There are 26 books in the No 1. Ladies' Detective Agency series. The newest book is In the Time of Five Pumpkins .

1
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Book cover of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
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…

See all book lists

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

2
Tears of the Giraffe

Book cover of Tears of the Giraffe
Fans around the world adore the bestselling No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series and its proprietor, Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s premier lady detective. In this charming series, Mma  Ramotswe—with help from her loyal associate, Grace Makutsi—navigates her cases and her personal life with wisdom, good humor, and the occasional cup of…

3
Morality for Beautiful Girls

Book cover of Morality for Beautiful Girls
Fans around the world adore the bestselling No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series and its proprietor, Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s premier lady detective. In this charming series, Mma  Ramotswe—with help from her loyal associate, Grace Makutsi—navigates her cases and her personal life with wisdom, good humor, and the occasional cup of…

4
The Kalahari Typing School for Men

The Kalahari Typing School for Men

The fourth book in the multi-million copy bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series

The one with the rival detective

Mma Ramotswe faces the unexpected and unwelcome appearance in town of a new private detective, Mr Cephas Buthelezi. To ensure she does not lose clients to him, she takes on…

5
The Full Cupboard of Life

The Full Cupboard of Life

THE FIFTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIES

The one where J. L. B. Matekoni takes a great leap . . .

Once again, Mma Ramotswe is asked to look into the love lives of fellow Botswanans: a rich woman has a number of suitors and…

7
Blue Shoes and Happiness

Book cover of Blue Shoes and Happiness

THE SEVENTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIES

The one with the witch who flew away . . .

Mma Ramotswe is happily married to Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, but her work seems more hectic than ever. Among the raft of cases coming the way…

8
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive

Book cover of The Good Husband of Zebra Drive

THE EIGHTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIES

The one where Mma Ramotswe's husband plays detective . . .

At the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency there are many new cases for Precious Ramotswe to attend to, including the grave matter of three suspicious deaths at…

9
The Miracle at Speedy Motors

Book cover of The Miracle at Speedy Motors

THE NINTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIES

The one with the poison pen letter . . .

For the first time in her career as Botswana's no. 1 lady detective, Mma Ramotswe suffers a blow to her faith in the goodness of humanity (and of…

10
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built

Book cover of Tea Time for the Traditionally Built

THE TENTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIES

The one where Mma Makutsi has a love rival . . .

Mma Makutsi's engagement to Phuti Radiphuti has progressed smoothly so far, but suddenly there is trouble in the form of her glamorous, empty-headed rival Violet Sephotho.…

11
The Double Comfort Safari Club

Book cover of The Double Comfort Safari Club

THE ELEVENTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIES

The one with the difficult aunt . . .

The no. 1 lady detectives of Botswana travel to a safari lodge in the Okavango Delta to carry out a delicate mission on behalf of a former guest. It…

12
The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party

The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party

THE TWELFTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIES

The one where Mma Makutsi gets married . . .

As the countdown to Mma Makutsi's big day begins, Violet Sephotho, her former rival for the affections of Phuti Radiphuti, is up to no good as usual. And…

13
The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection

The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection

THE THIRTEENTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIES

The one where Mma Ramotswe meets her hero . . .

Mma Ramotswe, normally a peaceful sleeper, finds her slumbers disturbed by dreams of a tall stranger - but she is not quite ready to learn what this…

14
The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon

The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon

THE FOURTEENTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIES

The one with the one hundred per cent new addition . . .

There are joyful tidings at the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency with the arrival of Mma Makutsi's baby. However, while her assistant is busy with…

15
The Handsome Man's De Luxe Café

Book cover of The Handsome Man's De Luxe Café

THE FIFTEENTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIES

The one with Mma Makutsi's ambitious plan . . .

Change is afoot at the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency when Mma Makutsi arrives with a business plan for its proprietress, as well as an outline of her…

16
The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine

Book cover of The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine

THE SIXTEENTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE SERIES

The one with Mma Ramotswe's summer holiday . . .

Mma Ramotswe is taking a break, leaving important tasks in the capable hands of Mma Makutsi, co-director of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. But Mma Ramotswe soon finds…

17
Precious and Grace

Book cover of Precious and Grace

THE SEVENTEENTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIES

The one with the woman who lost her past . . .

Precious Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi's friendship is tested by a curious case: a client who left Botswana thirty years ago and remembers little of her past.…

18
The House of Unexpected Sisters

Book cover of The House of Unexpected Sisters

THE EIGHTEENTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIES

The one with the other Mma Ramotswe . . .

The dismissal of an employee at a thriving local business leads to an investigation by Precious Ramotswe and self-appointed Principal Investigating Officer Grace Makutsi. But Mma Ramotswe also…

19
The Colors of All the Cattle

Book cover of The Colors of All the Cattle

THE NINETEENTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIES

The one with the election . . .

When Ramotswe enters politics to oppose the construction of the dubious-sounding 'Big Fun Hotel', her opponent turns out to be local troublemaker, Violet Sephotho. But the general air of excitement…

20
To the Land of Long Lost Friends

Book cover of To the Land of Long Lost Friends

THE TWENTIETH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIES

The one with the mysterious reverend . . .

At a local wedding, Mma Ramotswe reunites with a friend whose daughter has inexplicably turned away from her. Elsewhere, several ladies in the region fall under the spell of…

21
How to Raise an Elephant

Book cover of How to Raise an Elephant

The latest instalment from the beloved THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY series

Catch up on the latest from Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi and other favourites in this new instalment of Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

As the temperature rises in Gaborone, Precious Ramotswe, founder…

22
The Joy and Light Bus Company

Book cover of The Joy and Light Bus Company
In this latest installment in the beloved No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, Mma Ramotswe is tempted to put the brakes on a business venture before it even gets rolling.

Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni attends a course hosted by the local chamber of commerce entitled “Where Is Your Business Going?” But…

23
A Song of Comfortable Chairs

Book cover of A Song of Comfortable Chairs

The twenty-third book in the perennially adored The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

Grace Makutsi's husband, Phuti, is in a bind. An international firm is attempting to undercut his prices in the office furniture market. Phuti has always been concerned with quality and comfort, but this new firm seems…

24
From a Far and Lovely Country

Book cover of From a Far and Lovely Country
The latest installment in Alexander McCall Smith's delightfully diverting  No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, in which all of Mma Ramotswe's tact, affability, and good sense will be required to disentangle a delicate dispute

“An escape from life’s woes as well as a suggestion for how to make the whole…