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3rd out of 60 books
—
26 voters
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #6)
by
Alexander McCall Smith (Goodreads Author)
THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY - Book 6
Fans around the world adore the bestselling No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, the basis of the HBO TV show, and its proprietor Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s premier lady detective. In this charming series, Mma Ramotswe navigates her cases and her personal life with wisdom, and good humor—not to mention help from her loyal ass...more
Fans around the world adore the bestselling No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, the basis of the HBO TV show, and its proprietor Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s premier lady detective. In this charming series, Mma Ramotswe navigates her cases and her personal life with wisdom, and good humor—not to mention help from her loyal ass...more
Hardcover, 233 pages
Published
April 19th 2005
by Pantheon
(first published 2004)
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There is something so comforting about this series. Even though life in Botswana is most likely very different than life in Canada, there is something about the tone or writing style that reminds me of life at my grandparent's house. I love the traditional values, the respect for people/property/manners. And most of all, I love that it is important to slow down and really be in the moment with those important to you. I know that the future installments become a little formulaic. However, every s...more
I found this one to be more entertaining than some of the books in the series. I wouldn't recommend the "No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series to just anyone, but I admit I have enjoyed it. The landscape of Botswana is depicted beautifully, lovingly throughout.
I think some folks might NOT appreciate the idyllicism, the simplicity of characters, the repetition. The people and situations are charmingly simple (the style has been called utopian)and it really worked for me but I wonder if some migh...more
I think some folks might NOT appreciate the idyllicism, the simplicity of characters, the repetition. The people and situations are charmingly simple (the style has been called utopian)and it really worked for me but I wonder if some migh...more
On page 110 and 111 I was very much able to relate to the issue Mma Ramotswe and Mma Potekwane discussed, I wrote the quotes from those pages down, for your entertainment:)
"Mma Ramotswe sighed. "We are all tempted, Mma. We are all tempted when it comes to cake." "That is true," said Mma Potekwane. "There are many temptations in this life, but cake is probably one of the biggest of them.""
""Temptation is very difficult," said Mma Ramotswe quietly. "I do not always resist it. I am not a strong wom...more
"Mma Ramotswe sighed. "We are all tempted, Mma. We are all tempted when it comes to cake." "That is true," said Mma Potekwane. "There are many temptations in this life, but cake is probably one of the biggest of them.""
""Temptation is very difficult," said Mma Ramotswe quietly. "I do not always resist it. I am not a strong wom...more
The entire #1 Ladies Detective Agency series is the most unique set of books I have ever read. I really believe McCall deserves all of the hype he gets for this series, as it has universal appeal.
Mma Ramoswe ponders the questions in life that so many of us do, (or would, if we would just slow down a bit!) But she is so human, too, and some of my favorite parts of this recent addition are the instances in which she muses about Mma Makutsi's "97 percent", but stops just shy of admitting that she i...more
Mma Ramoswe ponders the questions in life that so many of us do, (or would, if we would just slow down a bit!) But she is so human, too, and some of my favorite parts of this recent addition are the instances in which she muses about Mma Makutsi's "97 percent", but stops just shy of admitting that she i...more
I don't know whether the books are getting better as the series continues, or if I have simply slid into the comfort zone they create for me, with all their repetition and rambling and familiarity, but it seems to me that they are becoming more thematically focused and cohesive. This book's intertwining plots center on appearance and reality, on expectations and prejudgment and how they may obscure the truth: from the book's beginning, where Mma Ramotswe, trying to stop a crime, is taken for a c...more
Whenever I am stressed, have too many deadlines, or simply have been reading too much heavy, sad stuff, I look for another in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. It is just relaxing, pleasant reading to imagine myself sitting under an acacia tree in the hot Botswana sun drinking bush tea... Although a totally different climate and history, Botswanna in a way reminds me of rural Costa Rica 20 years ago. The slow pace of life, everyone knows each other, and honesty and reputation and ethics...more
this is a most enjoyable little novel about a large african lady who uses her inheritance to set up a detective agency. she solves small, human, mysteries in a clever way. warm, funny and thoroughly enjoyable stuff. the 6th in the series. humane, whimsical, and humorous as always. in this one, mme Ramwatsi has trouble with her 'ex', Note, and mma Maccutse finally finds a good man.
I love the characters of Mma Precious Ramatswe, Mma Grace Makutsi and Mr J.L.B. Matekoni and have gained appreciation for Botswana and the respectful attitudes of its traditional way of life. The books in this series have brightened my evenings.
After a few years break, I picked up the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series with installment six In the Company of Cheerful Ladies. This reunion with Lady Detective Precious Ramotswe immediately brought me to the warm and famiiar characters stories that originally attracted me. This story is no less compelling, though it has that Botswana pace where everything takes the time it needs and one must just wait. As the story unfolds, we have apprentices acting up, a gambling financier to find, dan...more
Delightful!The more I read McCall Smith, the more I look forward to reading more.
