These are just fun. Not anything deep, but entertaining. I loved learning little tidbits about Botswana, and African women.

leaves a nice warm feeling. Believe that it is now a moo-viie, would like to avoid that as book is so endearing

The first book is difficult to get through, but the others are great. Very entertaining and clever in writing style. It reminded me a lot of the style many of my international friends communicated in. Mma Ramotswe is just a joy to follow.

The author's deep love and respect for the people of Botswana comes shining through in his characters. The story lines are human and full of grace. Charming and lovely.

These books are so much fun and easy to read. They are the perfect summer beach books. I reccommend these to everyone.

Sweet/funny books that give some insight into Botswana culture.

A good series of mysteries solved by a kind and very sensible lady-while giving such a sense of place as to make you think you've been to Botswana & are starting to understand the traditional way of going about things.

I've read every book in this series as far as I know. After living four years in West Africa as a boy, I can relate somewhat to the way Africans think, and the pace of life. Even though I've never been to Botswana, reading these books is a little like going home for me. These books have no real climax other than Mma Ramotswe's occasionally solving a problem for one of her clients, Mr. J L B Matekoni doing another good deed for the orphanage after being bribed with fruit cake, or another run-in between Mma Makutsi and the apprentices. Gives a glimpse into the warm depth of the African heart and into the warm heart of Africa.

I love the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books. The first one is a bit slow, but after that you can't put them down. They are fun clean books to read.

The inspiration for the No.1 Lady Detective, Ma Ramotswe, came to McCall Smith while he observed a "traditionally built and cheerful" woman chasing a chicken in a yard in Botswana. Precious Ramotswe became the heroine of this delightful and engaging series. The box set contains the first three volumes and, as an extra treat, an African folk tale from a forthcoming collection. If you, as I did, just bought the first volume on its own, keep it to lend or give to friends and get the set right away. Mm Ramotswe's charm, humanity and her special sense of fairness will keep you entertained and your heart warmed. You will feel like the author who could not leave Ma Ramotswe at the end of the first book - "it would have been like leaving in the middle of a conversation".

The diverse cases handled by the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, while providing a thread through the books, are not really the main theme. The stories provide the reader with an insight into social aspects of one African society rarely offered in such a caring and empathic way. With great sensitivity McCall Smith explores rising conflicts between the traditional values of Botswana society and the modern influences brought from the cities across the border in South Africa. Of course, there are also the usual domestic conflicts that are the bread and butter of private detectives. Mma Ramotswe solves these with aplomb and wit, using common sense and her own version of justice. It is sometimes more important to teach the culprit a lesson and change his ways than to hand him (or her) over to the police authorities...

Through all the descriptions of her cases and daily goings on in her life, McCall Smith reveals his love for Botswana, her people and the environment. With each volume, we get more intimately involved with the main characters. In addition to Precious, her fiancé, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, her assistant Mma Makutsi and her father, the late Obed Ramotswe who continues to play an important role in her life are major players. One would love to sit down with Precious on the veranda of her house on Zebra Drive to watch the sun set behind the trees and, drinking her favourite bush tea, reflect on life and its quirky sides. Fortunately there are more stories on the way in this highly entertaining and winning series.

Every Lady should read these!

This whole series is a wonderful look at life in an Africa that you don't picture. It's not just starving children. This is real people with lovely detective twists. Good, fast reads.