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The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Audiobook
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(3.01) - 6,746 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This remarkably fresh and charming best-seller took the world by storm upon its publication. It has since earned two Booker Judges' Special Recommendations and was voted one of the "International Books of the Year and the Millennium" by the Times Literary Supplement. Mma "Precious" Ramotswe sets up a detective agency in Botswana on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, making her the only female detective in the country. At first, cases are hard to come by. But eventually, troubled people come to Precious with a variety of concerns. Potentially philandering husbands, seemingly schizophrenic doctors, and a missing boy who may have been killed by witch doctors all compel Precious to roam about in her tiny van, searching for clues. Chosen as a Top Ten Mystery by the Organization of Independent Booksellers, U.S.A., The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is that rare novel that imparts a sage wisdom while inspiring hearty laughter and lasting smiles.
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"I like these books a lot. They are light, but they are full of goodness and the flavor of Botswana. In this one, the detectives must locate a safari guide who has inherited some money... but no one knows his name or the camp he was in, The clues are few, but the ladies come through in the end. In the meantime, a marriage is saved and the niceties of drinking pots of tea are appreciated."
— Gay (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The Miss Marple of Botswana.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Smart and sassy…Precious’ progress is charted in passages that have the power to amuse or shock or touch the heart, sometimes all at once.”
— Los Angeles Times -
“The author’s prose has the merits of simplicity, euphony, and precision. His descriptions leave one as if standing in the Botswana landscape. This is art that conceals art. I haven’t read anything with such alloyed pleasure for a long time.”
— Sunday Telegraph (London) -
“Artful, pleasing…Mma Ramotswe’s love of Africa, her wisdom and humor, shine through these pages as she shines her own light on the problems that vex her clients. Images of this large woman driving her tiny white van or sharing a cup of bush tea with a friend or client while working a case linger pleasantly. General audiences will welcome this little gem of a book just as much if not more than mystery readers.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“South African native Lisette Lecat guides listeners with her precise diction and authentic use of dialect and accents, introducing listeners to Mma Ramotswe, her early life, and her decision to become a detective, providing accounts of her first several cases. The storytelling and setting are both quaint and exotic, portraying the oddities of village life in Botswana…Lecat captures the atmosphere and irony of Smith’s book down to the bush tea. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Listener Reviews
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Alois Treindl, 4/16/2024
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Doug , 3/2/2024
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JANET CHAVEZ, 12/16/2021
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" Another wonderful trip with Precious and all. "
— Penny, 2/14/2014 -
" This book series makes me happy! "
— Karlin, 2/13/2014 -
" I always love McCall's journeys into a world that is so strange to me and so wonderful. "
— Colleenish, 2/10/2014 -
" This was one of the better books in this series. Throughly enjoyed it. "
— Dee, 2/8/2014 -
" Nothing new here, but that's why I like it. The slower pace of life evoked in these books and the gems of wisdom liberally sprinkled in are always a welcome escape from day to day life. I'm glad McCall Smith is still writing this series, not many books can be #11 in a series and still just as enjoyable as the first. "
— Lorie, 1/28/2014 -
" I found this book to be as charming and relaxing a read as is typical for the McCall No. One Ladies Detective series. "
— Sandy, 1/23/2014 -
" Come and enjoy a glass of bush tea, as you read another very familiar romp into the characters you've come to know and love. The book focuses less on mysteries, and more on character development. It was good but nothing different. "
— Brian, 1/22/2014 -
" I have had the pleasure of reading all these books in their order of appearance, that is, in the order of the story, and would recommend this plan of approach to all and sundry. It is so spiritually rewarding to be in the company of Mma Ramotswe as she moves forward through life like a tranquil wave. "
— Stven, 1/22/2014 -
" Loved it ... Mma Matsuki gets rid of the aunt and they go to live in the orphanage together! "
— Cmw, 1/15/2014 -
" A simple, comfortable read while in planes and airports. "
— Irene, 1/14/2014 -
" Not my favorite book of the series, but still a lovely, gentle read. Especially in juxtaposition with the bad-ass sci-fi behemoth I'm struggling through right now ;-) "
— Dianne, 1/6/2014 -
" Yet another extremely enjoyable installment in the series. These books are so wonderful, I always feel a sense of loss whenever I'm on the last page. Then I thumb through the last pages a bit looking for more, just in case I missed something. "
