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The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

by Alexander McCall Smith

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Cover

 

Staff Pick

A 'cozy' set in Africa. This is the first in a wonderful new mystery series set in Botswana. Using deceptively simple language that nonetheless sings with the rhythms of Africa, the author introduces us to the indomitable lady detective, Precious Ramotswe. You will come to love her and the land she lives in.
Recommended by Kathi, Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

This first novel in Alexander McCall Smiths 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.

Review:

"One of the best, most charming, honest, hilarious and life-affirming books to appear in years." The Plain Dealer

Review:

"In the course of her work, Mma Ramotswe offers ample evidence of her country's complexities and contradictions....Practical yet softhearted, inventive yet steeped in convention, Mma Ramotswe is an appealing personality..." Alida Becker, The New York Times Book Review

Review:

"The most entertaining read of the year." The Guardian (London)

Synopsis:

The first three books in Alexander MCCall Smith's beloved bestselling series, featuring Mma Precious Ramotswe, the traditionally built, eminently sensible, cunning proprietor of the only ladies' detective agency in Botswana, are now available in a beautifully designed boxed set.
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About the Author

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the huge international phenomenon, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and The Sunday Philosophy Club series. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana and at Edinburgh University. He lives in Scotland, where in his spare time he is a bassoonist in the RTO (Really Terrible Orchestra).

From the Trade Paperback edition.

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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 11 comments:
Annette P, September 9, 2010 (view all comments by Annette P)
Genuine, thoughtful characters combined with an understanding of human nature make this series a delightful read. It's no wonder that HBO created a show based on the books.
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lahlstedt, January 13, 2010 (view all comments by lahlstedt)
I had gotten into something of a rut, reading mostly British mystery novels. I just didn't seem interested in anything else. One day at the library I checked out the audio book version of "No. 1 Ladies'", even though I was pretty sure I wouldn't get very far in it. After all, it wasn't set in London, and there didn't seem to be any good murders to solve, so I wasn't sure it was the book for me. How wrong I was! I was instantly captivated by the setting and characters of this charming book. Precious Ramotswe starts her own detective agency after inheriting a herd of cattle upon her father's death. Luckily for her, she is able to hire the efficient (if somewhat uptight) Grace Makutsi, proud graduate of the Botswana Secretarial College, as her secretary. Although there aren't any earth-shattering mysteries to solve, they do work together to help people with their everyday problems and worries. The author's admiration for the people and country of Botswana really shines through. I was so happy to discover Mma Ramotswe's world, and I anxiously await each new installment in the series!
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Judy Armstrong, January 7, 2010 (view all comments by Judy Armstrong)
This beginning book of a series should win an award because it shows the goodness of people. You always come away from books in this series thinking the world and people are basically good. So refreshing in our violent, sensational world.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781400034772
Manufactured:
Anchor
Publisher:
Anchor Books
Author:
Smith, Alexander McCall
Author:
McCall Smith, Alexander
Location:
New York, NY
Subject:
General
Subject:
Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths
Subject:
Botswana
Subject:
Mystery fiction
Subject:
Ramotswe, Precious (Fictitious character)
Subject:
Mystery & Detective - General
Subject:
Mystery-A to Z
Copyright:
2002
Edition Description:
Trade paper
Series:
No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency
Series Volume:
01
Publication Date:
February 2003
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
256
Dimensions:
7.90x5.34x.68 in. .58 lbs.
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Related Subjects

Fiction and Poetry » Mystery » A to Z
Languages » Foreign Languages » Spanish » Fiction and Poetry » Mystery » A to Z

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$5.95 In Stock
Product details 256 pages Anchor (UK) - English 9781400034772 Reviews:
"Staff Pick" by ,

A 'cozy' set in Africa. This is the first in a wonderful new mystery series set in Botswana. Using deceptively simple language that nonetheless sings with the rhythms of Africa, the author introduces us to the indomitable lady detective, Precious Ramotswe. You will come to love her and the land she lives in.

by Kathi
"Review" by , "One of the best, most charming, honest, hilarious and life-affirming books to appear in years."
"Review" by , "In the course of her work, Mma Ramotswe offers ample evidence of her country's complexities and contradictions....Practical yet softhearted, inventive yet steeped in convention, Mma Ramotswe is an appealing personality..."
"Review" by , "The most entertaining read of the year."
"Synopsis" by , The first three books in Alexander MCCall Smith's beloved bestselling series, featuring Mma Precious Ramotswe, the traditionally built, eminently sensible, cunning proprietor of the only ladies' detective agency in Botswana, are now available in a beautifully designed boxed set.
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