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BBC Afternoon Drama: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #5-8
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: BBC Radio Casebook, Vol. 2
Eight full-cast dramatizations based on the popular books by Alexander McCall Smith. Claire Benedict stars as Mme Ramotswe in these "How to Handle Men through the Application of Psychology," "House of Hope," "The Return of Note," "The Ceremony," "There Is No Such Thing as Free Food," "The Best Profession for a Blackmailer," "A Very Rude Woman," and "Talking Shoes." Unabridged.
1 pages, Audio CD
Published November 1, 2018
2 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Alexander McCall Smith
676 books12.8k followersAlexander 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.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 20, 2020
Review to follow.
July 10, 2025
Wise, Warm, and Wonderfully Witty.
This second volume in The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series is an absolute delight. Alexander McCall Smith continues to weave gentle, clever mysteries with enormous heart and subtle humour. In Volume 2, Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s beloved lady detective, takes on new cases with her characteristic compassion and quiet brilliance.
Whether she’s investigating a suspicious suitor or helping a client navigate complex family dynamics, Mma Ramotswe draws on her deep understanding of human nature—especially men (!)—and applies it with grace. The book’s title, borrowed from a curious old guidebook Mma Makutsi finds, adds a touch of playful wisdom throughout the story.
Here are some story highlights from Volume 2: How to Handle Men Through the Application of Psychology of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series:
• “How to Handle Men Through the Application of Psychology”: Mma Precious Ramotswe helps release her fiancé (Mr. Matekoni) from a frightening promise and obligation—and takes on a fresh case that starts her on a gentle quest about love and understanding.
• “House of Hope”: Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi assist a client in finding a husband—but Mma Ramotswe also navigates some delicate marriage tensions of her own.
• “The Return of Note”: Precious’s ex-husband reappears unexpectedly, stirring up memories—and eventually leading her to an unlikely ally in solving a mystery.
• “The Ceremony”: As Precious juggles everyday problems, her return to a former romance threatens her sense of future stability.
• “The Best Profession for a Blackmailer”: Mr. Polopetsi tries his hand at a solo case, while Mma Makutsi ponders whether a new pair of blue shoes could truly bring happiness.
• “A Very Rude Woman” & “Talking Shoes”: These additional cases feature the Agency’s trademark warmth—Precious handling a difficult complaint, and gentle comedic insights, respectively.
What to Expect
• A warm mix of personal reflections and light mystery—each story revolves around an everyday puzzle and a touch of romantic psychology.
• Character depth shines: you’ll smile at Mma Ramotswe’s thoughtful advice and watch Mma Makutsi’s confidence bloom.
• Themes of love, memory, and human kindness thread through each case—along with those charming, quietly insightful moments Botswana is famous for in this series.
What I loved most is how the mysteries are never just about solving crimes—they’re about restoring dignity, mending relationships, and honouring tradition. The setting is beautifully rendered, the characters are rich with personality—Mma Makutsi is especially wonderful in this one—and the tone is quietly uplifting, kind but firm. A perfect read when you want something heartwarming, thoughtful, with enough intrigue to keep you turning the pages. Heartwarming and wise in the best possible way. Lisette Lecat, the narrator, brings so much warmth and personality to the voices.
This review also appears in https://thereadersvault.blogspot.com/....
This second volume in The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series is an absolute delight. Alexander McCall Smith continues to weave gentle, clever mysteries with enormous heart and subtle humour. In Volume 2, Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s beloved lady detective, takes on new cases with her characteristic compassion and quiet brilliance.
Whether she’s investigating a suspicious suitor or helping a client navigate complex family dynamics, Mma Ramotswe draws on her deep understanding of human nature—especially men (!)—and applies it with grace. The book’s title, borrowed from a curious old guidebook Mma Makutsi finds, adds a touch of playful wisdom throughout the story.
Here are some story highlights from Volume 2: How to Handle Men Through the Application of Psychology of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series:
• “How to Handle Men Through the Application of Psychology”: Mma Precious Ramotswe helps release her fiancé (Mr. Matekoni) from a frightening promise and obligation—and takes on a fresh case that starts her on a gentle quest about love and understanding.
