The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

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English

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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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ISBN
9781400031344
9780307456632
9781402545351
140009688
9781400077656
9781400034772
9781449884727
9780375423871
9780748662524

Also in this Series

  • The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 1) Cover
  • Tears of the giraffe (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 2) Cover
  • Morality for beautiful girls (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 3) Cover
  • The Kalahari typing school for men (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 4) Cover
  • The full cupboard of life (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 5) Cover
  • In the company of cheerful ladies (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 6) Cover
  • Blue shoes and happiness: The New Novel in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 7) Cover
  • The good husband of Zebra Drive (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 8) Cover
  • The miracle at Speedy Motors (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 9) Cover
  • Tea time for the traditionally built (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 10) Cover
  • The Double Comfort Safari Club (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 11) Cover
  • The Saturday big tent wedding party (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 12) Cover
  • The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 13) Cover
  • The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 14) Cover
  • The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 15) Cover
  • The woman who walked in sunshine (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 16) Cover
  • Precious and Grace (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 17) Cover
  • The house of unexpected sisters (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 18) Cover
  • The colors of all the cattle (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 19) Cover
  • To the land of long lost friends (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 20) Cover
  • How to raise an elephant (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 21) Cover
  • The Joy and Light Bus Company (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 22) Cover
  • A song of comfortable chairs (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 23) Cover
  • From a far and lovely country (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 24) Cover
  • The Great Hippopotamus Hotel (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Volume 25) Cover

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Author Notes

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Human psychology and ethical questions predominate over actual crimes and detection in these cozy mystery series. Though the settings in Botswana and the U.S. are different, both feature sleuths who are outsiders in their communities as well as thoughtfully observant. -- Katherine Johnson
Like the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency mysteries, the Jimm Juree series sets solid mysteries in a setting unfamiliar to most Western readers (Southern Thailand), and spices its female protagonist's adventures with humor and fascinating characters. -- Shauna Griffin
These cozy mysteries emphasize character development over action or violence. Taking place in wildly disparate locations -- the Demarkian mysteries in Philadelphia, the Detective Agency novels in Botswana -- both share a gentle, engaging style and many intriguing puzzles. -- Mike Nilsson
Although their Botswana and New Jersey settings differ widely, these light-hearted cozies feature sleuths who are thoughtfully observant, highly intelligent and a tad eccentric. The mysteries portrayed in these series, while compelling, take a backseat to their interesting, well-depicted protagonists. -- Catherine Coles
The likeable protagonists find that they have talent as detectives in these amusing, atmospheric mystery series. Precious Ramotswe is a Botswanan private detective in No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency; Ladarat Patalung is a Thai nurse-ethicist turned amateur detective in the Ethical Chiang Mai Detective Agency. -- Jane Jorgenson
Amateur sleuths take on surprising cases in these compelling cozy mystery series with a strong sense of place. Ladies' Detective Agency stars the first woman private detective in Botswana, while Orchid Isle focuses on a retired caterer and her wife. -- Stephen Ashley
Strong female trailblazers pursue justice for their clients in Botswana (No. 1 Lady's) and Bombay (Perveen Mistry) in these mystery series where setting plays a key role. Lady's is more leisurely and gentle, but both have a well-developed cast of characters. -- Jennie Stevens
Readers looking for lighthearted mysteries with a strong sense of place will enjoy these amusing novels featuring likeable Black female private eyes working in Hollywood (Detective By Day) and Botswana (No. Ladies' Detective Agency). -- Andrienne Cruz
With likable, intelligent, and slightly eccentric lead characters, these wryly humorous mysteries offer glimpses into everyday life in exotic locales -- Botswana in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency novels, and the Punjab region of India in the Vish Puri mysteries. -- Shauna Griffin

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
NoveList recommends "Orchid isle mysteries" for fans of "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Asperger's mysteries" for fans of "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Ice cream parlor mysteries" for fans of "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Perveen Mistry novels" for fans of "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Detective by day novels" for fans of "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". Check out the first book in the series.
The unexpected inheritance of Inspector Chopra - Khan, Vaseem
In these charming mysteries, unusual settings (Botswana in No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Mumbai in The Unexpected Inheritance) and agreeable protagonists offer spirited, enjoyable reads that are as much about people being people as they are about a crime. -- Shauna Griffin
NoveList recommends "Grantchester mysteries" for fans of "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". Check out the first book in the series.
Murder at the house of rooster happiness - Casarett, David J.
NoveList recommends "Ethical Chiang Mai Detective Agency" for fans of "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". Check out the first book in the series.
The middle-aged African women sleuths featured in these cozy mysteries both approach life with tender affection and warmth, dispensing advice freely. With different settings underscored by the stories, neither shies away from difficult topics -- political or personal. -- Jen Baker
Despite very different settings (urban Japan in Newcomer, and urban Botswana in No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency), both mysteries unfold leisurely, are focused on the small details of daily life, and examine the tension between tradition and modernity. -- Shauna Griffin
Both set in Africa, these light and engaging stories feature delightful characters and well-realized exotic settings. The No. Ladies' Detective Agency is a cozy mystery, while A Guide to the Birds of East Africa is a lighthearted love story. -- Victoria Fredrick
The exotic settings of these character-driven series starters are only one of the shared appeals; others include humor, an independent female protagonist, and a solid mystery that never overshadows the fascinating and well-depicted characters. -- Shauna Griffin

