The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Complete First Season (DVD, 2009, 3-Disc Set)

Several years ago I read the first three books in this series by Alexander McCall-Smith. While I did enjoy the books, I had a hard time envisioning the scene, of life in Botswana; the places and names were so unfamiliar to me. And I found the books to be so different from the grizzly detective stories I was accustomed to reading, about murder and mayhem, that they seemed simplistic in comparison. I just didn't get the full impact until I stumbled across this DVD series.
The film version brought Botswana to life for me. Watching the author's notes about filming and casting on location was fascinating, like a mini documentary included with the series. The stories came to life with the magnificent backdrop of a beautiful and colorful country and it's people and culture. Music, laughter, love, drama, and the sometimes painful, and often hilarious situations the characters find themselves in, is much more realistic than any crime scene drama we see so much of today. These engaging stories are simply about ordinary people, Precious Ramotswe, her clients, and all her endearing friends, and their demons, their dreams, and the extraordinary experiences encountered in Mma Ramotswe's determined journey to do some good with the time God has given her. I laughed and cried and fell in love with Mr. JLB Matekoni right along with her. After a so-so experience with the books, this DVD series made an unexpected impression on me. Now I'm going to go back and re-read all the books.

A very special television series adaptation of a series of very entertaining books. This is a fine example of story telling, film making at its best. The lands and animals of Africa are the canvas on which our story and characters exist. Simple, yet rich in textures and levels used to paint this remarkable picture of the beauty and simplicity of village life in contemporary Africa. The main character is a young woman who has gone off and while away takes a correspondence course in private detection and comes back to practice in her village which on the verge of becoming a small town. She hangs up her shingle and waits for business to come her way. The first person to come in is mistook for a potential client, but turns out to be a young somewhat prissy young lady , who graduated in the 97th. percentile of her class as a secretary assistan. And so they become the central characters of the series as they form a unique partnership of kindred souls...who manage to solve the sins and misgivings of the surrounding people. Rich colors, great music, and funny situation through this new HBO program.

This dvd series is great! You get to watch all of the episodes from the first season, plus great extras! Anyone looking for something to watch that is family-friendly should buy this! Jill Scott along with the other actors are naturals and very fun to watch. You cannot go wrong with if you purchase the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency dvd.

It was a treat to view this series of The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency! I instantly fell in love with all the main characters. I read all 12 books,and watching the dvds brought to life the words and images I fostered in my mind. Alexander McCall Smith
is a wonderful story teller and wrote what he knew about his
birth place, the people, the culture, and the topography of what is known as Botswana. Highly recommended reading, perhaps learn some life lessons? Too bad HBO canceled after first series. I would like to see Mma Romotswe marry Rra JLB Matakoni, and Grace ( 97%), too!

I stumbled across the series while searching for DVD's in Netflix. I'm familiar with Jill Scott (recently paid for a family member to attend her first Jill Scott Concert) and when I saw that she actually Starred in a Show that I'd never heard of, I had to check it out. I am soooo in love with this story and very sad to hear that there are only 3 DVD's. I would love to see this on Network Television (I'm not one to pay for HBO. Watching the Features ont he DVD's only makes me love it more. thanks for making The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency!! Praying for a generous Millionaire to come along and finish the series. ;-)