Book Review: Blue Shoes and Happiness

Book: Blue Shoes and Happiness (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book #7) by Alexander McCall Smith

Edition: Paperback

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Review:

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books are truly what I think of as cozy mystery because reading Blue Shoes and Happiness was like drinking a hot cup of tea. As the story plays out you are swept up in the lives of these characters before the actual mysteries start to develop. Such as with Grace Makutsi, a total misunderstanding was plaguing her as she thought her engagement with her fiancé Phuti Radiphuti was in jeopardy of ending.

And when the mysteries do start to unfold, Detective Precious Ramotswe and her assistant Detective Makutsi inadvertently found themselves with several cases such as insuring a woman would not lose her job as a cook at a university, and in a separate yet related case dealing with the senior cook of the university who was being extorted, while another case dealt with strange occurrences at a wildlife game reserve and lastly a doctor who maybe up to something questionable surrounding his patients.

Detective Ramotswe received additional help from Mr Polopetsi, who works at both her detective agency and at her husband Mr J. L. B. Matekoni's repair shop Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors.

This series is probably one of the rare instances where I'm not annoyed that it takes a while before a mystery begins which is one of my pet peeves. However, for this seventh book it felt like it took perhaps longer than the other books in the series to finally get the mystery part of the story going. There also wasn't enough attention focused on providing the reader with clues to help figure out the mysteries.

I do enjoy this series because it has unique and interesting characters and story but this time it focused a bit less on the mysteries. It felt like the detectives and their helper Mr Polopetsi knew what was going on but I felt like the reader was left out at times. It's still a wonderfully well-written, engaging and at times humorous read and I love the characters but I guess the mystery aspect could have been better.

Currently Reading: Blue Shoes and Happiness

I can't believe it's been three years since I've read a book from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. I love this series, it's cozy yet has these interesting mysteries and wonderfully charming characters. Although I've read 10 out of the 18 books, I haven't necessarily read them in order for the most part. But the way that they are written make it's easy to follow along whenever I read one out of order.

Book: Blue Shoes and Happiness (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book #7) by Alexander McCall Smith

Edition: Paperback

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 go 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. 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 like a new pair of blue shoes, a slice of cake or a red sunset over the Kalahari.

365 Days of Books of Interest: Day #124: Precious and Grace

I had no idea a new No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book would be out later this year. I love this series (and the cover of this book), it's a cozy mystery with very interesting characters. As much as I really want to read this, I still need to get the last book. 

Book: Precious and Grace (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book #17) by Alexander McCall Smith

Publication: October 11, 2016

Description:

The delightful seventeenth installment of the ever-popular, perennially best-selling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series

Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's premier lady detective, is a little short on help. The co-director of the agency, Grace Makutsi, is busy with her own case, her client none other than their erstwhile assistant, Mr. Polopetsi, who has unwittingly involved himself in a pyramid scheme. The agency's other assistant, Charlie, may also need more help than he can offer, as he is newly embroiled in a romance with a glamorous woman about whom the others have their doubts. So when a young Canadian woman approaches Mma Ramotswe with a complex case, it's up to her alone to solve it—with her signature intuition and insight, of course. The young woman spent part of her childhood in Botswana and needs help finding a long-lost acquaintance. But much time has passed, and her memory yields few clues. The difficult search—and the unexpected results—will remind them all that sometimes it's those we think we know best who most surprise us.

365 Days of Books of Interest: Day #17: The Good Husband of Zebra Drive

I love reading the No. Ladies' Detective Agency books, it's a cozy mystery with interesting characters and mysteries.

I've read most of the books in the series with only six (including this one) that I haven't gotten around to reading yet. This is definitely one of my favorite mystery series.

Book: The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book #8) by Alexander McCall Smith

Description:

In the life of Precious Ramotswe–a woman duly proud of her fine traditional build– there is rarely a dull moment, and in the latest installment in the universally beloved No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series there is much happening on Zebra Drive and Tlokweng Road. Mma Ramotswe is experiencing staffing difficulties. First Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni asks to be put in charge of a case involving an errant husband. But can a man investigate such matters as successfully as the number one lady detective can? Then she has a minor falling-out with her assistant, Mma Makutsi, who decides to leave the agency, taking the 97 percent she received on her typing final from the Botswana Secretarial College with her.

