Tears of the Giraffe

More from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Lisette Lecat

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

In this thoroughly entertaining book, the best-selling, critically acclaimed author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency continues the story of Mma "Precious" Ramotswe, the clever proprietor of the only detective agency in all of Botswana.

Now engaged to Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, Mma Ramotswe must contend with the hostility of her fianci's unscrupulous maid, who quickly begins plotting the disintegration of the arrangement. Then an American woman asks for help to learn the truth behind her son's disappearance in Africa, and Mma Ramotswe has all the troubles she can handle.

Part detective story, part comedy of manners and part African travelogue, Tears of the Giraffe is an indisputable joy.

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

©2000 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"I haven't read anything with such unalloyed pleasure for a long time." (The Sunday Telegraph)

Enter a world of respectful and kind humans

The books we read or listen to have an effect on us, and when I've had enough of crass or greedy behavior, I need to escape to comedy or a story where people are decent. This fit the bill.

The story is interesting, and the writing is subtle and sophisticated in its observations of human behavior.

The narrator is excellent and makes the story come alive.

After listening to Alexander McCall Smith's books, I feel much better.

Lighthearted and fun

I love how Smith is able to weave profound and deep moments into an overall lighthearted and enjoyable story almost without one noticing. I am glad there are more books in this series!

enjoyed this book

Almost didn't finish as it was slow to start but was able to get into it a little while in

Likable book and good mystery

I got a used paperback of the first book years ago and read it in 2014. I gave it 4 stars, but no review. I remember enjoying it, but it took me all this time to get to the next. This time I'll do a short review.

This book also gets 4 stars. The main character is a good strong woman solving mysteries. It does seem a bit too easy for her, and I feel as if most mystery books find the detectives in danger, but hers does not. I would like a little more element of danger, but I don't know if there is more as the series progresses. The narration is excellent.

Learning about Botswana and Africa as she solves these mysteries is the best part. The author is a white man so having a Black African woman as his main character seems a bit odd. Still it works somehow. Alexander McCall Smith grew up in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and his love of Africa shines through, along with knowledge of history, politics, and customs.

I'll definitely go on to the third in the series, but not right away. I may never get through all of them, but when I need a cozy mystery I may look to these.

I didn’t want to put the book down!

This is the second of The No.1 Detective Agency that I’ve read. I’ve enjoyed the first two books so much that plan to read the whole series. The nice thing about discovering a series late is that you don’t have to wait for the next in the series to come out. These stories have made me smile. That is quite an accomplishment during the corona virus & political upheaval & unrest. I love the story line & the narrator’s performance.

Wonderful Performance!

I have loved this series - and "Tears of the Giraffe" is my favorite. If you have read Smith but not heard Lisette Lecat's performance, then you have missed a real treat. The series has always offered a delightful respite from the "real world". Their strength is more in the gentle appeal of these addictive characters than in any traditional "mystery" in the plots. The Audio versions add so much to the experience! I will choose the audio over the written version of all Mma Ramatswe's adventures in future.

Sweet story. Great for YA and preteen too

I generally listen to heavier stuff but needed something lighter while I work on something involving a legal issue, compiling paperwork etc.
my sister recommended Alexander McCall Smith, (specifically this series) and she was so right.
The characters are endearing, the storyline is interesting but not heavy and it’s up to pleasant diversion if you want something lighter.

This should be classified as YA. It’s easy to understand, contains no offensive language or behavior, in fact - offers plenty of good philosophical points for kids to ponder pertaining to morality and defining good values.

The only con for me was the price. With my annual subscription the cost of credits is about $10 so I kept thinking “do I use a credit for books that cost $12 instead of a classic worth $25-$40? (especially one I know I will only listen once). I finally came to my senses and realized Alexander McCall Smith‘s books are a wonderful diversion while I’m going through a stressful time so what’s worth more than that?

I recommend these books for adults but REALLY recommend them for teenagers and even mature preteens. The stories are pleasant the values are good and the fact that it takes place in Botswana is a wonderful cultural learning experience for all of us in the Western world.

Beautiful

Great book, the characters speak to you and you see them vividly. Love the story telling style.

fantastic

fantastic book humorous yet sensative
author is great. thank you look forward to listening to each book by A M Smith

Book 2, Love

I accidentally read this book before the 1st but this reassures me that this 7 book series is going to be great. I love the narrator but was listening to it fast forwarded at 1.75X even 2X faster. But the story was steady and kept me interested.