The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe’s Very First Case

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. (Apr.)