Along the way, Mma Ramotswe is asked to investigate a couple of tricky cases. Will she be able to explain an unexpected series of deaths at the hospital in Mochudi? And what about the missing office supplies at a local printing company? These are the types of questions that she is uniquely well suited to answer.

In the end, whatever happens, Mma Ramotswe knows she can count on Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, who stands for all that is solid and true in a shifting world. And there is always her love for Botswana, a country of which she is justifiably proud.

Books of Interest: The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine and If I Could Turn Back Time

I love reading the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books because I love the characters and the interesting mysteries. I've read nearly all the books but there are only few books sprinkled throughout the series that I have not read.


Book: The Woman Who Walked In Sunshine (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book #16) by Alexander McCall Smith

Publication: October 27, 2015

Description:

This latest installment of the beloved and best-selling series—as endearing and delectable as ever!
 
Business is slow at the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, so at Mma Makutsi’s suggestion, Mma Ramotswe is persuaded to take her first-ever holiday. But just as she’s about to depart, a new client arrives: a young woman whose father was considered a hero in Botswana but whose reputation is now being called into question. Mma Ramotswe almost cancels her trip, but Mma Makutsi is adamant that she and Charlie have the situation in hand. Precious can’t relax, however, if she doesn’t know what’s going on at the agency, so she enlists Charlie to be her eyes and ears while she’s away. But Charlie may not be an altogether reliable emissary, particularly with much of his attention devoted to his newly adopted dog. In the end, it’s an investigation that will affect everyone at the Agency, and a reminder for us all that ordinary human failings should be treated with a large helping of charity and compassion.

Surprisingly, I have not read anything from this author. The description for this seems really interesting with the character getting a chance to go back and maybe relive her life.


Book: If I Could Turn Back Time by Beth Harbison

Publication: July 28, 2015

Description:

Told with Beth Harbison's wit and warmth, If I Could Turn Back Time is the fantasy of every woman who has ever thought, "If I could go back in time, knowing what I know now, I'd do things so differently..."

Thirty-seven year old Ramie Phillips has led a very successful life. She made her fortune and now she hob nobs with the very rich and occasionally the semi-famous, and she enjoys luxuries she only dreamed of as a middle-class kid growing up in Potomac, Maryland. But despite it all, she can't ignore the fact that she isn't necessarily happy. In fact, lately Ramie has begun to feel more than a little empty.

On a boat with friends off the Florida coast, she tries to fight her feelings of discontent with steel will and hard liquor. No one even notices as she gets up and goes to the diving board and dives off...

Suddenly Ramie is waking up, straining to understand a voice calling in the distance...It's her mother: "Wake up! You're going to be late for school again. I'm not writing a note this time..."

Ramie finds herself back on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, with a second chance to see the people she's lost and change the choices she regrets. How did she get back here? Has she gone off the deep end? Is she really back in time? Above all, she'll have to answer the question that no one else can: What it is that she really wants from the past, and for her future?

Book Review: The Full Cupboard of Life

Book: The Full Cupboard of Life (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book #5) by Alexander McCall Smith

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

There is just something about this series that I love so much. I don't know if it's the writing, the stories, the characters and the way they interact with each other or the cozy feel of the series. Whatever it is, they all make the series great.

In this fifth book, detective Precious Ramotswe was tasked with looking into the potential suitors of her client Mma Holonga, a wealthy woman who wants to make sure that it is her they love and not her money.

Romance matters also plague Precious because she is starting to wonder if her fiancé Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni ever plan to marry. They have been engaged for quite some time.

But wedding plans are far from the mind of Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni because he has been talked into doing a parachute jump for charity by the ever persuasive (yet kind) Mma Potokwane. Even though the jump would raise money for the orphans all he can think about is that he may not survive the jump from the plane.

Another thing that has Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni stressed out is dealing with a rival mechanic who is notorious for bad service and cheating customers. Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni feels like something should be done but the other mechanic is considered a really tough and mean guy and a confrontation is not something Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni is looking forward to.

And not to be left out of the story Grace Makutsi's was experiencing some good luck with moving to a new home and enjoying all the good things that have been happening for her but that doesn't stop her from being her old self at work. Be it dealing with Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's sometimes careless and lazy apprentices to giving Mma Potokwane some well needed truth about how pushy she can be.

This was such a nice and cozy read.

