Smith, Alexander McCall: The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon

In this, the latest adventure of Precious Ramotswe and her No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, we fi nd her secretary, Mma Grace Makutsi, (self promoted to Associate Detective) not only married but pregnant. Mma Makutsi says nothing about her pregnancy or about taking time off for leave until the very last minute. This causes Mma Ramotswe concern, but she agrees with her husband that in time they will be told. Shortly after Mma Ramotswe and her husband have this discussion, Mma Makutsi’s husband comes to the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency’s offi ce to announce that she had planned to tell them this day of her plans to take maternity leave, but the baby was born in the night.

As always, amid numerous cups of red bush tea, Mma Ramotswe is figuring out how to help her clients overcome their difficulties. Mma Sheba, a lawyer wants her to find out if the heir to a nearby farm is the actual nephew of the deceased or an imposter who should not inherit. Mma Sheba does not tell them that she will inherit if the nephew is proved an imposter. Mma Soleti, proprietor of The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon wants to fi nd out who sent her the feather of a ground hornbill which is a sign someone would rather she be dead. She has no idea who wants to do away with her.

Mma Makutsi misses being at work as much as Mma Ramotswe misses having her there, so she returns from maternity leave with her infant, Itumelang Clovis Radiphuti. What fun the whole establishment has with him. Even Charlie, the long time apprentice mechanic approves of him. With Mma Makutsi’s return, the excitement builds as the two women work together to solve the problems of their friends and townspeople. And guess who is offered a partnership in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency! These wonderful folks always bring a smile to my face.

by Margie Gilbert