Blue Shoes and Happiness (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Book 7)

Readers who have not yet discovered this distinguished series are kindly advised to begin with The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and work their way through the series in order of publication. For those who have read the earlier books, Blue Shoes and Happiness will strike most as the best balanced and most rewarding book in this delightful series. The story has animal tales (one involving a cobra), several mysteries to resolve, challenges in Mma Makutsi's engagement, a detection training opportunity for Mr Polopetsi, more challenges with Mr J.L.B. Matekoni's apprentices, decisive purchases by Mr J.L.B. Matekoni and Mma Makutsi, and many reflections on the true nature of happiness by Precious Ramotswe. In particular, the story does a fine job of contrasting the older ways in Botswana with the newer, selfish ways. I had the pleasure to hear Alexander McCall Smith speak during his recent book tour for the book, and I came away with the false impression that this story was mostly about Mma Makutsi and her new shoes. That episode is simply one of many that investigate the nature of a person's inability to resist certain temptations. Although this book comes close to being just a series of short stories, Alexander McCall Smith ties them together so masterfully that you rarely think of the book as anything other than a lovely flowing novel. To me, the best part of this book was that it developed the characters more than most books in the series have done. Dr. Smith uses both dialogue and action well to help us appreciate who these characters are. I thought that the mysteries were nicely rewarding. The solutions were not obvious (except in retrospect) and helped tie the overall themes of the book together. I have to believe that this book was influenced, in part, by readers' love of seeing Precious detect in the context of the truly unique setting of Botswana. You have a great treat ahead of you. Order this book today!

In his sixth book of my favorite 21st century series, McCall Smith amazes me. Again, he has managed to deliver a book which is more than a part of a series -- in fact many of the books in this series could be offered in an English literature class in that the writing is worthy of such acclaim. Interestingly, J.L.B. Matekoni and his adopted children have little to offer in this book. Instead, we are allowed into the secret life (again) of the founder of the Ladies' Detective Agency, Mma Ramotswe -- a clever woman with what McCall Smith describes to have a "traditional build." In many ways, Mma Ramotswe is the grandmother we all grew up to adore. Feminism-fearing fiances, diets, embezzling confidants, and superstitious towns confound Mma Ramotswe's Botswanan peers. But, these mysteries fail to deceive the cunning mind of Mma Ramotswe and her ever growing staff of workers -- which now includes the increasingly seen Mr Polopetsi -- the new character whose poverty and solitude are caused by his serving time in jail for a crime he never committed. The infectious civility of the good people of the book never ceases to charm you. Mr Polopetsi's mantra at each bush tea is worth repeating, "You are very kind Mma Makutsi. There are not many ladies as kind as you and Mma Ramotswe. That's the truth." To Mr McCall Smith, I say, "You are very talented Mr McCall Smith. There are not many writers as well versed as you. That's the truth."

Alexander McCall Smith's "Blue Shoes and Happiness" is another engaging installment in his best-selling series about Precious Ramotswe, proprietor of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana. Precious is happily married to Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, auto mechanic extraordinaire. Meanwhile, the super-competent, shoe-loving Mma Makutsi ably assists Precious in her detective duties. Mma Ramotswe leads a tranquil life, frequently taking the time to observe the color of the sky, drink a refreshing cup of bush tea, think lovingly about her late father, and express her gratitude for having the good luck to dwell in a beautiful, peaceful, and civilized country. This book consists of many small events, both personal and professional, that occur in the lives of the characters. Mma Ramotswe has some new clients, including several women who want to blow the whistle on their dishonest employers. Mma Makutsi is engaged to Phuti Radiphuti, a timid but prosperous furniture salesman. Unfortunately, she makes a careless comment in passing that may put an end to their relationship. In addition, Mma Ramotswe promises to look into a mystery plaguing the town of Mokolodi, where the residents feel a strange sense of foreboding. On a lighter note, some acquaintances have been commenting on Mma Ramotswe's considerable girth, and even though she has always been proud of her "traditional" build, Precious is thinking of going on a diet. As always, Mma Ramotswe handles any and all challenges that come her way with common sense, good humor, and hard-won wisdom. Although she believes that most individuals are basically good at heart, she is realistic enough to know that people can be weak, selfish, and even evil. When necessary, she is tough enough to courageously confront wrongdoers in the name of justice. "Blue Shoes and Happiness" is a delightful breath of fresh air and an antidote to depressing and angst-ridden fiction. It is such a pleasure to spend time with people who have morals, treat one another with respect, and think before they speak. With his understated yet beautifully lyrical prose, warm and wonderful characters, dry wit, and atmospheric depiction of the beauty of Africa, Smith has insured that his Precious Ramtoswe novels will be around for a long time to come.

This is the best yet. What is fun about this book is that it deals with weighty matters - such as blackmail, medical corruption and things of that nature - in a way that make it accessible to ordinary readers, without the "in your face" moralizing of a book such as John Le Carre's The Constant Gardener. Some people complain that these wonderful Botswana novels are lightweight - far from it, since they deal with many major issues, but do so in a way that brings enormous pleasure to the reader at the same time. It also deals with matters closer to the heart - the romantic story of Mma Makutsi, and the ups and downs of her relationship with her fiance could be straight out of Jane Austen, just set in another culture and time. The personalities are as delightful as ever and as utterly enjoyable. As I write this the novel ranks somewhere in the 30s - what a shame, since it ought to be in the top ten and stay there. Buy a copy for yourself and ten copies for all your friends, as this is a wonderful addition to the series that you will want to read again and again. Christopher Catherwood, author of CHURCHILL'S FOLLY: HOW WINSTON CHURCHILL CREATED MODERN IRAQ (paperback edition 2005)

Blue Shoes and Happiness" is yet another superb book from the much understated Alexander Mccall Smith who has given millions of readers a real taste of life in Botswana, a little African country with an amazing history. In this new instalment Precious Ramotswe and her shrewd assistant Mma Makutsi, have a frightening encounter with a cobra in their office, an ill omen in the guise of a wounded bird, good intentions by one of Mma Ramotswe's employees, a new chair, and a diet that gets out hand, along with a nasty blackmail plot that involves Mma Ramotswe doing some delicate sleuthing in a private school's kitchen to find out who the culprit is and bring them to task. Add to this a pair of tight fitting but gorgeous blue shoes that gently thread their way through the story line, lashings of bush tea and the wisdom of a Botswana lady detective who understands the frailties of human nature and what makes people tick, she is a kinder version of Agatha Christies's Jane Marple, and with Mma Ramotswe we don't get too many red herrings but we do get the odd twist in the tale in a comfortable read that is both intelligent and enjoyable. I have to add to this review that I just love the titles of Mccall Smith's books in this particular series; they are so delicious you almost want to put them between two slices of bread and have them for supper with a cup of bush tea! Superlative is all I can say for both book and title!