The No1 series to read

I am spending my last few days in Singapore making use of my library card, reading The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, by Alexander McCall Smith. There are at least five books so far, and try one if you haven't yet. The tone is warm, unhurried and engaging, with many descriptions of African life and culture. On the surface, it is about two women running a private investigation office, but it really shines with the way it describes ordinary people, their hopes and fears.