aromaannie Posted July 22, 2007 Author Share Posted July 22, 2007 At the risk of being flamed, I find the series all a bit lacking in any substance. They are easy reads & all that, but for me any way, that's about it. I agree but it's nice to have an easy read every now & then. I look out for them in charity shops as I don't enjoy them enough to pay full price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 They are light and easy reads but I found their simplicity very refreshing in the context of the busy and complicated lives we often lead. The Ladies' Detective Agency series are wonderful at getting the reader back in touch with what's important in life - a bit like The Little House on the Prairie series which I loved as a child. Oh dear I'm starting to get profound! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratna Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 I think his books are very amusing. They can make me laugh on a bad day. I haven't read all books in this series, but I have all on my to be read list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrathofkublakhan Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 I am about halfway through this book, the first of a series. Ever have one of those experiences where a book title keeps popping up in your life? I first noticed the title here in the forum (now where is that thread about if titles sell books?) and since then I seemed to see this title everywhere. Finally I just had to buy it and give it a go. I like the slow pace of the book, it seems to reflect the long hot days in Botswana. The cases that Precious solves are not always what one expected to result to be - so I like the surprises too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 It was those gorgeous covers that initially caught my eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrathofkublakhan Posted August 9, 2007 Share Posted August 9, 2007 It was those gorgeous covers that initially caught my eye. I totally agree. Beautiful cover, well designed. I enjoyed the book! It seems my recent reading has had an international flair with The No. 1 Ladie's Detective Agency in Botswana, Bangkok 8 in Thailand, The Kite Runner in Afghanistan, Zorro in Spain and Bless Me, Ultima on the US/Mexico border. Mebbe I should've joined the Olympic Challenge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted August 9, 2007 Share Posted August 9, 2007 It seems my recent reading has had an international flair with The No. 1 Ladie's Detective Agency in Botswana, Bangkok 8 in Thailand, The Kite Runner in Afghanistan, Zorro in Spain and Bless Me, Ultima on the US/Mexico border. Mebbe I should've joined the Olympic Challenge! Yes I keep contemplating that. I love reading about different countries and it's encouraged me to find out about their histories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esiotrot Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 I borrowed the 1st in the Ladies Detective series from the library today - looking forward to reading it. I have the second on my bookshelf - Tears of a Giraffe - but cant remember why or where I aquired it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 I read somewhere that they are going to televise The No1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supergran71 Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 Yes they are, I saw a trailer on BBC 1 for it tonight. I think its on over Easter. Looking forward to that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 Did it look good Supergran? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danna Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 I think his books are very amusing. They can make me laugh on a bad day. Ratna, I'm with you on this! And>>> Have they already aired the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency movie in Great Britain? If so, I will try to track it down here in the States. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bree Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I loved the charming The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency - didn't know about the other books! Will now look out for the 44 Scotland Street books - thanks for the tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 I have just started 'Friends, Lovers, Chocolate' by this same author. These ones are based in Edinburgh, Scotland.....so far I am enjoying it. I also know places, areas they are talking about in the book too which I like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 That's one of the Isabel Dalhousie series, Diane, and my favourite series of his. I've ended up nearly always buying them in hardback as soon as they come out, as I can't wait for either the paperback or even the library reservation to come through! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 I've only ever read the first one, which I enjoyed. Do they need to be read in order? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Yes it is Isabel....I'm just getting into it now...she is looking after her neice's delicatesen while she is away to a wedding in Italy. Not much has happened yet, but am loving it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Finished Friends Lovers Chocolate.Isabel the philosopher meets Ian the heart rransplant patient and he tells her he is experiencing meories which he thinks is related to the new heart! So the story begins as she digs deep to find out where his new heart came from and possibly jumps to the wrong conclusion to quickly. One thing I did love was the cover of the book, one of the reasons I was attracted to it I think. I love the art work Alexander McCall Smith finds for his covers. But disappointed there wasn't as much reference to 'chocolate' as the title would lead you to believe....lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_laramie Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 My dad's not much of a reader but he loves Alexander McCall Smith. I wanted to find something similar for presents - does anyone have any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bree Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 (edited) My dad's not much of a reader but he loves Alexander McCall Smith. I wanted to find something similar for presents - does anyone have any suggestions? I don't know of anything similar - but there are many books and series he's written. You could probably pick some of the unread ones? Edited February 25, 2013 by bree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 My boyfriends' mum really likes these books. I saw two of them for cheap on a book fair and have since started to collect them (recently buying some in a sale). I haven't actually read any of them yet (I prefer to read a series in order, though I have the first one so I could read that one). I look forward to reading them, they generally get pretty good reviews and it may be a great combination of mystery, detective and contemporary fiction that I'll really like. I don't really read many thrillers anymore but detectives I still enjoy, and these books look to have great character development too (I accidentally read the back of I think part three and six or something, and it spoiled something for me), so all in all it sounds pretty good. I also own a few books of his other series (also picked up on a sale or book fair), I don't know if they're good or not though they seem to have favourable reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booknutt Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Have just bought 7 of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency books - excusing myself such foolishness, as they were only £2 each in a charity shop, and in great condition I've already read all this wonderful series, but they call me back again and again, and never get "old". The humour, the respect the characters show each other, ,and the pure love of life shines though each one. Sometimes I even shed an emotional tear or two ... It's the cheapest little holiday I can take, and I love the DVD's too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookmonkey Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 I love the Isabel Dalhousie and Bertie books. I tried to read the No. 1 Ladies Detectives a couple of years ago, but couldn't get into it. I might try it again, as maybe it was just the wrong time for me to read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 I love the Isabel Dalhousie and Bertie books. I tried to read the No. 1 Ladies Detectives a couple of years ago, but couldn't get into it. I might try it again, as maybe it was just the wrong time for me to read it. I've probably said this before on this thread somewhere, but I'm the same, bookmonkey. I did read the first five of the No. 1 Ladies series, but I lost interest, but the Isabel Dalhousie and Bertie books are firm favourites with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booknutt Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 The No. 1 series would be great little holday - just imagine Mma Ramotswe in her bikini, alongside you on the beach. Great fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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