• “House of Hope”: Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi assist a client in finding a husband—but Mma Ramotswe also navigates some delicate marriage tensions of her own.
• “The Return of Note”: Precious’s ex-husband reappears unexpectedly, stirring up memories—and eventually leading her to an unlikely ally in solving a mystery.
• “The Ceremony”: As Precious juggles everyday problems, her return to a former romance threatens her sense of future stability.
• “The Best Profession for a Blackmailer”: Mr. Polopetsi tries his hand at a solo case, while Mma Makutsi ponders whether a new pair of blue shoes could truly bring happiness.
• “A Very Rude Woman” & “Talking Shoes”: These additional cases feature the Agency’s trademark warmth—Precious handling a difficult complaint, and gentle comedic insights, respectively.
What to Expect
• A warm mix of personal reflections and light mystery—each story revolves around an everyday puzzle and a touch of romantic psychology.
• Character depth shines: you’ll smile at Mma Ramotswe’s thoughtful advice and watch Mma Makutsi’s confidence bloom.
• Themes of love, memory, and human kindness thread through each case—along with those charming, quietly insightful moments Botswana is famous for in this series.
What I loved most is how the mysteries are never just about solving crimes—they’re about restoring dignity, mending relationships, and honouring tradition. The setting is beautifully rendered, the characters are rich with personality—Mma Makutsi is especially wonderful in this one—and the tone is quietly uplifting, kind but firm. A perfect read when you want something heartwarming, thoughtful, with enough intrigue to keep you turning the pages. Heartwarming and wise in the best possible way. Lisette Lecat, the narrator, brings so much warmth and personality to the voices.
This review also appears in https://thereadersvault.blogspot.com/....
March 27, 2022
Delightful, or that is the opinion of this "traditionally sized" consumer. Stories included in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: BBC Radio Casebook, Vol. 2: 'How to Handle Men Through the Application of Psychology': Precious Ramotswe sets out to release her fiancé from a terrifying obligation, and a new case sparks a love quest.
'House of Hope': Precious and her assistant visit some bad girls as part of their mission to find a husband for their client, but Precious has some marriage problems of her own.
'The Return of Note': When Precious Ramotswe's ex-husband turns up to cause trouble, she finds an unlikely ally.
'The Ceremony': Precious works her way through a list of her own problems. But will the return of an old love jeopardise her romantic plans?
'There Is No Such Thing as Free Food': Precious is preoccupied both professionally and personally by the subject of food.
'The Best Profession for a Blackmailer': Mr Polopetsi, part-time mechanic and would-be assistant detective, takes on a case of his own while Mma Makutsi finds out if blue shoes are the key to happiness.
'A Very Rude Woman': Precious faces change at the agency while Mr J. L. B. Matekoni meets the rudest person in all Botswana.
'Talking Shoes': A new detective takes on a case for the agency while Mma Ramotswe, among others, has a problem with high blood pressure
'House of Hope': Precious and her assistant visit some bad girls as part of their mission to find a husband for their client, but Precious has some marriage problems of her own.
'The Return of Note': When Precious Ramotswe's ex-husband turns up to cause trouble, she finds an unlikely ally.
'The Ceremony': Precious works her way through a list of her own problems. But will the return of an old love jeopardise her romantic plans?
'There Is No Such Thing as Free Food': Precious is preoccupied both professionally and personally by the subject of food.
'The Best Profession for a Blackmailer': Mr Polopetsi, part-time mechanic and would-be assistant detective, takes on a case of his own while Mma Makutsi finds out if blue shoes are the key to happiness.
'A Very Rude Woman': Precious faces change at the agency while Mr J. L. B. Matekoni meets the rudest person in all Botswana.
'Talking Shoes': A new detective takes on a case for the agency while Mma Ramotswe, among others, has a problem with high blood pressure
July 4, 2020
lovely gentle listen, crime drama in Botswana with plenty of red bush tea and fruit cake
February 14, 2022
Very enjoyable radio play versions of the 'No. 1 Ladies detective agency' books.
March 1, 2024
Just great fun!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews