Plave cipele i sreća

No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #7

by Alexander McCall Smith, Tanja Milosavljević (Translator)

U ovom nastavku internacionalnog bestselera Prva damska detektivska agencija slede nove zanimljive dogodovštine detektivke Mme Ramocve. U kancelariji Mme Ramocve pronađena je kobra; medicinska sestra iz lokalne klinike otkriva da se pacijentima očitavaju lažni nalazi krvnog pritiska, a Bocvana ima novu “dragu Savetu”, tetku Imang, čiji saveti su previše osorni za ukus Mme Ramocve. I u privatnom životu Mme Makuci javljaju se problemi - i premda ona ima sasvim dovoljno novca da kupi sebi pomodne i neudobne plave cipele, one joj ne mogu kupiti sreću za koju Mma Ramocve tvrdi da će je naći u jednostavnim stvarima – u zadovoljstvu ovim svetom i ispijanju šoljica čaja, što pomaže da se povremeno glatko prebrode nedaće.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Africa, Botswana, Crime, Cozy Mystery, Detective

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. Visit him online at www.alexandermccallsmith.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Reviews

[Kyrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I have to read one of these books every so often, just connect with a slower, gentler, kinder culture. The mysteries are not gory. The solution to problems are often simple. The world would be better if we'd all try a bit harder to just be nice.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five new shoe happy stars for Lisette Lecat and her top notch narration once again. I am totally addicted to listening to these beautiful Botswana tales in audio form. Three new shoe are-they-the-right-size stars to the narrative. I do love Mma Ramatswe with her "tiny white van" and her "traditional build." The pacing, though, was all over the place. The cobra incident was so exciting. And the relationship growing pains for Mma Makutsi and her intended were a fascinating piece of her character development. Also, Mma Ramatswe's to diet or not to diet dilemma was a wonderful addition to the plot. There were essentially three mini mysteries to solve and they were so spread out that I sometimes forgot what was happening with each. All in all, though I still love this series and am happy to have so many yet to enjoy.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh! How I just love this series! I am sure that literally anyone could find something to admire and savour about these books. They are so enjoyable. I hope they carry on for the foreseeable future. Sometimes, all you need is the comfort and this series has that in bucketloads. I remember seeing a couple of episodes when they made a television show from one of the books and it was great too. AMS is a writer I find immersive and every single story in this array of novels is absorbing. Bravo!

[Shiloh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" series that I have read. This book was so much fun for me, not just because it is a easy read and a fun story, but it has so many memories. I love that I know what the hot Botwana sun feels like , or what Kigale hill looks like, or that I can pronounce the Setswana words. I can relate to Mma Ramotswe (which was also the name of our nanny) on what a unique country Botswana is politically in Africa and the pride in their first president Siretse Khama. I imagine Mma Ramotswe as Mma Jane our cultural teacher. She was a "traditionally built" lady with a sense or humor and a lot of wisdom. As much as this brought brought warm fuzzies and pride in me, it was actually my least favorite in the series so far, but still a fun read.

[Anne Hawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many great reviews of these books that it is hard to not be repetitive. This book was one of my favorites because of Mma Makutsi and her "blue shoes." Like so much else in Smith's books, the shoes are a vehicle for philosophy. There is a contrast between Mma Ramotswe's contented life and Mma Makutsi's need driven one. Mma Ramotswe sits under trees and looks at the land with such contentment and joy. She doesn't escape from her problems, but she does let the land put them into perspective. When I am reading these books, I am reminded to step back and thank God for all my blessings. I want to follow her example and live my life consciously instead of piling up task after task, goal after goal.

