From a Far and Lovely Country - (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency) by Alexander McCall Smith

About the Book

"This latest installment of the beloved No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series finds Botswana's premier detective agency as busy as ever, with no shortage of sensitive situations requiring Mma Ramotswe's keen eye and discerning input. Through it all, Mma Ramotswe will demonstrate that there are solutions to all manner of difficulties, there to be discovered as long as one is led by kindness, grace, and logic, and can rely on the wise counsel of close friends and loved ones. Sometimes, she reminds us, the best solutions to life's problems can be found with a bit of good humor, generosity of spirit, and a steaming cup of red bush tea"--

Book Synopsis

In this latest installment in Alexander McCall Smith's cherished No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, two confounding cases compete for Mma Ramotswe's attention--and she may need to call in back up.

"An escape from life's woes as well as a suggestion for how to make the whole deal more palatable--fragility, fruit cake, and all." --The Boston Globe

Mma Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni are enjoying a nice meal out at a peri-peri restaurant when an American woman named Julia approaches seeking Mma Ramotswe's help. Julia's beloved late grandfather was Botswanan, and he instilled in her an abiding love of his homeland. Now, years after his passing, Julia has come to visit the land he had spoken of so often and to find her relatives. Unfortunately, her grandfather's stories, while charming and entertaining, were somewhat light on detail; all Julia can remember are a few first names and some descriptions of his village. It's not a lot to go on, but if anyone is well poised to help, it's Mma Ramotswe, Botswana's premier detective.

Meanwhile, a second case leads Mma Ramotswe to look for assistance from an unexpected quarter. For the first time, Charlie leads his own investigation at the detective agency, going undercover into a dubious, word-of-mouth get-together known as the Cool Singles Evening Club, where married men are encouraged to pretend to be single and meet women under false pretenses. Who could be behind such a distasteful venture? Getting to the bottom of this will be a tall order, to be sure, but Charlie is eager for the opportunity.

As Mma Ramotswe learns more about Julia, she begins to understand that Julia's heartbreak runs deeper than she had initially realized. Together, Mma Ramotswe and Mma Potokwane must find a way to help their client heal and move forward--from both her past and her present. Julia had originally come to Botswana seeking family and connection, but in the warm embrace of Mma Ramotswe and Mma Potokwane, what she ends up finding is a home.

Review Quotes

Praise for From a Far and Lovely Country

"[The] most recent novel in the ever delightful No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. . . . McCall Smith imparts deep philosophical observations as well spinning charming, uplifting stories of relatable characters."
--BookTrib

"McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is one of the most reliably entertaining cozy series running, soothingly returning readers to the tiny Botswana office of Mma Precious Ramotswe, the wise and resourceful founder of the agency that she operates with her comically snarky and over-reaching assistant, Mma Grace Makutsi, with whom she discusses detective strategy over mugs of South African red bush tea. . . . This is largely a comic novel, enlivened by Precious' reflections, Grace's jockeying for status, and part-time mechanic and apprentice detective Charlie's struggles to overcome his unreliability. A total delight." --Booklist [starred review]

About the Author

ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH is the author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels and of a number of other series and stand-alone books. His works have been translated into more than forty languages and have been best sellers throughout the world. He lives in Scotland.