The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon

No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Book 14

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Lisette Lecat

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Precious Ramotswe has taken on two puzzling cases. First, she is approached by the lawyer Mma Sheba, who is the executor of a deceased farmer’s estate. Mma Sheba has a feeling that the young man who has stepped forward may be falsely impersonating the farmer’s nephew in order to claim his inheritance. Mma Ramotswe agrees to visit the farm and find out what she can about the self-professed nephew.

Then the proprietor of the Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon comes to Mma Ramotswe for advice. The opening of her new salon has been shadowed by misfortune. Not only has she received a bad omen in the mail, but rumors are swirling that the salon is using dangerous products that burn people’s skin. Could someone be trying to put the salon out of business?

Meanwhile, at the office, Mma Ramotswe has noticed something different about Grace Makutsi lately. Though Mma Makutsi has mentioned nothing, it has become clear that she is pregnant . . . But in Botswana - a land where family has always been held above all else - this may be cause for controversy as well as celebration.

With genuine warmth, sympathy, and wit, Alexander McCall Smith explores some tough questions about married life, parenthood, grief, and the importance of the traditions that shape and guide our lives.

©2013 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2013 Recorded Books

Delightful!

I almost always enjoy the writing of Alexander McCall Smith and The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon is a prime example of why. It is well written, thoughtful, relaxing and made me smile. I highly recommend this book to all who are interested in reading about a slower paced and different culture than our own.
The audio version is a sheer delight. Enjoy!!!!!

Wonderful--as usual!

If you could sum up The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon in three words, what would they be?

I have been a faithful listener of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books for years. I also have the print versions of most of the books in the series, but I prefer to listen because of Lisette Lecat's beautiful narration. I savor each of these books, and I kind of ration myself in listening in order to help the book last longer! I eagerly anticipate the next book in the series.

Always an enjoyable listen. Love the simplicity.

Always an enjoyable listen! Love the simplicity that The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency hilights about the problems and occurrences of everyday life.

Grace welcomes new baby!

Grace has a baby which is an extremely happy event. However, she has snake problems and her husbands aunt is a witch.

The two cases involved for the lady detectives are: 1: Is the boy claiming to be the nephew named in the will of a wealthy deceased politician an imposter?, and, 2: who is trying to destroy the Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon? The book is slow moving and the ending was extremely disappointing because there is no real closure. It ended too abruptly. I think it is the weakest book in the series so far. The very best part of the book is the narrator, Lisette Lecat. She is phenomenal and makes this book more enjoyable than it being in print. I don't think anyone else could do as well as Ms. Lecat.

Still in love with this series!

I feel like I've lived in Botswana, these stories are so vivid and richly composed.
I also love the reader!

sounds issues

I like all the stories but I noticed sound issues with this story. occasionally the narrators voice would very obviously switch to a different recorded take then return to the original take, or the narrator would say a sentence in one characters voice when it was supposed to be said by another character.

Refreshing

Each new story in this series is just as satisfying as the last. For me, they are a welcome refuge from the ideological didacticism, endless power struggles, and polarized bickering of our age. Instead, I am transported to a beautiful place beyond time where hope is renewed. Lisette Lecat’s masterful narration is the crowning touch.

Comfort, Comfort, Comfort

It is with thorough approval that I declare "The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon" to be just exactly like all the other Mma Ramatswe stories.

Predictability, reassurance, comfort are not bad things in every case, and Alexander McCall Smith keeps reminding us why. In a modern, fast-moving, cynical world it's a wonderful pleasure to put up your feet in front of the fire, relax, and listen to the superb Lisette Lecat reading about the good woman of Botswana. Reader and character are never cloying, never "cute" - just a reminder that simplicity and goodness can still exist.

I like that this world changes little, that the quiet humor and unfailing kindness and tolerance of our lady detective can be depended upon.

These gentle books are not for every mood, to be sure. But I hope they keep coming - I love these visits!

Delightful

I have read all of the 1st Ladies Detective Agency series and can hardly wait for the next book to be released. “The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon” is the newest book; I believe it is number 14. McCall Smith manages to portray the leisurely pace of Africa in the book. I love how he weaves philosophical arguments into each of his stories. In this story the philosophical arguments are about good and evil, on importance of friendship and to a discussion of traditional vs. modern beliefs. His writing is excellent and he builds such unique and believable characters. In this book Mma Grace Makutsi is pregnant then later delivers a baby boy. Phut Radiphut’s aunt moves into the house with Mma Makutsi and Phut which creates a difficult situation as she insist on following the traditional ways and Grace the modern way. Precious Ramotswe takes on 2 puzzling cases. The first one is for solicitor Mma Sheba, who is the executor of the will of a farmer Edgar Molopo. She thinks the man who came forward to claim the inheritance of a farm is not really his nephew. Mma Sheba asks Mma Ramotswe to find out if he is actually the nephew. The second case is of Mma Soleti the owner of the Minor adjustment beauty salon who received a bad omen in the mail and is now under attack of rumors about poor service of her salon. How she goes about solving these problems is delightful and why I love Alexander McCall Smith stories. Smith’s descriptions of the countryside, the markets, and the people make me want to travel to Botswana. Lisette Lecat was the narrator of the story. She is from South Africa and does the accents and is able to pronounce all the names with great accuracy and with the rhythm of Africa and makes it a delight to listen to.

Exquisite, as always

Sheer perfection. Perfect story, perfectly performed. Thank you for another wonderful book, Mr. McCall Smith.