Product Description

Now that she is finally and happily married to her long-term suitor Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, Mma Ramotswe of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency of Botswana might have expected life to grow more sedate. But the many problems that lead customers to Mma Ramotswe's door seem, if anything, to have multiplied, and no sooner has she settled her traditionally built person into the married state than she finds herself looking into several troublesome matters at once. There is, to begin with, a disturbing case of blackmail and theft from the Government catering college. Then, while on an errand for her husband to the Mokolodi Game Reserve Mma Ramotswe is seconded to investigate an unpleasant atmosphere that may be down to witchcraft, or something worse. There are sinister goings-on at a health clinic to be looked into, not to mention any number of small wrongs to be righted along the path to detective triumph. And all the time Mma Ramotswe has weighty questions of a philosophical nature to consider, such as whether it is right to find happiness in small things, such as a new pair of blue shoes, a slice of cake, or a red sunset over the Kalahari.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2135 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
'A rare pleasure' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'Forget the library - the body is in the mud hut. An African Miss Marple created by a Scottish lawyer ... Superb' SUNDAY TIMES 'There is something almost divinely appealing about the way McCall Smith writes about daily life in Botswana...it is hard to think of a contemporary writer more genuinely engaging ... I find it impossible to think about [his novels] without smiling' MAIL ON SUNDAY

About the Author
Following a distinguished career as a Professor of Medical Law, Alexander McCall Smith has turned to writing full-time. He is the author of over sixty books on a wide array of subjects, and his books have been translated into thirty-seven languages. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife.

Customer Reviews

Enjoyable fluff
I've read everything by this author and, like so many reviewers, prefer the traditionally built charms of Mma Ramotswe to his other characters.

I waited patiently for the next instalment of the No1 Ladies series but was not disappointed with Blue Shoes and Happiness. Like the previous books this is enjoyable fluff - no deep, dark hidden meaning here (this is a WYSIWYG book!), just enjoyable characters with a non too challenging storyline. Perfect for reading at the end of a hard day at work as it transports you to beautiful Botswana, sunshine and red bush tea.

I'd like a bit more "meat" in the next book please Mr McCall Smith - give something to Precious that will stretch or challenge her a bit - life is a bit too easy! Maybe consider a non-happy ending, a cliffhanger or something to keep us gagging for the next book?

Lastly, congrats to Mma Ramotswe on the death of her diet. May traditionally built women thrive and prosper!! ;o)

Tight fitting blue shoes and a blackmail plot extraordinaire...
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!

Back to Botswana
I awaited the arrival of this book with anticipation. I am not disappointed. I am back in Botswana and immersed in the wisdom and wit of the characters. Whilst the chapters have a way of switching between running themes the book is delightful and I will not be giving it away but keeping it to re-read again and again. Tired of the cold English winter - step out into the sun. This book will not let you down.