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Both authors write cozy mysteries that feature likeable sleuths who are eccentric and funny. While the mystery element may sometimes be weak, it is the appealing main characters, quirky secondary characters, and a strong sense of place that charm the reader. -- Merle Jacob
James Thurber may be a good choice for those who love Alexander McCall Smith's subtle but constant humor. Both authors' characters possess peculiar perspectives and laughably human flaws. They manage to turn ordinary, trivial occurrences into comical interludes of giant proportions. -- Krista Biggs
Like Alexander McCall Smith in his Botswana-set No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, Celestine Vaite skillfully depicts the warm sense of community that pervades her Tahitian island setting. -- Shauna Griffin
Readers who enjoy cozy mystery stories that emphasize warm humor and the nuanced relationships between likable women should check out the works of both V. M. Burns and Alexander McCall Smith. McCall Smith's books tend to have larger casts of characters than Burns'. -- Stephen Ashley
C. Alan Bradley and Alexander McCall Smith write cozy mysteries featuring some of the most interestingly drawn sleuths in the field. They are perceptive, quirky, and thoughtful and have keen insight into human nature. These gentle-toned books all have a strong sense of place and colorful characters. -- Merle Jacob
R. K. Narayan's detailed books create a compelling vision of India just as Alexander McCall Smith's novels do for their locations (Africa, Scotland). Ordinary, interesting people do ordinary, interesting things in these authors' stories, presented in straightforward, thoughtful prose with a gentle touch of humor and irony. -- Shauna Griffin
Though Rita Mae Brown writes in a variety of other genres as well, both she and Alexander McCall Smith are known for their amusing and heartwarming cozy mystery series starring likable characters. Brown's are sometimes a bit faster paced than McCall Smith's. -- Stephen Ashley
Both Clyde Edgerton and Alexander McCall Smith are masters at creating close-knit communities in gentle, warm (but never bland) stories that study human nature with humor and compassion. While they share an ear for dialogue, Edgerton's language and challenges are sometimes a bit stronger than McCall Smith's, though never offensive. -- Shauna Griffin
Readers who love an upbeat and heartwarming cozy mystery with a spirited, determined, and ultimately likable protagonist should explore the works of both Alexander McCall Smith and Abby Collette. McCall Smith tends to focus on a larger cast than Collette. -- Stephen Ashley
Amateur sleuths take on a variety of exciting cases in the upbeat and engaging cozy mysteries of both Alexander McCall Smith and Mia P. Manasala. Family relationships tend to play in both authors' work, but McCall Smith frequently features larger casts of characters. -- Stephen Ashley
These authors' works have the subjects "women private investigators," "twins," and "middle-aged women."
These authors' works have the subjects "women private investigators," "neighbors," and "apartment houses."

Published Reviews

Publisher's Weekly Review

The African-born author of more than 50 books, from children's stories (The Perfect Hamburger) to scholarly works (Forensic Aspects of Sleep), turns his talents to detection in this artful, pleasing novel about Mma (aka Precious) Ramotswe, Botswana's one and only lady private detective. A series of vignettes linked to the establishment and growth of Mma Ramotswe's "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" serve not only to entertain but to explore conditions in Botswana in a way that is both penetrating and light thanks to Smith's deft touch. Mma Ramotswe's cases come slowly and hesitantly at first: women who suspect their husbands are cheating on them; a father worried that his daughter is sneaking off to see a boy; a missing child who may have been killed by witchdoctors to make medicine; a doctor who sometimes seems highly competent and sometimes seems to know almost nothing about medicine. The desultory pace is fine, since she has only a detective manual, the frequently cited example of Agatha Christie and her instincts to guide her. Mma Ramotswe's love of Africa, her wisdom and humor, shine through these pages as she shines her own light on the problems that vex her clients. Images of this large woman driving her tiny white van or sharing a cup of bush tea with a friend or client while working a case linger pleasantly. General audiences will welcome this little gem of a book just as much if not more than mystery readers. (Aug. 27) FYI: Anchor is simultaneously issuing two other titles in this series, Tears of the Giraffe and Morality for Beautiful Girls. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
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Kirkus Book Review

Botswana's only female detective, Precious Ramotswe-whose investigation of whether the father who's incontinently turned up on the doorstep of Happy Bapetsi, who's been getting along fine without him, is really her father edges her toward considerably darker waters-isn't just ready to confront everything from theft to kidnapping to murder: she's ready for prime time. The first American publication of this 1999 debut has been preceded by two special Booker citations and two sequels, Tears of the Giraffe (2000) and Morality for Beautiful Girls (2001), both forthcoming in the series. Film rights to Jo'burg Filmed Entertainment

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Publishers Weekly Reviews

The African-born author of more than 50 books, from children's stories (The Perfect Hamburger) to scholarly works (Forensic Aspects of Sleep), turns his talents to detection in this artful, pleasing novel about Mma (aka Precious) Ramotswe, Botswana's one and only lady private detective. A series of vignettes linked to the establishment and growth of Mma Ramotswe's "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" serve not only to entertain but to explore conditions in Botswana in a way that is both penetrating and light thanks to Smith's deft touch. Mma Ramotswe's cases come slowly and hesitantly at first: women who suspect their husbands are cheating on them; a father worried that his daughter is sneaking off to see a boy; a missing child who may have been killed by witchdoctors to make medicine; a doctor who sometimes seems highly competent and sometimes seems to know almost nothing about medicine. The desultory pace is fine, since she has only a detective manual, the frequently cited example of Agatha Christie and her instincts to guide her. Mma Ramotswe's love of Africa, her wisdom and humor, shine through these pages as she shines her own light on the problems that vex her clients. Images of this large woman driving her tiny white van or sharing a cup of bush tea with a friend or client while working a case linger pleasantly. General audiences will welcome this little gem of a book just as much if not more than mystery readers. (Aug. 27) FYI: Anchor is simultaneously issuing two other titles in this series, Tears of the Giraffe and Morality for Beautiful Girls. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
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