Currently Reading: The Full Cupboard of Life

Sitting around relaxing made me want to read a book. I decided to go with one of my favorite series, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. I'm nearly finished with the other three books and should have reviews up soon for them.


Book: The Full Cupboard of Life (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book #5) by Alexander McCall Smith

Description:

In the fifth book in the series, traditionally built, eminently sensible Precious Ramotswe continues her enterprise at the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana, a country that is indeed fortunate.

Still engaged to the estimable Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, Mma Ramotswe understands that he has other concerns, especially a hair-raising request from the ever persuasive Mma Potokwane, matron of the orphan farm. Besides, Mma Ramotswe herself has weighty matters on her mind. She has been approached by a wealthy lady to check up on the intentions of several suitors. This may be a difficult case, but it's just the kind of problem Mma Ramotswe likes and she is, as we know, a very intuitive lady.

Wishlist: The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency)

The funny thing is I've see the title written in two different ways: The Handsome Man's De Luxe Café and as The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café (see below).

Either way, I am adding this to my wishlist. I love this series.


Book: The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book #15) by Alexander McCall Smith

Description:

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency often helps people find things they have lost. But they have never had to help a client find herself — until now, in this latest installment of Alexander McCall Smith’s best-selling and beloved series.

A kindhearted brother and sister have taken in a woman known only as “Mrs.”— a woman with no memory of her name or of how she came to Botswana. And so it’s up to Precious Ramotswe and her new co-director, Grace Makutsi, to discover the woman’s identity.

Meanwhile, motherhood proves to be no obstacle to Mma Makutsi’s professional success. As she settles into her role as partner at the agency, she also launches a new enterprise of her own: the Handsome Man’s De Luxe Café, a restaurant for Gaborone’s most fashionable diners. But even Miss 97 Per Cent isn’t fully prepared for the temperamental chefs, drunken waiters, and other challenges that come with running one’s own business. Help may come from an unexpected source, if only Mma Makutsi can swallow her pride and ask.

And next door to the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni is all too familiar with the difficult decisions of business owners. He is finally forced to make a tough choice, one that will bring major changes to both Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors and the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency—and that will require all of Mma Ramotswe’s finesse and patience to sort out.

With sympathy and indefatigable good humor, Mma Ramotswe and her friends see one another through these major changes and discover along the way what true friendship really means.

Book Review: The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon

 

Book: The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency book #14) by Alexander McCall Smith

Source: Library

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Review:

Honestly, I love reading the books from this series, first for the characters and second for the mysteries.

To me this long running series hasn't lost any of it's appeal from when I read the first book. And the 14th book find detective Precious Ramotswe having to initially go about solving two mysteries alone while her associate detective Grace Makutsi is out on maternity leave.

The first mystery had detective Ramotswe trying to determine if the young man who is to be granted the estate from his late uncle is truly the person who is supposed to inherit the land. According to the lawyer Mma Sheba who is handling the case, she believes the young man Liso is impersonating the real Liso in order to get access to the inheritance.

The second mystery surrounded the owner of a newly opened beauty salon who has received an anonymous threat in the mail followed by rampant gossip and printed flyers possibly to put the owner out of business.

With Grace's return they were able to turn up some interesting clues which took their investigations to new directions.

There is also a secondary and humorous plot that has Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni attending a class for husbands who want to become more modern instead of being old fashioned or traditional. He thought he needed to change to be a better husband. Which was far from the truth but he was encouraged by a friend to go to these classes.

I like reading this series because it's such a character driven series and the characters continue to be interesting, charming and real. There is a rich variety of the characters that keeps the story fresh. An although this is the epitome of the cozy mystery that doesn't stop the mysteries from holding your attention.

So, far I continue to enjoy this series and I have mention before in my last review for this series that you can really tell the author cares about these characters. Because the characters have not gotten stale or stagnant, the characters are allowed to progress and move on with new experiences. Which is a delight for the reader.

Currently Reading: The Book Thief and The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon

I totally forgot I checked these two books out from the library and I have a little less than a week to read them. I don't think it will take me long to read them. For now I'll postpone reading Shadow of Night for a few days.

