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The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1)
The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1
Author: Alexander McCall Smith
Wayward daughters. Missing Husbands. Philandering partners. Curious conmen. If you've got a problem, and no one else can help you, then pay a visit to Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's only -- and finest -- female private detective. Her methods may not be conventional, and her manner not exactly Miss Marple, but she's got warmth, wit and...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780748662524
ISBN-10: 0748662529
Publication Date: 1998
Pages: 226
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 18

3.9 stars, based on 18 ratings
Publisher: Polygon, Edinburgh
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Cattriona avatar reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 200 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 12
I love the way McCall Smith builds his primary characters in this series; they feel very real, and his details make it very easy to feel as if you, too, are seated with a mug of bush tea, brainstorming ways to drum up business. Highly recommended for those interested in mysteries and/or African culture.
reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 44 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
This book was a breath of fresh air. The author has succeeded in conveying the feeling of the culture, their pace of living and struggle to integrate its old-time values with the new technologies and influence of Western cultures. I found this book highly enjoyable and refreshing to the spirit.
reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
I just started this series because my parents got hooked. After one page I was too. I've read the second book and am starting on my third by this author. If you want to live in Africa for a couple days and get fascinated by the warmth and pride of "Precious" the No. 1 Lady detective of Botswana--this is a gift to yourself.
achadamaia avatar reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
A different kind of cozy mystery set in Botswana. Precious Ramotswe is a delightful detective.
tigger5677 avatar reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 42 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
As a fan of murder mysteries I did not think I would like this series, but I picked it p when I was stuck at Jury Duty with nothing else available to read, and I have to say, it was excellent. Well written, entertaining with enough intrigue to keep the reader held until the next book in the series.
Read All 225 Book Reviews of "The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency Bk 1"

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reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
I enjoyed the book, but I find it different from the mysteries I am used to reading. This book consisted of several short detective stories within the one book. I usually read a mystery where the entire book involves solving it. However, I will give book two a try.
RevCherylMarie avatar reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
Sorry. This series is ho-hum. While I appreciate it is more of a who-dun-it and not full of blood and gore like so many mystery writers these days, it just didn't hold my interest.
reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
Funny and fun, about a detective agency in Botswana with lots of local color.
cocoamomo avatar reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 83 more book reviews
1st in McCall Smith's "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" books.
abbykt avatar reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 113 more book reviews
I had a fun time reading this book. I liked the descriptions of Precious' background and the lessons that she learned from her childhood. I liked how the different cases she worked on led up to the one conclusion. It was a fast easy read.
goddesslovingbookworm avatar reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 170 more book reviews
Wonderful descriptions of Africa and its peoples, but the choppy story line does not appeal to me. I may read more of the series, but will borrow from the library rather than spend credits.
reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on
I enjoyed this book. It sparks interest in Africa history and cultures
reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 51 more book reviews
This is a very different kind of story being that it takes place in Africa and the main character deciding to open a detective agency. The names of people were catching me up but not enough to stop reading. It was really enjoyable. That's why I ordered the 2nd Ladies detective agency.
reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on
Wonderful insight into a slower way of life & story of a woman whose moral compass never fails her!
tobisgma avatar reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
Not very engaging.
reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
I was a different type of private-eye novel. Unique and intersting.
reviewed The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
I resisted picking up this book for a long time and quite frankly I don't know why I even bought it. I am now sorry that I waited so long. A charming book- serious, sad, funny and warm. Happy ending too.

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