The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (12)

By Alexander McCall Smith

The twelfth installment in the beloved, bestselling series is once again a beautiful blend of wit and wisdom, and a profoundly touching tale of the human heart.

Precious Ramotswe is haunted by a dream in which she is driving her dear old white van. Grace Makutsi dreams that her 97 percent on the Botswana Secretarial College exam was a mistake. When Mma Ramotswe discovers that her van is actually still in use (and, of course, sets out to retrieve it), Mma Makutsi wonders whether her dream will turn out to be prophetic as well.

They can only wait and see, but, in the meantime, one of Phuti Radiphuti's apprentices has gotten a girl pregnant and, under pressure to marry her, has run away. Naturally, it is up to Precious and Grace to help the couple work things out. In other developments, Mma Ramotswe investigates a case of rural jealousy in which cattle are being poisoned. Add to the mix Violet Sephotho's newly begun, already unstoppable run for the Botswana Parliament and the possibility that wedding bells may finally ring for Phuti Radiphuti and Grace Makutsi — whose love for each other is as great as their love for Botswana — and we have a charming and delightful tale from the inimitable Alexander McCall Smith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Mar 22, 2011
• ISBN: 9780307366849

Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the award-winning series The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and he now devotes his time to the writing of fiction, including the 44 Scotland Street and the Isabel Dalhousie series. He is the author of over eighty books on a wide array of subjects, and his work has been translated into forty-six languages. Before becoming a full-time writer he was for many years Professor of Medical Law at Edinburgh.

Reviews for The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party

[bragan_8 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In this twelfth installment of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the ladies investigate a case of cattle mutilation. Meanwhile, Grace Makutsi plans her wedding, Charlie the apprentice seems to have gotten himself into a difficult spot, and Precious Ramotswe is haunted by the ghost of her little white van.These books always make me feel warm and fuzzy, uplifted and happy, even though they never deny or look away from the sadder and darker aspects of life. This one, if anything, made me feel that even more than most of them. It's like a comforting, friendly hug of a book. And though the plots are never the truly important thing in these novels, I found the main detective case this time genuinely pretty interesting.

[lkernagh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another delightful episode, filled with sigh-inducing events for some repeat characters. I like how the characters have fully developed and a visit to Precious Ramotswe's Botswana is like a return visit to a favorite town/village. The fact that I could totally see the "shoe catastrophy" coming - and groaned at some of Charlie's cringe-worthy statements - is what makes these stories such a fun read.

[lamour_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Precious Ramotswe is again faced with some difficult cases in this the 12th edition in the series. One farmer asks her find out who is killing his cows while her husband's apprentice Charlie is avoiding his responsibility of providing for the twin girls he has fathered. Her assistant Grace Makutsi's wedding is fast approaching and there are the usual complications. Precious sees her old white van on the street and searches for it and wants to buy it back. Will she be successful if finding it?As in the other novels in this series, we learn a great deal about Botswana and its culture.

[kblinn_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Yet another installment in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series has been released, and it's a dandy! Grace Makutsi is preparing for her wedding, which actually occurs before the end of this book! A couple of cases need solving, and there is all sorts of trouble with Charlie, the apprentice of Mr. J.D. Matakone. I listened to the audio version of this book, and it was a total delight that made me very sorry to see it end. Precious Ramotswe is definitely a treasure for Botswana. What a fun book!

[catherineburkehines · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read a lot. When a book is finished, I generally just put it away. If I've found something exceptional about a book, I often rest my hand on it for a minute, as if I'm leaving a friend. But only for Mma Ramotswe do I hold the book next to my heart before putting it aside. Only for a second, and I know it's schmaltzy, but I love those dear, charming people so much. Thank you, Alexander McCall Smith. I'm the richer for having known them.

[liscarey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is our latest visit with the ladies of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and their family and friends. After many months, epic bride price negotiations with Grace's greedy uncle, and the trauma of Phuti's loss of a foot in a previous book, Grace Makutsi and Phuti Radiphuti are at last making the final preparations for their wedding day. And Grace is starting to realize how her life will change, when she is married to this man whom she loves and who loves her--and who is wealthy enough that money will never again be a reason not to do something they really want to do.

Meanwhile, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's apprentice, Charlie, has run away, fleeing pressure to marry a girlfriend who has given birth to twins. Mma Ramotswe has a client concerned about two of his cows being killed--a client who is not all that he appears to be, nor is the case of the dead cows. And both Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi keep seeing Mma Ramotswe's old, tiny, white van, sold for scrap and parts months ago. Can cars have ghosts?

These are rich, wonderful, engaging characters, familiar friends that it's fun to spend time with. They continue to grow--but not too fast! They keep coming back to us in gentle, engaging stories, and this one is no exception.

