The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Lisette Lecat

Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

This remarkably fresh and charming best seller took the world by storm upon its publication. It has since earned two Booker Judges' Special Recommendations and was voted one of the "International Books of the Year and the Millennium" by the Times Literary Supplement.

Mma "Precious" Ramotswe sets up a detective agency in Botswana on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, making her the only female detective in the country. At first, cases are hard to come by. But eventually, troubled people come to Precious with a variety of concerns. Potentially philandering husbands, seemingly schizophrenic doctors, and a missing boy who may have been killed by witch doctors all compel Precious to roam about in her tiny van, searching for clues.

Chosen as a Top Ten Mystery by the Organization of Independent Booksellers, U.S.A., The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is that rare novel that imparts a sage wisdom while inspiring hearty laughter and lasting smiles.

Listen to the other titles in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

©1998 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

• Book Sense Book of the Year Award Finalist, Paperback, 2003
• Edgar Allan Poe Award Winner, Best First Novel by an American Author, 1998

"One of the most entrancing literary treats of many a year...A tapestry of extraordinary nuance and richness." (Wall Street Journal)
"An artful, pleasing novel...General audiences will welcome this little gem of a book just as much if not more than mystery readers." (Publishers Weekly)
"Smart and sassy...Precious' progress is charted in passages that have the power to amuse or shock or touch the heart, sometimes all at once." (Los Angeles Times)

Delightful and witty

This book was sensational. The prose was actually quite poetic, evocative and sensitive. The author's love of Africa and respect for its people really came through. I'm looking forward to purchasing the entire series. I was sad to take leave of the characters after the first book.

Smart and simple pleasure to experience

Sometimes the world feels like a dirty and cruel place. A place where people are making self-centered choices.

So, a book like this, where the main character makes good choices while navigating through the same world can brighten the view of humanity. There's hope.

The author writes so simply yet the scenes are set vividly. The narrator is wonderful.

The tone of this book just exudes peace and balance, even though the stories are not of gentle stuff. The world is still dirty and cruel, but because we are gracefully navigated by the author and the narrator's voice, and humanity overcomes evil, the experience is simple, joyful, and heartfelt.

I love this book.

Engaging

If you could sum up The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in three words, what would they be?

engaging, thoughtful and smart

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

No the plot did not keep me on the edge of my seat, it kept me interested and engaged, Just where I like to be.

Which scene was your favorite?

Our heroine sitting in the back yard of a Dr. under a mulberry tree, explaining that her family used to live there. Her story was fabricated and believable, as it should be coming from the no. 1 lady detective in Africa.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Big smart lady Rules.

Any additional comments?

Her treatment of the witch doctor's wife was surprising and good.

African-born Narrator Lecat Is Utterly Captivating

Would you listen to The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency again? Why?

Yes, I will go back and listen to this audio book again, but not until I listen to all the rest of the stories in the series, because I want to know what happens next - both in Mma Ramotswe's personal life and in her detective adventures.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favourite character is the No.1 Ladies Detective, of course. Precious Ramotswe is so clever and unflappable; you know she's going to figure it all out, and it's great fun trying to guess how she's going to do it.

What does Lisette Lecat bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She makes you feel like you're there, in Botswana, experiencing the story. She has a feel for the characters and for Africa that someone not born there just cannot convey.

If you could rename The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, what would you call it?

It's so perfectly suited; I certainly cannot think of a better name for the book.

Any additional comments?

I had heard many good comments about this book series, and about the HBO TV show based on these books. Still, I was hesitant to read the stories as the characters are so different from the protagonists in my usual mystery reads. However, I am extraordinarily glad that I took the chance to listen to the first one as an audio book. After listening to the story, I know I would have enjoyed reading it, but having the fabulous Lisette Lecat read it to me has more than doubled that enjoyment. I will definitely be "listening" to the rest Mma Ramotswe's adventures.

I felt like I was right there!

The narrator really made this book enjoyable. Now, I want to hear more stories read by her.

Such a fun listen!

The book, the story and the performance had me every minute. I'm going to listen to the next one as soon as possible and I hope it's just as fun. Mma Ramotswe is very wise and clever and I love her viewpoints.

I love the entire series!

I especially enjoyed the audible books but I have most of the series a first ladies detective agency and I love them all!

Watched DVD series first

I watched the series on DVD first and Love It! The book was a bit slow moving and not as entertaining. I did enjoy comparing the book detail to the dvd series. Thank you!

Calming and beautiful

I find The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books to be a breath of calm. Maa Ramotswe is a quiet, insightful woman and the stories never disappoint. Narrator is absolutely perfect!

Africa

Painted a nice picture of both the local people and countryside where the story takes place.