Edinburgh: Polygon, 2003
8vo, first hardback edition, original brown cloth lettered in gilt on spine, dust-jacket
The first novel in this much loved series. Mma Ramotswe, a woman of traditional build, opens the only detective agency in Botswana run exclusively by women. With her able secretary, Mma Makutsi, who scored 97% in her secretarial college final examination, they roam the country in a little white van, solving various domestic mysteries. The author’s affection for the work and the characters is shown in his exuberant annotations.
The novel was adapted for television: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in 2007, directed by Anthony Minghella (who also co-wrote the screenplay with Richard Curtis).
Annotated on 21 pages. Approximately 350 words.