Business is slow at the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, so at Mma Makutsi’s suggestion, Mma Ramotswe is persuaded to take her first-ever holiday. But just as she’s about to depart, a new client arrives: a young woman whose father was considered a hero in Botswana but whose reputation is now being called into question. Mma Ramotswe almost cancels her trip, but Mma Makutsi is adamant that she and Charlie have the situation in hand.

Precious can’t relax, however, if she doesn’t know what’s going on at the agency, so she enlists Charlie to be her eyes and ears while she’s away. But Charlie may not be an altogether reliable emissary, particularly with much of his attention devoted to his newly adopted dog.

In the end, it’s an investigation that will affect everyone at the Agency, and a reminder for us all that ordinary human failings should be treated with a large helping of charity and compassion.