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    The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine
    The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine
    The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine
    Audiobook9 hours

    The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine

    Written by Alexander McCall Smith

    Narrated by Lisette Lecat

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    This latest installment of Alexander McCall Smith's bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series...as endearing and delectable as ever! Precious Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are both back in harness at the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, but for once business is a bit slow. At Mma Makutsi's suggestion, Mma Ramotswe allows herself to be persuaded to take a holiday--her first ever!--even if she finds it a bit odd that Mma Makusti should be so adamant about it. But just as Mma Ramotswe is ready to depart, a new client arrives, a young woman whose father was regarded as a hero in the history of Botswana. Now his reputation is being called into question--was he courageous, as is widely believed, or was he merely a philanderer and opportunist? Though Mma Ramotswe initially wants to cancel her trip, she is cajoled into going by Mma Makutsi's assurances that she and Charlie have the situation well in hand. However Mma Ramotswe finds that she cannot possibly submit to the luxuries of a carefree holiday without knowing exactly what's going on at the Agency, so she asks Charlie to be her eyes and ears while she's away--failing to account for the fact that Charlie is not an altogether reliable emissary, particularly with much of his attention diverted to the challenges of a newly adopted dog. At the close of the investigation, everyone at the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency will confront some uncomfortable truths from their own past and learn to treat certain ordinary human failings with a large helping of charity and compassion.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateOct 27, 2015
    ISBN9781501992490
    The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine
    Author

    Alexander McCall Smith

    Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the award-winning series The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and he now devotes his time to the writing of fiction, including the 44 Scotland Street and the Isabel Dalhousie series. He is the author of over eighty books on a wide array of subjects, and his work has been translated into forty-six languages. Before becoming a full-time writer he was for many years Professor of Medical Law at Edinburgh.

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    Reviews for The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine

    4/5

    232 ratings20 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Slow paced and thoughtful, good stories about ordinary people leading ordinary lives.
    • 5/5
      Witty humor, as always, permeates the installments of "No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series, and this one is no exception! After reading a couple of novels with more or less turbulent content, this book was a welcome sigh of relief, like an old friend. Mma Ramotswe goes on vacation in this one, and, as one would expect of her - it's not an ordinary kind of holiday. Also, it occurred to me while reading that some of the characters (like for instance Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni - the husband of our protagonist) are so positive that it's almost too good to be true, and yet one doesn't get that "sugary" feeling in their description, one just wants to believe that such people do exist, one wants to be put in the path of such people... The title is very interesting here too: "walking in sunshine" doesn't refer to Mma Ramotswe's holiday, it's something much more significant (p. 116).
    • 4/5
      Digital audiobook performed by Liset Lecat3.5*** Book sixteen in the immensely popular – and equally enjoyable – series starring Mma Precious Ramotswe and other residents of Gabaron, Botswana. In this episode Mma Ramotswe is persuaded by Mma Grace Matekoni Radiputi to take a well-deserved vacation. Except that cases still come her way: from a troubled young boy to a politician whose reputation is being sullied.I love this series for the gentle “mysteries of daily life” and for the wonderful way that Precious arrives at the truth and solves her cases. There are no gristly murders here, though there are mysteries of human behavior. There are lessons to be learned about relationships: with husbands, children, friends, colleagues. And Precious learns something about herself as well. Spending time with the characters of these novel is like enjoying an afternoon libation on a patio in the sunshine. May we ALL walk in sunshine!Liset Lecat is simply marvelous as the narrator of the series’ audiobooks. She brings these characters to life.
    • 3/5
      Mma Ramotswe is implored by her friends and husband that she should give herself a break, so she takes a brief holiday to stay at home. But is the No. 1 Ladies' Agency safe in the hands of Mma Makutsi all alone? Mma Ramotswe isn't sure, especially when she hears word that a case involving a beloved politician's reputation is now in her junior partner's hands.This series seems to be an example of diminishing returns. While I initially loved it, I seem to be increasingly disappointed with new titles. The case in this one was so slight and really only had any "mystery" to it because it was presented and solved in such a convoluted way. The characters are in many ways lovable, but it's frustrating that nothing ever seems to change. For instance, despite her several promotions, marriage, and child, Mma Makutsi's "97 percent" achievement at secretarial college is still a defining characteristic mentioned numerous times. Honestly, not much of anything happened in this book and it was hardly worth reading, I'm sad to say. As usual, audiobook narrator Lisette Lecat was excellent. However, everything else was pretty "meh" in this title, and I'm really not sure if I'll keep with this series unless McCall Smith has an end game in mind.
    • 4/5
      When life is dreadful, it's always nice to have an unread installment of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series to dip into. In this 16th volume, Precious Ramotswe decides that, since business is slow, she will take her first ever holiday and leave the detective agency in the capable hands of Grace Makutsi.But going on holiday is harder than Mma Ramotswe thought is would be and time hangs heave on her hands. Even saving a young boy from a life on the streets does not keep her mind off the detective agency.How Mma Ramotsw3learns to trust Grace Makutsi with her precious detective agency, solve the case of the politician. and as an extra bonus, once again foil Violet Sephoto, makes us very happy indeed.
    • 4/5
      Precious Ramotswe's friends and family decide she needs a holiday. One clue she really does need a break may be how ready she is to suspect Mma Makutsi of a wicked desire to take the agency away from her. Sanity prevails, Rra Polopetsi, now working part-time as a science teacher, volunteers to help out while she is gone, and Mma Ramotswe commits to a two-week holiday.