Here's a great example. I am a retired teacher and librarian. I homeschool my grandchildren, but it is now summer and I don't even have lesson plans to do. For the last four hours I have explored Goodreads and written reviews of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books trying to understand what they have taught me and why I like them. Still there is a little gremlin in my head telling me to stop indulging myself and get up and do some real work...like cleaning. Now, my house is just fine. There are things out of place, but there are no roaches, no visible dirt piles or much dust on furniture. Why would I feel that it was just play to stop and think about all the things I have learned from these books and to put them into words? Why would I feel that it is more valuable to sweep this almost clean floor, chase a bit of dust, and get rid of some clutter? I think that is what I like about Mma Ramotswe. She reminds me of what is important...and Mma Makutsi takes a giant step in realizing that in this book.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
A unique cozy mystery. No blood and gore, no murder, but lots of little cases for Mma. Rambotswe and her friends to get to the bottom of. I wasn't sure what it would be like at first, since I generally prefer novels to have a strong sense of plot, but the lovely characters won me over and the setting is beautifully described. I especially approved of the amount of tea consumed by the characters! I'll be reading more of this series. I loved how clean the prose was and how all bad language was left out, making it a more relaxing read.

[Jack Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. Here's something we don't experience in Canada. I've entertained wild bears with ABBA songs along the roadside in northern British Columbia, and seen a moose try to run through a baseball backscreen in central Ontario, but a cobra in one's office? Botswana is delightfully different. Assistant detective Grace Makutsi found the snake near her desk one day. When the excitement quotient hit the roof, so did she! It's endearing; it's sort of a mystery, but a title like, "More Little Cases Confronting Mma Ramotswe and her Detective Agency," would better describe the book. One of the most interesting ones is the cafeteria worker who comes to her asking what to do about her boss slipping government-purchased steaks to her husband. She confronted the woman but worries that, if this isn't handled right, she'll lose her job! Characters abound. There's Aunty Emang, the newspaper advice columnist who turns out to be light years removed from her public image; there's Mma Makutsi's fiancé, Phuti Radiphuti, who may be having second thoughts, and there's Mma Ramotswe herself - a traditionally figured African woman considering a diet! I loved it. (No2020/Fe2024)

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Sixth read***
Rereading this series with my husband and we are both loving it! If you are a lady who loves shoes, you might love it too 😀

VOTE, my blue friends! Talk to your friends and neighbors. Volunteer at https://mobilize.us or encourage someone else to join us. Send RUmp to the Big House, not the White House!! Kamala and Tim for the WIN!


***Fifth read***
I want to thank Alexander McCall Smith for writing a series of books that got me through what I sincerely hope to be the worst presidency in America's history. I will probably keep reading this series because a new one comes out every year and I'm on the waiting list for the newest one, but maybe I'll be able to open up some avenues to other kinds of reading in years to come.

I busted my a$$ working since July for Joe Biden's campaign, turning away billable work in the process, but it was 1000% worth it. Congratulations to our new President, and Vice President. May they make us proud!

And thank you, as always, AMS. You got me through this, and I'm sure I'm not the only American grateful to you for your wonderful work. 💙


***Fourth read***
I've now read this book four times and I'll probably read it again. If you're looking for a comfort read, this whole series fills the bill. This probably is my least favorite but still, many smiles. I just love these characters and the audiobook narrator.

These books are like warm yellow light filling me up with peace.


***Third read***
3.5 stars. There's not much tension in this one, but there's enough of it and enough medical related stuff that I'm gonna say this is my least favorite of the series. I still love the series and I would def. read the book and the whole series again, but just wanted to note that so I'll be prepared when I read it next time.

This series reads like one long story and I barely distinguish one book from another. They're like kids I love equally well (except for this one ha).


***Second read***
I enjoyed this one much better the second time through. There is some dramatic tension in this book which probably upset me quite a bit on first read, but knowing what happens helps the second time through ;).

I can't recommend this series highly enough. I can't think of very many people who would dislike it. AMS writes beautifully and clearly loves Botswana, its culture, its landscape, its people and the civility with which they treat each other very much. His love letter to Botswana is this series, and it continues with its 18th installment this coming November.

I hope he finds the magic potion and lives forever so he never stops writing, but one thing for sure is I will never stop reading. These books hold up so well to rereads, and they work so perfectly to escape to a kindler, gentler time and place that they are the book equivalent of chicken soup. That's the best way for me to describe them.

