The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Collection

No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #1-4

by Alexander McCall Smith

The Full Cupboard of Life( A No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Novel (5)) <> Paperback <> lexanderMcCallSmith, <> AnchorBooks

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

960 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 2005

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

[Angiy Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series . Whilst there are many who are critical of Alexander McCall Smith's work for being light non serious works I think they are missing the point. They are joyful to read BECAUSE they are light . The characters in this series ( and in his others) become like familiar friends and family and each book is like having a lovely catch up on their goings on. The humour is gentle but ever present , the characters are well rounded and you form attachments that are strong enough to want to find out what happens to them next .

This particular series is set in Botswana and I think McCall Smith captures some of the graciousness and humour of that country beautifully and all of the characters endear themselves to you . There is a common thread of gentle philosophy and ponderings on the human condition and human conundrums that crops up in all his works and which adds to the enjoyment of reading them .

I would always recommend this series ( and the Sunday Philosophy Club series) to anyone who is feeling a little battered and bruised by the world or having a stressful time . They offer a light escape for a few hours and you come to the end of each book feeling refreshed as though you had been on a little holiday ..and the musings and goings on of his characters always leave you with a teensy bit more faith in humanity than you had when you opened the pages .

[Alison Orue · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" by Alexander McCall Smith is a charming and heart-warming novel that introduces readers to the world of Mma Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's first female private detective. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Botswana, this book is not just a mystery novel but a celebration of African culture, human kindness, and the strength of an indomitable spirit.

The story follows Mma Ramotswe, who, armed with her keen intuition and deep understanding of human nature, solves various cases that come her way. From tracking down missing husbands to exposing fraud and dealing with wayward children, Mma Ramotswe's cases are as diverse as the people she helps. Each case is a delightful puzzle that reveals more about the characters and the setting.

Mma Ramotswe is a wonderfully crafted protagonist—intelligent, compassionate, and grounded in her values. Her wisdom and wit make her an endearing character, and her dedication to justice is inspiring. Supporting characters like the loyal Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, the hardworking secretary Mma Makutsi, and the various clients she encounters, add depth and richness to the narrative.

The book explores themes of morality, justice, and the complexities of human relationships. Through Mma Ramotswe's eyes, readers gain insight into the struggles and triumphs of ordinary people, making the novel a profound commentary on human nature. McCall Smith's writing is imbued with warmth and humour, making even the most serious of topics approachable and engaging.

Botswana itself is a character in the novel, with McCall Smith's evocative descriptions painting a vivid picture of its landscapes, traditions, and daily life. The setting is integral to the story, providing a unique cultural context that enriches the narrative.

McCall Smith's prose is simple yet eloquent, reflecting the gentle pace of life in Botswana. His storytelling is leisurely, allowing readers to savour each moment and fully immerse themselves in the world he has created. The narrative is peppered with philosophical reflections and cultural insights, making it as informative as it is entertaining.

"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" is a delightful read that offers much more than just mystery. It is a heart-warming exploration of humanity, culture, and the power of one woman's determination to make a difference. Alexander McCall Smith has created a literary gem that leaves readers feeling enriched and uplifted. Whether you are a fan of mystery novels or simply looking for a feel-good read, this book is sure to captivate and charm you from beginning to end.

[Lia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed something fun and light after listening to way too much non-fiction the past few weeks. This was perfect. I love that it's a story about a woman who knows what she wants, knows what she's good at, and knows her business could very well fail but gives it a go anyway. Her cases are mostly humorous, dealing with the vagaries of human nature. In my opinion, they wrap up a little too easily and neatly, but it's all immensely enjoyable, and the departures telling of her and her father's backstories add welcome notes of poignancy. Listening to the audiobook also had the bonus of hearing how to pronounce the African names and hearing the different accents I've probably never heard. I look forward to continuing the series.

[Tara Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Precious Ramotswe might not use the conventional methods one would expect from a private detective but this likeable character and her adventures solving some unusual and intriguing cases for the citizens of Botswana makes for an enjoyable and easy read. The book is somewhat short and I felt there was alot of unnecessary background info, but still a very interesting book in which the author gives readers a glimpse of life in Botswana.

[Holliekins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never been tempted to read this book before, but it was given to me by a friend as part of World Book Night and found it so easy to read that I was finished in less than two days. Full of some larger than life characters and some amusing cases, plus some poignant and disturbing parts, I am looking forward to reading more in the series.

[Kaisser Ghariani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would definitely recommend this book if u like scary/mysterious stories., it’s about a lady in Africa named Ramotswe. She’s the first african lady that has her own detective agency, she solves a lot of dangerous and mysterious problems, for example, missing person, missing child, she also caught stalkers. She gets help from her secretary called Mma Makutsi and together they solve the mysteries in their own special way. The story’s are very short so it makes u wanna read the other chapters to. This book has 44# episodes which makes it interesting, u never know whats gonna happen next. I love these books and i can’t get enough of them

[Cee Jay (Cj) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited to begin another series by Alexander McCall Smith. The biggest struggle is always locating book 1, so I am delighted that I'm starting this one straight. The titles are simply delicious and I can't wait to dive into them all.

[Lerrise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I blew through more Audible credits on this series than any other because it is so very enjoyable and heartwarming! There are 24 novels in the collection, but I finally stopped at #18. A great, delightful, clean series.

[De · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love every book in this series. So fun and comforting to read. And a lot of philosophy within.