Book: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Source: Library

Description:

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

 

Book: The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency book #14) by Alexander McCall Smith

Source: Library

Description:

Precious Ramotswe has taken on two puzzling cases. First she is approached by the lawyer Mma Sheba, who is the executor of a deceased farmer’s estate. Mma Sheba has a feeling that the young man who has stepped forward may be falsely impersonating the farmer’s nephew in order to claim his inheritance. Mma Ramotswe agrees to visit the farm and find out what she can about the self-professed nephew. Then the proprietor of the Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon comes to Mma Ramotswe for advice. The opening of her new salon has been shadowed by misfortune. Not only has she received a bad omen in the mail, but rumors are swirling that the salon is using dangerous products that burn people’s skin. Could someone be trying to put the salon out of business?

Meanwhile, at the office, Mma Ramotswe has noticed something different about Grace Makutsi lately. Though Mma Makutsi has mentioned nothing, it has become clear that she is pregnant . . . But in Botswana—a land where family has always been held above all else—this may be cause for controversy as well as celebration.

With genuine warmth, sympathy, and wit, Alexander McCall Smith explores some tough questions about married life, parenthood, grief, and the importance of the traditions that shape and guide our lives.

Book of Interest: The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon

I've read nearly all the books in this series, there's only five that I still have to read. Looking forward to reading this one. The beauty salon owner was introduced in the last book and it will be interesting to see who might be trying to put her out of business.

Book: The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book #14) by Alexander McCall Smith

Release date: November 5th

Description:

In the latest book in the beloved best-selling series of mysteries set in Botswana, Mma Ramotswe is asked to help the proprietor of the Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon, who is having trouble with her business. The salon has suffered some unfortunate events, including face cream that burns the skin. Could someone be trying to put the salon out of business? Meanwhile, on the home front, Mma Makutsi is going to have a baby. But in Botswana—a land where family has always been held above all else but which is on the crossroads between old and new—this may be cause for as much controversy as celebration.

Quote: No. #1 Ladies' Detective Agency

 

“Mma Ramotswe sighed. 'We are all tempted, Mma. We are all tempted when it comes to cake.'

That is true,' said Mma Potokwane sadly. 'There are many temptations in this life, but cake is probably one of the biggest of them.”


Quote from In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book #6)

Book Review: The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection

Book: The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #13) by Alexander McCall Smith

Source: Library

Rating: 4 stars

Review:

I love reading books from this series because the characters are so well written even the ones that are only shown in a small scene.

This time the book featured three mysteries, the first centered around Silvia Potokwane's abrupt dismissal from her post as Matron of the orphanage. The second focused on one of my J.L.B Matekoni's young mechanics being accused of handling stolen goods (car theft). While the third centered around the builder that Grace Makutsi and her husband Phuti Radiphuti had hired to build their home.

I found this book to be very interesting and lovely to read. I love the interaction between the main characters, they seem like real people. This story included the famed author Clovis Anderson. Well, he's famous to Detective Precious Ramotswe and her Associate Detective Grace Makutsi because he wrote the detective book they are always referencing throughout the series. Mr. Anderson made a lovely introduction to this series, I do hope that he returns for a future story.

This is a great series with wonderful characters that continues to be entertaining to read. So far this series has not felt stagnant or stale. And with a long running series, it's easy for an author to just coast along churning out books but not with this series, you can tell the author truly cares about this series. I wonder what the next book will be, I'm already looking forward to reading it.

Currently Reading for the Book Girl read-a-thon: The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection

After reading two disappointing books in a row, I know I'll love this. I have yet to be let down from reading one of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books. This is the fourth book in my seven book challenge, I think I can reach my goal before I have return these books back to the library. 

Book: The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #13) by Alexander McCall Smith

Source: Library

Description:

THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY - Book 13

Fans around the world adore the bestselling No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, the basis of the HBO TV show, and its proprietor Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s premier lady detective.  In this charming series, Mma  Ramotswe navigates her cases and her personal life with wisdom, and good humor—not to mention help from her loyal assistant, Grace Makutsi, and the occasional cup of tea.

Precious Ramotswe is haunted by a repeated dream: a vision of a tall, strange man who waits for her beneath an acacia tree. Odd as this is, she’s far too busy to worry about it. The best apprentice at Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors is in trouble with the law and stuck with the worst lawyer in Gaborone. Grace Makutsi and Phuti Radiphuti are building the house of their dreams, but their builder is not completely on the up and up. And, most shockingly, Mma Potokwane, defender of Botswana’s weak and downtrodden, has been dismissed from her post as matron at the orphan farm. Can the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency help restore the beloved matron to her rightful position?

