Start with the 1st book of 'THE No. 1 Ladies' DETECTIVE AGENCY'. To become acquainted with each of the characters that you'll love. Wonderful reading, you never know what Mmr Ramotswe next challenge will be.

Smith's stories are simple while dealing with often complex moral issues. His books are a delight to read.

I love all the books in this series. They make me laugh and now HBO is making them into a series in March. Can't wait.

Another wonderful book, time spent with old friends in a fascinating land. Once again, I felt absolutely convinced that these characters were real people, and real people I would love to know.

The cobra in the office, the sinister situation at the game reserve (deal with inexpertly by Mr. Polopetsi), the lesson of the new blue shoes learned by the newly prosperous Mma Makutsi-- all you hope for in a book of this series is there. Highly recommended.

Title notwithstanding, this series from Alexander McCall Smith doesn't make its living in the detective genre. Precious Ramotswe does indeed run the only ladies' detective agency in Botswana, but her investigations are incidental to the easy-going interactions of her daily life.

We find Mma Ramotswe musing over letters to a newspaper agony aunt and considering how wrongdoings affect those around us. Oh yes, she does investigate, armed with common sense and a copy of Clive Anderson's "Principles of Private Detection" and assisted by Grace Makutsi, star graduate of the Botswana Secretarial College. The ladies investigate blackmail, medical fraud, and a vague "something wrong" at a game preserve. The resolution of these cases further highlights the human foibles of greed and superstition.

The real charm of these books is in the gentle good nature they display. Grace is afraid of scaring her fiance away with feminist opinions; Precious worries about being "traditionally built" and considers the utility of dieting; new employee Mr. Polopetsi deals with prejudice due to his prison record; and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni craves comfort and buys an expensive chair without mentioning it to his wife, Precious. These everyday concerns invite the reader into the story.

Mma Makutsi's impractical "blue shoes," along with Mma Ramotswe's poorly considered diet, do not in the end contribute to the enjoyment of life and so they are hastily retired. Friendship, bush tea and fruit cake, kindness, family and tradition, the lush countryside after a refreshing rain -- these are the currency of Blue Shoes and Happiness (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Book 7). If you like thoughtful books and don't require a lot of action, this one's for you.

This review is based on the unabridged CD presentation, beautifully read by native South African Lisette Lecat.

Linda Bulger, 2008