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Blue Shoes and Happiness (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency)
 
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Blue Shoes and Happiness (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency) (Hardcover)

by Alexander McCall Smith (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Pantheon Books (18 April 2006)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0375422722
  • ISBN-13: 978-0375422720
  • Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 14.5 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 713,405 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Review
'A rare pleasure' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'Forget the library - the body is in the mud hut. An African Miss Marple created by a Scottish lawyer ... Superb' SUNDAY TIMES 'There is something almost divinely appealing about the way McCall Smith writes about daily life in Botswana...it is hard to think of a contemporary writer more genuinely engaging ... I find it impossible to think about [his novels] without smiling' MAIL ON SUNDAY --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Blue Shoes and Happiness (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency)
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Customer Reviews

27 Reviews
5 star:
 (18)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (3)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (27 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
65 of 66 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Back to Botswana, 18 Mar 2006
By David A. Green "ofsted" (Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Blue Shoes and Happiness (No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency) (Hardcover)
I awaited the arrival of this book with anticipation. I am not disappointed. I am back in Botswana and immersed in the wisdom and wit of the characters. Whilst the chapters have a way of switching between running themes the book is delightful and I will not be giving it away but keeping it to re-read again and again. Tired of the cold English winter - step out into the sun. This book will not let you down.
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48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Tight fitting blue shoes and a blackmail plot extraordinaire..., 18 May 2006
By Kali "bengaligirl" (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: Blue Shoes and Happiness (No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency) (Hardcover)
Blue Shoes and Happiness" is yet another superb book from the much understated Alexander Mccall Smith who has given millions of readers a real taste of life in Botswana, a little African country with an amazing history.

In this new instalment Precious Ramotswe and her shrewd assistant Mma Makutsi, have a frightening encounter with a cobra in their office, an ill omen in the guise of a wounded bird, good intentions by one of Mma Ramotswe's employees, a new chair, and a diet that gets out hand, along with a nasty blackmail plot that involves Mma Ramotswe doing some delicate sleuthing in a private school's kitchen to find out who the culprit is and bring them to task.

Add to this a pair of tight fitting but gorgeous blue shoes that gently thread their way through the story line, lashings of bush tea and the wisdom of a Botswana lady detective who understands the frailties of human nature and what makes people tick, she is a kinder version of Agatha Christies's Jane Marple, and with Mma Ramotswe we don't get too many red herrings but we do get the odd twist in the tale in a comfortable read that is both intelligent and enjoyable.

I have to add to this review that I just love the titles of Mccall Smith's books in this particular series; they are so delicious you almost want to put them between two slices of bread and have them for supper with a cup of bush tea! Superlative is all I can say for both book and title!
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable fluff, 4 April 2006
By Mrs. S. V. Munsey "lovetoad" (Bideford, North devon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Blue Shoes and Happiness (No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency) (Hardcover)
I've read everything by this author and, like so many reviewers, prefer the traditionally built charms of Mma Ramotswe to his other characters.

I waited patiently for the next instalment of the No1 Ladies series but was not disappointed with Blue Shoes and Happiness. Like the previous books this is enjoyable fluff - no deep, dark hidden meaning here (this is a WYSIWYG book!), just enjoyable characters with a non too challenging storyline. Perfect for reading at the end of a hard day at work as it transports you to beautiful Botswana, sunshine and red bush tea.

I'd like a bit more "meat" in the next book please Mr McCall Smith - give something to Precious that will stretch or challenge her a bit - life is a bit too easy! Maybe consider a non-happy ending, a cliffhanger or something to keep us gagging for the next book?

Lastly, congrats to Mma Ramotswe on the death of her diet. May traditionally built women thrive and prosper!! ;o)

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars a good read with gentle humour
As with the other books in the series this is a good read with gentle humour. The characters become friends. I loved it.
Published 9 days ago by Rosemary Willis

2.0 out of 5 stars Repetitve
I made the mistake of reading the books in this series in quick succession. I found myself saying 'I know that already' many times whilst reading this book and not just because... Read more
Published 1 month ago by FRANK BEILL

3.0 out of 5 stars Spread too thin
I honestly think that Alexander McCall Smith has lost interest in Precious and the crew, the repetition in this novel starts to grate a bit. Read more
Published 12 months ago by A. I. Mackenzie

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
This is a beautiful series of novels that remind us what it is to be human and to be a member of a closely-knit society. Read more
Published on 4 Jul 2007 by David

5.0 out of 5 stars To Do List: "Find new shoes"
Life in Botswana can become immensely complicated. The problem of finding parking space for a "tiny, white van" looms. Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2007 by Stephen A. Haines

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as "traditionally built" as the others...
What I want to say has probably already been said: I love Precious and the gang and, having lived in Africa (though not Botswana per se) for a time, I can relate to the "slower... Read more
Published on 12 May 2007 by MayGoodComeToUs

5.0 out of 5 stars We're all citizens of Botswana now
I loaned my mum the first three books and she was convinced that they were autobiographic accounts of a real Botswanan woman of traditional build. Read more
Published on 20 April 2007 by SARAH MCCARTNEY

4.0 out of 5 stars another pleasant read
Although I have not read all the books in the series I enjoy the easy style of the No 1 Lady Detective series. Read more
Published on 15 April 2007 by Joanne

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant! Another wonderful book in the Ladies' Detective Agency Series!
If you've enjoyed all of the other books in the series, then you should enjoy this one too!! I just love this series. Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2007 by S. Barnes

4.0 out of 5 stars Same old shoes, same old happiness
I have read and loved all Alexander McCall Smith's Botswana books, and so it breaks my heart to say this, but he really should stop writing them now. Read more
Published on 14 Mar 2007 by S. Bailey

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