Rating: 
Summary: A junior's book selection
Review: This "mystery" was placed in with the adult literature at the bookstore. It really is geared to about 5th or 6th grade with the exception of some discussion of almost explicit sex. I'm not sure of the author's intent, but the story and the writing was not of the complexity for an adult. I might rate it higher if thought intention was to gear for children, with a warning about the sex inferences.The story is set in Botswana. A middle-aged woman starts a detective agency and investigates the regular cases that a detective agency would investigate. No complex crimes, etc. The woman is pretty simple and leads pretty simple life. She solves the cases by using common sense, kind of like you would expect in Tom Sawyer or from Dear Abby.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Series!
Review: The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books are great! They read quickly, and they are an excellent way to escape to a far away place without too much effort! Although the first book features a number of smaller cases, Tears of the Giraffe (book 2) and Morality for Beautiful Girls (book 3) focus on larger cases that aren't solved as quickly, easily keeping your interest for the length of the book. It isn't necessary to read the books in order, either. The author does a great job of filling in pertinent details as he goes. I would recommend reading the No. 1 Ladies Detective before reading the other books though. Important details about Mma Ramotswe's life are disclosed in the book, and those events are often referred to later in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Sister is on the case! Great but not trite beach book!!!
Review: I love this book. It is simple story telling about a sagacious African woman with a wonderful heart and spirit. Great summer reading.
Rating:
Summary: Satisfaction Guaranteed for all Parties
Review: This is a wonderful little book with engaging, memorable characters. Mma Ramotswe is a down to earth, unapologetically real woman doing what she wants to do instead of what people expect of her. Yes, this book is about a detective agency. Yes, there are concrete mysteries for her to solve, but I think the real beauty in this book lay in the larger mysteries, the mysteries we all face in life that Mma Ramotswe so eloquently voices. As Mma Ramotswe says: "How sorry she felt for white people...who were always dashing around and worrying themselves over things that were going to happen anyway. What was the use of having all that money if you could never sit still...? None, in her view; none at all, and yet they didn't know it. Every so often you meet a white person who understood, who realized how things really were; but these people were few and far between and the other white people often treated them with suspicion." I think this sums it up pretty well!
Rating:
Summary: Gentle, pleasant, amusing, life-affirming, & FUN to read.
Review: Mma Romatswe is the lead character and detective in this delightful series, and she is a joy to spend time with. This is the first book in the series, in which Precious Romatswe sets up her detective agency in Botswana. I enjoyed reading about her life, and her cases, and felt I'd visited a sunny and pleasant place, while reading this mystery. If you enjoy Agatha Christie and other cozy-type mysteries, and you enjoy learning about unfamiliar cultures, try it out.
Rating:
Summary: Had potential
Review: In consideration of the book's title I must admit that I was somewhat suprised and excited when reading the first few chapters because there was a glimpse of the culture of Mme Ramotswe's Africa. We learned about customs and acceptable and unacceptable social practices and those items that are "taboo." Unfortunately, as the author continues with Mme Ramotswe's journey as a detective I found that the author could have indulged us more with an exploration into the "whys" rather than teasing us with shallow information.
Rating:
Summary: Ashley & Mary Kate all grown up in Botswana
Review: If this was listed as "junior reading" and eliminated the minor sex references, I'd probably give this book a couple of more stars. The cases do not have much complexity and the stories are not rich in Africa life.
Rating:
Summary: Original and Fun
Review: It is not often that an old established genre like "Mystery" has a new and original character and story. It is a bit slow at times but it is always fun, life afirming, and warm. Don't miss it.
Rating:
Summary: Moments of brilliance
Review: Moments of brilliance mixed with a nice gentle story. Quite a change from the average "mystery" or "detective" novel.
A good read, but don't expect a fast pace.
Rating:
Summary: No. 1 Pleasure to Read
Review: This is a lovely, lovely book. It's extremely readable, with deceptively simple prose. If you've ever visited Africa...or just dream of going...this book is for you. Mma Ramotswe is my new hero...a self-described "fat lady detective"...the only one in Botswana. The author's love of this lovely African country and its people is apparent in every lyrical phrase. It's a jewel of a book, and shouldn't be missed.
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