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The Good Husband of Zebra Drive: (Book 8)
 
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The Good Husband of Zebra Drive: (Book 8) (Hardcover)

by Alexander Mccall Smith (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 29.95
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The Good Husband of Zebra Drive: (Book 8) + Blue Shoes and Happiness + In the Company of Cheerful Ladies: More from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Total List Price: CDN$ 69.85
Price For All Three: CDN$ 47.99

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  • This item: The Good Husband of Zebra Drive: (Book 8) by Alexander Mccall Smith

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  • Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander Mccall Smith

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Product Details


Product Description

Review

Praise for Blue Shoes and Happiness (Book 7):

National Bestseller


“It is lovely to be in the presence of the wise Mma Ramotswe. . . . How could you not love a friend like [her]?” —Edmonton Journal

“The greatest pleasure in reading these books is Ramotswe’s view of life. . . . Anybody who needs some gentle reassurance about life would be rewarded by putting on a soft bathrobe and sinking into Blue Shoes and Happiness.”
The London Free Press

Praise for the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series:
“Delightful . . . The warm humanity infused throughout [McCall Smith’s] novels is what brings readers back . . . There is simplicity and lyricism in [the] language that brings out the profound importance of everyday revelations.”
San Francisco Chronicle

“There is something so soothing about Precious Ramotswe’s adventures. Reading one is like taking a lazy cruise down a slow-moving river on a hot day. And as diverse as the mysteries in each book are, there is always a common thread that draws them together in their solutions. I often wonder how Alexander McCall Smith does it, because I never suspect how everything will turn out, beyond that all will be for the best.”
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal


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

3 Reviews
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 (1)
4 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most helpful customer reviews

 
5.0 out of 5 stars All Hail the Traditionally Built Woman!, Jan 2 2008
In this latest installment of the #1 Ladies Detective Series, we find Mma Ramotswe finding challenges in the most unexpected places: the resignation of Mma Makutsi, holder of the 97 percent degree from Botswana Secretarial College; the desire of husband Mr. J L B Matekoni to take on an investigative case in the belief that life as a detective is more exciting than his work as a mechanic; the case of the late patients of a local hospital overseen by her cousin.

Throughout the book we find ourselves drawn in to the slower pace of the Botswana life, where people stop to watch the birds in the trees and contemplate life. A perfect respite from our own fast-paced world. But the faster pace of life outside Botswana seems to be making inroads in this book. The types of cases being investigated have begun to change, causing Mma Ramotswe to look to her compatriots for their input and finding that if one but takes the time to sit back, think things through, and open their eyes to the things around them answers to life's questions can be found.

Easy to read, this work packs a lot of information and entertainment in its short span of 210 pages. But really, how long does a work need to be if the message can be delivered succinctly?

Once again, McCall Smith has given me a good solid read and I look forward to the next chapter in this series.


Also recommended: The first 7 books in this series.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Another fantastic light read, Jun 26 2007
By L. Stephen (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This book continues in the same vein as the others in this series. The other reviewer has given a through summary. I would highly recommend it as a read for a sunny afternoon.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Filled with Humorous Situations!, April 27 2007
If you haven't read any other books in the series, don't start with this one! Why? Most of the plot's impact relies on long-standing character and relationship developments developed in the prior seven books. Alexander McCall Smith does a fine job of referencing those histories, but the impact won't be the same without having read about those events in the earlier books. This is particularly important to the extreme sense of fun that the book can bring to you.

The theme of this book could be summarized in the humorous Joel Osteen aphorism, "The grass may look greener on the other side of the fence, but it still has to be mowed." Precious Ramotswe's world is turned upside down when many of those closest to her decide that they want changes in their lives. Her husband, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, wants to take a turn at being a detective. Mma. Makutsi, her able assistant, is increasingly restive as she looks forward to marriage to the wealthy Phutti Radiphutti and doesn't see herself in the assistant role any more. In fact, she decides she wants a new job! The woman-chasing Charlie decides to drop out of his apprenticeship with Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni and start his own taxi business. Never has Precious faced so many changes in those who are closest to her since her father, Obed Ramotswe, died.

Talk about a great set-up for a book. Wow!

Obviously, life isn't as easy to change as that. You have to know how to work with clients and detect in order to be a detective. The easy-going Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni is easily cowed by his client, the very rude Mma. Botumile. In fact, he just follows her direction.

Mma. Makutsi has forgotten that most offices in Botswana want to hire help for their appearance rather than for their skill. She also forgets that much of what she does with Precious is prepare tea and chat.

Charlie would probably be fine as a taxi driver, as long as there aren't any women to look at. Put a woman near him, and all bets are off!

Like the better books in the series, The Good Husband of Zebra Drive has several mysteries in it:

1. Patients on ventilators in the same hospital bed have unexpectedly died on three different Fridays. The ventilators check out and no one can think of any explanation for what has happened.

2. Mma. Botumile feels that her husband has taken up with another woman and wants to know who her rival is.

3. Valuable supplies are being stolen from a printing company. The owner thinks she knows who the thief is, but lacks proof.

Only the first of these mysteries provides satisfaction for the mystery fan. The other two mysteries are mere backdrops for character development.

As the book ended, I found myself a little disappointed by the facile resolutions (albeit humorous) put forward for the three seekers' desires to take a step up. I had hoped for more in those plot developments.

So the ending left me feeling that the promise of the book's premise hadn't really been met as well as I would have liked.

But none of the stories has more funny situations in it. You'll be laughing aloud throughout the book . . . especially if you enjoy Mma. Makutsi's fascination with shoes.

You won't put the book down. I started late and stayed up until 1 a.m. to finish. I was smiling as I did.
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