Graham G. (Foucault) reviewed Blue Shoes and Happiness (Ladies Detective Agency, Bk. 7) on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I love the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. You cannot beat the series for a mystery with a change of pace from the usual whodunnit. The pace of life, and different attitudes makes for a book that can transport you to a different place.
Having said that, while this was a very entertaining book, I found it fell just slightly short of previous books in the series. Not that I think that anyone reading this book in isolation would notice, but there were some earlier themes I expected to be continued in this book, which were not. For example, very little mention was made of the orphaned brother and sister that Precious Ramotswe and her husband adopted.
Not that there is usually a major crime to solve in these books, but there was one "whodunnit" that I guessed very early on, largely due to the blurb on the back of the book. That's a bit of a shame!
Overall, though, this was every bit as enjoyable as the rest of the series.
Having said that, while this was a very entertaining book, I found it fell just slightly short of previous books in the series. Not that I think that anyone reading this book in isolation would notice, but there were some earlier themes I expected to be continued in this book, which were not. For example, very little mention was made of the orphaned brother and sister that Precious Ramotswe and her husband adopted.
Not that there is usually a major crime to solve in these books, but there was one "whodunnit" that I guessed very early on, largely due to the blurb on the back of the book. That's a bit of a shame!
Overall, though, this was every bit as enjoyable as the rest of the series.
These books are great. Try to read them in order.
Anna S. (annapi) reviewed Blue Shoes and Happiness (Ladies Detective Agency, Bk. 7) on + 334 more book reviews
Yet another comfortable cozy in the popular series. Mma Ramotswe has a few cases to deal with - the cook whose boss is stealing food from the government for her greedy husband, the town where something odd and frightening is going on that no one will talk about, the nurse whose doctor employer seems to be cheating his patients but she is not sure how. On top of that, Mma Makutsi seems to have scared off her fiance by admitting to him that she is a feminist, their newest employee and aspiring assistant detective Mr. Polopetsi is struggling financially, and Mma Ramotswe is having difficulty with her diet. It's all part of the easy-going life in Gaborone, Botswana that readers have come to know and love.
Donna E. (impossible) reviewed Blue Shoes and Happiness (Ladies Detective Agency, Bk. 7) on + 3352 more book reviews
Once again McCall Smiths droll, sympathetic, deceptively simply telling of a story about that famous lady detective Precious Ramotswe hits a resonant chord.
Abby T. (abbykt) reviewed Blue Shoes and Happiness (Ladies Detective Agency, Bk. 7) on + 113 more book reviews
This was not my favorite of the series because not a lot happened to the characters. I seem to get more involved when the characters go through changes. Somehow Smith weaves the detective cases into these character changes and that is what I like about his books.
Teri A H. (Nani) reviewed Blue Shoes and Happiness (Ladies Detective Agency, Bk. 7) on + 67 more book reviews
I very much love this series and the characters.
Can't wait to obtain the next one and miss reading of the latest adventures, mysteries and life's foibles.
Can't wait to obtain the next one and miss reading of the latest adventures, mysteries and life's foibles.
Carlin Z. (carjac) - , reviewed Blue Shoes and Happiness (Ladies Detective Agency, Bk. 7) on + 20 more book reviews
This is the 7th book of a 10 book series. There is only one detective agency in this community and it is owned and managed by a lady and her assistant. The assistant loves and listens to what her shoes have to say. She bought a beautiful pair of blue shoes which were much to tight; hence the name of the book. There is always a new case and it is always solved. No great big mystery, more like large problems, but interesting enough to hold my interest.
It is interesting to learn of the culture and the "traditional" woman that runs this agency. Very easy reading and I am looking forward to book 8.
It is interesting to learn of the culture and the "traditional" woman that runs this agency. Very easy reading and I am looking forward to book 8.
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
This is another great story in this series. I really liked it alot and look forward to the next in the series. They are very enjoyable.
This is a relaxing read. It is not my favorite of the Ladies Detective Agency series, but it has the familiar feel and characters of the series. I would not suggest this unless reader was a fan of the series. The earlier books have richer plots.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Blue Shoes and Happiness (Ladies Detective Agency, Bk. 7) on + 1450 more book reviews
Once again I returned to Botswana and the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. The issues in this mystery are blackmail, drug fraud, weight loss and happiness - strange mixture indeed but Smith weaves it all together to make a warm, humorous story. Precious Ramotswe's intent to lose weight is an all too human effort. At the same time she pursues the identity of a blackmailer and searches out a case of drug fraud perhaps perpetuated by a physician. And happiness comes from the purchase of a beautiful blue shoes too small for the buyer and an expensive leather chair comfortable enough for its owner. There is something about these little mysteries that I find so relaxing and enjoyable.
In this latest installment there is considerable excitement at The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. A cobra has been found in Precious Ramotswes office. Then a nurse from a local medical clinic reveals that faulty bloodpressure readings are being recorded there. And Botswana has a new advice columnist, Aunty Emang, whose advice is rather curt for Mma Ramotswes taste.
All this means a lot of work for our heroine and her inestimable assistant, Grace Makutsi, and they are, of course, up to the challenge. And while Mma Makutsi may be able to buy that fashionably narrow (and uncomfortable) pair of blue shoes, it may not buy her the happiness that Mma Ramotswe promises her shell find in the simpler thingsin contentment with the world and enough tea to smooth over the occasional bumps in the road.
All this means a lot of work for our heroine and her inestimable assistant, Grace Makutsi, and they are, of course, up to the challenge. And while Mma Makutsi may be able to buy that fashionably narrow (and uncomfortable) pair of blue shoes, it may not buy her the happiness that Mma Ramotswe promises her shell find in the simpler thingsin contentment with the world and enough tea to smooth over the occasional bumps in the road.
