Book Review: The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith

I always feel as though reading a book from this series is like catching up with old friends. They're all here in The Good Husband of Zebra Drive: Precious Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi, Mr J.L.B Makatoni, Mr Polopetsi and the apprentices.
Precious Ramotswe has to investigate a series of deaths at the hospital, possible theft at a printing company and she allows Mr J.L.B Maketoni to head up his own case where a disgruntled wife is accusing her husband of having an affair. Personal lives and business cross paths when Mma Makutsi declares her resignation and Charlie, the apprentice, leaves to set up his own taxi firm.
I am a big, big fan of this series and Alexander McCall Smith's writing in general but unfortunately this one just didn't do it for me. The characters were perfect as usual, they really are brilliant creations. However, I just found it really difficult to immerse myself completely. It was almost as though there were too many competing strands so I found it hard to get fully involved in the story.
This isn't one of my favourites from the series but it was lovely to step back into the world of Mma Ramotswe and her detective agency. I have the next one on my TBR pile and I look forward to finding out what is in store for these wonderful characters.

Book Review: Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith

This is the seventh book in The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. The author writes a few different series' of books but I think they are all similar in that they contain his quite particular way of looking at the world. Whether it is a mansion block in Pimlico or a village in Botswana, McCall Smith always manages to draw our attention to the small but important things in life.

Blue Shoes and Happiness sees the return of Precious Ramotswe setting out to solve the problems of her clients. There are a few cases of blackmail to solve in this installment plus a worrying atmosphere at the Mokoldo game reserve that may be caused by witchcraft.

Mma Makutsi is there to help her loyal employer although she is having some problems of her own concerning her new fiance Phuti Radiphuti. Mr J.L.B Matekoni is still struggling with the useless apprentices and longs for nothing more than a comfy chair to relax in after a hard day at the garage.

As usual, Alexander McCall Smith creates a very engaging story but it is the beautiful and highly believable characters that keep me returning to this series of books. It is like meeting up with old friends and I am already looking forward to the next one.