The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

After watching three episodes, I am already disappointed that there will be no second season.

A relaxing and charming program to watch. Likable characters portrayed by a lot of well cast actors.

The photography, editing and scenery are a major part of what makes this good. No fast clip, jumpy editing. Smooth transitions. The camera stays on someone's face long enough for the viewer to focus (and appreciate the acting), apparently a difficult feat based on how few directors seem to be able to do that.

I am certainly not prudish, been around way too long for that. But I find gratuitous and frequent use of "F" and other vulgarities to be annoying, and IMO proof that writers can't construct decent dialog; substituting coarseness instead. This program manages to work pleasantly well without any swearing, resorting to the novel approach of using real adverbs and adjectives to convey the message.

If you want high speed, non stop action with jumpy editing and constant swearing, don't waste your time watching this. Otherwise, sit back and have a nice, relaxing hour of quality entertainment.

When I heard about this show being airing on HBO, I was thrilled. My father had read several of the books and loved them (I have just started the first book). Although, from the first moments of the show I was still a bit skeptical. But when Mma opens her detective agency, the writing becomes some of the best I've seen on TV in years. There is a perfect mix between seriousness and fabulous humor.

Mma is a clever, witty woman, while her secretary and hairdresser add nothing more than many wonderful laughs. This show has fantastic characters played by wonderful actors.

I can only hope that this show stays on for many years to come!

I rarely watch anything more than once, but this series is so precious!!! I was in the Peace Corps in Lesotho, near to Botswana, and I feel like I am back there, in an environment that I loved. The stories ring true, though a few are a bit far-fetched. It saddens me that it was discontinued....for once I loved a series and it ended abruptly!!

A BBC & HBO co-production TV series based on the series of books by Alexander McCall Smith of the same title. Each episode is based on the events of one of each of the books. The shooting of the series was Anthony Minghella's project, who was executive producer and director of the pilot episode. However, after his sudden and unexpected death, his project was taken over and directed by other directors.

The novels tell the story of Mme Ramostwe, an independent traditionally-built woman who decides to open a detective agency to solve daily-life mysteries in her community. She counts with the help of her diligent but blunt secretary Grace Makutsy, and the constant help, support of love of master mechanic JLB Matekoni's. The story not only focuses on the mysteries the agency gets and resolves, but in the personal lives of the main characters.

I have read the books, and I can say that the series is not only a faithful adaptation of the novels, but better than they are. Although Smith books are extremely charming, with great characters and original settings and storyline, their poor literary value made them repetitive and soapy. The TV series, however, focus on the facts narrated in the book, with the same charm and freshness, but with the extra of the real Botswana in it and without any of the unnecessary repetitions and simplistic literary approach.

It is a pity that the main characters are not played by local actors, although, to be fair, the leading actors are all great in their respective roles. Jill Scott plays Mma Ramotswe convincingly, with great lightness and charm sometimes and with heartfelt dramatic feelings when required; moreover, she is a big gorgeous woman, comfortable with her size and curves, which is perfect for her character, who is just the same. Also stupendous in her role of secretary is Anika Nonie Rose, who gives the character a great comic twist beyond the nerve that the character has in the books. Zimbawaean Lucian Msamati is also great as the grounded soft-hearted Matekoni's; I have to confess that I expected him to be younger and thinner.

A refreshing highly entertaining series, with wonderful cinematography, insight into Botswana way of life, very good acting, and charming every-day mysteries. A breath of fresh air.

I have always been a fan of Jill Scott and her music, and it's wonderful to see her abilities as an actress as well. This show is so engaging it leaves me wanting more and anxiously waiting for the next episode! Anika Noni Rose is excellent in her role as well, and I pray that this show is nominated and awards will be given for the acting as well as the writing of the show. I am also impressed with the positive light it shines on Botswana, for so long parts of Africa is always seen as this poor, devastated country with flies crawling over the faces of starving children. Don't get me wrong, this truly does happen, but poverty is everywhere even here in the states. But for once they are showing another side of life in a country where the people are full of life, a country full of beauty and grace, despite the hardships they face.