Part of No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, book 16
First published 2015
Precious Ramotswe faces an unfamiliar challenge when business at the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency slows enough to force her first vacation. Her plans for peaceful rest crumble when she encounters Samuel, a young troublemaker caught in his own difficulties. Samuel's troubles pull at her heart, and she cannot resist stepping in to guide him toward safety. Meanwhile, her absence from the agency creates new worries. Mma Makutsi tackles a delicate case involving a respected Botswanan politician whose rivals question his character just as he awaits a significant public honor. The politician's sister seeks the agency's help to counter these damaging claims, but the investigation reveals layers of complexity that threaten everyone involved. As both cases unfold, Mma Ramotswe discovers that even time away from work cannot separate her from the human struggles that define her calling. The resolution reminds her that people's ordinary weaknesses deserve understanding and kindness rather than harsh judgment.
Genres: african-literature, mystery, contemporary, detective
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, slice-of-life
Setting: Botswana, No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
213 pages · Hardcover · Pantheon