The Good Husband of Zebra Drive
First edition
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| Author | Alexander McCall Smith |
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| Country | Scotland |
| Language | English |
| Series | The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series |
| Genre | Detective, Mystery novel |
| Publisher | Polygon Books |
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Publication date
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2007 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback), Audio (Cassette & CD) |
| Pages | 224 |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 74525925 |
| Preceded by | Blue Shoes and Happiness |
| Followed by | The Miracle at Speedy Motors |
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive is the eighth in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series of novels by Alexander McCall Smith, set in Gaborone, Botswana, and featuring the Motswana protagonist Precious Ramotswe.
Grace Makutsi is promoted to associate detective and handles a case herself. Mma Ramotswe helps the hospital in Mochudi deal with a string of mysterious patient deaths. Her husband wants to try his hand at detection, and with his usual style, he does. Charlie, the apprentice, decides to quit and run a taxi service.
This novel was well-received by several reviewers. One felt this novel to be a bit repitious. Others found the "outpouring of mercy" to shed a new light on the characters, "tidbits of quiet wisdom sprinkled throughout" the novel are a major part of the novel's appeal, and that this novel, like the earlier ones, "resonate[s] with poignancy, wisdom, and wit". The novel entered the US best-seller list, from Publishers Weekly.
Mma Ramotswe meets her second cousin, who comes to the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency for help. Tati Monyena works for the hospital in Mochudi, where a series of three deaths in the same bed in the intensive care unit, at the same time, on the same day of the week has caused concern. While she is in Mochudi interviewing staff, her assistant takes the afternoon off, and a client arrives. Mr JLB Matekoni, first class mechanic who shares offices with the Detective Agency, meets the client, Mma Faith Botumile, who believes her husband is cheating on her. Matekoni wants to handle the case himself. His wife, Mma Ramotswe, agrees to this after careful thought, balancing the role of women in her agency and the importance of her husband. Mma Grace Makutsi, assistant in the Detective Agency, is engaged to a wealthy man, and her life is changing. One of the apprentices in the garage, Charlie, has an idea to run his own taxi service, with a used Mercedes Benz car he will buy on time from his boss, Mr JLB Matekoni, so he gives his notice. Discussions in the office get tense, as Mma Ramotswe discussed the absence of Grace Makutsi during office hours, to go shopping. Grace abruptly quits and goes home.
The next day, Grace Makutsi seeks a new job, having the name of an employment agency in hand. She is startled to meet her nemesis, Violet Sephoto, as the “head hunter” looking to fill positions for experienced secretaries. There is no chance of a good position from her sarcastic, one-time classmate, which gives Grace Makutsi a moment to realize how much she likes her work at the Detective Agency. She takes a cab there, arriving mid-morning. Mma Ramotswe is glad to see her back again. She promotes her to associate detective, meaning she can handle a case from first interview through to the end. The next day, a client will be arriving while Mma Ramotswe will be in Mochudi to make progress on the hospital’s case. Grace Makutsi meets Teenie Magama, who knows an employee is stealing from her printing business, and needs proof. That evening, Phuti Radiphuti gives Grace an engagement ring, a diamond from Botswana. He is pleased that Grace did not get another job, as he knows how much Mma Ramotswe relies on her.
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