Recommended.

I borrowed this book from my local library.

Read more of my reviews at my blog, Lis Carey's Library.

[aspenhugger · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"The latest installment in the beloved, best-selling series is once again a beautiful blend of wit and wisdom, and a profoundly touching tale of the human heart."At a remote cattle post south of Gaborone two cows have been killed, and Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's No. 1 Lady Detective, is asked to investigate by a rather frightened and furtive gentleman. It is an intriguing problemwith plenty of suspects -- including, surprisingly, her own client."To complicate matters,Mma Ramotswe is haunted by a vision of her dear old white van, and Grace Makutsi witnesses it as well. Is it the ghost of her old friend, or has it risen from the junkyard? In the meantime, one of Mr. J.L.B Matekoni's apprentices may have gotten a girl pregnant and, under pressure to marry her, has run away. Naturally, it is up to Precious to help sort things out. Add to the mix Violet Sephotho's newly launched run for the Botswana Parliament and a pair of perfect wedding shoes --will wedding bells finally ring for Phuti Radiphuti and Grace Makutsi? -- and we have a charming and delightful tale in the inimitable style of Alexander McCall Smith."~~front flapI enjoy this series because it's a lovely, gentle read about ordinary people with ordinary problems. It's the Mitford series, with Father Tim disguised as a lady detective of traditional build. And minus the dog the size of a Buick. Like the Mitford series, it's a world I wish I lived in.

[momsterbookworm · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Always a pleasure to read from this series. Quite a few things happen in this book: a mishap, a misunderstanding, a mix up, a matrimony -- a mish-mash of adventure set in the 'outback' that is Botswana.

[khiemstra631 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Yet another installment in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series has been released, and it's a dandy! Grace Makutsi is preparing for her wedding, which actually occurs before the end of this book! A couple of cases need solving, and there is all sorts of trouble with Charlie, the apprentice of Mr. J.D. Matakone. I listened to the audio version of this book, and it was a total delight that made me very sorry to see it end. Precious Ramotswe is definitely a treasure for Botswana. What a fun book!

[dramman_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The usual mix of homespun wisdom but this volume did not excite me as much as the last one, perhaps because there was (seemingly) less detective work afoot, though the final story of maimed cattle was good.

[ridgewaygirl · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Everybody has their comfort reads and the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency is mine. Presented as mysteries, the mystery is always subordinate to the gentle, pleasant lives of Precious Ramotswe and her compatriots in a fantasy version of Africa where everything works out well and the problems of the real world exist only in passing or from far away. In this episode, Alexander McCall Smith takes us through the days before Mma Makutsi's wedding to Phuti Radiphuti. There are a few snags, but nothing that isn't solved or resolves itself on its own. There's a problem involving Charlie, Mr J.L.B. Matekoni's feckless apprentice and a slight mystery that Mma Ramoswe solves to everyone's satisfaction. All is well in this glorious version of Botswana.

[mrslee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mma Ramotswe and J.L.B. Matekoni have drama in store for them with their apprentice, Charlie. Grace is getting married, and a mysterious client comes with a big problem which may not be quite the way he tells it.As always, an enjoyable read.

[pennykaplan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mme Makutsi amd Puti marry, and a cow killing mystery

[jbarr5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Saturday big tent wedding party by Alexander McCall SmithJust going through my shelves of books and ran into this one that I hadn't read yet. A female detective agency book.In this one there is a lot going on: cows have been killed, pregnant bride runs away, missing van is seen. Interesting how the women collect the cluesand how they come by them, by chance sometimes. Like how some just need to shop for shoes or just take a walk til the clues become clear.Lots of clues when you ask the right people...too predictable.I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[jepeters333 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

At a remote cattle post south of Gaborone two cows have been killed, and Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s No. 1 Lady Detective, is hired by fearful client, himself a suspect. She and secretary Grace Makutsi, wooed by Phuti Radiphuti, both see her old white van. Mr J.L.B. Matekoni’s apprentice runs away under pressure to wed. Violet Sephotho runs for the Botswana Parliament.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Book # 12 in the popular No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series has Mma Precious Ramotswe trying to keep everyone calm while Mma Grace Makutsi is in a tizzy over last minute preparations for her wedding, apprentice Charlie runs off when confronted, and a very disagreeable man insists on Mma Ramotswe’s discretion in finding out who has maimed his cattle.

As is typical for this series, there is really not much mystery here. Mostly we have a story of everyday puzzles which may have more than one correct answer, or none at all! What I like about the series is the way in which Smith paints the landscape and people of Botswana. Mma Ramotswe’s common sense, intelligence, listening skills and compassion help her negotiate tricky situations, and help her clients (and friends) come to agreeable compromises. It’s a fast read, but I enjoy the time I spend in with these characters.