And if you are an audiobook listener, the narration by Lisette Lecat is even better than the printed book. She narrates the entire series, changes voices, pauses at just the right places and makes the books even more enjoyable with her poignant and amusing readings.

I wish I could stop the world and make everyone read this series. These books make this world a better place. I believe they inspire kindness.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I last enjoyed the #1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith is the 7th book in this entertaining series, featuring the wonderful Botswana detective Precious Ramotswe.

Precocious operates her detective agency with her capable assistant Grace Makutsi out of her husband's garage Tlokweng Road. In this book, they work on a number of cases, with the assistance of one of the employees in Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, Precious's hubby. Let's see what she's involved with in this story; a cook is being threatened with being fired by her boss who is stealing food from the cooking school, something mysterious is going on at the Game reserve that is putting the employees on edge, a doctor is falsifying blood pressure readings of his patients. On the back burner, Grace Makutsi's wedding with her fiance is threatened from some remarks she has made. And who is the advice columnist who works at the local paper, Auntie Emang?

With her usual intrepid, logical, thoughtful approach, Precious works through these cases, provides thoughtful discussion on her homeland, lovely Botswana and also on life, all free of charge. Well, you do have to buy the book, of course. It's a gentle, enjoyable adventure in what seems to be a lovely country, one that Precious loves dearly. Little incidents add to the richness of the story and the characters are lovingly portrayed. I will say that the incident with the cobra must have had a bigger impact on me than I realized because I dreamed about finding a cobra in my yard this morning.. lol Anyway, I'm glad to have rekindled my interest in this series, most enjoyable. (4 stars)

[Hákon Gunnarsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It still amazes me that a series of detective stories with no suspense, and no great mysteries can actually work, but McCall Smith manages to make it work. Reading these books is like visiting old friends that you know so well that they don't surprise you any more, but you enjoy their company. I think that is the best way I can explain my relationship with this series. I still like the characters, and reading about them entertains me.

[Catsalive · Rating 4 out of 5]

"That is the important thing ... To feel happiness and then to remember it."

Well, that works for me. This book is so soothing, Precious Ramotswe is so restful, such a lovely, comfortable read. There are several nasty crimes that get sorted out along the way, but it's the characters that make these such an enjoyable read, & the love of country that shines through the dust of Botswana. I don't know about those blue shoes but this book certainly gave me the happiness - I must remember that.

I can still picture Jill Scott as the traditionally-built Precious after all these years - such a shame there weren't more episodes.

[Shoma]

The only other book in the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series I've read is the first one and so perhaps I should have waited to read books number two to six before jumping straight to the seventh in the series. However, I couldn't resist buying whatever was available when I went to the book store yesterday and in any case, I have maintained a rich tradition of reading books out of order.

It goes without saying that reading this one was as enjoyable as the first one, the warm Botswana sun a welcome relief from the dank darkness of the other mystery novels I've been reading lately. Although, I don't know if this is strictly a detective story; it seems so much more. In this book, Precious Ramotswe, joined by the trusty Mma Makutsi and the very pleasant Rra Polopetsi tackles blackmail, witchcraft, overpriced medicine and dieting. There are loving references to food and spectacularly named people like Phuti Radiphuti (I wanted to speak the name out aloud every time it appeared). People in Botswana must have the most wonderful names, they're like little songs.

In this book too, Alexander McCall-Smith brings out the poetry of the everyday. The book engages you because it captures life as it actually is, with both little comedies and little tragedies, things insignificant and profound. The last few pages are characteristic of this, they talk about fruit cake and the traditionally built, but McCall-Smith chooses to end the book with such moving words: "And in her mind's eye she saw the winding paths of Mochudi, and the cattle pens, and the small walled-off plot of ground where a modest stone bore the inscription, Obed Ramotswe. And beside the stone there were wild flowers growing, small flowers of such beauty and perfection that they broke the heart. They broke the heart."

