The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, by Alexander McCAll Smith

The start of a wonderful series of mystery books featuring Precious Ramotswe. With an inheritance from her father she opens a detective agency in Botswana at the edge of the Kalahari. Her understanding of human nature and her good natured common sense bring her success as her business takes off.
Others in the series:

Tears of the Giraffe
Morality for Beautiful Girls
The Kalahari Typing School for Men
The Full Cupboard of Life
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies
Blue Shoes and Happiness
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive
The Miracle at Speedy Motors

--NG 

June 27, 2008