Alexander McCall Smith has become one of my favorite authors. Read any of his books and I guarantee that you will be entertained. But it is perhaps “The no 1 Ladies Detective Agency”, that he has become most well known for.
McCall Smith has written over sixty books and it was not until recently, that he became famous for his series of 11 books “The no 1 Ladies Detective Agency”, set in Gaborone, Botswana. For many years he worked as a Professor of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh, but after his writing success he now devotes all his time to writing fiction.
Featuring Mma Precious Ramotswe, the first lady detective of Botswana, the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, will keep you entertained and lead you into the insights of life in Southern Africa. The book has now been turned into a television series by the BBC and film company HBO, below is a snippet to wet your appetite…
The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency captures everyday people living their lives, the colourful mix of characters portrays life and the issues confronting Africa so well. Perhaps it is the “feel good” factor, the respect or the “goodness that is shown by Mme Ramotswe that keeps you watching the TV series or reading the books. And, at last there is a positive aspect to a story on Africa.
For some more on the making of the television series and background from Alexander McCall Smith, read below…
The making of the TV series – The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Directed by Academy award winning director Anthony Minghella, famous for directing, The English Patient.
McCall Smith books have portrayed life in Botswana, one of the richest countries in Africa thanks to its wealth of resources, especially diamonds. “Sandy” McCall Smith as he is more popularly known, leads us through each of the series
Follow Mme Ramotswe and her cases, as the Miss Marple of Africa settles into her role of a lady detective…
Episode 3 learn about bush tea, African nature, the Okavango Delta and some of the smaller national parks…
Get a background on African life and some of the life lessons from Mme Ramotswe
The beauty contests…
And will Mr JLB Matekoni and Mme Ramotswe consummate their love for each other and finally get together?









