The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

De: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrado por: Lisette Lecat

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

Reseñas de la Crítica

• 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)

Refreshing change!

As an avid mystery reader, I find I need an occasional change of pace from plots that are fast moving or suspenseful. For this ease of tension, I look for "cozy mysteries" employing a plot in which the murder has already been committed, and we follow the detective in the investigation. No.1 Ladies D.A. is this slower, more relaxing pace with different outlooks on the culture and landscape of Africa. The reader reflects this pace in her approach with excellent use of accents, adding to the whole experience and immersing us in the life of Mma Ramotswe, lady detective. I can't wait to read the rest of the series and try other books by the author!

an understated gem

This is a strange detective story ! Reminds me somewhat of the Anansi stories or even Out of Africa at times. It is much deeper than it's surface story lets on. It seems to say more about being African than being a lady detective. I loved the reader's voice. Her accent is perfect. The book is a bit peculiar because as you begin listening, you believe you have stepped directly into the detective tales... but then the story detours, for what seems slightly too long a time, through the main character's life story. I couldn't quite figure out what the author's purpose was UNTIL he started into the detective stories again. Then it all became clear how important this characterization is to the understanding of Mma Remotswe's modus operandus (are my cases correct?). The book was enlightening, enjoyable and very different from much of today's Too Cool School of writing.

Great Change of Pace

I just got back from the beach. I always take both a fiction book and a non-fiction book. Usually it ends up being Baldacci or Gresham. This book was a fantastic change! The characters, while they may appear only briefly, are remarkably vivid to the reader. The author does a great job of conveying a lot of information without a lot of words which is a great skill. Definitely worth checking out.

Intelligent, charming, heartwarming

Choose this book and begin a journey with endearing characters you will come to love. Experience a story that is fulfilling and charming. Experience writing that is smart and creative; all without the need for profanity, blood, and gore. A clever listen!

Fab book made great by the reader

Great story, unforgettable "leading lady" and her garage shop friend. The reader is clearly "channelling" Precious. Without the reader this would be a good audio book. With her, it is a great book on audio. If it were a book in print, I would say I couldn't put it down. It made me curious about Botswana and since my knowledge of that country was nil, that's a good thing!

Not you run of the mill mystery

Different and very enjoyable. Excellent McCall Smith. Entertaining listening. Leaves you feeling good and hopeful for mankind.

Meh - not very interesting or enjoyable

I tried reading this years ago and couldn't get into it, but the audiobook was on sale and I thought it might be better if it was read to me. Nope. I still don't know what all the fuss was about. Not very well written about not very interesting characters.

Love!

I can't get enough of this series! I've listened to the first ten books and will continue until I've heard them all. The stories are wonderful, full of humanity and humor, and the narration is perfect. Each character is beautifully drawn and, after hearing the author's description, I almost feel like I've been to Botswana. These audiobooks are gems.

A Fun Read

After reading some riveting books like The Help or the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, I wanted a fun story that would keep me engrossed as I walked, worked in the yard, or traveled. This one filled the bill. And its setting and plots are different from other books in its genre. I found myself intrigued by the main character and wanting to know how her life turns out. I plan on continuing on with this series.

wonderful, descriptive story. i enjoyed it.

wonderful, descriptive story of the African delta and its people and a lady's experiences. loved it.