Part of No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, book 12
First published 2011
Two cows lie dead at a cattle post south of Gaborone, and Precious Ramotswe faces an unusual case. Botswana's No. 1 Lady Detective must investigate for a client who fears he may become the prime suspect in the killings. Her secretary Grace Makutsi receives attention from suitor Phuti Radiphuti as both women spot Ramotswe's familiar white van during their work. Meanwhile, one of Mr J.L.B. Matekoni's apprentices flees when marriage pressure becomes too much to bear. The ambitious Violet Sephotho sets her sights on political office, campaigning for a seat in the Botswana Parliament. As Ramotswe navigates the mystery of the dead cattle, the lives of those around her shift and change, each person grappling with their own challenges in the heart of Botswana.
Genres: african-literature, mystery, crime, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, found-family
Setting: Botswana, Gaborone
Period: 21st-century
213 pages · Hardcover · Pantheon Books