Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I find it a pleasure to read mysteries set in a country other than UK or US (yes, I didn’t include Canada because it’s not a big setting either), and I like this series because not only is the setting — Africa — new to me, but also the culture is so different, so personable and gentle. The tone is calm and thoughtful but not in an oh-get-on-with-it way but in a slow-suck-you-in-and-keep-you-glued way. There are levels of stories and mysteries, some minor, two the main event, that are woven in together expertly, all interesting. Tears of the Giraffe is a pleasurable antidote to Scottish grimness and North American alienation.
