by Alexander McCall Smith

"You see," said Mma Ramotswe, casting a glance at the attentive attorney, "there are some people in this country, some men, who think that women are soft and can be twisted this way and that. Well I'm not. I can tell you, if you are interested, that I killed a cobra, a big one, on my way here this afternoon."

"Oh?" said Jameson Mopotswane. "What did you do?"

"I cut it in two," said Mma Ramotswe. "Two pieces."

Precious Ramotswe is Botswana's first ever lady private detective, and owner of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Armed with a sharp and inquisitive mind, her friend Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, and a good dose of humour, Mma Ramotswe is called upon to unravel various mysteries — disappearing husbands, rebellious daughters and stolen cars.

Until one day she is contacted by the father of a missing child, a young boy feared to have been taken for witchcraft, and things start to get a little more serious.

This book is a real gem, and the characters and settings are very much different from others in crime fiction, making this a very refreshing read. The author's observational humour adds to the enjoyment, as does Mma Ramotswe's fiery, no-nonsense attitude. I highly recommend this and I'm very much looking forward to the rest of the series.