As wealthy and powerful influences at the orphan farm become allied against their friend, help arrives from an unexpected visitor: the tall stranger from Mma Ramotswe’s dreams, who turns out to be none other than the estimable Clovis Andersen, author of the No. 1 Ladies’ prized manual, The Principles of Private Detection. Together, Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi, and their teacher-turned-colleague help right this injustice and in the process discover something new about being a good detective.

Art of the Day: No. #1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Artwork: The Best in Botswana by SailorPtah

I loved the books and thought the TV series was great (too back it didn't return). This artwork is also very good, the artist captured the personalities of both Detective Precious Ramotswe and her assistant Grace Makutsi perfectly.

This is really good.

Book Review: The Miracle at Speedy Motors

Book: The Miracle at Speedy Motors (No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency #9) by Alexander McCall Smith

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

My Review:

I love reading the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books because of the amazing characters and interesting mysteries. In The Miracle at Speedy Motors, Detective Precious Ramotswe and her assistant Grace Makutsi were working on several cases including trying to help a woman who believed she was adopted to locate any family she may have.

Along side the main story were a few secondary stories: Grace Makutsi and the destruction of a new bed that she and her fiance had ordered, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni (Detective Ramotswe's husband) trying to find a medical break through for their foster daughter Motheloli who is confined to a wheel chair and someone was sending threatening letters to the ladies at the detective agency.

I found the ninth book to be funny, heartwarming and well written. The character development really drives these books and I love how each character has their own personalities and quirks. I really enjoy reading this series. Although I have not read the books in order I find that they are written in a way to keep new reader informed without slowing down the pace of the book.

Currently Reading: The Miracle at Speedy Motors and Blue Beetle Vol. #2 (New 52)

I really want to finish reading the rest of Blue Beetle but I'm going to read The Miracle at Speedy Motors first. I love the No. 1 ladies' detective agency series, it's such a good mystery series.

Book: The Miracle at Speedy Motors (No. 1 Ladies's Detective Agency #9) by Alexander McCall Smith

Book Description:

In the latest installment of the universally beloved, bestselling series, Mma Ramotswe discovers the biggest miracles in life are often the smallest.

Under the endless skies of Botswana, there is always something Mma Ramotswe can do to help someone and here she finds herself assisting a woman looking for her family. The problem is the woman doesn't know her real name or whether any of her family members are still alive. Meanwhile, Mma Makutsi is the recipient of a beautiful new bed that causes more than a few sleepless nights. And, at Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni has come under the influence of a doctor promising a miracle cure for his daughter's medical condition, which Mma Ramotswe finds hard to accept. Nonetheless, Precious Ramotswe handles these things in her usual compassionate and good-natured way, while always finding time for a cup of red bush tea.

Book: Blue Beetle Vol. #2: Blue Diamond

Book Description:

Blue Beetle Jaime Reyes has abandoned his friends, family and home, setting out on a path that brings him to New York City. As Beetle struggles with the curse of the scarab that is the source of his powers, a loathsome threat emerges - a predator who stalks runaway children!

Wish List Wednesday: The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection

I really enjoy reading the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books. I have not read all the books yet but the ones I have read have been really good.

Book: The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #13) by Alexander McCall Smith

Book Description:

Precious Ramotswe is haunted by a repeated dream: a vision of a tall, strange man who waits for her beneath an acacia tree. Odd as this is, she’s far too busy to worry about it. The best apprentice at Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors is in trouble with the law and stuck with the worst lawyer in Gaborone. Grace Makutsi and Phuti Radiphuti are building the house of their dreams, but their builder is not completely on the up and up. And, most shockingly, Mma Potokwane, defender of Botswana’s weak and downtrodden, has been dismissed from her post as matron at the orphan farm. Can the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency help restore the beloved matron to her rightful position?

As wealthy and powerful influences at the orphan farm become allied against their friend, help arrives from an unexpected visitor: the tall stranger from Mma Ramotswe’s dreams, who turns out to be none other than the estimable Clovis Andersen, author of the No. 1 Ladies’ prized manual, The Principles of Private Detection. Together, Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi, and their teacher-turned-colleague help right this injustice and in the process discover something new about being a good detective.