No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Tapa dura

Precious Ramotswe, a cheerful woman of traditional build, is the founder of Botswana's first and only ladies' detective agency. Here is a gentle interpretation of the detective role: solving her cases through her innate wisdom and understanding of human nature, she 'helps people with problems in their lives'. With a tone that is as elegant as that which is unfailingly used by his protagonist, Alexander McCall Smith tenderly unfolds a picture of life in Gaborone with a mastery of comic understatement and an evident sympathy for his subjects and their milieu. In the background of all this is Botswana, a country of vast landscapes and echoing skies, one so beautiful and entrancing that it breaks the heart. Mma Ramotswe has prepared the red bush tea and is waiting for you to join her. She has much to tell you.

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of numerous novels including the prize-winning No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, which has produced eight global bestsellers, and is in the course of being translated into more than 40 languages.He is also the author of three other successful series of novels: 44 Scotland Street, the Sunday Philosophy Club and Portuguese Irregular Verbs. In 2004 he was presented with the Author of the Year Award at the British Book Awards and in 2007 he was appointed CBE for his services to literature.