The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency  (English, Paperback, McCall Smith Alexander)

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith is the first book in The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, featuring a middle-aged female detective, whose prime concern is helping people solve their day-to-day problems.

Summary Of The Book

Precious Ramotswe is the protagonist of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. She is portrayed by Smith as a divorced and overweight woman, who is keen on setting up a detective agency so that she could help the people in her community with their problems. Becoming the first lady detective in Botswana is no small feat, considering Precious lives in a society where there are clear rules about what women can and cannot do. After her father passes away, Precious sells the cattle she acquires in her inheritance and buys a house. She also manages to afford a room and a sign, from where she intends on doing her “detective work”.

Unlike the murder and bloodshed that readers are so accustomed to in typical detective novels, the focus of Smith’s novel is on character development. It is not to say that mystery and suspense are void from this story. In fact, there are many edge-of-the-chair moments during the course of the story, especially when she is hiding in a van awaiting a killer. The witty and intuitive Mma Ramotswe is able to solve mysteries within two chapters of the novel, but it is her outlook on serious matters and her sense of humour which Smith focuses on in his novels. Apart from Mma Ramotswe, readers will encounter other memorable characters such as Mma Matsuki, the assistant, and Mr. Matekoni, the talented mechanic.

Through her unconventional methods and uncanny intuition, Mma Ramotswe will take readers along as she attempts to find a child who has been kidnapped by witchdoctors. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency was the recipient of two Special Recommendations from Booker Prize judges. The Times Literary Supplement voted this novel as the International Book of the Millenium and Year.

About Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith is an author and Professor Emeritus, who hails from Bulawayo, Rhodesia. He has authored numerous series. Some of these series are 44 Scotland Street, The World According to Bertie, Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, The Careful Use of Compliments, The Sunday Philosophy Club, and Corduroy Mansions.

Smith completed his Ph.D. in Law from the University of Edinburgh. He later became a Professor of Medical Law here before becoming a Professor Emeritus at the University’s School of Law. Smith received many awards and accolades for his contributions to medical law and literature. The most notable award was when he was appointed as a CBE for his literary contributions. He also received the Doctor of Laws Honorary Degree from the University of Edinburgh. Smith’s wife Elizabeth is a physician. They reside with their family in Edinburgh, Scotland.