The Full Cupboard of Life    by Alexander McCall Smith Order:  USA  Can Pantheon, 2004 (2004) Hardcover, Audio, CD      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth The Full Cupboard of Life is an absolute delight, a wonderfully told account of everyday people living their everyday lives. Smith, though, depicts their lives as more than ordinary. Precious Ramotswe runs the 'No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' in Gaborone, the capitol of Botswana. Mma Ramotswe is an engaged lady of traditional size. Her intended is Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni, an automobile mechanic with a fine reputation for excellent and honest work. The city of Gaborone feels this is a good match but wonders why the wedding has not taken place. Mma Ramotswe takes on a job of vetting four gentlemen for a wealthy lady, who feels she might be choosing a man who wants not her but her money. Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni finds himself in hot water of various degrees, but Mma Ramotswe solves his problems while letting him think he has done it on his own. It's a delightful book, a simple tale of simplistic people who see the good in others. The finely drawn characters are as real as you or I, but full of the care and wisdom that I often feel I lack. Captivating in her thoughts and actions, Mma Ramotswe is sensible and sensitive. She has had four previous episodes to develop into the fine businesswoman she is, and to discover in herself depths of emotion she had felt would never surface. Mr. Smith, please give us more of Gaborone and Mma Ramotswe. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews