Alexander McCall Smith has delivered another Botswanan story of human weakness and misbehavior in From a Far a Lovely Country. The No. Ladies' Detective Agency helps a lady connect with her family with dubious results for her and Charlie, the assistant, conducts his own case about a restaurant which caters to married men who want to cheat on their wives and fool young girls about their status. As usual an excellent human interest story.

I loved, loved, loved this book! I have liked all the books in this series but sometimes I like some more than others, like this one. I am looking forward to his next book in this series.

From a Far and Lovely Country is the 24th No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novel by Alexander McCall Smith. Released 31st Oct 2023 by Knopf Doubleday on their Pantheon imprint, it's 256 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same pubisher in 4th quarter 2024. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is such a fun, dependable series. Mma Ramotswe is, again, required to use her formidable wit and creativity to sort out several thorny problems and heal a few hearts (and smack some sense into a few heads who really should have behaved themselves along the way). The disparate threads entwine to a satisfying and warm, if bittersweet, conclusion, and the overall effect is of a long and unhurried chat with an old friend.

It's not necessary to have read the books in order, however, the large changes which occur (marriage, family relations, etc) will be obvious if they're read out of order.

Especially with the desperate struggles, illnesses, upheavals, and sadness which seem universal in the world right now, this series and these characters are a balm to the soul. Wonderful.

Four and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A heartwarming journey with Mma Ramotswe and a great addition to the series. The backdrop of Botswana comes alive through the atmospheric writing. As always, there is kindness ,grace and a touch of humor..
Many thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor |and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Barely longer than a novella, From a Far and Lovely Country is #24 in the long running Ladies' No. 1 Detective Agency series.

It's always lovely to visit with old friends! If you travel to Botswana, the visit is even better. In the earlier installments of this series, there were a few significant cases to solve. Now, life is more routine and less dramatic for our main characters. There are new problems to solve: shutting down a shady nightclub, assisting an American woman in finding her roots, and a red dress conumdrum. All in all, it's a gentle story, gently told.

If you are looking for quirky characters to love, a charming setting, and gentle problem-solving and don't mind a great deal of philosophical meandering by the author, you might enjoy this series. It's my traditional fall "uplit" comfort read.

Thanks #NetGalley and Knoph Publishing for a complimentary eARC of #FromAFarAndLovelyCountry upon my request. All opinions are my own.

I love this series. They are the perfect books for this time of year when you want something cozy to read. Each book in this series has been wonderful and From a Far and Lovely Country is no exception. It is a fun mystery, with engaging writing and characters you just love. I hope this series continues for a really long time!

In this 24th book in the 'No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' series - set in Gaborone, Botswana - Mma Precious Ramotswe and her colleague Mma Grace Makutsi address a variety of concerns, including a shady nightclub, an American woman looking for family connections, and a red dress.

The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the characters is a bonus.

*****

When Mma Ramotswe visits her old friend Mma Potokwane - the director of the Gabarone orphan farm - Mma Ramotswe hears a distressing tale from a housemother called Mma Ikobeng. It seems that Mma Ikobeng's 30-year-old daughter Alice went to the Cool Singles Evening Club, hoping to meet an eligible bachelor. Alice met a man, but he turned out to be married, and Alice was heartbroken. Worse yet, it seems the nightclub PURPOSELY caters to married men looking to cheat on their wives.The discovery incenses Mma Potokwane, who observes, "I think somebody should do something about this club....People just stand by and let this sort of thing happen. Well, I say we should fight back."

Mma Ramotswe agrees something should be done about the Cool Singles Evening Club, and knows she needs an undercover agent to investigate the nightspot. So Mma Ramotswe entrusts the task to part-time apprentice detective Charlie, who was a 'player' before he got married. Charlie uncovers some pertinent information, and guided by Mma Makutsi, he makes a move. Unfortunately Charlie's action has unintended consequences.

Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe is approached by an American woman called Julia Cotterell, who has a distant connection with a Botswana man named Khumo. Khumo signed up with the Allies during World War II, and finally ended up in America, where he became acquainted with Julia's forebears. Now Julia would like to meet Khumo's family, and she asks for Mma Ramotswe's help.

Julia mentions that Khumo came from Mochudi, which is Mma Ramotswe's home town. This leads Mma Ramotswe to ponder: "Years had passed since she had left the village, but it was still her place, the spot to which she knew she could return at whatever stage of life she had reached, and belong. That was the definition of home." Mma Ramotswe and Julia visit Mochudi, and try to make a connection there.

Finally, a red dress meant to be a gift for Mma Ramotswe turns out to be problematic for the traditionally built woman.

In the end, everything is resolved satisfactorally, which is a perk of this uplifting series. I always enjoy visiting with Mma Ramotswe and the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. It's great to see Mma Ramotswe solve problems in her unique and thoughtful fashion.

Thanks to Netgalley, Alexander McCall Smith, and Pantheon for a copy of the book.

Stars: 2.5

This is the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book #24 and my first time experiencing the series. The dialogue is so simple amongst the characters I stopped and reread the synopsis. I wondered what I was missing. After wanting to scream how old are you and all the nobody remembered my birthday chatter I stopped reading again. Book 24? This lead me to Google Botswana. I found it is a landlocked country primarily made up of desert in Southern Africa. Great. Does that mean problems are forgotten birthdays? It can't be, there is a detective agency.

Bottomline, I give up. I was bored. I'm not sure if as I was reading the story resonated with me. At the conclusion I was relieved and annoyed: it was over and I should have DNFd it. This was not for me.

Thank you Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, Pantheon for accepting my request to read and review From a Far and Lovely Country on NetGalley.

I loved this book, and I love this series. What marvelous 24th addition to this heartwarming series this is! It is always a pleasure to visit Botswana and Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutski and the other characters in the world of the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency. This installment centers on the investigation of a singles club that is not what it appears to be, and a meeting with a visitor from the United States seeking to meet the family of an ancestor from long ago. But there are many other adventures along the way, involving a birthday forgotten, a red dress, Mma Ramotswe’ visit to her hometown, and some talking shoes! It is time to put the kettle on, brew some tea (preferably Bush Tea) and delve into this delightful book and discover how the mysteries are resolved. There are few books that will make you feel as good as this one will! Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for my complimentary copy of this book. The opinions of this review are my own.

This is the 24th book in one of my favorite series. It’s on my buy, no questions asked list. I actually haven’t read 23 yet but I’ve read the other 22 and loved every one. I usually listen to them on audio because the reader has such a lovely voice. It did help me in reading these as I’m not used to Botswana names.
In this book, as in every, Precious has a quandary and must find the best solution for everyone. It’s one of the things I love about this series. Precious is a good person who sometimes struggles with less than perfect thoughts but she always reminds herself the proper way to say and do things. It reminds me of the older series that always had a moral at the end of the program.
The author’s writing style is beautiful. The way he describes Botswana and its people make me want to go there.
If you have read any of the other books in this series, I highly recommend it. It’s a beautiful journey with wonderful people. It’s been fun watching the progression of Charlie and Mma Makutsi. They’ve come a long way.
I was blessed to receive this book as a free ARC (seriously, it was like Christmas when I got it) and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

It's always a pleasure to spend time with these characters. I've enjoyed every book featuring them! Smith does a great job with the narrative and injecting humor into every sentence no matter how serious it appears. I actually laughed out loud more than once reading about the 'traditional' build ladies and Charlie's earnest attempt at being an investigator.

I always recommend this series of books to anyone who wants an enjoyable read!

Just as readable and enjoyable as all the others in this series. No sex, no violence, just beautiful Africa, Africa, Africa.

Alexander McCall Smith displays such a love for Botswana, it is hard to believe he lives in Scotland. His regard for the land and its people is so engaging, it makes me want to pack a bag and visit. But I confess, I am not a fan of bush tea, so maybe I’ll just keep enjoying his stories of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency from my living room.
From a Far and Lively Country is the latest story in the collection.but the detective part — as usual — is the least important part of the book. Yes there are cases to be solved but from beginning to end Precious and her friends and family are demonstrating to their audience how respect and empathy will make the world a better place. The worst character in the story is never actually confronted and Precious even finds some understanding for her behavior.
There is almost a childlike quality to the writing. The characters speak in the simplest language yet they reach conclusions that have a universality to them. No new ground is explored, but I don’t think people choose this series looking for novelty. Reading any of the books in this series makes me want to be a better person, and what could be better than that?

Another enjoyable tale from Botswana. I for sure thought we were going to see another side of Mma Ramotswe (not the goody goody we all love) when it came to the situation with the dress, but it was handle with class as always.

I wish we could get a story focused on the children, they have to be teenagers by now.

The No. 1 Ladies Detection Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith has been a long-time favorite of mine and From a Far and Lovely Country, no. 24 in the series, is no exception. I would categorize the series as “comfort reads,” and I often would read one in the series after a stressful day of work. Mma Ramotswe, the owner, is endearing and comforting. She is presented as a good person, a good friend, and tries to do her best for others, including her clients, her quirky assistant Mma Makutsi their part-time assistant Charlie, and of course her mechanic-husband Mr. J.L.B. Mr. Matekoni.
Her observations of people and behavior are often philosophical and humorous, as when she muses on Mma Makutsi’s stories of her shoes talking to her!

In this 24th installment, Mma Ramotswe is approached by her friend who runs the Orphan Farm, Mma Potokwane, on behalf of her house
mother, whose daughter has been duped by an ostensibly-single but actually-married man named “Johnny” at the “Cool Singles Evening Club.” Mma. Ramotswe assigns young Charlie to the case after musing that “very few people are named Johnny, not really,” or “Elvis,” and that these names may be signs of a dubious character. While Mma Ramotswe is away on another case, Charlie proceeds with his investigation and finds that his old teacher, the beloved Mr. Modise, is part-time manager of the club. Adventures and mishaps ensue.

This series is the perfect calming and enjoyable read—a fun narrative including insightful life lessons from the characters. If you enjoy a slower pace as I do, this series and this book will be perfect.

Has it really been 21 yrs since The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency debuted? I followed the first 5 or 6 but other books drew my attention. So it was with delight that I revisited the characters and followed their adventures in Botswana.
Precious Ramotswe has two cases to resolve this time. The first is for a friend of Mma Potokwani (from the Orphanage) whose daughter went to a singles club looking for a potential husband but was broken hearted to realize that the men already had wives and had paid a fee for entry to the "Cool Singles Evening Club," Charlie, Mr J:BMatekoni's part time mechanic, and aspiring apprentice detective, is put in charge of the investigation and finds the person behind the nightclub.
The second case is poignant because it starts on Mma Ramotswe's birthday (which everyone close to her seems to have forgotten), when she and Mr JLB are having dinner at a special restaurant. A woman from the USA approaches her seeking to find her family, who just happen to be from Mma R's home village.
Of course, the cases are solved, but one doesn't read these books for the mystery or twists. It does a heart good to have characters who are compassionate, and kind, and use logic and common sense to do what is right and honest.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, and am leaving this review voluntarily. The opinions expressed are my own.

FROM A FAR AND LOVELY COUNTRY delivers exactly what longtime readers of Alexander McCall Smith will expect--his deft touch at characterization, a heartfelt story, and compulsive readability.

This is the twenty fourth in the simple but charming No. 1 Ladies Detective series. All the familiar characters are here.
And, yes, the talking shoes do make a cameo appearance!

Precious Ramotswe has two cases on her plate. The first is yet another pro bono for an employee of Mma Potokwani. It seems there is a “Cool Singles Evening Club” where married men are paying fees to be admitted and pass for single. Mma Ramotswe decides to put her apprentice, Charlie, in charge of the investigation. When Mma Makutsi gets involved, an unfortunate situation arises that the agency feels compelled to resolve. Those familiar with Gabarone will chuckle when the owner of the club is revealed.

While dining in a local restaurant, a visitor from Indiana, USA recognizes Mma Ramotswe and asks her help in finding the distant relatives of the man she called grandfather, who is long deceased. The search brings Precious to her beloved hometown and along the way readers learn of some of the history of British rule in Africa.

And there is also the problem of the birthday present dress that has been damaged!

Mma Ramotswe always manages to come up with clever and successful solutions to problems. Her gentle way and penchant for always finding the positive in a situation is balm for the soul.

Usually I binge this series, reading the book all in a day. For this installment, I decided to read a chapter at a time, taking a break in between and allowing time to savor Mma Ramotswe’s wisdom, profound in its simplicity.
This is another feel good addition to the series. It makes a nice afternoon or evening read while curled up with a pot of tea. Fans of McCall Smith’s gentle prose and perceptive musings will welcome this latest endeavor.

Another sweet entry in the Ladies Detective series. This one begins with a forgotten birthday. There again are mysteries to solve, both minor and major, and misunderstandings as well. Everything is resolved with kindness and civility. This is a very good book to read if you need a bit of reassurance about the good in people.
Thanks to NetGalley for an eGalley of this title.

From a Far and Lovely Country by Alexander McCall Smith carries on the story of Precious Ramotswe and her #1 Ladie's Detective Agency. With cases ranging from an American woman looking for her roots to a dating club where single women are encouraged to meet with already married men, Mma and her crew manage to help all their clients. This is another wonderful story of Africa and the people who love her.