[secret7_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Like catching up with old friends over a cup of bush tea.

[sriemann_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was very excited when I saw the book on the 'pickup from hold' shelf, ready for me yesterday. A few pages in, and I was comfortably happy in the world of Mma. Ramotswe and her Botswana. Now I am a little sad... because I have finished it and have to wait until the next book (or reread it).

[jcambridge_4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

These are enjoyable "light" reads that give the reader a real sense of everyday life in Botswana. For those who are interested in more complex novels about life in Botswana, I encourage you to check out books by Unity Dow, the first female member of Botswana's Supreme Court.

[eleanor_eader · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I’ve read each of the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series since discovering the first book, and I realise I haven’t bothered reviewing them since that first one. To love one is to love them all, for the gentle wisdom and cosy approach to crime solving, where the plots are mostly vehicles for the atmosphere and endlessly fascinating commentary made about humanity in general and Botswana in particular. So perhaps it isn’t fair of me to decide to review this one, since I found it dragged quite a bit and, while still an easy read, one that could have been much more interesting… after eleven wonderful, engaging stories, finding one that doesn’t quite bring it all the way home is not something I can feel bitter about, since not even this book provokes anything other than a contented okay then feeling by the end. My main disappointment is not that the gentle pace sometimes seems entirely stuck, since the reader neither wants nor expects the hurly-burly of other crime novels imposed upon Mma. Ramotswe, but that the principal crime plot was vaguely defined, vaguely pursued and vaguely solved. The peripheral mysteries hold up well, but the nonsense with Grace Makutsi’s (or Mma. Radiphuti as she becomes, almost incidentally, at the end of the book) shoes has got to stop; even the author, having paid great attention to them at the start of the book, seemed to lose interest and solved the problem retrospectively.Each of these books has left me with one idea or concept that I adored, and this one was no exception. The briefly imagined meeting of Mma. Ramotswe’s late father, and Grace’s fiance, men of consideration and manners, representing a remembered version of Botswana, struck me forcibly and sentimentally, perhaps because most of us have people who represent to us, some value or standard that seems to be becoming rarer, but still necessary to society.

[neale_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another good story. The characters are developing well. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[hitchin9 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love this series. The heroine is a wonderful character and her personality is what keeps me reading. The author does such a wonderful job at describing Africa and the people that it is easy to fall in love with the culture. Each book contains a mystery, but the real fun is reading about the adventures of your favorite characters.

[isabelx_21 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

'It's not that I don't like Mma Potokwani,' she had said. 'She is a very great lady - One of the greatest in Botswana. But . . .' 'You do not need to say it,' said Phuti. 'She is also a very bossy lady. A good, but bossy lady. I think that there are many people like that. Mma Makutsi smiled. 'Yes. have you noticed how she tells us to eat up after she put the food on the table? It is as if she is talking to one of the children. "Eat up now - leave nothing on your plate." Have you noticed that?' Phuti had. 'And she even told me the other day that I could have another piece of cake if I was good. I think she forgets that we are adults.'As Mma Makutsi's wedding is approaching fast, she is preoccupied by finding the perfect pair of shoes, and horrified when she learns about Violet Sephotho's latest scheme. Mma Ramotswe is haunted by thoughts of her beloved little white van, after seeing what she believes to be its ghost driving along a road. Mma Ramotswe She has other things on her mind too, when she is asked to investigate a very un-Botswanan crime indeed, and learns about the latest mess that Charlie the feckless apprentice has got himself into, both of which lead to musings about the hard life some women still lead in the modern Botswana, and the way they are still treated by some men. I wasn't that impressed by this book actually; the drama of the wedding shoes was forgotten about for most of book and dismissed in a couple of sentences at the end, while Violet didn't appear in person and her it wasn't until the end of the book, that it was mentioned again and Mma Potokwani suggested a way to foil Violet's plans. i suppose it is possible that the Violet issue may carry over into the next book in the series, but it seemed to me as if the author raised introduced two sources of drama early on and then dropped them after deciding to concentrate on the cattle mutilation case instead. The wedding at the end also seemed over and done with far too quickly, and it wasn't really believable that Mma Potokwani wasn't originally invited to the wedding when she had looked after Phuti Radiphuti so well as he recuperated after his accident.

[figgles_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nothing new here, and that's a good thing. The continuing tale of Mma Ramotswe and her friends and family, where compassion and love are the best tools for dealing with the foibles of human nature. As it says on the back cover this is "the one where Mma Makutsi gets married". A lovely read.

