The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency

by: Alexander McCall Smith
genre: General fiction/mystery
Grade: A

Precious Ramotswe is a traditionally built African woman with a skill for solving mysteries. So when she comes into an inheritance, she opens the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana. Of course, it is the only ladies' detective agency in Botswana . . . .

Precious is a great character, compassionate but not a door mat, hindered by her past but willing to grow and change from it, a good judge of character who also has a tolerance for others mistakes.

I liked Smith's writing style, which while simple is able to evoke strong images and relay just the right amount of information. I loved his look at Africa, the way people think and how life there is conducted. It was wonderful to read about winter being a great time to take a stroll (not so much where I am ;-), snakes getting into the engine or undercarriage of your car (very dangerous), the bush Mma. Romotswe loves, the culture of the Botswana people and their language -- it was all interesting and wonderful.

The mysteries are simple but that is what makes them fun. There is great danger in Africa -- witch doctors (of which the modern people are ashamed), gangsters, frauds -- but most of what the Ladies' Detective Agency deals with are simple frauds made by people who while dishonest are not serial killers (what a refreshing break!)

There is a gentle romance in the story which involves two good friends slowly working towards a marriage. It was subtle but its undercurrent is felt through out. I really enjoyed it because it was so refreshingly normal -- no heavy lust, no "IloveyoubutIhateyou", just a relationship that gently goes from step to step ending in love.

If you haven't given these a chance, give them a try. They are easy, quick reads.

Tea:If you can get your hands on it bush tea. If not, one of the red teas which are grown in Africa.