The Great Cake Mystery

Starred review from February 27, 2012
This lovely, warmhearted novel reveals how Precious Ramotswe, the star of Smith’s the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series for adults, launched her sleuthing career. Curious and observant, Precious, “one of the nicest girls in Botswana,” is a natural detective. She finds her first case at school, when a piece of cake, a slice of jam-slathered bread, and some iced buns disappear. Smith laces his narrative with drily contemplative musings (“You can lose a plain piece of bread and not think twice about it, but when you lose one spread thickly with strawberry jam it’s an altogether more serious matter”) as well as direct addresses to readers that tap into childhood dreams of being a detective. When classmates accuse a “rather round” student of the thefts and he denies it, Precious believes him and hunts for the real culprit. Throughout, Smith shares wise insights on human nature through his compassionate and fair-minded protagonist. Bold and striking, McIntosh’s chunky, two-color woodcutlike pictures present evocative images of the African setting. This is a story, and a heroine, with impressive dimension. Ages 7–10. Agent: Robin Straus, Robin Straus Agency.

March 1, 2012

Gr 1-3-Young readers are introduced to Precious Ramotswe, a young sleuth in Botswana, in this prequel to the adult series "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" (Pantheon). Trouble occurs when tasty treats disappear in her school. When word gets out, Precious is on the case. Observant readers will find the biggest clue to solving the mystery on the front cover. Primitive in nature and using only red, brown, and black on cream paper, the illustrations are minimal and the characters appear to be adults rather than children. The story is predictable and unlikely to have beginning chapter book readers awaiting Precious's next case.-Janene Corbin, Rosebank Elementary School, Nashville, TN

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2012
Grades 2-4 Adult fans of Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series will be queuing up to give this prequel of sorts to the children they know. This series starter introduces the author's heroine, Precious Ramotswe, as a young girl solving her first case. Someone has been stealing treats from her friends at school, and suspicion swirls around a chubby boy named Poloko. Encouraged by her father, who has noted Precious' powers of deduction, the sleuth decides to follow her instincts and prove Poloko innocent. The story is simply toldSmith has previous experience with children's books with the Akimbo seriesand it will work well for children new to the mystery genre. Adding to the appeal are McIntosh's wonderful graphic illustrations done in red and black. A map of Botswana and drawings of the flora, fauna, and settings mentioned in the text will give readers a clear picture of Precious' world. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Parents who devour the No. 1 Ladies' Dectective Agency books will likely foist this upon plenty of agreeable young readers. Those were international bestsellers; this could well have the same future.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

Starred review from May 28, 2012
For anyone who has ever wondered about the childhood of the owner of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, McCall Smith’s answer is that Precious Ramotswe was a born detective with a knack for knowing when people are making things up. Even as a child, when cakes and other sweets start disappearing from her village school and everyone rushes to blame the fat boy, Precious is skeptical. She’s determined to get to the facts of the case and sets a clever trap for the culprit. Adjoa Andoh’s narration is clear, crisp, entertaining, and well paced. She also creates distinct and appropriate voices for the young detective’s schoolmates, teachers, and loving father. Andoh’s rendition of Precious is a pitch-perfect, younger version of the unflappable sleuth so many readers have come to know and love. Listeners both young and old will be delighted by this schoolyard mystery and demand a second listen. Ages 7–10. An Anchor paperback.

July 1, 2012
This early chapter book features a young Precious Ramotswe, star of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series for adults. The mystery Precious solves--who is behind the thefts on the school playground?--is audience-appropriate; the prose style is welcoming; the Botswana village setting is evoked clearly. The page design is generous and inviting, with wide margins and plentiful spot illustrations.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)