The Recurring Cast
No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency book 1 · 1998

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency

No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency book 1 by Alexander McCall Smith

Cosy and comicPrivate eye

After her father’s death, Precious Ramotswe sells his cattle and opens the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency in Gaborone, the first in Botswana run by a woman. Her cases include a missing husband, a doctor who is not what he seems, and a missing boy.

Spoiler-free summary written for The Recurring Cast.

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Book facts

Author
Alexander McCall Smith
Series
No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, book 1 of 27
Published
1998
Setting
Set in Gaborone
Characters charted
6
Chart confidence
High

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency on screen

All Alexander McCall Smith adaptations

Who is in The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency

6 recurring or key characters from Alexander McCall Smith’s chart. Introduces Precious Ramotswe, Grace Makutsi, J.L.B. Matekoni, Charlie and 2 more.

Lead 1

  • Precious RamotsweFirst appearanceFounder of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyOpens the agency with her late father’s cattle money

Major 2

  • Grace MakutsiFirst appearanceRamotswe’s assistant, later co-director, proud of her 97% exam score
  • J.L.B. MatekoniFirst appearanceMechanic, owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, Ramotswe’s husband

Minor and cameo 3

  • CharlieFirst appearanceApprentice mechanic
  • FanwellFirst appearanceApprentice mechanic
  • Mma PotokwaneFirst appearanceMatron of the orphan farm

Also featuring these characters

Other Alexander McCall Smith books that share the most characters with The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.