The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh

Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi have always relied on the advice of the classic guide to their trade, The Principles of Private Detection. But who is the eminent author, Mr Clovis Andersen, and what if he was to come to Botswana? That seems a very unlikely possibility, and yet… When Mr Andersen visits Botswana on holiday, he is delighted and intrigued to stumble across a roadside sign that reveals the existence of the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Professional courtesy suggests that he call and announce himself. Meanwhile, Mma Makutsi and Phuti Radiphuti are embarking on married life and building a new house - a tricky business under any circumstances but especially hazardous when the name of the contractor is the Joy and Light Building Company.

©2012 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2012 Hachette Digital

Critic reviews

"Tolerance and humanity underpin the whole of this wonderful, hilarious, totally addictive series." ( Daily Mail)

Wonderful stories

I have listened to all of this series with joy. Part of the magic is that this Scottish academic's writing and Andoh's narration make the series sound utterly realistically Namibian.

A beautiful series

Oh where is the 6 star option when you need it!
Because I certainly need for any of the Number One Lady's Detective Agency series -- and this, the thirteenth, is no exception.

This book is beautiful. Reading it is to be engaged in a flow of generous humanity -- people with love in their hearts, gracious routines mapping their day and gratitude for what is wonderful in people and the environment. These are people with idiosyncrasies which amuse or irritate, and past lives which offer explanation and depth to their present, and whose personalities are revealed by dealing with day to day challenges.

But these people are not naive. They are fully aware of the physical dangers of the world, and the usually greater dangers of the mean-spirited -- if not down right evil -- humans. The lady detectives address these dangers with a delicious mixture of compassion, shrewd identification of what is right and wrong, of course, a cup of bush tea.

And always in the background McCall Smith evokes an Africa that is both gloriously vibrant and much troubled, and within it, the stable country of Botswana.

All this is superbly reflected in the narration by Adjoa Andoh who richly captures the music of McCall's language and characters.

Excellent

Every one of these books is full of life and optimizm. Really nice read. Nice for a weekend or a trip.

Loved it

McCall Smith and Ma Ramotswe are as entertaining as ever. Listened to it in one sitting as I did other non taxing tasks.

Pure Escapism

Sliding into a new Mme Ramotswe novel is pure bliss. Good will triumph, evil will not even be too evil. Get in touch with your inner nice person and enjoy this series.
In this installment, Clovis Anderson appears in person, with the quiet application of common sense to assist the detectives of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency Botswana right wrongs and foil injustice.

I have been lost in Botswana fo rthe past few week

If you could sum up The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection in three words, what would they be?

Enthralling
Captivating
Humorous

What other book might you compare The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection to and why?

The other books in this series. Over the years I have developed a picture in my mind of the characters and setting of this expanding story. I have talked with people who have lived in Botswana and tell me that the story is very true of its people and places.

What does Adjoa Andoh bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brings the sound and sense of what I imagine this part of Botswana to be like. Her reading makes me feel the dust and smell the rain of Africa, even though I have never been there.

Who was the most memorable character of The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection and why?

Mama Makutsi drives me nuts but she always makes me smile (even if she may not mean to). An honorary mention must be given to her shoes as well.

Any additional comments?

A must for the discerning listener.

Medicine for soul

Adorable as usual. A must to do reading. I’m in love with the characters and, surprise, with the famous author Clovis Andersen visiting Botsuana!

Love this series!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Just a really nice feelgood story

What about Adjoa Andoh’s performance did you like?

Brings out the cast well and consistently

Any additional comments?

The best narrator for this series.

disappointed with it

Would you try another book from Alexander McCall Smith and/or Adjoa Andoh?

We have enjoyed the series up to this book. It was a struggle to finish it. We would consider another book in the series if it came available. If it works out the same as this book, we may give the series away.

What could Alexander McCall Smith have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

faster moving with less boring detail

What does Adjoa Andoh bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She does very well with what she is given to read.

Did The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection inspire you to do anything?

no

Limp

McCall Smith has clearly run out of ideas. I was a great fan of Mma Ramatoswe and her doings, even if those doings were done relatively slowly. In this book, however, after 3 hours, the earlier books appear turbo-charged. Absolutely nothing happens. We are reminded about the various marriages of the detectives, Mma Makutsi's talking shoes, her husband's disability, the cows of Mma Ramotswe's father, but there is nothing at all that makes you want to keep listening. It's as if McCall Smith's publisher demanded one last book and he wrote it in his sleep rather than at his normal time of 5 in the morning. Really extremely disappointing.