The Good Husband of Zebra Drive

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Lisette Lecat

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

In the life of Precious Ramotswe, a woman duly proud of her fine traditional build, there is rarely a dull moment, and in the latest installment in the universally beloved No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, there is much happening on Zebra Drive and Tlokweng Road.

Mma Ramotswe is experiencing staffing difficulties. First Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni asks to be put in charge of a case involving an errant husband. But can a man investigate such matters as successfully as the number-one lady detective can? Then she has a minor falling-out with her assistant, Mma Makutsi, who decides to leave the agency, taking the 97 percent she received on her typing final from the Botswana Secretarial College with her.

Along the way, Mma Ramotswe is asked to investigate a couple of tricky cases. Will she be able to explain an unexpected series of deaths at the hospital in Mochudi? And what about the missing office supplies at a local printing company? These are the types of questions that she is uniquely well suited to answer.

In the end, whatever happens, Mma Ramotswe knows she can count on Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, who stands for all that is solid and true in a shifting world. And there is always her love for Botswana, a country of which she is justifiably proud.

Listen to the other titles in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

©1998 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Smith once again combines a loving depiction of ordinary life in modern Botswana with memorable characters and an engaging mystery." (Publishers Weekly)
"Scotsman McCall Smith's best-selling novels featuring 'traditionally built' Botswana sleuth Precious Ramotswe continue to resonate with poignancy, wisdom, and wit." (Booklist)

Always a Pleasure!

If you could sum up The Good Husband of Zebra Drive in three words, what would they be?

funny simply-complex telling

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Good Husband of Zebra Drive?

The humble character of the Good Husband, he is a dream come true!

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

Personality, charm and colorful character

If you could take any character from The Good Husband of Zebra Drive out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The full bodied detective married to the good husband, as she is doing things right, her life is good even through her challenges, I want some to rub off on me at dinner!

Nice and lovely

Full of the usual Number 1 Ladies...kindness, humour, and Botswana. The characters are developing with every book.

Another good one

I love this series. Nothing much ever happens, but the story is so charming and the narrator is so good that I look forward to listening to each book.

another good one

love these stories the narrator is awesome with her variety of voices and expressions
it's extremely entertaining

Very enjoyable!

I love how this book had very surprising events for several of the characters. I love laughing at them and with them. They are not real people but the remind me of many I have known. Yes youth is wasted on the young!

very good

This is one of the books in the Ladies #1 Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. This is a top notch series and I believe that to truly enjoy the series, every book should be read in the order written. The characters and story line develop over time in the series and they are people you really want to get to know. The story lines and characters can be funny, disgraceful or tragic, but they are always interesting. Smith is a keen observer of people and has great talent for drawing characters and telling whopping good stories.
The reader is the same for each book in the series and she is one of the best I have ever heard. She gives consistly solid performances over the entire series. The characters remain the same from one book to the other. Her accents are extrordinarily good. If I had to choose between reading this series and listening to it read by this reader (Lisette Lecat) I would without hesitation choose the audible version. Purchase them all - they are so very good.

Loved this story!!

All books in this series are interesting, but this one was my favorite so far.

Such a good story in a wonderful series.

I’ve been enjoying this series for years, listening to these books over and over. This is another heartwarming, funny, and gentle adventure. Charlie starts a new business; Mma Ramotswe investigates at a hospital; Mr JLB Matakoni tries detective work with a case of a suspected unfaithful husband; and more!
I love Lisette Lecat’s narration and highly recommend this book in the series.

Spicey!

This is definitely a Spicey part of the series, with drama concerning several of the characters. I love the sweet poignancy if AMS 's writing.

Loved it!

What did you love best about The Good Husband of Zebra Drive?

The vivid descriptions of the characters allow you into a conversation with old friends.

Which scene was your favorite?

My two favorite scenes are when the "secretary / associate detective" returned to work and when the men complained about the lack of tea. I too returned to a job I loved after testing the waters elsewhere. I understood the humbling reality that some times coworkers not titles prompt your career growth. The tea complaints well thats just the many of the men I know. (not all the men)