The Limpopo Academy Of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith

There is just something about The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series that I absolutely love. Maybe it is the simple practicality of Mma Ramotswe. Or the steadfastness of her husband J.L.B. Matekoni. Or her associate Mma Makutsi who has an opinion about everything. Whatever it is I have enjoyed every book in the series and hope to have many more books to read about Mma Ramotswe and her detective agency.

In this installment we have Phuti and Mma Makutsi just starting out in their married life. They are excited to be building their first home. Mma Makutsi has some misgivings about their builder and before too long so does Phuti.

Mma Ramotswe has been having a dream where a man she has never seen comes to visit the detective agency. When a surprise visitor shows up both she and Mma Makutsi are star-struck.

Mma Potokwane, matron of the orphanage has been fired by the board because of her refusal to support the idea of a central cafeteria instead of family homes for the orphans.

Fanwell, one of J.L.B. Matekoni's apprentice mechanics gets himself into trouble with the law because he trusted a so-called friend.

All of these circumstances call for Mma Ramotswe's ability to detect and find out what is behind people's motives, who is being truthful and who is lying. With many cups of tea Mma helps the people in her life by lending a listening ear and dispatching sage advice when needed.

Set in Botswana, The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection is a cozy read that takes the reader to a simpler time and place where we find that human nature is still much the same. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you have never read any of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books I highly recommend them!

Face of Betrayal by Lis Wiehl with April Henry

Katie Converse disappears while walking her dog one day. Katie is a 17 year old Senate Page home for vacation when she disappears. Everything seems perfect in her life until the FBI start looking into her last days.

Three professional women help investigate the crime. They laughingly call themselves The Triple Threat Club.

Allison is a federal prosecutor. It is her job to find enough evidence to indict the Senator who was Katie's mentor. Everything seems to point to him being the killer. Not only is Allison helping to investigate the case, but in her own personal life someone is threatening to kill her.

Nicole Hedges is a special agent with the FBI. She is the one chosen to make contact with the Converse family. She is a single mom who has sworn off men.

Cassidy Shaw is a television reporter. Scrambling to stay in the media spotlight, Katie's case may just be the career booster that Cassidy needs to make it to the top.

Each woman plays an integral part in solving what happened to Katie while dealing with things in their personal lives.

I really liked Face of Betrayal and look forward to reading more about the Triple Threat Club women. They are strong female characters that stick together and help each other in the good and the bad times. Face of Betrayal introduces the group and I'm looking forward to getting to know them more in the books to come. If you like a good suspense with strong female characters then this is for you!

V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton

Private Investigator Kinsey Millhone witnesses two women shoplifting in the local mall. One is caught, the other tries to run her down in the parking garage. The next thing Kinsey knows is that the woman that was caught has jumped off a local bridge. Kinsey is hired by the woman's fiance to find out what really happened. He does not believe that his fiance was suicidal. Kinsey is soon embroiled in a shoplifting ring with mob-like connections and also "dirty" cops.

Once again Sue Grafton has crafted a "fresh" and exciting Kinsey Millhone novel. I love Kinsey Millhone as a character. She is fun, witty and sassy. I noticed something different in this novel. Instead of the entire novel being written in Kinsey perspective Sue Grafton added a couple of chapters from a few other characters perspectives. It added a bit more dimension to the story and it was interesting. For the most part I enjoyed this latest installment of Kinsey Millhone's adventures. Kinsey has always had a "potty" mouth, but I noticed it a lot more in this novel. I don't know if the author sprinkled in more language or if I am just not remembering it from other novels. It does take Sue Grafton 2-3 years between novels so it could be I just don't remember. Four more novels to go in the alphabet! What will W bring us? W is for...

The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith

I don't know that I have ever been disappointed in a No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency book! In this installment Mma Makutsi is preparing for her wedding to Phuti Radiphuti. Mma Ramotswe is investigating the killing of some cattle. Charlie is up to his old tricks with the women, but maybe maturity is on the horizon for him. Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni is his same thoughtful caring self. And even though Botswana is changing in many ways it still brings pleasure, pride and peace to Mma Ramotswe.