Rare is the book which is more satifying heard than read. The richness of the reader's voice, the rhythm of the language and the purity of her accent ..Show More »all combine to make a delicate and fulfilling dish in this early one of Smith's Precious Ramotswe stories. This tale involves an American, peripherally, whose connection to Botswana is kindly and believeably crafted. I started listening the these books out of order, and I'm going back and listening from the beginning now, which is helpful to me, but each stands alone, and the characters are consistent and wonderful. Every one of Smith's books is a love song to the people of Botswana, and to the possibilities of the heights of dignity and kindness in all of us.

This particular story contains some of the most heartbreaking circumstances one can imagine and these are handled with insight and compassion which supercedes most of the behavior on this planet. I don't know if this is an accurate portrayal of life along the Kalahari or not, but it is a wonderful one, and I thank Mr. Smith for every one of his books, and Lisette Lecat for her pure and perfect narration.


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Precious Ramotswe, a "traditional" African lady solves the many problems that crowd into her life with grace and intelligence. Although her main myste..Show More »ry is that of an important government worker who fears his brother is being poisoned by an unworthy sister-in-law, Mma Ramotswe finds time to deal with a handicapped foster child, a fiance with health problems, and the needs of her valued assistant. She sails through adversity and washes away the muddles with bush tea and common sense.

The book is beautifully read by Lisette Lecat. Smith's musical prose is enhanced by her talents, and life in Botswana comes alive. It is a wonderful listening experience.


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The Alexander McCall Smith books are jewels, and Lisette Lecat, the reader, makes every facet sparkle. Pick one. Pick them all. They are gems.

I have now listened to the first five in this series -- and eagerly await the newest one "In the Company of Cheerful Ladies." I would buy the book,..Show More » but listening to this narrator, Lisette Lecat, is the only way I want to hear this series. She's that good. I look forward to driving to work just to hear the next chapter every day. Do them in order or Precious's adventures get out of sequence....!

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I read the first book in this series and didn't care much for it. Then I decided to listen to the next. I really enjoyed the narrator and kept on unti..Show More »l I have heard every book in the series. They just keep getting better. As far as I'm concerned, the narrator makes all the difference in my enjoyment of these books. She does a superb job--her accent adds so much to the books! This one is a must for all of Mma Ramotswe fans!

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Little ever seems to happen in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books that can't be resolved in the time it takes the irrepressable Mma Ramotswe to b..Show More »rew and consume a pot of bush tea. Mysteries are solved, quips exchanged, and long passages recited that may (or may not) be quotes from Sir Seretse Khama.

On the flip side, there's something refreshing about Mma Ramotswe and crew - these are books to listen to when you're having a bad day. Lisette Lecat breathes life into the series in a way that's almost magical (and you get to find out how to properly pronounce all the Setswana words, too).

Blue Shoes and Happiness continues in the same vein as the previous books: Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni isn't happy with his apprentices, Mma Makutsi (who has developed the strange ability to hold conversations with shoes) faces her own insecurities and bandages them with her 97% mark from the Botswana Secretarial College, Mma Ramotswe contemplates the appropriateness of her own traditional build, and much bush tea is consumed.

Parts of this book are downright funny (wait until you meet Aunt Imong), and others are sad and contemplative. By this point, the little office next to Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors is familiar territory, and it's a little bit like coming home ... and Mma Ramotswe has the tea on.

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Another great title in the #1 Ladies series! I found all the titles in this series so far easy to listen too. Smooth discriptive narative,good chara..Show More »cter flow - what started as a light summer gamble with book #1; has turned into a many book listen. Even bought some "bush tea" to try with this one!

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Once again Alexander McCall Smith chronicles the happenings at the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and at Speedy Motors with his usual wit and wisdom, a..Show More »nd not one extra word. McCall Smith has the singular gift of writing with awareness, consciousness, acceptance and insight into the human condition without even the merest suggestion of psychobabble. I like the psychobabble books too, no question about that, but this author seems to accomplish the same result with his fictional crew and their life stories.

And many bows to the narrator, who continues to bring this now familiar Botswanan cast of characters to life!



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Precious Ramotswe is one of my very favorite woman characters among a small handful. Being a guy I usually love gritty, hard boiled, raw, action detec..Show More »tive stories. I like my mysteries complex and I like the thrills to keep me glued to my ipod. The series of books in the Number One Ladies Detective collection are totally the opposite of all this.

There is never violence. The mysteries are small and sometimes almost nonexistent. There is no action. Us "tough" guys would call this a "ladies novel" except that they are precious, magic, and life affirming.

Everything I shouldn't like about this series is what makes them special, a joy, and pleasure. The reader is awesome which adds extra magic.

What makes the story work is the atmosphere, the unique story idea, the simple mysteries of a simple life, a fresh perspective, and a set of characters you'll think of as part of your family.

I only use 4 stars instead of 5 because there was not a great a mystery in this one as in some although the story is still great fun. I suggest anyone that has not been reading the series start at the beginning to really be able to enjoy them all fully. The one fault of find with most of the series after the first is the lack of mysteries in them. Most of the series from about the 3rd or 4th one are mainly about the personal views and challenges of the main characters. While these are fun they are much more enjoyable when the detectives are also detecting. If you have enjoyed the series so far then don't miss this one.

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I am totally addicted to the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency series and was so excited when this latest book came to Audible.com. Double Comfort Safari..Show More » Club did not let me down - it was as great as I anticipated it would be. The saga continues and I will continue to eagerly await the next book in the series. I do not read the books - I prefer the audible version. I think the person who performs this series is the best I have ever heard reading any book. Her voice is pleasing and her accents are fantastic. She can pronounce the names of people, places and things so much better than I could in my reading of the book.. This adds to my enjoyment. She is absolutely brilliant in her reading and performance.

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This felt like the last novel of the series. If so, it ended as well as it began. If you are a fan and have not watched the BBC series based on some..Show More » of the early episodes, you should search it out. It was filmed in Botswana and was beautifully scripted.

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McCall Smith and Ma Ramotswe are as entertaining as ever. Listened to it in one sitting as I did other non taxing tasks.