Reviews - The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency

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2.51k reviews for:

The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency

I like the setting and concept of this story but it's so painfully obviously written by a man that I couldn't get in to the story. Everything is in such gendered boxes, and even though the main protagonist is a convention bucking woman he just can't muster giving her a three dimensional inner life.

diana7011's review against another edition

4.0

I thought this was a creative story about a woman who decides to open a detective agency and some of her cases getting started. I really enjoyed it and as it is the first book in a series I don't doubt in time I just might have to look into reading more books. The author lived in Africa so it does appear that he knows a good deal about what life and the people who inhabit this country.

annie_bruza's review against another edition

2.0

Alexander McCall Smith is an excellent storyteller. He weaved past and present and our sympathies with the main character beautifully. His characters left a lot to be desired, especially his men- who ranged from flawed to horrible to dead. This book at times read like a love letter to Botswana and at other times his description of the country left much to be desired. His main character (a modern, single, business-owning woman) often contemplated her love for her country and her desire for it to remain unique from the West while also condemning her culture's use of witchcraft and traditional, out-dated gender roles. This would've been a great opportunity to see her wrestle with her desires for her country, but it instead left a gaping hole for a positive vision of Botswana's future.

While this book isn't a mystery and doesn't claim to be, we see her solve a few cases during her ownership of the detective agency. There is no suspense or really much tension. A lot of her problems seemed to be solved by being in the right place at the right time. She references Agatha Christie a few times, so it seems there is the desire for her character to be compared to the great detectives, but aside from a little undercover work, there isn't much to compare.

terrireads's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

hoodwinker13's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

drfuriosa's review against another edition

5.0

Alexander McCall Smith shot to fame with his No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, and rightfully so. This book is charming, funny, and deeply sad all at once. Smith delicately balances these pieces in such a way that you feel moved without feeling too heavy. It was an incredible privilege to begin my ENGL 2000 course with this book. It's gentle but frank, approachable but thought-provoking. If you've never read this book, you really must. It's a treat.

1/10/18 update: some things remain evergreen when read, and thankfully, this book is one of those things. I am struck by the gentle spirit and love for others that emanates from Mma Ramotswe's spirit. I am reading through the entire series this year, and what a delight.

marci6tx's review against another edition

3.0

This book was recommended to me awhile ago by a woman I worked with...mainly because she knew of my love for Africa. I thought it was overall a good book. I grew to really like the main character and the many "mini-stories" within the main one kept my interest. It was fun to have some reminders of my own Africa experience as well (flashlights being referred to as torches and people serving you hot drinks to help with a hot day). There is more on my blog :-).