Tears of the Giraffe

More from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Lisette Lecat

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 stories

loving the series, it's morals, good and kind people, the warmth of Botswana. excellent narration.

A Delight

Heartwarming story with simple and clear morals and wonderful characters. I will be reading the entire series.

Rooibos and Riddles

Alexander McCall Smith's "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" (1998) starts a lovely, easy to listen to mystery series featuring the traditionally built, modern thinker Precious Ramotswe.

In "The Tears of the Giraffe" (2000) is the second in the series. Mma Ramotswe has accepted Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni's marriage proposal. Mma Ramotswe insists on a traditional engagement, but Mr. J. L. B.'s engagement gifts are anything but.

While he is nervously trying to figure out how to explain his largesse, Mma Ramotswe is engaged to find out how a young man disappeared a decade before. The solution doesn't make a terribly complex mystery, and Smith breaches the mystery writer's covenant with respect to introducing potential suspects. It's a little annoying for those raised in the Agatha Christie tradition.

Mma Ramotswe is working to fill her promise to Grace Makutsi, the highest scoring graduate of the Botswana Secretarial College. Mma Makutsi had her choice of the best of employers but chose The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency for its promise of unconventional adventure. In "Tears of the Giraffe", she solves her very first case.

The book is set in Gabaronne, Botswana. It sounds like a lovely but very conservative place. Smith writes it as though Its natural resources and strong government mean that it's mostly Motswana citizens tend to look down on foreigners and nomadic tribesman. That may be what happens, but it's jarring to someone raised in the (supposedly) post-racial United States. However, I am convinced I should retire to Botswana so I can enjoy my final years not having to worry about how much I weigh.

This worked well for me as an audible, because I wasn't familiar with the pronunciations in text only. "Mma" confused me, I'm glad to know what it sounds like.

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loved it!

The characters are wonderful, the stories uplifting, and the narrator truly brings them to life.

Makes me want togo to Africa

Alexander McCall Smith does have a way with words. I am dreaming of Africa. The narrator is wonderful! I cannot wait for the next book.