— Beata, 12/25/2013 -
" Love this series. The scenery, the language, the people. Ahhhhh . . . Africa. "
— Marcia, 12/25/2013 -
" It is always a pleasure to come back to the #1 Ladies Detective Club series. Alexander McCall Smith never disappoints. "
— Gloria, 12/25/2013 -
" Precious Ramotswe and her cocharacters are just delightful -- not too deep, although Precious generally has some wisdom and common sense to impart. They are a lovely little diversion from the stresses of today. "
— Jeanusg, 12/25/2013 -
" Charming as always! I really enjoy the imagery of these books. I would love to visit Africa one day. "
— Jessica, 12/23/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this one. "
— Juliet, 9/11/2013 -
" as a traditionally built woman, i heartily recommend this book and the whole series. they are a fast read and quite enjoyable. after completing the series, i have an urge to move to botswana. "
— Sally, 6/18/2013 -
" There's always something comforting about reading about what's going on with Mma Ramotswe. "
— Cindi, 3/25/2013 -
" Sweet story. Interesting way of life. Books always declare a moral and there is interesting way of looking at things. "
— Theresa, 1/22/2013 -
" #11 in this amusing series. The mysteries aren't quite so well-developed, but I suppose the charm is in the characters. It's like a comedy-of-manners in an exotic setting. "
— Peggy, 1/19/2013 -
" another good book by McCall...waiting for the next! "
— Carla, 10/18/2012 -
" Another in the series of the Ladies Detective Agency. I enjoy the series and will probably continue to read them. "
— Diane, 5/6/2012 -
" This was a suitable continuation. Some things in these books I never get tired of, and others that I do, he's starting to make fun of himself. Canny. "
— Charlotte, 4/20/2012 -
" Not a lot happens in this book but it is the reliable story you have come to expect. As always an enjoyable read. "
— Marlene, 4/17/2012 -
" Like all the books in this series, this was a quick, enjoyable read. Nothing fancy, but some great insight into what makes people tick. "
— Karin, 4/2/2012 -
" I always enjoy these gentle stories but this one seemed to be at a slower pace than the others. Enjoyed it anyway but looking forward to when Grace and Phuti can finally get married. "
— Sonia, 1/8/2012 -
" Perhaps not the best in this series but satisfying in the way that these books are. "
— Barbara, 6/30/2011 -
" I don't want to spoil it for others but finally the wedding happens but with drama of course. "
— Kandyce, 6/28/2011 -
" I love these characters! Reading these books is like visiting with old friends. I smile through the entire book. I have read that this might be the last in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I sincerely hope not. What will we do without them. "
— Michelle, 6/28/2011 -
" I love this series. Easy to read and an interesting look at life in Africa. I rented the HBO movie version of this series and enjoyed that, too! "
— Leigh, 6/27/2011 -
" I love the language of Botswana via McCall Smith. I feel I need a Mma Ramotswae book every summer. "
— Margaret, 6/26/2011 -
" I have great admiration for Alexander McCall Smith. How does he do it - write all these books that are so different and fresh and such a pleasure to read? I am envious. And am looking forward to the next installment... "
— Johanna, 6/26/2011 -
" Actually, another 3.5. This book continues in the same vein as the previous Ladies' Detective Agency books. You have to appreciate the simplicity and downright goodness that permeates the main characters. "
— Carol, 6/24/2011 -
" Another romp through the world of Mma Ramotswe and her friends. More great cameos from Mma Makutsi's shoes. All around good fun. "
— Melanie, 6/23/2011 -
" I greatly enjoyed this new edition of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I love them all. Oddly, I have tried McCall-Smith's other series and not been able to get into them. I think the Ladies Detective Agency books are 'Southern' in tone and thus my cup of tea, so to speak. "
— Curtiss, 6/23/2011 -
" Alexander McCall Smith comes through again. "
— Popper, 6/22/2011 -
" Another fun read from McCall Smith. "
— Margaret, 6/22/2011 -
" Mankind can learn a lot from Mma Ramotswe. "
— Sue, 6/22/2011 -
" I love the affirming, kind, yet intriguing nature of the conundrums in this series. "
— Megan, 6/21/2011 -
" Charming as always - I love this series of books for its insights into the human condition - all rendered with gentle humor. Great read. "
— Jacie, 6/20/2011
About Alexander McCall Smith
Alexander McCall Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie series, 44 Scotland Street novels, Corduroy Mansions series, the Perfect Passion Company novels, and more. He has also written stand-alone novels, books for children, and nonfiction works. In 2004 he was named the British Book Awards Author of the Year and Booksellers Association Author of the Year. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served with many national and international organizations concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and taught law at the University of Botswana.
About Lisette Lecat
Christina Moore is an actress and Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. As an actress, she is best known for her roles in the television series That ’70s Show, Hawthorne, and 90210. She is a founding member of Bitches Funny, an all-female sketch group that has performed in New York City and Los Angeles.