The Colors of all the Cattle

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This lovely series continues to be delightfully warm, friendly and rich in culture. Although they are not mysteries in the traditional sense, the No 1. Ladies Detective Agency solves problems found in every day life.

In The Colors of All the Cattle by Alexander McCall Smith, Precious Ramotswe is happy operate the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. But Mma Potokwane convinces Mma Ramotswe to run for City Council. Not everyone is comfortable with the decision, including Precious.

When she discovers a developer is planning to build a flashy new Big Fun Hotel adjacent to a graveyard, she decides this is not a respectable way to treat people who are "late." Then Mma Ramotswe enters the race with gusto and finds herself running against Mma Makutsi's nemesis Violet Sephotho, who is in the pocket of the builder.


On the business side, Mma Ramotswe is asked by a friend of her father's to investigate a hit and run accident. Dr. Marang was crossing the street in Mochudi, Precious' hometown, when a car struck and injured him. Although it happened many months ago, Precious says she will investigate.

Charlie, anxious to impress his new girlfriend, offers to speak with someone he knows who is a mechanic in Mochudi. Somehow Charlie gets himself in trouble, but his information helps solve the case.

As election day draws near, Precious is anxious about the results but believes what will be will be.

I love these books because the characters respect each other and their traditions. It is something we are lacking in today's world.