THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY – Book 1Fans around the world adore the best-selling No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series and its proprietor, Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s premier lady detective. In this charming series, Mma Ramotswe—with help from her loyal associate, Grace Makutsi—navigates her cases and her personal life with wisdom, good humor, and the occasional cup of tea.This first … of tea.
This first novel in Alexander McCall Smith’s widely acclaimed The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series tells the story of the delightfully cunning and enormously engaging Precious Ramotswe, who is drawn to her profession to “help people with problems in their lives.” Immediately upon setting up shop in a small storefront in Gaborone, she is hired to track down a missing husband, uncover a con man, and follow a wayward daughter. But the case that tugs at her heart, and lands her in danger, is a missing eleven-year-old boy, who may have been snatched by witchdoctors.
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency received two Booker Judges’ Special Recommendations and was voted one of the International Books of the Year and the Millennium by the Times Literary Supplement.
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Here’s a mystery series I absolutely adore. It’s set in Botswana, and follows the sleuthing adventures of Ma Precious Ramotswe and her best friend and assistant, Ma Grace Makutski. Gentle, sweet, life-affirming, never too dark and always fun. The author does a wonderful job of creating characters you can believe in and will want to check in with again and again.
This first book is not as light and amusing as the rest of the books in the series, but it got me started. All the rest of them are more “entertaining” to me only because this first one concerns a little bit of tragic material. Still, a terrific series. A real favorite with me for the warm, sweet, uplifting themes and the nobility of the female protagonist’s perspective. LOVE the Botswana setting.
This engaging book is a rewarding read with its clever characterisation, witty dialogue and immersive setting. The best aspect of this story is the lovable protagonist, Mma Precious Ramotswe, who sets up a detective agency in rural Botswana. Her bittersweet experiences create a story tinged with both humour and sadness. In this book, Precious’ main case is an investigation into a missing boy but she also solves a few other problems which the locals bring to her. If you enjoy this book then you might like the numerous others in the series (18?), I haven’t read them all yet but I’m working on it.
In less than two weeks, summer vacation officially begins for my family. Our two oldest children will graduate from eighth grade and they will, along with our other three kids, flood the house with noise, chaos, and incessant requests for food. I need a vacation just thinking about it. But once we’ve settled into the summer routine, there really is nothing better than those long, lazy days. And nothing keeps me summer-loving quite so much as a great beach/pool/patio read.
For me, summer is for lighthearted, happy books. The kinds of novels that can be abandoned on the lawn chair with a laugh, and then cheerfully picked back up again after a swim, a game of tag, or quick jump on the trampoline. My literary happy place and go-to summer series is Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. These whimsical, charming, laugh out loud books are as sunny and bright as the days ahead.
The first book in the series introduces readers to Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s first and only female detective. After hanging out her sign, it’s not long before Precious is engaged in a number of different mysteries. She handles each with wisdom and grace, but finds herself personally invested in the case of a missing eleven-year-old boy. Told with great wit and even greater heart, McCall’s book tenderly explores the human condition and enthusiastically celebrates life. This novel, and the entire series is subtle and insightful, but most of all, a delight to read.
Takes us to a different place and time where the culture and life is so different from ours. However the characters experience many of the same trials and tribulations we have with all our modern comforts.
I enjoyed this book a great deal. I felt transported to Botswana, especially since the narrator of the audiobook was exceptional. I feared what some of the outcomes would be, but my biggest surprise came at the very end of the book. And that made me smile!
I have read the entire series by Alexander McCall Smith and highly recommend it to anyone looking for kindness, compassion, and likeability in a character. Think of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency as comfort food for the mind and soul.
This is such a fun read! I just adore Precious and all of her adventures. Look no further for a quirky, enjoyable mystery series!
A beautiful book with all the rhythms of Botswana in its prose. I love the characters, the writing style, and the story. One of my favorite books!
This is the first (but not last) book I read from Alexander McCall Smith. I love his writing style and the wonderful world of Mma Precious Ramotswe.
I am late to the dance on this one but better late than never. A delightful little book. Easy to read and well paced. This book, filled with simple and subtle wisdom would appeal to all ages and readers of all genres.
This is one of the best books I have ever read. The characters are great , the story line kept me totally engrossed and I couldn’t wait to read the next in the series.
Besides having an intelligent and kind main character, the book provides you with a look at life in Botswana. I had a little difficulty getting into the rhythm of dialogue when I first started reading the book, but I watched an episode of the HBO television series and from then on the reading just flowed.
Absolutely delightful characters with a simple plot line. These ladies rule!!
This first in the series book is so English. so polite. so without swear words or sex, and such a wonderful story with a very unlikely heroine. I have loved the series.
I read this book a quite a while ago and still remember it. I loaned it to several people I thought would like it…..even to some teenagers. It tells of a real life in Africa.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a combination mystery/fiction. The main character Precious is very down to earth. I look forward to reading other books in the series.
So delighted to finally meet Precious Ramotswe, citizen of Botswana and chief investigator and owner of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency! We follow Mma Ramotswe from her youth and first job where she discovers her talent at detecting and solving mysteries, then in and out of an abusive marriage, the death of her child, caring for her father, and the establishment of her own private detective agency. We learn a lot about the colorful culture and life in Botswana. This includes the difficulties of Botswanan men, primarily due to working in the mining industry; and the difficulties of women, primarily caused by men. Mma Ramotswe takes up some of the most unusual cases ever covered by a private investigator, and she comes up with some quite unusual and effective solutions. Her story has to be described as charming, sweet, and always intriguing.
Although gently written, this book deals with some heavy-weight topics. It was grittier than I expected for a non-murder related mystery.
I enjoyed following Mma Ramotswe as she faced up to her challenges and discovered her purpose. It is not enough for her to find answers; she is driven to right wrongs.
The cultural insights and scenic descriptions were as interesting as the plot.
A wonderful main character, an unusual setting, and an immensely satisfying story.
Thoroughly enjoyable read. This is the first in a sires of wonderful books. Love them all.