During March and April, I chose to re-visit Alexander McCall Smith’s delightful series “The Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency.”
I love this series! I have read part of it before and thought it would be a good re-read during our lengthy DIY project of new hardwood flooring throughout the main level of our house. I also painted the living room, master bedroom and so very much trim. We worked on the projects every single day after work and on weekends. I thought I would keep my reading choices simple and lighthearted as reading time was minimal and I was tired! Please note the beautiful oak flooring as background to the photos. 🙂
I am only going to summarize the first and last books that I read in the series. I will place a few quotes that I had noted in my reading journal for several of the in between books.
“The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” (Book #1) ©1998 by Alexander McCall Smith
The main character is Precious Ramotswe. The setting is the business she started, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. The background is the country of Botswana. Additional characters include Mma Makutsi, the secretary who earned a 97% from the College of Secretarial and Office Skills, and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, proprietor of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, a car repair shop, and his two young apprentices.
The plot revolves around various local mysteries. Most of which are small personal matters such as a lost family member, errant spouses, employees who are dishonest or unexplained events that need resolution.
Mma Ramotswe uses the book, “The Principles of Private Detection” by Clovis Anderson to guide the detection operations and uses her own moral compass to help people find what they need. I appreciate how kind Mma Ramotswe is throughout the series. She understands what people feel. Even people who do wrong are given consideration; she doesn’t rub their noses in whatever mess they made or gloat over catching them out.
The stories are driven by these characters and plots, but they are really about life. Mma Ramotswi is a kind and forgiving woman. She is generous with her time and talents; she is given to reflection and philosophizing.
“Tears of the Giraffe” (Book #2) ©2000 by Alexander McCall Smith
“Morality for Beautiful Girls” (Book #3) ©2001 by Alexander McCall Smith
“The Kalahari Typing School for Men” (Book #4) ©2002 by Alexander McCall Smith
“The Full Cupboard of Life” (Book #5) ©2003 by Alexander McCall Smith
One of the lovely quotes from this series:
“We find what we are looking for in life, her father had once said to her; which was true – if you look for happiness, you will see it, if you look for distrust and envy and hatred – all those things – you will find those too.”
pages 121-122
“In the Company of Cheerful Ladies” (Book #6) ©2004 by Alexander McCall Smith
Quote from Mma Makutsi:
“She loved this country, which was a good place, and she loved those with whom she lived and worked. She had so much love to give – she had always felt that – and now there was somebody to whom she could give this love, and that, she knew, was good; for that is what redeems us, that is what makes our pain and sorrow bearable – this giving of love to others, this sharing of the heart.”
page 233
“Blue Shoes and Happiness” (Book #7) ©2006 by Alexander McCall Smith
“The Good Husband of Zebra Drive” (Book #8) ©2007 by Alexander McCall Smith
“The Miracle at Speedy Motors” (Book #9) ©2008 by Alexander McCall Smith
Another wise quote:
“…Mma Ramotse was right; evil repaid with retribution, with punishment; had achieved half its goal; evil repaid with kindness was shown to be what it really was, a small, petty thing, not frightening at all, but something pitiable, a paltry affair.”
page 205
“Tea Time for the Traditionally Built” (Book #10) ©2009 by Alexander McCall Smith
Another quote:
““Is it true,” she had asked, “that the sun will swallow up the earth and that will be that?”
Treavor had smiled. “I do not think that this is going to happen in the near future, Mma Ramotse”, he had replied. “Certainly not by next Tuesday, when the Botswana Mothers’ Union meets. And, frankly, I don’t think we should worry too much about that. Our concerns should be what is happening right now. There is plenty of work for love to do, you know.”
There was plenty of work for love to do. That was a wonderful way of putting it, and she had told him that this could be the best possible motto for anyone to have.
…There was breakfast to be made, and letters to be answered, and the problems in clients lives to be sorted out. There was quite enough to do without worrying about the sun consuming the earth.”
pages 55-56
“The Double Comfort Safari Club” (Book #11) ©2010 by Alexander McCall Smith
“The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party” (Book #12) ©2011 by Alexander McCall Smith
“The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection” (Book #13) ©2012 by Alexander McCall Smith
Mr. Clovis Anderson from Muncie, Indiana, USA and author of “The Principles of Private Detection” arrives in Botswana on vacation and stops by the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency on a whim/professional curtesy. Everyone is delightfully surprised! Mr. Clovis Anderson for being well known and revered. Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi for having their hero in their office.
During his visit, Mr. Clovis Anderson helps them to solve a case that helps Mma Potokwane and the Orphan Farm.
This next quote is so kind and thoughtful of Mma Ramostswe. She helps Mr. Clovis Anderson when he is feeling a bit of a fraud, for his book really did not sell in the USA and he is still grieving his wife.
““Ra,” she said, “You mustn’t say that, you must never, never say that. Even if you had printed only ten copies – five copies maybe – it would still be an important book. It has helped us so much, Ra, and in turn we’ve been able to help so many people in our work. Every one of those people, Ra, is happier now because of what you did. Think of that – just think of that.”
on one of the last pages of the book
I read 13 of the 24 books in this series during March and April. The most recent addition to the series was published just this year (2023).
I enjoyed this series of stories very much and someday I may read the whole series. I liked the pervasive kindness expressed in small and large ways. I liked that even though the books were positive and kind, that did not mean nothing bad ever happened. People were cruel, accidents occurred, misunderstandings and mistakes were made, but through it all love, kindness and forgiveness healed hurts, made the bad stuff more bearable and helped the readers to fall in love not only with the characters but the beautiful country of Botswana.
Nice Flooring!!! ( ;
This sounds like a good series. I’m also intrigued by the cover artwork on the books – right or wrong – the artwork and title can encourage me to desire the content.
I love the new flooring! I enjoy the cover artwork of the books as well. Some are photographs, but not all.
I have never read this series or even one of the books. But I’m going to now with your suggestion. And the floor looks amazing. I am currently reading Water for Elephants and am enjoying it very much!
If you do read “The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency”, I hope you enjoy it. I read “Water For Elephants” many years ago. I remember thinking it was pretty good and I liked the animals. It could be time for a re-read?