Tea Time for the Traditionally Built.

Lecat’s South African background serves her well in her rendering of the melodious voices in McCall Smith’s latest title starring Botswana detective Precious Ramotswe. This time around, Mma Ramotswe and her opinionated assistant, Grace Makutsi, tackle a case involving a once-successful football team on a woeful losing streak (is it mere bad luck or something more sinister?). And Mma Makutsi is worried because her kindhearted fiancé has hired a comely (and conniving) new saleswoman in his furniture store. Lecat, reading in a lovely South African accent, deftly executes the range of characters: Mma Ramotswe’s light, lively tones; revered football coach Leungo Molofololo’s deep, confident inflections; and Mma Makutsi’s chipper palaver, which becomes particularly impassioned when she speaks her mind. From the lady detectives’ animated office banter to their more tranquil moments musing over cups of red bush tea, Lecat makes everything sound authentic. See also the interview with Lecat in this section.