It doesn't matter that the book is about people who - on the surface - are different from you. I've never been to Africa and I'm not traditionally built but I find it easy to connect to the characters and look at them as they are, not as detectives or mechanics or even just Batswana. Yes, they are from a foreign land, but they are also like people you might meet on your own street. I love the basic goodness of the characters. They are certainly not without failings but, and this is the important thing, they choose to do the right thing, they choose to overlook sadness and defeat and focus the good.

When I first flipped through the book, moving past the blurbs, one caught my eye partly because it was from someone other than the usual writers that write these things, but also because I though the review captured the secret to the success of the series. This is what the bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers had to say, and I agree: "I highly recommend them if you like to be happy."

[Will Byrnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is number 7 in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. Grace Makutsi makes the mistake of telling her fiancé that she is a feminist, causing him to become afraid. Mma Ramotswe takes on the problem of a young lady chef who has seen her boss feeding her husband on company food, and is afraid she will be fired if she tells. The employees at a game reserve are being subjected to the fear of witchcraft. An advice columnist piques Ramotswe’s interest, and ire. She turns out to be a central character. The book is pleasant. The stories in this series are quiet endeavors. Perhaps there is more there than I can see, but for now they are pleasant, fast-reading diversions.

If you are new to the series. I would stop, go back and read The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. It makes a difference seeing the characters develop over the volumes.

[Jammin Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. In this book, Mma Ramotswe looks into superstitious happenings at a local safari, blackmailing and government theft at the University, and a doctor who seems to be doing something wrong with his patients. That and a new pair of blue shoes. Such charm in Botswana...

[Writerlibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely comfort reading for me. Nothing much happens but everything does happen. It's the little things that make me smile while I read the daily adventures of Mma Ramotswe and her assistant Mma Matkusi.

This one is a slow reflexion on happiness and what isn't good for you might ultimately make you happy anyway. Happiness is an elusive thing. It might be a beautiful pairs of blue shoes a size to small that you wear anyway just because. The important thing is to feel happiness and to remember it. Summs up pretty much how I feel about happiness.

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is now the 7th book in the series, and once again we are looking at a comfort book about a traditional lady (Mma. Ramotswe) and her No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. As in all books, the actual cases take a back seat to both character development and Botswana (and I have won a few trivia games thanks to my knowledge of Botswana!). A lot happens and yet a lot does not happen. We have a few cases, none of which are going to be money makers for the Agency, and for the first time that I can remember we have a few matters that are left unresolved by the end of the book - and we can only hope that they resolve themselves in Book 8. In a way, this book is more about those who work at Agency and at the garage than the main character. As always, the Agency has ingenious ways of resolving matters, none of which really rely on hard detective work, but much of which rely on intuition. Men are on the whole spoken of poorly in this series, and that is becoming a main drawback. The relationship between Grace Makutsi and the apprentice Charlie is as bad as ever, and while I understand that this is a ladies series and a ladies detective agency, pretty soon we need a bit of balance.
An enjoyable book filled with Botswanian insights and philosophies and a series that you can easily slip back into any time.

[Sarah Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reread this story as I’ve picked up the series again and realized I’d read some out of order. I’m waiting for my library hold for the next one. Whether you read these stories or listen to them they are a bit of a balm to the soul. Mma Ramotswe and the gang are such sweet and genuine people with an interest in keeping tradition alive and some of the old ways though they are modern ladies. They work at being polite, honest and fair and these slow African stories just make you feel good. You can feel the heat and dust and imagine sitting in the office of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency which shares a building with Tlokwang Road Speedy Motors. You want to have a cup of bush tea with the ladies and listen to the sound of the garage.
The adventures are cozy mysteries and generally resolved without too much ugliness. Perhaps for some there is not enough happening but for African heat there is just enough.
I love the stories and the lilting sounds of the Botswana accent and use of words and sentence structure. You can hear it in the writing even if you are reading it and not listening to a narrator. I will be reading more of these.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the previous _In the Company of Cheerful Ladies_ but still quite enjoyable. I know I say it each and every time, but these books make me so happy. I love the peacefulness and the sense of humanity and civility engendered by Mma Ramotswe and the cast of characters. They all seem so gentle.