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Since so many people are writing reviews about these wonderful books and discussing the plot, I think I will talk about Africa and especially the way Mma Ramotswe feels about her home and her people. Reading these books has given me the same feeling I got from the beginning of Out of Africa and Cry, the Beloved Country. There is such a deep love of the land in these characters and I find myself wanting to be there with them. I also find myself remembering how I felt in Mississippi in the days of...more
In this sixth entry in McCall Smith's consistently delightful series, Botswana detective Precious Ramotswe, the traditionally built—and newly married—owner of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, is saddled with a surfeit of challenging cases and personal crises.
"One might have all the things which the modern world offered, but what was the use of these if they destroyed all that which gave you strength and courage and pride in yourself and in your country?"
There has been an intruder in her home...more
"One might have all the things which the modern world offered, but what was the use of these if they destroyed all that which gave you strength and courage and pride in yourself and in your country?"
There has been an intruder in her home...more
Even as I was reading this Alexander McCall Smith No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency book, I wondered why I like reading these books so much. Nothing much every happens in them and often mysteries get left unsolved. But what I do find myself caught up in the slow pace and mannered relationships of the characters. Also, Smith conveys the landscape of Botswana so well that it's easy to imagine oneself in the middle of the scene.
In this book, Precious has to come face to face with her troublesome past...more
In this book, Precious has to come face to face with her troublesome past...more
I like how in this particular book of the series, that detective work and Mma Ramotswe’s personal life are merging. Last time I complained that there is not enough mystery in the novel. Now, many things happen to her that are actual mysteries! I also liked how she got sentimental with her "tiny white van". They're so connected! When something happened to it, she took it personally. That is so with me and my "tiny green car"! When an automobile has been with you for so long, it's a member of the...more
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This is what I wrote about the book at my blog after finishing it a few years ago:
I do love to read about Precious Ramotswe, the No. 1 Lady Detective of Botswana! So when book six arrived I had to have it ;) Alexander McCall Smith tells his story with warmth and humor. I laugh out load at several occasions and love the way he makes me feel like I’m a little bit there together with them all. Even though I never been to Botswana my self....more
This time Mma Ramotswe have to solve several cases; one of th
I'm easing through the series and found this one to be absolutely riveting. I don't recommend beginning with this book if you're starting out because it is a little out of the norm for the series. The stories of Mma Ramotswe are gentle, almost mythical in their unfolding. Nothing alarming happens, generally, but you are entranced by the events in each book, finding yourself reading slower in order to remain in the locale as long as possible. They are charming.
"In the Company of Cheerful Ladies"...more
"In the Company of Cheerful Ladies"...more
Book 6 is much more a character driven plot than a mystery driven story. We are invited inside the lives of the characters and take a journey that is both fun and scary. Alexander McCall Smith even push one of his character into a corner, digged a hole and found a way for the character to bring himself or herself out of the trouble. I was a bit worried I admit when the got to that part but I shouldn't have. This is Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makusti, which I just love, especially in this, M. J.L.B Mateko...more
This was first book from this series that I picked in the library trully randomly They had this one on CDs. Sounded like a good thing to listen to on our long drive back from east coast. It truly was a pleasure. Incredibly beautiful full of good will and funny. If you ever need something to lift your spirits , this is great book. It is a mystery series so it has nice plot while also situated in Africa, which adds a nice character to the book.
I was told that it really does not matter what order...more
I was told that it really does not matter what order...more
Dec 26, 2009
Keli Wright
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to Keli by:
my aunt
if you have not started to read this series then go get book number one of this and start reading them right now. These books are great feel good books. This was number six in the series and a great book. I liked all the stories and loved the way things were handled. I don't want to say anything else without there being spoilers. what I can say is in case you don't know these books are about a lady in Africa that has a detective agency. She is married to a mechanic and has an assistant. The book...more
Precious Ramotswe, Botwana's No.1 Lady Detective, is usually concerned with other people's problems and mishaps. She handles these with aplomb, common sense and, sometimes a little pressure... Her usual cheerfulness is rarely put to the test. Yet, when it comes to difficulties in her own life, she is not so well prepared. She has, after all, a position to maintain and this limits her options. Mma Makutsi is her junior in the agency, which makes her unsuitable as a confidante. And Mr J.L.B. Matek...more
All the books in the series have been enjoyable but this one is my favorite of the moment. More actually happens in this book than usual -- the appearance of Mma Ramotswe's ex-husband, the no good trumpet player -- but still what I like the most are the quiet reflections by the characters, the notice given to daily rituals, the landscape. My favorite parts may have been the conversation about cake ("There are many temptations in life but cake is probably one of the biggest of them.") and Mr. J.L...more
Apr 06, 2013
Neena
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of cozy mysteris set in small towns
Shelves:
private-detective-mysteries,
cozy-mysteries
This is sixth book in the series No.1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. Precious is busy with worries over unsolved case of Zambian financer, an incident about intrutder in her house, a pumpkin left at her door by some unknown person and at the same time she’s being blackmailed because of her deep past secret. Her efficient assistant Mma Makutsi is preoccupied with thoughts of finding a husband and setting Charlie straight who is seeing an old rich woman. Between all the things...more
"There are many mysteries developing in our lives, Mma Makutsi, what with these rich ladies in silver cars, bicycles, pumpkins and all the rest, and we shall have to sort them all out."
