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

Book description
This first novel in Alexander McCall Smith’s widely acclaimed The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series tells the story of the delightfully cunning and enormously engaging Precious Ramotswe, who is drawn to her profession to “help people with the problems in their lives.” Immediately upon setting up shop in a small storefront in Gaborone, she is hired to track down a missing husband, uncover a con man, and follow a wayward daughter. But the case that tugs at her heart, and lands her in danger, is that of a missing eleven-year-old boy, who may have been snatched by witch doctors. Published in 1998; 226 pages.
Description from book jacket.

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Discussion questions
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency discussion questions from readingroupguides.com

Additional information
The author’s website has interviews, a biography, photos, a glossary, and discussion questions.


Readalikes
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood by Alexandra Fuller
Six Feet of the Country by Nadine Gordimer


The complete series:
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (1998)
Tears of the Giraffe (2002)
Morality for Beautiful Girls (2002)
The Kalahari Typing School for Men (2003)
The Full Cupboard of Life (2004)
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (2005)
Blue Shoes and Happiness (2006)
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (2007)
The Miracle at Speedy Motors (2008)