Set in Botswana, the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series is known for its gentle humour and delightful, colourful characters. Central to the cast is the wise and clever Mma Precious Ramotswe, a fan favourite among millions of mystery lovers.

The books revolve around Precious, who opens the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency in her hometown. Readers enjoy Alexander McCall Smith’s charming and light writing style, which immerses them in the daily lives and misadventures of Botswana’s residents.

The series is best enjoyed in order, as numerous characters and plot points develop throughout the novels. However, many of the books provide explanations of events from previous volumes, so readers can still follow the story without reading them in sequence.

Having begun in 1998, the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is Alexander McCall Smith’s most popular series, and Precious Ramotswe continues to captivate readers. McCall Smith has also written a children’s series featuring Precious as a young girl.