The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party: The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Book 12

This felt like the last novel of the series. If so, it ended as well as it began. If you are a fan and have not watched the BBC series based on some of the early episodes, you should search it out. It was filmed in Botswana and was beautifully scripted.

I am the type of guy that typically hates zappy books. I also like my detectives hard boiled, tough, cynical, and violent. Precious Ramotswe is the total opposite and I love her. She is one of my favorite characters of all time and reading this series is very life affirming and Precious Ramotswe is one of the most worderful characters ever created.

The stories tend to be a bit simple and written almost as if they were meant for children but it serves the stories well. In many of the books there a few and sometimes no mysteries. The stories tend to be more about the life of the characters than any detective work. I gave this book 4 instead of 5 stars because I tend to prefer the stories in this series that do more dedecting.

Having said that, Precious Ramotswe is a godsend. The kindness and wisdom of the character always brings tears to this tough guy. This story is wonderful but I anyone interested in the series should start with the first to really enjoy them. The reader is awesome.

McCall's newest book is a delight. I never get tired of returning to this magical place and revisiting my old friends. This story is full of warmth, wisdom, humour and valuable lessons for life. I

Alexander McCall Smith is my favorite author, and this most recent book from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series doesn't disappoint. Full of beauty, joy, humor, and love. And, of course, Lisette Lecat is the perfect narrator. She really brings the whole book to life. I can't recommend this series (as well as all McCall Smith's books) highly enough.

Listening to these books is like visiting old friends. I love these characters and their lives. I can't wait for each new book to see what the ladies are up to.

What a great gift this series is. Love, wit, compassion... it's all here. Truly in a class all its own. And Lisette Lecat is one of the best narrators ever.

If I ever meet Mr. McCall Smith I'll ask him to write a sequel to The Lord of the Rings; he's the only author I've ever read who writes with enough heart to do that. Lovers of the books will understand what I mean.

Pick up this audio book and... welcome home.

Lisette Lecat is great narrating this story. She gets all the names and accents correct because she is from South Africa. Alexander McCall Smith creates stories that make you feel as they are old friends and you are just dropping by to visit. I do hope there is a book 13 in this series. She got her little white van back in this story.

The Saturday Night Big Tent Wedding ???A. McCall Smith
Audio version performed by Lissette Lecat
4 stars

Back to Botswana! This was my twelfth visit to The NO.1 ladies Detective Agency. A few things have changed. As the title indicates Mma Makutsi finally marries Phuti Radiphuti; there is even a kiss before they get to the altar. Mma Ramotswe helps to settle a cattle dispute, but does she really solve the crime? Does it really matter? No. McCall Smith uses the mild detective work of the agency to showcase his rosy view of a beautiful place filled with loveable characters. It makes for a nice vacation.

Hoped this would be similar in plot, intrigue and insight to culture and characters, but it was none of these. Seemed that McCall Smith was tying up lose ends of the lives of main characters and this made the book seem disjointed. Lisette Lecat does not disappoint as a narrator; she is marvelous.

I LOVE LOVE PRECIOUS!! ALL OF THE CHARACTERS ARE LIKE FAMILY! I LOOK FORWARD TO EACH BOOK! LISETTE LECAT IS AN EXCELLENT EADER, I CAN'T IMAGINE ANYONE ELSE BRINGING THESE WONDERFUL CHARACTERS TO LIFE!