Reviews with content warning for Death - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

A short and easygoing book. I enjoyed Mma Ramotswe's optimism and determination with solving the cases. I've also not read much set in Africa so it was good to read about this part of the world, clearly written with a deep love. Will definitely be picking up the rest of the series at some point.

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theabee's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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claudine2's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I enjoyed the book, but the format was different than I was expecting.

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mtnest's review against another edition

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adventurous funny informative inspiring mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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art_books_chemistry's review against another edition

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adventurous informative lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I was really hoping I'd like this one. I had the impression at the beginning it would be an African female version of Sherlock Holmes. Which it is, technically. I just don't find it reads as well personally. I do think the cultural differences are part of it, especially since a common theme is men controlling women in various ways. Part of the point is that the main character is trying to change some of this cultural traditional but some of it is her supporting some of it as well.

I appreciated the storyline of a divorced woman post-miscarriage opening her own business when she knows absolutely nothing about said business. It made for some funny antics at various points. I did like some of the little mini mysteries as well including the one that framed the book.

With that, there were several chapters that felt like complete random tangents. I haven't yet decided if I will read the second book but I am hoping if I do that some of the side stories will not continue as they were more background on some of the characters than anything to do with the actual plot line. And these chapters, oof, some of them went on forever. The dialogue as well. One thing about Sherlock Holmes stories, is that nearly all the dialogue plays some role in the solving of the mystery however percentage of the dialogue in Ladies Detective Agency is pure filler. I would say this book was about twice as long as it needed to be.

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