Book review: Precious And Grace

The no 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency stories couldn’t be further from the current fashion for Scandi Noir if they tried. 

Alexander McCall Smith

Little, Brown, £18.99;

ebook, £9.99

Set under sunny African skies in Botswana, there are no dead bodies — the main mystery is a Canadian woman wanting to trace her childhood home.

Instead of forensic detail and chills, you get a gentle study of changing times in Botswana as traditions and the old way of life weaken.

Philosophical musings into the nature of forgiveness also pepper the book.

The secondary plot about the Fat Cattle Club scheme is a little underplayed as its denouement happens “off screen” and is reported simply, lacking the emotional involvement that you’ve invested to that point.

But if you love the series, you’ll be happy to take another wander with Mma Ramotswe taking pleasure in the joys of fat cakes with a cup of tea, as befitting a traditionally built lady.

Though by the end, you may feel as though you wanted a little more plot and action.