Book: The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency #1
Author: Alexander McCall Smith
Publications: Abacus
Price: Rs 230
Pages: 233
Plot: Set in an African country, Botswana, this story is about Mma Ramotswe. When her father was in a state of dying he gave her the money and the will to start an independent life. And from there started the story of only detective agency by a woman in Botswana. A keen observant, intuitive detective who is willing to help people.
She solves different cases like that of a cheating husband, suspicious employee, overprotective father and some more. But there is one case which is stuck in her mind every time, the case of a missing child. And this is the case which will progress slowly in the story.
The story is not only about cases she got, but we get to know the personal life of Mma Ramotswe also. Her childhood days, her love for her country, her marriage which didn’t work out and her friends and families. The characters of the book and the cases gradually develop in the book.
Also, this book is a part of series which has 20 books in total, this one is the first of all the books.
My Views: I started this book with high expectations, because every time I heard about it, it will always be good reviews. But for some reasons, I just could not connect with the story. I don’t know why but this book didn’t speak to me in depth.
I loved how the author has incorporated the main character’s personal life in the book. It is not like someone wanted to become a detective and then is solving mysteries. The author gave us the whole back story of Mma Ramotswe, like how she started her agency, what were the problems she faced while starting it and later too, how did she manage to work in a man dominant field. Not only that but her personal life struggles too, like her divorce, the death of her father who was her only family. So this part was interesting, but still, I would say I didn’t feel connected with the book. It was not a page-turner or a book which hooked me to itself.
Coming to the language of the book, it is very easy and this book is really good for beginners.
Overall I would say it is an average read for me.
Recommendations: If you like to read some simple mysteries and an easy read book then go for this book.
Ratings: 3/5
You can also read other mystery books’ review on the blog-
And then there were none by Agatha Christie
The Girl on the train by Paula Hawkins
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