A Song of Comfortable Chairs
ISBN:
9781408714454
Publisher:
Little, Brown
Publication Date:
1 September 2022
A Song of Comfortable Chairs is the twenty-third book in the perennially adored The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series.
Grace Makutsi’s husband, Phuti, is in a bind. An international firm is attempting to undercut his prices in the office furniture market. Phuti has always been concerned with quality and comfort, but this new firm seems interested only in profits. To make matters worse, they have a slick new advertising campaign that seems hard to beat. Nonetheless with Mma Ramotswe’s help, Phuti comes up with a campaign that may just do the trick.
Meanwhile, Mma Makutsi is approached by an old friend who has a troubled son. Grace and Phuti agree to lend a hand, but the boy proves difficult to reach, and the situation is more than they can handle on their own. It will require not only all of their patience and dedication, but also the help of Mma Ramotswe and the formidable Mma Potokwani in order to help the child.
Faced with more than her fair share of domestic problems, Mma Makutsi deals with it all with her usual grace. That, along with the kindness, generosity, and good sense that the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is known for, assure us that in the end, all these matters will be set right.
Put the kettle on, pull up you comfiest chair and sit back to enjoy, A Song of Comfortable Chairs.
‘Mind stretching and mood boosting… Precious Ramotswe is so kind, wise and good, and Alexander McCall Smith such a charming and elegant writer, that even if she didn’t have a series of entertaining crimes to solve and a burgeoning but very proper romance with Mr JLB Matekoni of the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors Garage, you could read 300 pages of her simply stirring a pumpkin stew and gazing out benevolently at the sandy road in front of her Botswana porch and feel happy.’ Melissa Katsoulis, The Times
Reviews
‘A delightful addition to one of the most endearing and readable series in the world of fiction… A Song of Comfortable Chairs ensures that this series maintains it compassionate witty notes and fully deserves all the accolades it has received’
LoveReading
‘McCall Smith is an author who sees his characters and their world, fully and tenderly. And that makes for a book that is as comforting to sink into as well-worn armchair’
New York Journal of Books
‘As lively, disarming, and wise as ever’
Sydney Morning Herald
‘A story that possesses all the cosiness of your own, very comfortable armchair… captivating’
Oakville News
‘Wayward sons and slippery furniture firms; the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency ride again in another irresistible slice of Botswana-set cosy crime’
Waterstones
‘A lesson can certainly be learnt from Botswana’s premier lady detective and her sidekick Grace Makutsi as they navigate their way through cases with wisdom, good humour and the occasional cup of tea’
Weekend Edition
‘It is lovely to step into their gentle and kind world and to know that everything will work out in the end, and the reader will have an enjoyable journey getting there!’
Netgalley
‘As they would sink into one of Phuti’s large, overstuffed, extremely comfortable armchairs, so will readers delightedly immerse themselves in descriptions of the Botswana landscape; in Precious and Grace’s conversations over mugs of red bush tea; and in the doings of the rest of the cast of comic characters… Another delight from the prolific McCall Smith’
Booklist
‘This heartwarming book focuses on friendship, marriage and family with issues such as underhanded business dealings, depression and teenage angst… This is a series I turn to when craving comfortable familiarity and escapism, readable again and again. Any reader would benefit from these books. Those who have yet to discover them are in for a special treat!… Unmissible’
Waterstones
‘Refreshingly innocent and full of charm with a gentle philosophy of adhering to a high moral standard, ethical behaviour and performing good works. The series does deal with vital social issues, such as domestic violence, game poaching and the high incidence of HIV/AIDS in Botswana, which has left many orphans, giving the otherwise light and comfortable series a little more depth’
BookTrib
‘Another great novel and adventures with our favourite Botswana friends. Interesting problems solved, all with love and generosity. What more do we need from a novel’
Amazon FIVE STAR review
‘As soon as I start listening to the wonderful Adjoa Andoh, I slip into my slippers, most comfortable dressing gown, and I’m back in Botswana. Just delightful scenarios, you know there is always a happy ending’
Audible, FIVE STAR review
