"To the Land of Long Lost Friends" by Alexander McCall Smith is another delightful installment in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Set in Botswana, the novel follows the wise and warm-hearted Precious Ramotswe as she navigates life, love, and detective work. McCall Smith's writing is filled with charm and wit, capturing the essence of the Botswana landscape and its rich cultural tapestry. The book is a celebration of human connections, showcasing the importance of friendship, understanding, and forgiveness. With its engaging storytelling and endearing characters, "To the Land of Long Lost Friends" continues to enchant readers with the simple yet profound joys of everyday life in Botswana.

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this latest offering from Alexander McCall Smith. I love a good Mma Ramotswe tale and this does not disappoint. A warm, heart felt tale which we all need in difficult times.

To the Land of Long Lost Friends is the 20th instalment in Alexander McCall Smith's adored No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. This is the first one I've read in the series, and I think I've been holding back, thinking that they should all be read in sequence, but that isn't really the case. I've read book one in the author's Isabel Dalhousie series so I'm already familiar with Alexander McCall Smith's compelling writing.

An upbeat, easygoing novel set in Botswana, I found the philosophical ponderings and moral dilemmas of the characters appealing to read and very reassuring. With the author's gentle humour and evocative writing, this is an entertaining book which left me uplifted and immensely pleased to have read.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Little, Brown Book Group UK, Abacus, via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Love Alexander McCall Smith’s writing and this book didn’t disappoint. As always, great storytelling and well realised characters. Highly recommend!

I love the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books and could not wait to get my hands on this one. It did not disappoint. Reading about Mma Ramotswe always makes me want to be a better person.
Very entertaining and uplifting story.

I thought this was the last one in the series but there’s still one more to go!

Like the previous book, I have got back into reading these and feel so relaxed when reading about Precious Ramotswe and her adventures with the others through her No 1 ladies detective agency. I was particularly interested to find out whether Charlie ended up with Queenie but have still got to wait a bit longer. Mma Makutsi is still as annoying as ever (in a funny way not a horrid way). Perfect Sunday afternoon read snuggled up with a lovely cup of Redbush tea.

I'm a long-time fan of Mma Ramotswe, and this was another warm and gentle read. Sometimes you just need something good, as in wholesome, and these stories always provide that. I know as I read that I don't need to worry, or be sad or anxious. I can just enjoy time with the characters, and feel the warmth of Botswana through the words on the page.
I liked the side-story of Charlie's romance, though I'm a bit worried about how things will work out for him in the future with Queenie-queenie who seems a bit of a liability to me! But I very much enjoy the interactions between Mma Makutsi and Charlie, as Charlie learns how to be a detective with the two ladies.

I have only read a couple of the No1 Ladies Detective Agency books and also saw the TV series many years ago and enjoyed it. I did find some of the book a bit repetitive and a bit slow going at times. I liked the descriptions of the people and Botswana. It was a break between other books that I was reading, escapism without having to think too much.
If you read this without reading any of the earlier books and knowing something of the characters it will come across as very dull.
Time to go back and read some of the earlier books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for my ARC in return for an honest review.

I love the other books in this series and this book continued on in this vein. I love all the characters and the different depths to them. Would recommend.

Life,Loves And Mysterious Clergy.....
Life, loves and mysterious clergy not to mention the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. A pleasant and enjoyable read, the writer usually succeeding to tap into a gamut of emotions. For me, this twentieth in the series, fell a little short from the usual high standard but still enjoyable, relaxing and easy reading.

Absolutely loved this book! I have read all the others in the series and this one did not disappoint at all. Atmospheric setting of Botswana as always and a humorous and kind protagonist. Simple but fun plot, bulked out with funny stories and conversation between characters. An absolute joy to read.

Years ago, I used to work for a company that had offices in Botswana and I visited Gaborone on many occasions. To the Land of Long Lost Friends by Alexander McCall Smith brings back happy memories of that time, including lunches at the Sanitas Garden Centre. The book opens with Mma Precious Ramotswe at a wedding. Her thoughts wander off to various topics, including the dowry. I once made a dreadful faux pas when talking to a friend in Gabs. She explained that her fiancé had negotiated the dowry with her family and they’d agreed upon one kraal of cattle. I asked, “How many cattle in a kraal?” and was told “It varies” so I then asked “How many cattle were you worth, then?” Shocked silence! “You NEVER EVER ask how many cattle a woman is WORTH…”, I was told, “... you ask how many cattle were ACCEPTED.”

