Tears of the Giraffe.

TEARS OF THE GIRAFFE. Alexander McCall Smith. 2000/2003. Read by Lisette Lecat. 6 tapes. 8 hrs. Recorded Books. #97397 1-4025-4740-4. $54.00. Vinyl; plot, reader notes. SA

MORALITY FOR BEAUTIFUL GIRLS. Alexander McCall Smith. 2001/2003. Read by Lisette Lecat. 6 tapes. 8.25 hrs. Recorded Books. #97398. 1-4025-4743-9. $54.00. Vinyl; plot, reader notes. SA

THE KALAHARI TYPING SCHOOL FOR MEN. Alexander McCall Smith. 2002/2003. Read by Lisette Lecat. 5 tapes. 7.25 hrs. Recorded Books. #97359. 1-4025-4379-4. $45.00. Vinyl; plot, reader notes. SA

If you can't make it to Botswana any time soon. this delightful series will whoosh you there on a magic carpet ride. Precious Ramotswe is the owner of the "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" (which is also the title of the first book in this series). She's a "traditionally built" lady in her thirties, an upholder of the traditional Botswana virtues of respect and courtesy. She suffers from occasional insomnia, enjoys a good cup of bush tea, and drives her tiny white van through the streets of Gaberone and the dusty roads of the African hinterland, searching out the truth about unfaithful spouses, lost children, and wrongs committed years ago. She is a fixer of lives. Her fiance, the patient and forbearing Mr. J.L.B. Matekone, is the proprietor of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors. He is a fixer of machines. As for their own lives, it seems that there's always something to fix there too, whether it's the deviousness of Mr. J.L.B.'s grumpy maid, or the needs of the two orphaned children thrust into his care. Fortunately, Mma Ramotswe is endlessly resourceful. As for her secretary, Mma Makutsi, she can run two businesses and organize a typing school in her spare time; you'd expect nothing less from someone who got 97% on her examinations at the Botswana Secretarial College.

Although each book provides enough background information to be understandable on its own, it's best to take the series in order. That way, the listener feels "in the know," and gets full enjoyment out of the development of the character's lives.

Lecat, originally from South Africa, gives an appropriately leisurely performance, reminiscent of the unhurried pace of an African afternoon. She does an expert job on the different accents, and is equally convincing as an African or an American character. Gradually, her silky voice works a hypnotic charm, making us feel bereft when we reach the end of the last tape. May we hope that Mma Ramotswe will return again, to solve yet more mysteries and captivate us with her sunny charm? Helen E. Woodman, Andover, NH

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.