This book seemed to have more "waxing philosophical" passages than some of the previous books - I enjoyed it, of course, but it brought a slightly different tone.

I think this is my favorite title in the series - it's perfect. I loved the title _Morality for Beautiful Girls_ as well, but this one is the new favorite :)

[Saleh MoonWalker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Onvan : Blue Shoes and Happiness (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, #7) - Nevisande : Alexander McCall Smith - ISBN : 1400075718 - ISBN13 : 9781400075713 - Dar 256 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2006

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable adventure with the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Please keep them coming Alexander McCall Smith.

[Isis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe I didn't like it quite as much as the previous one, but still, it is always wonderful to visit Botswana and lose myself in the world of the tiny white van and 97%, of Seretse Khama and the old Botswana morality. The intertwining plots perhaps had the common thread, this time, of vanity and pride: Mma Makutsi's statement about being a feminist nearly derailing her engagement (or so she thinks!), Mr. Polopoletsi's attempt to solve a problem on his own, Mma Ramotswe's diet, and of course, the blue shoes of the title.

My favorite bit of this book was the scene where Mma Ramotswe speaks with the American tourists at the game park. I actually got weepy, and since I listen to these books on my mp3 player while running, I am sure I looked very funny jogging down the path with tears streaming down my face.

I think one result of reading these books is that I am now unable to think of large people as "fat" - they are "traditionally built," if you please!

[Faith Spinks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm in Botswana again, so it had to be the next in the series for my travel reading. Another fun read on the exploits of Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi and Rra J.L.B Matekoni here in Gaborone. These books are great wherever read, but being in Botswana always adds that extra back drop to really bring it to life in my head.

[Jamie Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another nice entry in this series, a quick, happy read. I'm looking forward to the HBO series based on these books, that starts at the end of March.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable! Back in form after a couple of lackluster entries.

Why I'm reading this: I'm on a roll rereading this series. Comforting given the environment we are and have been in.

[Sookie · Rating 3 out of 5]

the world is noisy and i needed a break. blue shoes and happiness is the very definition of what's needed when its loud, stressful and unkind.

I love Precious, Mma Ramotswe, as a protagonist. Having not read this series in a while, I realized that the charm comes from these characters, the kindness they innately have and the love for all the things that's nurtures - the land, the animals, the culture and their country.

Its nice.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oddly, I loved the short-lived HBO series that dramatized the first few books in this series. I think I'd read some of those, but I couldn't remember where I'd stopped and where the series had stopped, so I picked this book.

The best way I can describe these books is sort of like the mystery equivalent of easy listening music or, well, a bad hook-up to which one keeps returning. They're not bad per se; they're just sort of disappointingly flat and odd. As in, this might be someone's favorite book / series, but it isn't mine. Or it isn't my cup of (bush) tea? They're predictable: rehashing the same perspectives, taking comfort in the same things, speaking in the same euphemisms. You get . . . exactly what you think you're going to get: nothing too violent, some lovely descriptions (which might be why the HBO series worked so well), and some mysteries all neatly wrapped up. They'll be nothing too sad, nothing too unsavory and, well, nothing to overtly complex.

These are simply told tales. I don't know that they are necessarily simple tales - although I lean that way. The characters aren't perfect and they certainly have pasts that reflect triumph and tragedy, but, well, they just aren't that engaging or changing. It doesn't matter what book you read in the series, because, well, life is pretty unchanging.

This book had a weird take on feminism which left me feeling irritated and certainly reinforced my sense that there's a real lack of nuance here. I'll admit that I'd also like to see more critical engagement with race and politics and that I find the lack of this (except largely to romanticize the past) totally unrealistic and one of the reasons I find the books lacking in complexity. Perhaps this is related to the identity of the author (a white Scottish male), but I do think it's conceivable that another author with similar characteristics could have written a much richer tale.

