No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Box Set: The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Tears of the Giraffe, Morality for Beautiful Girls.

No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #1-3

by Alexander McCall Smith

The first three books in Alexander MCCall Smith's beloved bestselling series, featuring Mma Precious Ramotswe, the traditionally built, eminently sensible, cunning proprietor of the only ladies' detective agency in Botswana, are now available in a beautifully designed boxed set.

Genres: Mystery, Book Club, Africa, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

705 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2013

About the author

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. Visit him online at www.alexandermccallsmith.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Reviews

[Kerrie Rodgerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why do I love these books so much? I don't know. But they are clever, funny, perceptive, a very chill read, and you feel like you are in Africa. Love them.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife and I heard the author speak and loved him. He's a pleasant Briton who delights in the everyday humor of life. The Ladies Detective Agency books are a stage for that humor, with a wonderful protagonist full of insight into human nature.

I'll read them all as long as I live longer than he does. He's admits to suffering from the chronic illness of being a serial novelist, the only cure for which is death.

[Edna]

this is a poemm that i that i created by using words from the book;
It's six o'clock
and the first light of the day
was on his bedroom
the fine wood smoke
that sharpen the appetite
would soon be on the air
And he could hear the sound of people
shouts of children and
women calling out one another
Africa waking up and
starting a day.
in traditional society.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books form an enchanting little series. The books are relatively short, but the characters are fascinating, as is the setting: present-day Botswana. Feel good and learn something at the same time!

[Larry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would have been a much better book, if the author had not made so many digressions. BUT it was certainly better than the other book I read by him. I couldn't even finish that book. The main character is a good soul. Her reasoning is sound and her assumptions about men are pretty much 80% on track. I just didn't like the dropping of a current line of thought to digress on an entirely different subject. I would have liked the character of Mma Ramotswe, if I had met her in person. I just did not like the writing style. Read the book! Make your own mind up of how you feel about the book.

[Sandra Mistretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't find in Goodreads the Complete BBC Radio Series, so I am using this boxed set version.

This was an audiobook and it was incredible! Actors play each character in every story and there are sound effects. The audiobook is 26 hours and contains many stories from the author's books. I highly recommend it even if you have read all of the books in this series as have I.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series! Simple and sweet!

[BCM · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to this title on BorrowBox

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read this whole series and loved it! the mystery element almost gets lost is how great the characters are

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this series and was hesitant at first but found myself vested in its main characters. I hope to finish the series. They are quick reads but very engaging.

[S Hay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This the second book of The Ladies Detective Agency.
I liked the characters and the story. I look forward to reading more of this series.

[Jeannie Dorrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable listen for me. Loved the characters.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book for book club and I ended up buying and reading the entire series. I just love the characters. I do believe I need to read McCall Smith's other books as well.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a marvelous series. The book takes place in the wonderful nation of Botswana. "The Miss Marple of Botswana" as she is referred to on the cover, is the character Precious Ramotswe, usually referred to as Mma Ramotswe. She is the proud owner of The No. 1 Ladies' Dectective Agency.

I just finished the third book in the series, Morality for Beautiful Girls.

To be honest, I'm a little fuzzy on the plot line of the first novel, other then it establishes the set up of the series, Mma Ramotswe, her assistant, and various characters and Botwana culture.

The second novel, entitled Tears of the Giraffe, has Mma Ramotswe and her assistant solving two mysteries. Her boyfriend, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, is a mechanic in the great country of Botswana, and part of the storyline involves his scheming maid, as well as his good works at the orphanage, which lead to a very big change. Also, there is a missing Amercian mystery as well, that Mma Ramotswe follows her gut to learn the truth.

Morality for Beautiful Girls - well, the title is a little misleading. The story is more involved with Mr. J.L.B Matekoni's illness, the consolidation of their business locations, and the improvements, as well as a new case when they are hired by an important Government man. While Mma Ramotswe is away gathering clues on that case, her talented assistant, Mma Makutsi, manages to run both the garage (whipping those pesky, skirt chasing assistant mechanics into shape) and take on the case that gives this book its title.

