I started one of the Ladies Detective Agency books but gave up on it before I got far, and I don’t think I’ve read any other books by him, so I’d say I’m in the ”not” category,

Donna

Donna, I had the same experience as you with the Ladies Detective Agency series, but a friend suggested I might like ones set in Scotland, which is why I gave this one a try.

I have only read one of the first series and found it a bit boring. I haven't read any of the Scotland ones. I know people who really do like all the books.

I do read some of his books. They can ramble on a bit though and not a lot happens.

I read the second Ladies Detective story first and would not have read more if I had started with the first one. The TV series which I saw on DVD is good with a few extra characters included.

He is a very prolific writer and has many series to choose from. I read all the 44 Scotland St. ones, featuring Bertie the child and his awful mother. They are quite amusing.

I read one of the Ladies' Detective Agency series. It was readable but not engaging. I have not bothered to read any more. I wanted to like it better than I did.

In a word.......Meh.

Annpan, I have to laugh because your statement: "They can ramble on a bit though and not a lot happens." - is a good description of the book I read. But since you found the 44 Scotland Street series amusing, I might try one of those.

I must admit that McCall Smith's titles appeal to me. Don't these sound fun?

• The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon
• At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances
• The Perils of Morning Coffee
• The Unbearable Lightness of Scones
• The Careful Use of Compliments

I admit, the titles are always clever

I read some of the Isabel Dalhousie series when it first appeared. Mainly I liked the Scottish settings and descriptions. As for rambling on, we are told she is a philosopher, after all! Ii came to expect no less. I've not read any of the series set in Africa.

Woodnymph, my comment about the rambling on style applies to most of his books. As you say, it is justifiable with a philosopher. It is a bit aggravating in a detective story!

Annpan - I got a copy of 44 Scotland Street. I'll let you know how it goes. -- Kathy

I've read some of the Isabel Dalhousie series and a few of the #1 Ladies' Detective Agency books, and while they were somewhat engaging, they just didn't grab me enough to continue. I may look for 44 Scotland Street -- I do like his writing, but as everyone agrees, not much happens!

I have read several of his books in both the #1 Ladie’s Detective and the Bertie series. I had to give up on the Bertie series as I absolutely couldn’t stand his awful mother. I have found that, as with many series I have started, they sometimes go on too long and I get tired of them. this is the case with the Isabel Dalhousie and the #1 Ladie’s Detective series

Rouan, I gave up on a female detective series once as I couldn't stand the controlling fictional husband! Irene is dreadful but stick with it, she is dealt with eventually!

McCall Smith wrote in his website a while ago that he was running out of plots for the Ladies Detective series and had gone back to Botswana to find some new ideas!

I've read a number of McCall Smith's books but never in the correct order and agree little happens in any of them but they are very soothing!

The TV series of the Ladies Detective Agency was interesting as it was made on location and A McCS had worked and lived in Botswana so 'knows' the country and the people.

The BBC have done occasional series about Bertie Pollock and his ineffectual father and truly terrible mother. "Daddy, have you ever noticed that baby Ulysses looks very like Mummy's psychotherapist friend?"

I enjoy the names he gives the dogs in his stories . . Cyril and Freddy de la Hay are so much better than Fido or Rover.

He has a new book out (although he has probably written a couple more since) Bertie's Guide to Life and Mothers

Vee, I have seen the "Ladies" TV series but haven't come across Bertie. Was that on radio?

Yes, annpan. The BBC has run several short (15 min) week-long episodes of the Scotland Street books. Not only does Bertie have a ghastly mother but is bullied at school by a horrible little girl and her gang.

Ah, yes. 'Orrible Olive? I found something on a website about this show with pix of the actors.

I seem to remember that the mother got into a harem by mistake once and got sent back when she tried to organise the ladies into a Union.

It reminded me of a Modesty Blaise story where she rescues a woman who was white-slaved into a wealthy man's harem, only to find the woman wants to go back as she enjoyed the life of luxury and the company of the other women!

I read the #1 Ladie’s Detective, it has been enough, not my cup of tea.

I enjoy the #1 Ladie's Detective series. I love the characters and find the books more interesting than the usual cozy mystery. They are comfort reading to me. I read one of the Isabel Dalhousie books and didn't like it as much.

I tried reading the #1 Ladies Detective but could't get into it. Just not my kind of reading material.

I thought #1 LDA was charming and read the whole series. I also listened to one or two in the series as audio books read by Lecat which was very enjoyable.

Socks, did you know that there is a TV series on DVD? A few different characters have been added and it was well done.

I love the #1 Ladies Detective Agency series and have read all of them since the first one was published. Waiting now for the latest from the library. These stories draw a universal picture of human nature and each character is so vivid and, to me, endearing with their various idiosyncrasies. I was given DVDs of the tv show and couldn't stand it. It wasn't renewed which tells you something.

Ginny, I liked the TV series. It wasn't renewed because a person involved in the production died, I believe. I seem to recall this from an AMcS website explanation.

I have really enjoyed the Scotland Street series and I just love Bertie. Book #3 is on order from the library and I'm looking forward to it. These books are perfect, gentle, short-chapter-ed bedtime reading - exactly what I need.