Alexander McCall Smith's formidable, straight-shooting detective, Precious Ramotswe, makes her debut in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. A pleasure in every respect, the novel evokes the cultures, customs and diverse landscapes of Botswana -- even including Botswana's tremendous national pride (Mma Ramotswe, for her part, believes that Hell is a "terrible place, perhaps a bit like Nigeria"). Be warned: if you like this delightful book, and you will, McCall Smith has written a slew of sequels, with more coming every year.  (BOT10, $12.95)

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency