No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
23 primary works • 31 total works
Book 20
The latest instalment from the beloved THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY series
The one with the mysterious reverend . . .
At a local wedding, Mma Ramotswe reunites with a friend whose daughter has inexplicably turned away from her. Elsewhere, several ladies in the region fall under the spell of a charismatic self-styled reverend. With little work on at the agency, Precious and Mma Makutsi see no harm in looking into such curious events. Meanwhile, Charlie is anxious. How can he, the part-time detective, secure his love's hand in marriage? Even in the quietest months, it seems, there's plenty for the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency to investigate . . .
(To the Land of Long Lost Friends is the 20th book in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.)
'Irresistible'
The Times
'Every page contains a gem of wit and insight'
Scotsman
Book 21
Precious Ramotswe loves her dependable old van. Yes, it sometimes takes a bit longer to get going now, and it has developed some quirks over the years, but it has always gotten the job done. This time, though, the world—and Charlie—may be asking too much of it, for when he borrows the beloved vehicle, he returns it damaged. And, to make matters worse, the interior seems to have acquired an earthy smell that even Precious can’t identify.
But the olfactory issue is not the only mystery that needs solving. Mma Ramotswe is confronted by a distant relative, Blessing, who asks for help with an ailing cousin. The help requested is of a distinctly pecuniary nature, which makes both Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni and Mma Makutsi suspicious. And there is no peace at home, either, as the new neighbors are airing their marital grievances rather loudly. Still, Mma Ramotswe is confident that the solutions to all of these difficulties are there to be discovered—as long as she is led by kindness, grace, and logic and can rely on the counsel of her friends and loved ones.
Book 22
Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni attends a course hosted by the local chamber of commerce entitled “Where Is Your Business Going?” But rather than feeling energized, he comes back in low spirits, not sure if he should be satisfied with the already venerable and successful Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors. Then an old friend from school approaches him with an exciting new business venture. When it turns out he will need to mortgage the garage in order to pursue this endeavor, Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi worry about the potential repercussions for his current business—as well as for their own.
But even as she puzzles over mysteries on the domestic front, Mma Ramotswe’s professional duties must take precedence. When a concerned son learns that his aging father’s nurse now stands to inherit the family home, he begins to doubt her intentions and takes his case to Botswana’s premier detective agency. Fortunately, Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi, committed agents of justice, agree to investigate.
Tricky as these matters may be, Mma Ramotswe, armed with her usual supply of tact, humor and good will, knows that the most creative solutions are often found with the support of friends and family and a cup of red bush tea. With these reliable assets, she is certain to ensure that all involved find the happiness that they deserve.
There are times when ladies must use all their wisdom and good sense to face life's problems and mysteries. Mma Ramotswe, owner of the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, keeps her wits about her as she looks into why the country's star goalkeeper isn't saving goals. Georgina turns her rudeness into a virtue when she opens a successful hotel. Italian shop-keeper Fabrizia shows her bravery when her husband betrays her. And in Suffolk during the Second World War, gentle La proves that music really can make a difference.
With his trademark gift for storytelling, international bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith brings us five tales of love, heartbreak, hope and the cleverness of ladies.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency 5-Book Boxed Set
by Alexander McCall Smith
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency: Precious Ramotswe is hired to track down a missing husband, uncover a con man, and follow a wayward daughter. But the case that tugs at her heart, and lands her in danger, is a missing 11-year-old boy, who may have been snatched by witch doctors.
Tears of the Giraffe: Mma Ramotswe tracks a wayward wife, uncovers an unscrupulous maid, and searches for an American man who disappeared into the plains many years ago.
Morality for Beautiful Girls: Precious Ramotswe investigates the alleged poisoning of the brother of an important “Government Man,” and the moral character of the four finalists of the Miss Beauty and Integrity Contest, the winner of which will almost certainly be a contestant for the title of Miss Botswana.
The Kalahari Typing School for Men: A rival detective agency has opened in town—an agency that does not have the gentle approach to business that Mma Ramotswe’s does.
The Full Cupboard of Life: Mma Ramotswe has been approached by a wealthy lady to check up on several suitors. Are these men interested in the lady or just her money?
The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency: BBC Radio Casebook Vol.2
by Alexander McCall Smith
A second collection of eight BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations based on the popular books by Alexander McCall Smith.
'this full- cast production will charm listeners whether they already know and love these stories or are hearing them for the first time' - Audiofile Magazine
'How to Handle Men through the Application of Psychology': Precious Ramotswe sets out to release her fiancé from a terrifying obligation, and a new case sparks a love quest.
'House of Hope': Precious and her assistant visit some bad girls as part of their mission to find a husband for their client, but Precious has some marriage problems of her own.
'The Return of Note': When Precious Ramotswe's ex-husband turns up to cause trouble, she finds an unlikely ally.
'The Ceremony': Precious works her way through a list of her own problems. But will the return of an old love jeopardise her romantic plans?
'There Is No Such Thing As Free Food': Precious is preoccupied both professionally and personally by the subject of food.
'The Best Profession for a Blackmailer': Mr Polopetsi, part-time mechanic and would-be assistant detective, takes on a case of his own; while Mma Makutsi finds out if blue shoes are the key to happiness.
'A Very Rude Woman': Precious faces change at the Agency, while Mr J.L.B. Matekoni meets the rudest person in all Botswana.
'Talking Shoes': A new detective takes on a case for the Agency, while Mma Ramotswe, among others, has a problem with high blood pressure.
Starring Claire Benedict as Mma Ramotswe and Nadine Marshall as Mme Makutsi, these dramatisations will appeal to all fans of the engaging lady detective.
Duration: 6 hrs approx.
The latest instalment from the beloved THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY series
Mma Ramotswe knows she is very lucky indeed. She has a loving family, good friends and a thriving business doing what she enjoys most: helping people. But the latest mystery she is called upon to solve is distinctly trickier than it initially appears, and, of course, there's plenty to handle in her personal life between Charlie and his new bride and Mma Makutsi and her talking shoes.
In the end, Mma Ramotswe's patience and common-sense will win out, and, without a doubt, all will be the better for it.
The twenty-third book in the perennially adored The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.
Grace Makutsi's husband, Phuti, is in a bind. An international firm is attempting to undercut his prices in the office furniture market. Phuti has always been concerned with quality and comfort, but this new firm seems interested only in profits. To make matters worse, they have a slick new advertising campaign that seems hard to beat. Nonetheless with Mma Ramotswe's help, Phuti comes up with a campaign that may just do the trick.
Meanwhile, Mma Makutsi is approached by an old friend who has a troubled son. Grace and Phuti agree to lend a hand, but the boy proves difficult to reach, and the situation is more than they can handle on their own. It will require not only all of their patience and dedication, but also the help of Mma Ramotswe and the formidable Mma Potokwani in order to help the child.
Faced with more than her fair share of domestic problems, Mma Makutsi deals with it all with her usual grace. That, along with the kindness, generosity, and good sense that the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is known for, assure us that in the end, all these matters will be set right.