Of all the mysteries Mma Ramostwe solves, which is your favorite?

I’m going to pick the one where she’s asked to find out if someone’s husband is cheating. Her approach to the problem–going out to the bar he frequents and allowing him to pick her up–cracked me up. And then her surprise when the woman who hired her was outraged. I loved her calm conclusion that she could tell this was a situation where she would have to waive her fee. Her calm acceptance made me laugh.

I think it was a good demonstration of Mma Ramotswe’s straightforward, no-nonsense approach to pretty much everything, as well as her attitude toward cheating men: she doesn’t approve, but she’s not going to pretend it doesn’t happen.

She doesn’t come out and say it, but I think she understands that her direct approach might be seen as insensitive. I got the impression that in hind sight, she was willing to consider her approach may not have been the best, or at least that it didn’t suit everyone involved. I think that admission and acceptance makes her very likable. Mma Ramotswe, herself, is fallible. She’s got some things to learn. Don’t we all?