 2001. Unless, of course, this is a common plot like philandering husbands and pilfering workers.
 The series September 3, 2008
I like a book that I can read in two or three nights, one that has good clean writing. This is my fifth book in the series, another feel good, amusing story. Pretty soon I will have a shelf full of his works. Next.....
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive September 2, 2008
Another A.M.Smith's upbeat and sensible effort. Leaves one in a positive frame of mind. Another in the matchless No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
great service, great books August 27, 2008
Amazon had my books delivered to me in perfect condition in a few short days, as always. The book series, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith, and by the way, his LAST name is McCall Smith, are delightful, filled with humor,good nature, and kindness.
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