Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith - Book Club Discussion Questions

Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith is the second book in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. It is a quick, but thoughtful book that will please fans of the series. Use these book club discussion questions on Tears of the Giraffeto lead your book club discussion on this fiction novel about Africa and the mysteries of life.

Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details about Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith. Finish the book before reading on.

1. Discuss the ways Mma. Ramotswe uses tact to get her way. For instance, how does she get Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni to move to her house on Zebra Drive?
   
   
2. Why do you think Mma. Ramotswe accepted the case of the missing son even though it seems like a stale enquiry?
   
   
3. Do you agree with Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's decision to take in the orphans? Were you surprised that Mma. Ramotswe was not upset with him?
   
   
4. Do you think Mma. Makutsi made the right decision about how to use the information she found out about the wife who was committing adultry and the son having a different father? Was she obligated to tell the whole truth? Was she justified in holding some information back for the good of the boy?
   
   
5. Was Mma. Ramotswe justified in deceiving Oswald Ranta in order to get information out of him? She resorted to blackmail, but for good means. Did the means justify the ends? What is your opinion of the ethical implications of this kind of detective work?
   
   
6. What is the significance of the title, Tears of the Giraffe?
   
   
7. Rate Tears of the Giraffe on a scale of 1 to 5.