Precious Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi are back in the seventh book of the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, Blue Shoes and Happiness.Mma Ramotswe faces several mysteries this time, including an advice columnist with an attitude, a problem at the local game preserve and a doctor, who may be recording false blood pressure readings that his nurse thinks is suspicious.The more subtle problems are personal in nature.Should Mma Ramotswe, a traditionally built woman, go on a diet? Does it matter that you buy something for yourself that brings you happiness, even if it does not seem to work to your benefit? What happens when you try to help, but only cause a larger problem? It is the subtle items that make these books so delightful.Who would have thought that the seemingly mundane events of every day life could be so entertaining and so charming?Precious Ramotswe is just that, precious.She is well respected and very well versed in the traditional ways of her people.Her father was also well thought of and left her enough money, when he died, to start her own business.She soon hires Grace Makutsi, a lady who is very proud of her secretarial school accomplishments, as her assistant.She later moves her office in with her husband, who is a mechanic.It remains a mystery, why their engagement took so long.The key to the success of this book series is in its simplicity.Whether talking about the mysteries, the characters, their way of life or life's simple occurrences, each book is wonderfully written and easily ingested.The beauty lies in knowing that even a sophisticated modern American can relate to the simple issues addressed by these Botswanan characters.Like a fine wine or a delicate cheese, these books should be savored.Allow yourself the time to read them at a leisurely gait.Don't be in too much of a hurry, but rather absorb them slowly.That way you can appreciate Smith's rhythmic story telling and his understanding of the human condition.I'm glad I didn't let my cozy bias keep me from discovering this series.Luckily I was hooked prior to trying to swallow Smith's Espresso Tales from his 44 Scotland Street series.I could not finish that back in 2007.Frumpy, manipulative women are not exactly my cup of tea.But I do strongly recommend both Mma Ramotswe's detective agency and her favorite bush tea (also known as, rooibos).
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