[Joy Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love every book in this series

[Tya Teller · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this books

[Lona Brunton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Precious, a native of Botswana, a survivor of domestic abuse is left alone when her father dies and leaves her a small inheritance. Rather than opening a sensible business as her father had hoped, she decides to become a detective ... because she is curious and good at solving problems, and has a knack for getting people to tell her the truth. Each chapter is a quirky and simple solving of some pretty challenging situations ... she solves cases in the most straight forward manner - it's engaging and entertaining being part of progress through common sense. The beautiful side of this book speaks to her love of Africa ... it is a testament to loving one's native land and seeing the beauty in the world, especially a part of the world considered home. This was a fun read.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather enjoyed this book. It was a bit odd at times-the author veers off into flashbacks, and occasionally digresses into philosophical musings, but that was enjoyable all the same. I loved the description of customs in Africa, and of the landscape there. As an American, I found it particularly telling to see how what is considered lower middle class here is considered quite well off there.

Mme. Ramotswe is a fun, vivacious character with quite a sharp wit and a big heart. Even in her gaffs she keeps her head high and her principles intact. This a fun, yet surprisingly thoughtful, mystery that depicts the African culture with beauty and obvious love.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this collection of stories brought to us by Mma Ramotswe as she describes her life, her family and Africa with all of its intricacies and then the clients and their stories as they enter the doors of her new business, The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency.
I add Alexander McCall Smith to my growing list of favorite South African/African authors. Different in some ways,their writing styles,tone and attention to the details of life ,history and love of Africa, as well as quirky characters, are what I think is the appeal. The others on that list include Malla Nunn and my favorite, Wilbur Smith.

[Jessica Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delighted read...

I was rather interested in following the curious and smart lady detective doing her work with courage and heart-felt warmth. The author's humor certainly helps a lot!

The book describes Botswana, an African country in an affectionate manner. It also touched all the issues in African today, of moral, gender, marriage, wicked medicine, war, slave, racist, etc.. But the messages are always simple and clear.

It is a good book to read while you are drinking a cup of bush tea in the late afternoon!

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILER! Life is hard and bleak right now, so I've actively sought something a bit "lighter" to read. Plus, my Mum loves these books & highly recommended them. It did the job! Easy-reading, heart-warming & amusing. The last page killed me, though! What made her do such a u-turn on the marriage issue? Her acceptance came completely out of nowhere, with no explanation! Although it says this is the entire collection, I've only actually read the first book, "The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency". Will I read any more? Doubtful.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a few books of this series awhile ago and don't remember tons of detail, so I'll summarize all with this review.

They're heartwarming and simple (but not at all simple-minded). I read them when I was going through a crisis, and they were a welcome, welcome distraction! They are good comfort food and contain delightful details about the lifestyles of the characters. Recommended for "light" reading that's a bit more thoughtful.

[Corrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read all of this series-- just saw that there are something like 13 in the series now??-- but read the first half-dozen or so a while back, and really enjoyed them. It's hard to put my finger on just what is so delightful about these books, but they are easily engaging and difficult to put down. Will need to go back and re-read them all, and finish out the series (which I'm hoping will continue just as strong!).

[Divine]

i really enjoyed this book. it's kind of a breath of fresh air. i love detective stories and it's great that a woman gets to be the detective. it was a page turner for me, i almost couldn't put it down. my reading pace was a bit slow at first because i was getting used to the style of the book which was different for me. i love how Precious Ramotswe solves the mysteries, there was some humour in it as well. i can't wait to watch the movie!

[Dina Katsnelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read for anyone. It's a mystery set in Botswana about a detective agency run by an unlikely "lady detective". It's just so well written in a simple, honest voice that draws you into the story and into the landscape, and into the life of the main character. I breezed through this book so quickly and was sad when I got to the last page. I haven't read any of the others in the series yet, but this one was just a lovely satisfying read.

[Anna Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really light summer read but still leaves you with something to chew over in the more philosophical parts. I thought it was a lovely book. I liked the characters, the humour and the African setting. I found the second book in this series in a charity shop so I quicky purchased it and look forward to reading it (when I've got through the other 5 or 6 books on my waiting list) :)

[Gemini Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been looking for a lively new series to read for a while. This definitely hit the spot! Colorful, chirpy, suspenseful and wonderfully written. What more could you ask for! A great read for beaches or morning commutes. Love the continuation of this woman's journey and the beautifully described setting of her homeland. Made me wish I was back in Africa.

[Leah Cripps · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book so adorably cute with a simple and straight forward writing style. Although if this had not been set in Botswana, then I probably would not have been interested in reading it. If you are after a light read where cases usually have a satisfactory conclusion then give this first book in a lengthy series a whirl!

[Pamela Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I, too read all of the books from this collection a few years back and enjoyed everyone of them. I don't recall much but, I do remember that they were quite entertaining and the characters were amusing.... light, enjoyable reading!

[Bonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightfully different sort of book to read! Mma Ramotswe is a wonderful character & she explores some rather interesting cases as the lady detective of Botswana. Very easy to get through in a couple of days. I'll be reading the rest of the series aswell.

[Angelique · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe this is not written by an African lady. After hearing it on radio 4, I hear the accents when I read it. It's a light read, a little predictable and probably won't be reading any of the other ones.

[Taty Díaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked it, a very short book written in a different way from what I'm used to. I enjoyed the strong female character and getting to know Botswana through the eyes of the author. It took right back to my childhood.

[Karin]

I'm really enjoying this series. It is a great mom book.

[Pegi Hover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love all of these stories. Was so sad the HBO series ended!

[Dawn Princehorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful book. I thought the setting was good and the main character was very funny as well as serious about what she was doing. I have reserved the other two books by this author.