Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith

Fiction: Mystery. Hardback from Pantheon Books. Published in 2006. 227 pages. On loan from the Kent District Library.

I tried a couple of his other books outside of this series without really caring for them. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series, however still provides me with an enjoyable read. This is not a challenging tome, by any stretch, but a nice story with insights into human nature sprinkled throughout.

"Happiness was an elusive thing. It had something to do with having beautiful shoes, sometimes; but it was about so much else. About a country. About a people. About having friends like this."

Publisher's summary:
From internationally best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith comes the seventh novel in the phenomenally popular and endlessly charming series that began with The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Once again Botswana's only female detective, Mma Ramotswe, and her invaluable assistant, Mma Makutsi, puzzle out the mysteries of life while finding comfort in steaming mugs of bush tea.

Danger hits close to home when a cobra is found in Mma Ramotswe's office. Of less immediate danger, but greater general interest, are the faulty blood pressure measurements being recorded at the local clinic. But perhaps the biggest mystery is why Mma Makutsi's fiance has missed their usual dinner date. Is he discontented? And if so, will cramming her feet into a pair of fashionable blue shoes help Mma Makutsi find happiness?

Full of subtle wit and charming characters, Blue Shoes and Happiness is another unforgettable gem from McCall Smith.

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