Alexander McCall Smith is a professor of medical law at Edinburgh University and an author. I just read his book, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. ( I know everybody else in the world read this book at least a year ago, but I get my books the cheap way–from the library. And sometimes it takes a while.) The book is set in Botswana, and the setting is a major part of the charm of the book. I don’t know whether or not McCall Smith gets Botswana “right,” but I do know that the Africa in this book is an intriguing and beautiful place. And Precious Ramotswe, a single African lady, who calls herself a “fat lady detective,” is a likable character. She resolves several mysteries and various personal problems of her clients with intelligence, humor, and grace. When people question the idea of a woman detective, Mma Ramotswe reminds them that Agatha Christie was a lady. As the book progresses, we get to see the detective business grow and prosper, and Precious Ramotswe is called upon to combat a great social evil, the sale of human bones as magic charms. The only part I didn’t understand was the ending. Why did she decide to say yes?
This book has three or four sequels which I plan to read. Maybe I’ll find the answer to my question in another book.