Mma Ramotswe thinks of the newsreader on Botswana television as “far too thin by traditional Botswana standards”. Again, that brought back memories. Botswana women are, in my sheltered opinion, the most beautiful women in the world. They are slim, elegant and stunning – until they get married. Whilst they may remain elegant and highly attractive, they often then become “traditionally built” as Mma Ramotswe describes it. When I asked my friend about this, she explained that a married woman doesn’t want people to think that her husband cannot afford enough food. Therefore, there is perhaps a tendency to put too much food on the plate in order to forestall any such accusations.

This is the first of McCall Smith’s Botswana novels that I have read and it completely lived up to my expectations. I have commented elsewhere about his ability to adopt a voice that is perfect for a novel: well-bred Lowland Scots for Isabel Dalhousie; cool Scandinavian for Detective Varg. This book based in Botswana is in another perfect voice. The dialogue echoes the everyday politeness and consideration for others that permeates Botswanan conversations. Precious’s husband, Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, doesn’t complain of insufficient meat in his evening meal. He states, after she has said grace, that they should “… think of the many men who do not get much meat.”, looking down at his plate.

The book also brings back less happy memories. Mma Ramotswe takes in Daisy, an orphan whose mother was ill “With that illness” as her house-mother at the orphanage phrases it. About 20-25% of Botswana’s population are HIV positive and there are a lot of orphans like Daisy. I’m afraid, like Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, I shed tears.

The book has some other lovely moments, like Charlie’s terrified visit to meet his girlfriend’s father. The pace is gentle, the tone is philosophical, the bits with Daisy play your emotions like a harp. I loved it.

#TotheLandofLongLostFriends #NetGalley

I was a fan of The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency and I'm pleased to say this latest instalment does not disappoint! Mma Ramotswe brings her characteristic humour and insight while emphasising the importance of family and friends.

I love the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, so I was very pleased to receive a copy of this book via NetGalley.

It is always a great pleasure to return to Botswana, and the world of Mma Ramotswe. I love the way that she thinks, and the way conversations and thoughts often go rambling around! The mysteries are always interesting - this particular one involves friends from long ago. The characters are ones I love, and well written. They all have their own motivations, but rub along well together. I love the general attitude of kindness to others that most characters adhere to, the feeling that all people are our sisters and brothers.

If you’re looking for a really relaxing, but interesting read, then this book (and this series) is the one for you.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

Visiting the Tlokweng Road folk is like putting on a favourite pair of slippers (or indeed Mma Ramotswe's shoes) - familiar, comfortable and comforting. It is, as ever, an absolute delight to catch up with them all again.

Even when things are quiet, there is always something of interest happening. Mma Ramotswe encounters an old friend at a wedding, there is a very charismatic reverend spellbinding local ladies, and, incredibly, Charlie wants to get married!

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I really like this author and his style of writing and this did not disappoint at all. Would recommend to other readers.

As warm and comforting as rooibos tea, to which i am now addicted.
I don't know how he manages to come up with so many new plots for the wonderful ladies, but combined with moral insight, humour and warmth they are delightful every time.
I have read every one of the ladies detective series and enjoy seeing the characters mature and develop with each new novel.
Also love Scotland Street series.

I'm not sure what I was expecting but I found the opening so wordy and drawn out that I have not managed to continue reading.
I know these books are hugely popular and I remember enjoying the dramatised version. I think I was expecting the pace to be as fast as the TV series and just couldn't get into it.
I'm sure it will be a success and that everyone who loves the characters will be excited to find out what they get up to next!
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy in return for my honest opinion.

I love the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, but it’s a few years now since I’ve read one, so I’ve missed the most recent ones. It doesn’t really matter, though. Mma Makutsi has had a baby (although we hear very little about it) and Charlie is now an assistant detective. Mma Ramotswe and Mr J. L. B. Matekoni remain their delightful selves. There are the usual low key mysteries, here including the Church of Christ (Mechanic) and a silver Mercedes Benz. The plots are always fairly thin, but that’s irrelevant; the charm of the books is in the characters and the Botswana setting, and Alexander McCall Smith writes beautifully and evocatively about both.

Although this is the twentieth novel in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series it is the first one I've read. I think I've been put off by the thought that they should be read in sequence but, happily, that isn't the case.
I've read all of the books in the 44 Scotland Street, Isabel Dalhousie and Corduroy Mansions series so I'm already a fan of the gentle humour of Alexander McCall Smith's writing. I found the philosophical musings and moral dilemmas of the characters familiar and reassuring. This is a quietly entertaining book, easy to read, which leaves you feeling uplifted.
Thanks to Little.Brown and NetGalley for the ARC.