This volume in the popular No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series is one that will keep readers hopping as it seems like everyone is looking for help from the agency.

One of the more interesting cases is brought to her by Botelo Mampodi, a nurse who has some concerns that the doctor she works for might not totally on the up-and-up as he seems to be excluding her from portions of exams that she normally would be involved with. Mma Ramotswe remembers the last time she had to deal with a doctor with questionable ethics and opts to take on the case for the greater good even as she knows that Mma Mampodi will not be able to pay her fro the work.

Then there is a case Mma Ramotswe is hired by Poppy Maope for. She works a the food fall at the local college, and she believes the head chef might be stealing food to bring home. The only problem is that the chef is Poppy's boss, and she is concerned that she will be fired if she reports the chef.

The manager of a nearby animal preserve also decides to contact the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency for assistance. In this case, his workers are struggling with an overpowering fear. Unfortunately, no one is willing to come forward and highlight the root of the problem so it will be up Mma Ramotswe to sort it out so everyone can get back to work.

Of course, there is always the interesting personal lives of the primary characters to enrich the tale even further. Grace Makutsi, the awkward and talented assistant detective has recently become engaged to the successful furniture store owner Phuti Radiphuti. Mr. Radiphuti is a traditionalist, and Mma Makutsi makes the mistake of highlighting that all women are feminists. She can't help but worry whether that statement might drive her fiance away.

One of the newest characters to the series, Mr. Polopetsi, who has been hired on at Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's garage, is still dealing with the consequences of being wrongly jailed. He has been fortunate in that Mma Ramotswe and her friends and family seem more than willing to help, but his own family is less understanding. He would love to have a new car, but his uncle is unwilling to provide him with a lone.

Finally, everyone is also starting to wonder if either of Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's apprentices will finish up there time with the garage. While they seem to be able to do the work, they are quite lazy ... even with the watchful eye of Mma Makutse.

This book nicely balance the personal lives of the characters with the interesting cases they are drawn into. Grace Makutsi quickly became a favorite character of mine, and she is really given a chance to shine in this story. Mma Ramotswe is also able to figure anything out with some logic and a little common sense. This is another nice addition to the series.