Botswana: In the Footsteps of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective with Andrew McCall Smith

While working on the ninth entry in his popular No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, host Alexander McCall Smith traveled to the African country of Botswana, which serves as the setting for his mystery novels. Although McCall Smith—an emeritus professor of medical law—lives in Edinburgh, he was born in Zimbabwe. In his books, lady detective Mma Precious Ramotswe (played by Jill Scott in the BBC/HBO adaptation) solves crimes with the aid of her wits, her assistant, and a little redbush tea. As McCall Smith puts it, “The sense of place in detective fiction is often very strong. It's a central aspect.” In order to stay current, the author takes annual trips to the sub-Saharan nation. Botswana explores the country's history and economy, which depends heavily on diamond mining (although McCall Smith notes that “there are no blood diamonds in Botswana”), but just when it seems as if the democratic republic is an idyllic locale, McCall Smith mentions the AIDS pandemic, which has devastated this landlocked nation (a former British protectorate, Botswana became independent in 1966). Cameras follow the author as he visits a wildlife refuge, a children's home, and the set of No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, the final directorial effort from the late Anthony Minghella. Interviewees here include ordinary citizens, business people, former Minister of Health Sheila Tlou, and former presidents Sir Ketumile Masire and Festus Mogae. McCall Smith also reads passages from his books, which are available in 41 languages and have sold 15 million copies to date. Recommended. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)