The ninth volume in the series, No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith was released by the Penguin Group in South Africa in April this year. It is already in to its sixth reprinting, sales probably stimulated by the release of the TV film of Precious Ramotswe and her friends (Mmegi, 25 April 2008).
The Miracle at Speedy Motors takes the various adventures of the main characters forward, including: Grace Makutsi, assistant detective who would like to advance to associate detective, and her betrothed Mr Phuti Radiphuti of the Double Comfort Furniture Store - they are not yet married; Mr Polopetsi the obsequious part-time detective who also works at the Speedy Motors garage; the matron at the orphan farm in Tlokweng, Mma Potokwani, who still bakes the best fruitcakes in Botswana; Charlie, the senior and seemingly life-time apprentice at the garage; and the good man, Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, Precious Ramotswe's husband who is concerned, if given proper medical treatment, that their adopted daughter Motholeli might actually be able to walk again.
Phuti Radiphuti and Mma Makutsi purchase a giant bed with a heart shaped headboard, an event that leads to temporary disaster and duplication. Her uncle has requested an exorbitant bride wealth of 97 cattle based on her famous 97 percent. Mma Ramotswe suspects that Polopetsi has been secretly leaving threatening notes addressed to her and Mma Makutsi around the garage. She must be careful, because in his past life he suffered from being falsely accused. The first one reads: "Fat lady: You watch out! And you too, the one with the big glasses. You watch out too!" Applying the lesson learnt from Mma Potokwani in the previous volume, Mma Ramotswe fantasizes about finding a way to give him love.