[cloggiedownunder · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party is the twelfth book in Alexander McCall Smith’s No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Mma Ramotswe has plenty to keep her busy as someone is killing cattle on a southern cattle-post, Charlie the apprentice seems to have fathered twins and Grace Makutsi’s wedding to Phuti Radiphuti is fast approaching. She also has to wonder if she is seeing a ghost when her tiny white van makes an appearance. Mma Makutsi is faced with a shoe dilemma and shows her usual indignance at Violet Sephotho’s latest antics: standing for election. Clovis Anderson’s Principles of Private Detection is freely quoted (where can I get hold of a copy?) and Mma Ramotse manages to resolve the issues, big and small, in time for Grace to (finally!) get married. This audio edition is (once again) beautifully read by Adjoa Andoh (takes me back to kindergarten story time…..). Truly a delight to listen to, it will leave the reader feeling good.

[delphimo_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The book ends with the wedding of Grace and Phuti, and the resolution of all the problems and cases that Precious must solve. The story shows the difference among various bosses and the difference between gossip and truth. Smith also dwells on the difference between old Botswana and new Botswana. One of the stories involves Precious and her new blue truck and her old white truck. Precious mourns the loss of her old, small, white truck and starts seeing what she believes is this truck. Grace soon follows suit and sees the old truck. As detectives, Grace and Precious investigate the issue and find the old truck now restored to running order. The reader can imagine what will happen. The story is told realistically with all the emotions evident in everyday life: hate, envy, and love.

[newsieq · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The “main event” in this new No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novel is the wedding of Miss Grace Makutsi to her beloved, Phuti Radiphuti. Miss Makutsi, as devotees of this series know, is an assistant to the head detective, Precious Ramotswe, and the top graduate ever of her Botswana secretarial school. Getting to the wedding day will not be easy, though – nothing ever is with Miss Makutsi. Even the choice of shoes for the big day causes problems. On Precious Ramotswe’s client list is a cattleman whose cattle are being killed. A visit to his remote ranch brings more questions than it answers. But in addition to her usual cases, Mma Ramotswe believes she is seeing her much-loved white van – one that was declared unfit for use by her mechanic husband, J.L.B. Matekoni, and scrapped – driving around town. Mma Ramotswe still loves that old, unreliable vehicle despite having a shiny new one to replace it. Then there is the problem of Charlie, one of her husband’s ne’er-do-well apprentices, who may have twin sons he is not acknowledging. With stories about the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, readers are assured that every problem will be worked out in the best possible way, that Precious Ramotswe’s wisdom will win out, and that all will be right with the world. These gentle, well written books may be predictable but, in this case, that’s a good thing. They’re among my very favorite light reading.

[britbrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

We are back in Gaborone, in the office of Mma Ramotswe, private detective. This time she is investigating the mutilation of cattle of a strange, distrustful rancher. Mma Makutsi finally has a date set for her wedding to Phuti Radiphuti, and is trying to remain calm while finalizing all of the details. Charlie has disappeared after being confronted about his lack of responsibility regarding the twins he has fathered. On top of it all, there have been ghostly sightings of Mma Ramotswe's little white van, which had been declared dead by Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni. Never have a doubt, however, the Mma Ramotswe will use her good common sense and Clovis Andersen's "The Principles of Detection" to wrap up all of the loose ends.Although not as exciting as some of the past books in the series, this is still a very nice installment to Alexander McCall Smith's love letter to Botswana. It's as comforting as a cup of red bush tea.

[smik_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Reading the next installment in the cozy series The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency has become an annual delight and this one came up to expectations. Essentially they are quick and easy reads, set in Botswana, and just the cup of tea for those who like cozies.On the eve of Mma Makutsi's long awaited wedding the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency takes on a new case with a new client who had not wanted to meet Mma Ramotswe in the office. Someone has killed two of Botsalo Moeti's cattle and he would like Precious Ramotswe to find out who and why.This is typical of the cases that the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency takes on and eventually Mma Ramotswe comes up with several possible scenarios. She also applies her mind to a number of domestic issues, resolving all of them satisfactorily.I'm sure the fact that I enjoy this series so much is related to the fact that I've been reading them since the first was published back in 1998. They've all been good reads, cozies, and there has been story-line development. So, if you've never tried them, hunt down the first THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY and begin your journey.

[debnance_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There’s something about the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency books that appeals to those of us who grew up watching Andy Griffith and Leave It to Beaver. These books by Alexander McCall Smith have gentle stories with gentle characters who face difficulties with fortitude and patience. This book, Saturday Big Tent Wedding, is no exception. Yes, one of our main characters has a fiancé who lost his foot in an accident in one of the earlier books in the series, and that causes some troubles, but we know that no one is going to go off the deep end and start shooting random people as a result. The setting is both exotic and homey, set in Africa, but in a town where people know each other and care for each other. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.