Have you read the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency books written by the prolific author Alexander McCall Smith? I hope so – otherwise you are really missing out on tales of kindness, human nature, good and bad in Botswana.
A couple of weeks ago, I finished the ninth book in the series: The Miracle at Speedy Motors. Mma Precious Ramotswe, the only lady detective in Botswana, once again sets out to deal with a number of cases in a very compassionate and gentle way. There are the threatening anonymous letters, a client’s search for the truth about her family, as well as her husband’s own pursuit for a miracle for their wheelchair-bound foster daughter.
Oh – and let’s not forget the girl-obsessed mechanics at her husband’s garage and her assistant, Grace, wearer of extremely large glasses.
Mix these characters with a dash of detective work. Then sprinkle with a large dose of human compassion and reflection. You then enter another world where the pace is slower, and where gentleness and kindness – not to mention lots of red bush tea – can still solve most troubles.
I have the whole series! I love the stories, the tone. It all seems so real. There’s a movie version now, well, a series of episodes that was on TV in the States. They were wonderful, which was a bit of a surprise because I don’t usually enjoy movie versions of books very much. I hope the series comes out on DVD because I want to have them, and I don’t ever buy movie DVDs.
I also drink rooibos tea ( bush tea) which is very popular in Holland, and cheap. I just came back from Holland and I brought a ton of rooibos in my suitcase. 😉
Cheers,
Miss Footloose
http://www.lifeintheexpatlane.blogspot.com
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I am a big fan both of Precious Ramotswe and red bush tea. These are great stories, and they always take me right home.
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I’ve frequently picked one or other of this series up and then put it down again. Don’t know why. But after this I’ll be carrying it to the till!
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I read the first book years ago but a friend of mine has just loaned me 44 Scotland Street….I’m really looking forward to reading it!!
C x
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They are a brilliant series, soon to be movie or TV series. You are certainly make your bloggers work with all these recommended books!
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Well, someone’s got to help prise them off their computers and into the realm of literature! 😉
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I loved the first movie too, and I really hope there will be more to follow 🙂
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Ninth book! I stopped at about no 4! I really enjoy those books, I used to live in Botswana.
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Hey LadyFi, your blog is becoming a site for book reviews lol. (That’s a compliment) I’m adding yet another book recommended by you to my list.
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Your talking about a book I know well and really enjoyed. Your reviews are just the greatest!
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Never heard of them. But am waiting for YOURS. Somehow I have the feeling your book would be extremely entertaining. So, when do we see it, milady? 🙂
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I read the whole series some years ago, and LOVED the books. Not sure I want to watch the screen version though. My imagination and the words have created a world I don’t want to see changed!
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I read all the posts going back to the cakes with berries – that got me hungry so I’m off for my dinner!
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I love these books. They make me want to drink tea.
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At the high school where I was the principal, our English classes read several of the No 1 ladies´ books as English texts and they are AWESOME! They even had some educational exchanges with a school in botswana!
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My ma-in-law has a few and I tried one of them but I don’t know why it wasn’t for me – one of those things i guess.
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I have never picked up one of these books – not usually in the genre I read but maybe I’ll give it a whirl. Thanks for the info!
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Love those books!!
Was recommended by a friend a long time ago and it was one good recommendation!
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Aren’t these books wonderful? I started them when they first came out and then kind of lost track of them somewhere after book 4. I’ll have to catch back up!
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After reading all the positive comments you received, it’s time for me to pick one up. I think those would be my kind of reading.
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I’d heard about this series but haven’t read it yet. Now I’m off to the library. Thanks for the tip.
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I was not familiar with this series. Thanks for your review/preview. Looks like a good read.
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I have not read this one yet, thanks for the good review!
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Thank you, LadyFi…sounds like a book I will enjoy…I think I must order it 🙂
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I need to start reading her……going to put her on the top of my TBR!
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I have always wanted to read one of these books, but have never managed it. Will this be the push that sends me over the edge?
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