The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency was a book I wanted to read since I moved to the UK because it’s very popular here. I’ve bought this in my first month in London to blend in with the readers. It waited on my shelves for two years. I just didn’t want to read it. But one day, I wanted to read something light and cosy, and this book happened to catch my eye. It is easy to understand why this book and the series are popular. That is a cosy book with an amazing character.
A perfect detective in Botswana
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is the first book of Alexander McCall Smith’s nineteen-book series. (As far as I know, there is nineteen) The highly sympathetic detective Precious Ramotswe is the only female detective in Botswana. Of course, it is twice as hard for her as she is a woman. But because she is a woman she can easily handle the problems. Scottish writer Smith has created a formidable character. It is interesting to see how much the author cares about women throughout the book. Oh, well, of course, to witness the writer’s love for Botswana is an event in itself. On the one hand, you will learn a lot about Botswana and its people while reading a cute detective novel. If you are looking for an easy to read and a cozy book I would recommend this. Enjoy!
About the book: The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
Fans around the world adore the bestselling 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 humour, and the occasional cup 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.
About the author: Alexander McCall Smith
Alexander McCall Smith often referred to as ‘Sandy’, is one of the world’s most prolific and best-loved authors. For many years he was a professor of Medical Law and worked in universities in the UK and abroad before turning his hand to writing fiction. He has written and contributed to more than 100 books including specialist academic titles, short story collections, and a number of immensely popular children’s books.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
