Shoes and vanity appear in this 7th installment of the adventures of Precious Ramotswe and her community, along with an advice columnist and some unwanted reptile life.

I like it when Mma Makutsi talks to her shoes and they say something back to her. She is fond of shoes. I identify with her, she is not beautiful so much, but she is a really attractive woman. ( )

In the seventh book in this very popular series by Alexander McCall Smith, we once more get into the minds of the thoughtful cast of characters of Gabarone, Botswana. We listen to the usual ruminations of the No. 1 detective, Mma Ramotswe, and her husband and mechanic, J.L.B. Matekoni, as they decry the passing of the old ways of Botswana and the coming of the new generation of more careless, materialistic young people as particularly exemplified in the apprentice mechanics who spend every leisure moment ogling the girls who pass by the repair shop. Mma Ramotswe summarizes by saying, "People did not know just how much we had in those days--those days when we seemed to have so little, we had so much." Although we have often heard Mma Ramotswe's description of herself as "traditionally built," in this book we see the inner musings of a woman challenged to call her condition in blunter terms and go on a diet with all the attendant temptations and rationalizations. The incendiary topic of feminism is also dealt with as both J.L.B. Matekoni and Assistant Detective, Mma Makutsi in different situations have to confront and perhaps modify their positions. The subjects of Mma Ramotswe's detective ventures this time deal with ancient superstitions, an advice columnist of questionable activities, falsified blood pressure readings and the threatened love life of her co-worker, Grace Makutsi. All done with a warmth and gentleness that keeps us in anticipation of the next offering of Alexander McCall Smith. ( )

I read the first six books of this series some time ago and pretty much back-to-back. It took me a pretty long time to get this book though for various reasons, and I have to admit after finally reading it, I was slightly disappointed. The characters are still as wonderful and engaging as ever, and I love McCall Smith’s writing style – it’s simple yet deep at the same time. However, this particular book in the series really strayed from the detective work of Mma Ramotswe, which I enjoy a great deal. There were hardly any cases in this particular novel and they were not the main focus of the book. Rather, this book liked to look more at the inner workings of Mma Ramotswe’s mind, particularly her silly daydreams. This was not what was I expecting from a No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency book, and I’m hoping that the next in the series will be more in line with the first six than with this one. ( )

Mma Ramotswe is back in full detective mode in this book with cases of blackmail, witchcraft, and medical malpractice to investigate.

Just as charming as ever. I had hoped to continue with the series but the book has sold out in my local bookshops, and apparently the ebook version is only available to customers in the USA and Canada. How do they expect to stamp out piracy if they refuse to sell to legitimate customers? ( )