The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

[meganbmoore]

This is billed as a mystery, but is really a book about Botswana that features a lead who happens to run a detective agency. Precious Ramotswe is a Botswanan woman who uses her inheritance from her father’s death to buy a house and open a detective agency. She does not, for the most part, handle dangerous cases, but rather cases such as missing husbands and impostors and secret boyfriends.

The cases are, for the most part, excuses for Smith to write about the Botswanan people and culture, with several of Mma. Ramotswe’s cases almost playing out like folk tales. The book is non-linear in its narration, covering both Mma. Ramotswe’s entire life (or at least large chunks of it), and her father’s background, as well as several cases early in her career. Thankfully, the non-linear-ness (if that isn’t a word, keep it to yourself) isn’t jarring, but works well to create a cohesive whole that has a lot of charm.

The book and characters are clearly written with a lot of love, and the prose is reminiscent of oral traditions. It’s a slim little thing, but carries a lot of punch. Smith grew up in Botswana, and I think it shows, as many events and characters seemed to be pulled straight from memory. That said, I’d be curious to see what some native Botswanans have to say about it, good or bad.

Comments

[shartyrant.livejournal.com]

I bought the first book for a dollar and remember thinking the same thing. It is more about Botswanan people and culture and not really mystery at all. Not that it is a bad thing as it is enjoyable for itself I guess, but if you are primed for a mystery, it is a bit disappointing. I do plan on reading more in the series from the library as the mood strikes. How about you?

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

I have the second one waiting, and am watching for more. I first heard about them (and remembered them) thinking they were mysteries, but the recs that got me to check them out didn't really put them forward as mysteries.