Antigone's Reviews > Tears of the Giraffe

Mma Ramotswe felt afraid. She had experienced fear only once or twice before in her work as Botswana's only lady private detective (a title she still deserved; Mma Makutsi, it had to be remembered, was only an assistant private detective). She had felt this way when she had gone to see Charlie Gotso, the wealthy businessman who still cultivated witch doctors, and indeed on that meeting she had wondered whether her calling might one day bring her up against real danger. Now, faced with going to Dr. Ranta's house, the same cold feeling had settled in her stomach.

In this, the second installment of Smith's African mystery series, we pick up precisely where we left off. Precious Romotswe's agency has found its legs. She has hired a secretary (the aforementioned Mma Makutsi) who quickly discovers she, too, would prefer investigation to the doleful routine of responding to correspondence and brewing tea. A promotion occurs. There is also movement in our heroine's private life. Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, has proposed to his lady love and been graciously accepted. These two fresh figures receive voices and storylines that serve to further enrich the canvas, blending exceptionally well into this flourishing fictional terrain.

Mma Ramotswe's cases become, as they must, more complex. The chief focus here is on the ten-year-old disappearance of a young American student from a local commune. Our detective's common-sensical approach coupled with her native understanding of the manner in which her community operates, helps unearth information that might indeed provide the student's mother with the answer she's been seeking.

This is a fine sequel to the initial novel; the pacing holds pleasantly firm, the charm of the characterization remains intact. A promising sign, and reason enough to read forward.