The title of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency is a bit deceptive. Yes, it is about a female detective-one Precious Ramotswe-but it is certainly not your average detective story. In fact, it has very little to do with the genres of crime, mystery or thriller, as can be deduced by the bright cover. Instead, the reader is taken into the slow-paced world of Botswana, where Mma Ramotswe makes it her business to investigate matters both large and small.

Chapters are largely episodic; it is rare for one of Mma’s cases to take more than a chapter. But don’t be fooled—this is in no way a fast-paced book. Instead, it is a book so relaxed, it borders on slow, echoing the atmosphere of the society it depicts.

I must admit that this slow pace took me a bit by surprise. I’d thought that this slim volume would make an excellent travelling volume—and the short chapters contribute to the impression it is ideal for this purpose. But I think to really appreciate it, the book has to be read in peace with a cup of tea.

Its voice is really its strength. It has a straight-forward feeling that is deceptively simple. I felt that it told more than it showed, in the manner of a talented storyteller, or perhaps a chat with an old friend. However, its descriptions, particularly of the countryside, were excellent and quite evocative. I felt right at home there (and wondered how similar Africa and Australia might look).

Overall, however, I found it a little too slow for my tastes. There was somewhat of a connecting plot, but I found it made its appearence too late and wasn’t strong enough to prevent me from repeatedly putting the book down. Also, I was a bit puzzled by Precious’ change of heart in the last chapter and felt that perhaps there could have been a bit more leading up to that.

All in all, a lovely read, but not enough to keep me coming back.