      But she's staying home, and the idea is to "do nothing," which Mma Ramotswe is of course incapable of.

      Reorganizing her food cabinets takes some time. Tea at the President Hotel chatting with some other ladies is a good way to kill an hour or so. But on her return to her little white van, she finds it has been scratched--presumably by the boy who promised to "watch" it and "keep it safe: for the low, low price of just four pula--two on deposit. She quickly finds and catches the boy, called Samuel, and is quickly drawn into his story. The exploitative woman who has been "caring for him" and teaching him to steal and extort does not know what she has met with when Mma Ramotswe arrives at her front door.

      But meanwhile, there's still the agency, and Mma Ramotswe can't help wanting to know what's going on, with Mma Makutsi in charge, and just Charlie and Rra Polopetsi to assist her.

      She quickly learns that a new client has come in, the sister of a local political figure who has recently died. There's a proposal to name a street for him, but it has been stalled by the anonymous information that there is some kind of scandal in the man's past. The sister wants Mma Makutsi to find out what is really going on, so that her brother can be cleared, and honored.

      Or that's what she says.

      But why did Mma Makutsi take the case, start investigating, and then pass it Rra Polopetsi? Why does she refuse to budge from this when Rra Polopetsi--who, after all, is a chemist, not a detective--is clearly frustrated and distressed, distressed enough to go to Mma Ramotswe about it even though she is on holiday? And who is behind the sudden appearance of the No. 1 Ladies' College of secretarial work?

      Mma Ramotswe can no more take a holiday than she can stop drinking red bush tea.

      This is a wonderful visit with old friends, and as always, the mystery is really the B plot. The real meat here is the relationships among the regular characters, the growth of those characters, and the impact they have on those around them.

      Recommended.

      I bought this audiobook.
    • 4/5
      Sinners are more interesting than saints, or so most writers (and readers) of fiction believe. Alexander McCall Smith disputes this notion in his No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, in which an unusually good woman, Precious Ramotswe, holds our interest in novel after novel. She is the title character in “The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine,” the 16th installment. Sunshine seems to follow her wherever she goes, even when she takes a well-deserved, if undesired, holiday.The holiday is Grace Makutsi’s idea. The ambitious younger woman, who has tapped Mma Ramotswe’s generosity to advance all the way from secretary to co-director of the agency, persuades her to take a few days off. Mma Ramotswe suspects Mma Makutsi is more interested in running the business by herself for awhile, but when everyone else in the detective agency/auto garage encourages her to take time off, she agrees.Soon it turns into a busman’s holiday, however, for she becomes involved in the life of a street boy who, to survive, has started his own little protection racket. Then she learns of a new case Mma Makutsi is working on that apparently has her overwhelmed. It involves a supposedly great man whose reputation is threatened with scandal after his death. Mma Ramotswe looks for answers without letting her associate know she is helping out.McCall Smith gives his readers some surprises this time around, and in so doing proves that doing right isn’t the same thing as being right, or perhaps that even when walking in sunshine one can trip over a stone in the road.
    • 5/5
      The CD read by Lisette Lecat is wonderful----I have only "read" the No. One Ladies' books (all of them) in the CD version---all read by Lecat and she is just terrific---I love the voices of the different characters. She has perfected each of them and I can hear them in my head as I write this. I don't know how he does it but each one of these books is a treasure.
    • 5/5
      As always I have enjoyed the easy readability of this book.I had intended to use the description at Fantastic Fiction as my synopsis, but what I found there was so far from what actually happened in the novel that it made me wonder where it had come from - not from someone who had read what I read.So, I am sorry if what I have used above, which came from my local library, is too revealing. I'm sure it leaves plenty for you to find out.I particularly liked in this novel the exploration of relationships: that between Precious Ramotswe and her husband Mr J.L.B. Matekone, between her and Mma Makutsi, and the compassionate side of Precious Ramotswe. As it turns out, Precious Ramotswe has taught Grace Makutsi wellOnce again there is a basis of home spun philosophy, and a gentle use of quite believable and ordinary stories.
    • 4/5
      Is mma Matsuki competent to run the detective agency while Precious takes a vacation? Another heart-warming story in the series which brings Botswana to life
    • 5/5
      The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency is experiencing a slump in business. And Mma Makutsi, now partner of the business but always second in command, convinces owner Precious Ramotswe that she is due for a holiday. This would leave Mma Makutsi at the helm of the business. Feeling pressured by those around her Mma Ramotswe decides to spend a few days away from the office, but she is full of misgivings. The business is like her child whom she must set loose from her apron strings for the first time. So she does what many of us do when we have several days of unscheduled time on our hands - she chips away at chores that she's put off. In doing so, however, she does more detective work than she expects. Meanwhile Mma Makutsi is handling things in her own unique way although it seems that she doesn't have a handle on a very tricky case. But looks can be deceiving!This sixteenth book in the series delivers on the promise of an intriguing mystery told in a relaxing narrative. The characters stay true to their origins and are exactly what the reader expects them to be. The descriptions of Botswana are evocative of a country rooted in the past but sensing the challenges of the present. It is how our favorite characters deal with them while imparting life lessons that make this story, and this series, so endearing. Here's hoping that there are at least several more books forthcoming in this series.
    • 5/5
      Another wonderful, simple, story rife with good sense and kindness. In this episode Mma Makutsi takes a lead role in her stand-in job as Manager at the No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency while Mma Ramotswe unsuccessfully attempts to take a short vacation. Love the names, love the plots, love everything about it.
    • 4/5
      Mma Ramotswe is talked into taking a holiday, but has a few concerns about leaving the office in the hands of her associates. The author rambles through
    • 4/5
      The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine by Alexander McCall Smith
      4 stars