[P.D.R. Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone complained that nothing happened in the Number One Ladies' Detective Agency novels. Well, I suppose if you look for an exciting, rapidly moving, plot driven story then yes, these books are not plot driven stories.

What they are, and this novel is a classic example, are stories about characters and ideas. Philosophy. And it's no surprise when Alexander McCall Smith is a philospher. The stories show Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi tackling ordinary people's problems and learning more about life, their own characters, their own attitudes and how to live well. The stories are about tolerance and generosity, kindness and the best way to live a good, decent, honest life.

In Blue Shoes and Happiness there is a nasty problem of blackmail to deal with, a possible case of witchcraft, and the weighty problem of: are diets right for the traditionally built? Mma Makutsi has to deal with her weakness for shoes and her intolerance with those lazy motor mechanic apprentices.

Mma Ramotswe is settling into life as a married lady. Mma Makutsi is struggling with being a modern thinking woman - and frightening off her fiancée - and learning that playing things softly works best. She also learns that vanity and tight blue shoes equal sore feet, but she is now able to laugh at herself about it. She has grown in self-tolerance.

Each of the detective problems needs thinking about and results in some change, either a realisation of the need for the characters to change or to reaffirm that what they thought right is right.

This novel is, for readers who think about life, their place in life, and living the best life possible, a satisfying read.

[Larisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who have read the earlier books, Blue Shoes and Happiness will strike most as the best balanced and most rewarding book in this delightful series. The story has animal tales (one involving a cobra), several mysteries to resolve, challenges in Mma Makutsi's engagement, a detection training opportunity for Mr Polopetsi, more challenges with Mr J.L.B. Matekoni's apprentices, decisive purchases by Mr J.L.B. Matekoni and Mma Makutsi, and many reflections on the true nature of happiness by Precious Ramotswe. In particular, the story does a fine job of contrasting the older ways in Botswana with the newer, selfish ways.

This book developed the characters more than most books in the series have done. Dr. Smith uses both dialogue and action well to help us appreciate who these characters are. I thought that the mysteries were nicely rewarding. The solutions were not obvious (except in retrospect) and helped tie the overall themes of the book together. I have to believe that this book was influenced, in part, by readers' love of seeing Precious detect in the context of the truly unique setting of Botswana.

Scotsman author Alexander McCall Smith writes with warmth, dry humor, depictions of life in Botswana, and simple truths. Smith does an Excellent job focusing on human relations... a great read!

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable listen. I thought I had read this book some years ago but remembered nothing of it; perhaps I didn't, or perhaps it didn't make much of an impression if I did.

The battle of the sexes is very much to the fore as Mma Makutsi and her fiancé come to terms with the true meaning of "feminism." At the same time Mma Ramotswe is traditional in more than build; though she considers herself a modern woman, she is annoyed when her husband goes shopping "without consulting me."

Precious is less friendly and understanding in this installment, but the fact that she has put herself on a diet may have something to do with that.
My only real quibble is that the reader insists on mispronouncing her ex-husband's name as "No-tay" when it is well known that he is called "Note" because he's a musician!

[S.Ach · Rating 4 out of 5]

My go-to series when I am falling short of Goodreads Reading Challenge.
Not only because it is an easy read, but also it has that soothing, calming and peaceful effect on mind where Zen like philosophy is dispensed with ease using everyday instances and little bit of mystery thrown into it.
I wear a constant smile while I read this.

Is this book in the series better than others? Does it deserve a better star rating than the rest?
The answer is similar to that of - Is 'The Revenant' the best performance of Di Caprio and did he not deserve the Oscar for his earlier movies? Is 'Jai Ho' the best A R Rahman composition compared to his rest? 'I don't know. May be. May not be. It doesn't matter. Important thing is - I love Di Caprio. I love Rahman. I love Mma Ramotswe. I love Botswana and Botswanans, even if I have never been there.'