2.5 if you look being bored then it’s good

***Sixth read***
Rereading this series with my husband and we are both loving it! If you are a lady who loves shoes, you might love it too

This is now the 7th book in the series, and once again we are looking at a comfort book about a traditional lady (Mma. Ramotswe) and her No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. As in all books, the actual cases take a back seat to both character development and Botswana (and I have won a few trivia games thanks to my knowledge of Botswana!). A lot happens and yet a lot does not happen. We have a few cases, none of which are going to be money makers for the Agency, and for the first time that I can remember we have a few matters that are left unresolved by the end of the book - and we can only hope that they resolve themselves in Book 8. In a way, this book is more about those who work at Agency and at the garage than the main character. As always, the Agency has ingenious ways of resolving matters, none of which really rely on hard detective work, but much of which rely on intuition. Men are on the whole spoken of poorly in this series, and that is becoming a main drawback. The relationship between Grace Makutsi and the apprentice Charlie is as bad as ever, and while I understand that this is a ladies series and a ladies detective agency, pretty soon we need a bit of balance.
An enjoyable book filled with Botswanian insights and philosophies and a series that you can easily slip back into any time.

As with all of the number one ladies Detective books, I loved this one as our characters learn to negotiate and have consideration for other people, which is something we all should do.

Really like the characters

This volume in the popular No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series is one that will keep readers hopping as it seems like everyone is looking for help from the agency.

One of the more interesting cases is brought to her by Botelo Mampodi, a nurse who has some concerns that the doctor she works for might not totally on the up-and-up as he seems to be excluding her from portions of exams that she normally would be involved with. Mma Ramotswe remembers the last time she had to deal with a doctor with questionable ethics and opts to take on the case for the greater good even as she knows that Mma Mampodi will not be able to pay her fro the work.

Then there is a case Mma Ramotswe is hired by Poppy Maope for. She works a the food fall at the local college, and she believes the head chef might be stealing food to bring home. The only problem is that the chef is Poppy's boss, and she is concerned that she will be fired if she reports the chef.

The manager of a nearby animal preserve also decides to contact the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency for assistance. In this case, his workers are struggling with an overpowering fear. Unfortunately, no one is willing to come forward and highlight the root of the problem so it will be up Mma Ramotswe to sort it out so everyone can get back to work.

Of course, there is always the interesting personal lives of the primary characters to enrich the tale even further. Grace Makutsi, the awkward and talented assistant detective has recently become engaged to the successful furniture store owner Phuti Radiphuti. Mr. Radiphuti is a traditionalist, and Mma Makutsi makes the mistake of highlighting that all women are feminists. She can't help but worry whether that statement might drive her fiance away.

One of the newest characters to the series, Mr. Polopetsi, who has been hired on at Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's garage, is still dealing with the consequences of being wrongly jailed. He has been fortunate in that Mma Ramotswe and her friends and family seem more than willing to help, but his own family is less understanding. He would love to have a new car, but his uncle is unwilling to provide him with a lone.

Finally, everyone is also starting to wonder if either of Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's apprentices will finish up there time with the garage. While they seem to be able to do the work, they are quite lazy ... even with the watchful eye of Mma Makutse.

This book nicely balance the personal lives of the characters with the interesting cases they are drawn into. Grace Makutsi quickly became a favorite character of mine, and she is really given a chance to shine in this story. Mma Ramotswe is also able to figure anything out with some logic and a little common sense. This is another nice addition to the series.

This installment in the series is another openhearted reminder of the slower, kinder Botswana culture …a kind of sanctuary from the crazy-paced Western culture. Characteristic of McCall Smith’s blueprint, the simple “mysteries” are a vehicle for the character studies which reveal their life philosophies and human values. An agreeable read.

Another excellent book by Alexander McCall Smith. Precious and Grace have such common sense and respect for each other and their clients. Another man has been added to help in The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Mr. Polopetsi. He is amazed and awed at the ability of Mma Ramotswe to solve her cases.

I highly recommend this book.

It's been a long time since I have read anything in this series. I forgot about how I felt when I read these books. #1) The setting of this series is very unique. I love reading about this small little country in Africa #2) the characters are fun, interesting and great to get to know. The main character Precious, is a very respectable woman. But she has insecurities, vulnerabilities and fears. Just like anyone else. Her husband is great. Mme Makutsi is smart and driven but also very vulnerable.
There were several mysteries to solve in this book. Simple but satisfying once settled.
I am so glad I read this. This series is comforting and so interesting. I need a dose of this much more often!
I gave this a 4..maybe it should be a 4.5. It's a good book and I like the series but it wasn't breathtaking

(****Review of the audio book.)
Wow! This book is well-written. I love the characters and dialogue. It is also family-friendly. Highly recommended.

Mma Makutsi finally goes too far with her shoe obsession–she indulges in a pair of blue, pointy-toe shoes that wouldn’t fit any human foot, ever. So this purchase brings her anything but happiness. Besides this fiasco, she makes the mistake of telling her fiancé that she’s a feminist, not realizing that this could drive him away. But the usual detective work of the agency lightens things up, although there are doses of blackmail, witchcraft and fraud. Not to worry–the plentiful cups of red bush tea help everything to sort itself out in the most cheerful possible manner.

The small country of Botswana must enjoy the envy of all of its neighbors. It has enlightened leadership, a strong economy, high literacy rate, wonderful scenery and wild life, and a culture that emphasizes caring for ones neighbors. For those who are not familiar with this wonderful series of books, “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” you are really missing a treasure. Alexander McCall Smith left his homeland in Zimbabwe (like so many others) to teach law at the University of Botswana, providing him the opportunity to capture this wonderful culture in a series of rewarding books. As with the other books, this one captures Precious Ramotswe and her side-kick Grace Makutsi as they solve the problems of their neighbors in and around Gaborone with wisdom and sensitivity. The TV series in 2009 on HBO starring American jazz singer Jill Scott is also not to be missed.