The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: 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

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)

Absolutely Delightful

I avoided this book for a long time but finally decided to try it. It is one of those stories you cannot get enough of. I did not read the book but I think that the narrator Lisette Lecat added tremendously to the delight of the story.

AFrica Afric

Beautiful writing. Very rich and genuine. Calm and warm. I am going right to the 2nd book.

Something more, and something less

This book is both something more and something less than the Agatha Christie-type novel set in Africa that I was expecting. It is something more in that many relatively minor characters a fully developed. For example, our heroine's father's life story is told and it is both interesting and moving. The book is something less in that there is no Agatha Christie-type mystery here. Certainly there are various mysteries solved as individual client's needs are addressed but there is no primary mystery that makes up the plot. Further, the reader will be able to solve many of the minor mysteries before our heroine does.

As a small business owner, I can attest that this book does more-or-less accurately address the basic concerns of small business owners (as, indeed, All Creatures Great and Small does).

I would have preferred the addition of a locked room murder that has stymied the police or some such.

An unexpected gem

I had no idea what to expect, and can't even remember why I bought this particular audio book, but I am very glad I did. Lisette is spot on as a narrator, and really made you fall in love with Botswana and the lead character.

The writing is simple, yet solid. No flowery prose, but every word goes to build a beautiful landscape in which the heroine goes about her business.

Once you get past the first three chapters - in which we meet the heroine, understand the relationship with her father, and how she got married - you're straight into the vignettes of each case as they weave the story until the end. You have to understand the first three chapters to get an idea of what drives her, but the journey is well rewarded.

I finished the book wanting more.

First of a wonderful series

Now that we've come so far with Precious and Grace, it's fun to go back to the beginning with our favorite detective. Enjoy it again!

Africa from a fresh perspective

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

inspiring, light, witty

Who was your favorite character and why?

The protagonist, Mme Mamatswe, is my favorite character. She never seems to take herself too seriously and knows exactly how to cut someone down to size without being cruel. An independent woman who overcomes circumstances that would leave others embittered, she retains her zest for life and love of her home village.

Which character – as performed by Lisette Lecat – was your favorite?

I have to say Mme Mamatswe once more. Liesette Lecat captured what I believe to be an accurate accent and cadence.

Entertaining, sweet, mysterious

What did you love best about The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency?

I enjoyed learning about life in a different, yet similar culture. The stories are enjoyable and the characters are personable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency?

I enjoyed learning of the childhood of the main character and the formation of her character in relation to her father's influence and the influence of relatives and schoolmates.

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

The accent is glorious and flowing and makes me want to speak with the African accent.

If you could take any character from The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would like to take her father out to dinner to discover how he was influenced by his family and how his character was developed.

Very enjoyable listen!

This book is so joyously written, so well told. I was quite disappointed when I reached the end, despite the surprise happy ending. This was my first Audio Trip to Botswana and it won't be my last! The narrator brings the story to life and brings life to a beautiful landscape and culture. Big smiles, Many stars

Special Treat

I really enjoyed this. The narrator has a beautiful, authentic sounding African accent. The style of writing takes a bit of getting used to, but overall, it's a beautiful book.

Colorful and interesting

Enjoyed the stories as presented. it was entertaining. The narrator is excellent, her skill brings the book to life.