Pumpkins? You might say..Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi certainly have their hands full in this instalment, although the only real case that they were hired to investigate is to track a certain Zambian financier who embezzled some money.
As usual being the concerned citizen of Botswana as they are, the two ladies soo...more
Pumpkins? You might say..Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi certainly have their hands full in this instalment, although the only real case that they were hired to investigate is to track a certain Zambian financier who embezzled some money.
As usual being the concerned citizen of Botswana as they are, the two ladies soo...more
Initially, the reader Lisette Lecat's prolonging of the initial "M" in Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi's titles drove me nuts. Once I noticed it, I couldn't stop noticing it, it seemed. It's quite possible that she was pronouncing it perfectly, but still I found it distracting.
My brother had been a big fan of the short-lived television series and urged me to stick it out. I did, and found myself drawn into the story of these two very funny and resourceful characters and their neighbors and friends....more
My brother had been a big fan of the short-lived television series and urged me to stick it out. I did, and found myself drawn into the story of these two very funny and resourceful characters and their neighbors and friends....more
I've tried to read this series before. I finished No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency years ago. I've tried to read Tears of the Giraffe, and not gotten very far.
I'm not sure what possessed me to pick this up.
I wanted a mystery, in a foreign locale. Botswana seemed pretty foreign. Except as McCall writes it this might as easily have been in Hampstead as Gaborone. And the mysteries...lack the urgency and bite I really want. Really, I just want a simple B&E, with maybe some grand theft here or the...more
I'm not sure what possessed me to pick this up.
I wanted a mystery, in a foreign locale. Botswana seemed pretty foreign. Except as McCall writes it this might as easily have been in Hampstead as Gaborone. And the mysteries...lack the urgency and bite I really want. Really, I just want a simple B&E, with maybe some grand theft here or the...more
I didn't like this book as much as the others... I think it's the weakest for now... First of all there was no real case and second I'm not one to forgive and forget so this thing with Note and how Mma Ramotswe forgave him was boring (and all the story, too) so I really fast forwarded some things and I never do this unless the book is really boring. But now Note is gone so I'm sure I'll like the next books.
Another thing that I'm starting to resent... Mma Makutsi's 97 per cent... Really... does s...more
Another thing that I'm starting to resent... Mma Makutsi's 97 per cent... Really... does s...more
Five cheers for Alexander McCall Smith and his series!!!!! In this story, the plot does not focus entirely on the traditionally built Mma Ramotswe, but weaves in the experiences of the other characters in one of the most entertaining books of the series.
Reading this series is like returning to a familiar neighborhood to meet old friends. In a simple, direct and leisurely pace, the author recreates the colorful lives of a repeating set of characters who treasure relationships, treat each other w...more
Reading this series is like returning to a familiar neighborhood to meet old friends. In a simple, direct and leisurely pace, the author recreates the colorful lives of a repeating set of characters who treasure relationships, treat each other w...more
I've read many of the books in this series over the years and basically enjoy them, although I was able to put the series down for some time without really missing it. This volume I listened to as an audiobook. The narrator was quite good, but I had problems maintaining my attention. The novels are much more atmosphere than plot--which works better, I think, in a read version than a listened version. It was hard for me to remember where I'd left off when I picked up the story again, and several...more
More subtle, sometimes amusing, endearing words of wisdom made this book another reminder of why I love this author and this series. I can relax and slow my harried pace, be encouraged, escape to a friendly place - and this is what I needed, being stressed beyond my limits. I know some people hate this series; some just don't get it (one woman said, "there's not enough going on to keep my interest,") and that's OK - it's not for everyone. I've noticed people either really like this series or rea...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodreads Librari...: Please add page numbers | 2 | 7 | Feb 28, 2013 09:53am | |
| Life in Botswana, human relationships, goodness | 13 | 42 | Jun 05, 2012 12:14pm |
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...more
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“She had so much love to give - she had always felt that - and now there was somebody to whom she could give this love, and that, she knew, was good; for that is what redeems us, that is what makes our pain and sorrow bearable - this giving of love to others, this sharing of the heart.”
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