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entire series is fantastic. They are the only books I buy the moment they come out. Delightful and poignant, they sound just like Africa feels.

[Mister Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually picked Tears of the Giraffe on a fluke; I randomly pulled it off the library shelf, took it home, and was immediately hooked! The writing is sleek, polished, and easy to read with good descriptions of Botswana--its culture, its history. Mma Ramotswe's mindset and her interactions in the daily life as an amateur detective as well as her interactions with her "friend," Mr. J.L. B Matekoni, provided a pleasant read. Ramontswe overcomes her past sad history and moves on with the present as she deals with her cases. She embraces the traditional values and bemoans the modernization that is creeping in.

I didn't know Tears of the Giraffe was the second book; I didn't even know it was part of a trilogy; I'm almost finished with The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency, and highly anticipate reading "Morality for Beautiful Girls."

A delightful, interesting read.

[Tamara Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mma Ramotswe has quickly joined my top tier of female mystery-solvers, joining the esteemed ranks of Miss Marple, Nancy Drew and Jessica Fletcher. She is bold, compassionate, quirky and wise. I love the way she is able to see through b.s. (especially from men), but still keep a delightful sense of humor and neighborliness. Her love for her native Africa is infectious, as is her love for her own quirky self. Any book that gives me an interesting plot, a winsome setting and a role model is one I'll read again and again. Sweet!

See more of this review, and my favorite excerpts here: http://www.tamarahillmurphy.com/blogt...

[Indianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, mma Precious Ramotswe is wonderful, colourful character. With her feminist ideas in not being put off by the fact that she is the only female detective in Botswana. This is a great set up to the series that I shall be trying to get ahold of. I love the way they describe Botswana culture, how they are a lot more laid back and not rushing around. It told you about mma ramotswe upbringing, how she got the agency. Her low times and her high times. A mixture of little cases mixed with bigger ones it keeps you entertained

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series of books is about a Botswanan Lady Detective. They are very well written and entertaining. You will be hooked after the first one. The characters come to life, you will be enchanted with Botswana and feel you have been there. I have enjoyed all of the Alexander McCall Smith books I've read!

[sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book - much like the first. The author has a sweet talent for nailing small descriptions of life, so she (he? i didn't even notice) makes for a very pleasant read. Unfortunately, I still felt a little flat when it finished... or at least, not as though my life was changed (I guess that's my requirement for a four star - which isn't ALL that hard, I get my life changed by books all the time).

[Natanya Epstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 3rd book in the "No. 1 ladies' detective agency" series which is based on the life of a female private detective from Botswana. This book deals with issues of depression, sexism, and urban vs. rural Botswana values in a simple writing style.

[Shemika TheBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend Louise recommended this series to me, and I really enjoyed them. I confess I only got up to book 5 before I got distracted by other writers, but it's worth the read.

I plan to spend this summer getting reacquainted with the characters.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books really hit my funny bone. Mma Ramotswe is so down to earth, and it's funny to be inside her head. While I'm reading these books, I can hear the narrator from "The Gods Must Be Crazy" movies. I would recommend the whole series to anyone.

[Deejay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Self-image, the importance of honesty and respect, pride in ones-self and the place they live, loyalty, how to enjoy a cup of hot tea, how to focus on nature; the importance of family and giving...and much more

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is fantastic. It has everything! Humor, heart, & even some mystery. The characters are so precious I loved them all & it was hilarious how they interacted with each other. Flawless series really.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the characters. Mma Ramotswe's emphasis on daily routine, kind heart, bitter past and clever methods of detecting make her stories very addictive. I read all three back to back.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked these books, but my mom loved them! I found them less intriguing, and more quaint, than I would have hoped.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Smith's writing - especially the characters and the beautiful setting. When I close his books I am smiling.

I want to have him over to the house for dinner.

[Jena Piazze · Rating 3 out of 5]

A recommendation from my friend, Barbara. So far, I've only read this book of the series (no time to manually enter in the book on its own). Set in Africa..a very easy read!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

These 3 books were a reread because I enjoyed them so much the first time. Easy and well-crafted. It's a great series for when I feel like getting out of my head a bit. There are a bunch more!