If you have been paying attention to my sidebar, you may have noticed there was a book that made a very brief appearance on my "reading" list. It was my "vacation" book, which I managed to wrap up shortly after our return.
As you can see, it was The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. Being a frequent visitor to bookstores, I have seen this series for some time now (as of this writing, I think there are seven books in the series)... but I have never gave the books much consideration. Based on the title alone, it seemed pretty cheesy... and while I delve into the genre occasionally, they seemed like another "chick lit" entry on the bookshelves.
A couple of things changed my mind. First, while not always a good indicator... these books are always on the bestseller shelf (both in hardcover and soft), so there had to be at least some appeal. Next, I saw one of the books in the series featured on one of my new blog finds, 50 Books. An impressive book-oriented blog (and not just the tagline... fifty books read in one year?!?!). But the reading list is an interesting and eclectic one... and one that I will surely be mining for future "to be read" ideas. So this blog endorsement sealed the deal. I figured it was time to give McCall Smith a shot...
...and I was not disappointed. While this book/author will not be taking home any Pulitzers... it was a very entertaining and breezy read... perfect for the beach... though a little funny to read a story set in the harsh climate of Botswana while I was lounging in the tropical environs of Hawaii.
It was simply impossible not to be charmed by the lead character -- the smart, sassy, and plus-sized Precious Ramotswe, who uses her father's inheritance to, you guessed it, open the the first detective agency in Botswana. The book has a British sensibility to it... McCall Smith is Scottish having spent time teaching and living in Zimbabwe and Botswana.
This is not a traditional detective story. I figured I would have to buckle down and get ready to get into one major case/mystery... and while there was one sub-plot that was woven throughout this first book in the series, for the most part the book was made up of little "slice of life" stories that were really quite charming. Short chapters and certainly easy reading... for you marathon readers (which I am not), it is certainly not out of the question to read this book in a couple (or one!) sittings.
So definitely a recommendation (when I bought it, even the cashier said she loved the series) if you are looking for something light and entertaining.
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