      Precious Ramotswe takes a holiday (in the US, a vacation :) ), something strongly suggested by those around her and something she has never before done. Not that she sits idle day by day. She cleans out the food cupboard, ends up finding a troublesome child who is himself in trouble and ends up taking on a case. I have to say that this was a lovely trip back to these people and was up to fine form. Perhaps after one or to prior books a few books back, it might have seemed time for this series to end, but I thought this one fresh for a number of reasons. As always, I enjoyed Precious, but this had a new level of personal growth and realizations for her as she worries, doubts and frets over this whole holiday and why those around her are so concerned she take one.

      It was a pleasure to read, but since I save 5 stars for those few books that have something very stellar, amazing or something incredible for me in the reading of a book, it's a solid four stars. Plus, it's not entirely perfect (but then, what book is?)

      No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency fans, I recommend this to you.
    • 5/5
      Who would think that the 16th book in the Ladies Detective Agency series would be my favorite, but it is. Power-hungry Mma Makutsi takes over the angency while Mma Romotswe is “forced” to take a vacation. I sort of saw this story as the swan song of the series with the destruction of the agency when left to Mma Makutsi and Charlie. Instead it turns into another delightful story filled with interesting characters and mysteries involving human nature.
    • 4/5
      It’s the latest in Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. You know what you get when you read a series; part of the fun is the expectation and satisfaction of the expectation. It’s the strongest story in the series so far, I think, with emotional resonance and the heart in the people of Africa. Love, love, love.
    • 4/5
      Precious Ramotswe is back for another adventure. This time her family and coworkers insist she take a holiday. She gives in but work doesn't elude her. She finds out that an important client showed up the first day she was out, a young man scratches her car and she looks into his situation, and someone has started a suspicious looking business whose name is too like her company's name for comfort.As always, this book is full of love and respect for others and their country without being saccharine. I read it in one morning and felt the glow all day.
    • 5/5
      This is my favorite book series. Reading them is like catching up with old friends. In the latest installment in the series, Mma Ramotswe, under a bit of pressure from everyone who thinks she works too hard, takes a vacation leaving Mma Makutsi in charge of the detective agency. I was a little put off by this book at first. Mma Ramotswe seemed to have uncharitable thoughts towards her friend that seemed unlike her. She was at odds with Mma Makutsi for most of the story which was a departure from their usual interaction. In the end though everything was once again made right between the two friends. In this book we also have the return of Mr. Polopetsi, a beloved character who helps out from time to time at the detective agency, but who has been absent from the last several books. Of course Violet Sephotho, Mma Makutsi's arch enemy from secretarial school has to put in a cameo and make her usual trouble. Throughout the story relevant bits of wisdom are dispensed, people are helped, and thorny situations are sorted out. As I am also married to a man who owns his own car repair shop, I especially love all of Mr. JLB. Matekoni anecdotes about his own garage. An unexpected bonus of this book was that it inspired me to clean out my pantry. Mma Ramotswe reminded me that I too had things lurking in my pantry that were past their prime.
    • 5/5
      This one, 16th in the series, may be my favorite one yet. Funny, sweet, absolutely delightful on every page.
    • 5/5
      This is the 16th book in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Series, and I have read them all. For the uninitiated, these are light, kind-hearted stories about life in Botswana, colored by memories of the traditions and history of old Botswana. Precious Ramotswe, a traditionally built woman of Botswana and the epitome of caution, wisdom, kindness and sincerity, is the creator and owner of the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, in Gaborone. Life is simple but filled with occasional complications of great importance, which detective Mma Ramotswe sorts out with the help of her partner, Mma Makutsi and friends.These are classic feel-good stories, comforting and satisfying, like the bush tea and cake that Mma Ramotswe enjoys. The mysteries are almost incidental to the philosophical thoughts and discussions of the characters during the routine of daily life.Alexander McCall Smith gives us a series that we can count on to end with a a sigh and a smile on the face of the reader, and “The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine does not disappoint. Don’t expect any major changes in the lives of our friends in Gaborone, just interesting developments in the detective agency while Mma Ramotswe attempts to take a holiday, a challenging and novel experience, indeed.