The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Volume 6

BBC Afternoon Drama: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #6

by Alexander McCall Smith, Claire Benedict (Narrator), Nadine Marshall (Narrator)

Warm, humorous and uplifting, Alexander McCall Smith's hugely popular novels featuring Precious Ramotswe, proprietor of Botswana's only female private detective agency, have become international bestsellers, sold over seven million copies, and been translated into 26 languages. These acclaimed productions, complete with vibrant music, bring the exotic world of the books vividly to life.

The Return of Note finds Mma Ramotswe in a compromising situation when her past catches up with her. But things are looking brighter for her assistant, Mma Makutsi, when she takes up ballroom dancing. It was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 1 February 2007.

The Ceremony sees Mma Ramotswe's agency work under control at last, so she has time to take care of her own problems. Can she release her fiance Mr J. L. B. Matekoni from his rash undertaking to do a charity parachute jump? And will the return of an old love jeopardise her plan to spring a romantic surprise on her husband-to-be? It was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 8 February 2007.

Starring Claire Benedict as Mma Ramotswe and Nadine Marshall as Mma Makutsi, these dramatisations are guaranteed to appeal to all fans of the engaging lady detective.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook

2 pages, Audio CD

First published January 8, 2008

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

[Sandra]

my second foray into reading books by this author, what a delight this was , introducing the reader to Precious Ramotswe, and as the story unfold i felt it became not just a story of her life but also gives an insight into life in Botswana and Africa. i really want to read more in the series

[Carmelle]

Truly, after talking to friends who enjoyed this, I think it was the audio reader who killed this one for me. i couldn't take anything humorously. It all seemed dark, dreary, and never ending. When the plot got more depressing and eerie, I didn't finish.

[Karen Pratt]

Another good instalment

[Nicole Smith]

Not what I was expecting. Modern, African Murder She Wrote.

[Joanna Luchterhand]

I'm not totally familiar with Africa but there were some funny parts I enjoyed.

[DonHSr]

Read several pages and decided that this is not the kind of book that I want to read.

[Ruth]

Great fun. Love this protagonist!

[Nuria Sánchez]

Nice book!

[Frankie Musson]

Slightly simple stories, which were often disjointed but I liked the characters.

[Simon]

This, friends, is a delightful little novel. I loved the main character and milieu so much that I was perfectly happy to overlook the loose and meandering plot. The almost-picaresque structure of Precious Ramotswe's adventures as the sole proprietor of Botswana's Number One Ladies' Detective Agency makes for an entertaining, episodic read that's easy to read in short bursts.

It's a novel firmly grounded in setting, as well. The country and culture of Botswana are deeply ingrained in the story, and Precious' love for her homeland and people is contagious. It's almost as much a cultural experience as a fictional sojourn.

McCall Smith's wry humor, his respect for his characters and setting, and his light authorial touch combine to make this a thoroughly entertaining read. The occasional laugh-out-loud moments are simply the icing on the cake.

Highly recommended.

[Susiane]

I cant remember the last time I read a mystery novel, but this one was good. Easy read with an interesting storyline. I love any book with any theme of female empowerment and this fits right in. Its about a single woman in Botswana who opens a detective agency with no professional experience, just tuned intuition and common sense. This was a fun book to read and not one that I would usual pick out.

[Gabrielle Coffman]

I loved this book. I love the character of the detective, Precious Ramotswe, she is such an endearing person. She has had a difficult past but has found a way to live and thrive with her own sense of beauty and charm, I want to be just like her when I grow up!

I encourage all my book club friends to read this author if they haven't already- here is his website-


www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk

He also writes juvenile fiction... I can't wait to check out his other books..

[Mary]

The book I have read is the first book in "The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series. It is interesting to consider that a woman would start her own detective agency. To make it even better, the story is set in Africa. As a result, I have learned something new about a different part of the world: its people, language, and culture. The main character is unique, as are her cases. Makes me want to read more in the series.

[Liz Kickham]

This was a fun and quick little read. The main character's 'adventures' were a bit tame and sometimtes the solutions to the problems, while very clever, seemed a bit too simplistic/easy. I like a bit more complexity. I also wondered about the author's essentialization of his female protagonist. She seemed one-dimensional in many ways even give the attempt at back story.

[Jackie]

So fun, So cute, easy and it takes place in Afica, so it's like a mini vaca for your mind.

I'll have to keep this in mind if I ever have a daughter - this would be a good one for a tween, or maybe younger?

Only read the first one though.

[Ruby]

(audiobook) I enjoyed this so much! . It is not just a detective book. It is a book that lets you experience Botswana. I felt I was there watching Mma Ramotswe solve her cases and outwitting the criminals while sitting at her agency sipping bush tea and enjoying pumpkin stew.

[Paula Soper]

It's amazing how much more a book contains when I read it for a second time. I now know what a "go away" bird looks and sounds like. I am saddened by references to apartheid. I think I have found my new listening series.

[Kathryn]

This is a simple, feel-good book that I really enjoyed.

[Jeri]

Listened to the audio book. Wonderful voice on the narrator. Great story with such dear characters.

[Leslie]

This series is lovely. Deceptively simple, full of charm and warmth.

[Nicole]

This was my first "cozy mystery" and I really enjoyed it. The characters are likable and the author manages to tackle some pretty grim subject matter without going completely dark and depressing.

[Chris]

Alexander McCall Smith has created a wonderful, engaging, clever main character.I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series.

[Susan]

just reading this for my book group for the second time - I love these books as an easy but rewarding read.

[Alison]

Great novel that is a laid back read giving insight into what life is like in Kenya.

[Lynette]

The character of Precious Mamotswe is endearing and emboldening. I would like to meet her - she rocks!

[Cath]

Loved this book- simple and so enjoyable. The essence of Botswana seems to permeate as Precious Ramotse meticulously goes about solving the cases brought to her. A pleasure to read

[Deirdre]

Loved this folksy book and McCall's characters. I was actually in Botswana when reading this book.

[Cathy Cross]

a great mystery with loveable characters. McCall Smith got the Botswana manners and details just right

[Pamela Blunt]

I like all of his novels--just sweet, engaging light mysteries.

[Sadie-Jane Huff]

absolutely hooked to this series....
2 more left :(

will definitely get cracking on the books soon!