The Colors of All the Cattle

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Lisette Lecat

Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Precious Ramotswe dips her toe into the world of politics in the newest addition to the beloved and best-selling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. 

When Mma Potokwane suggests to Mma Ramotswe that she run for a seat on the city council, Mma Ramotswe is at first unsure. But when she learns about the proposed construction of the flashy Big Fun Hotel next to a graveyard, she allows herself to be persuaded. 

Her opponent is none other than Violet Sephotho, who is in the pocket of the hotel developers. Although Violet is intent on using every trick in the book to secure her election, Mma Ramotswe refuses to promise anything beyond what she can deliver - hence her slogan: "I can't promise anything - but I shall do my best." 

To everyone's surprise, she wins. As it turns out, politics does not agree with Mma Ramotswe. Though everyone is supportive, she eventually resigns. She thinks there will be a new election, but she discovers the rules state that in such an event, the runner-up automatically takes the seat. Violet is triumphant and sure she will get the Big Fun Hotel planning application through without a hitch. 

But Mma Makutsi and Mma Potokwane are not about to make it easy for her. Through it all, Mma Ramotswe uses her good humor and generosity of spirit to help the community navigate divisive issues and proves that honesty and compassion will always carry the day.

©2018 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2018 Recorded Books

Delightful cozy mystery!

I love this series! All 20 novels in The #1 Ladies Detective Agency which is set in modern Botswana are in my Audible library. South African narrator, one of the very best at her art, is wonderful.

The novels in this series are best read in order.

A simple life

Really enjoy the narrator of this book. From the beginning of the series; you feel like you belong; will recommend and listen to again. Great simple story.

Enjoyable

This is the 19th book in the Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency Series. I always enjoy reading about the latest adventures of Mma Precious Ramotswe. Smith portrays a kinder, gentler world than the one I live in. Smith is the master of a subtle wit and humor. Mma Ramotswe muses over a gentle philosophy about the world and Botswana. Smith’s feelings about Botswana come through in the story.

In this story Mma Ramotswe is running against Mma Violet Sepotho for city council. The case being worked on is a hunt for a hit and run driver. And Mma Makutsi, had a disagreement with her husband. Each book features more about one of the characters; in this book it is Charlie. I am a big fan of Alexander McCall Smith. I am aware that readers either love or hate his style of writing.

The book is nine hours and thirty-six minutes. Lisette Lecat does an excellent job narrating this series. Lecat is from South Africa and does the accents and rhythm of speech perfectly.

Stories gett weaker but good series overall

This is a popular series as you probably know. 19 books is proof of that! It starts out with a bang but gets weaker with each successive book. One reason is that The author doesn’t trust that the stories can stand alone. In my opinion, they can. However, with each successive book, an increasing amount of time is donated to repetition of previous storylines. Early on the stories involve solving quaint little mysteries; simple but intriguing - with occasional segues into the characters’ philosophical musings. As the books progress, the mysteries decrease and the musings increase until there’s barely a storyline. Part of the problem is that these musings are often repetitions the same idea in a previous book. However, (speaking of repetition) as I said in a previous review of this series - it is these musings that make these books wonderful for the YA (young adult) or mature pre-teen audience. Encouraging children to question things and examine their own moral compass can’t be anything but a good influence. They also teach history and geography without even trying and expose the reader to a heartwarming culture most of us have rarely experienced. We need more books like this for all of us but especially young people who have no concept of history yet.


Having said all of that, I obviously enjoyed this book because I read or listened to all 19 books! Lol
I said in a previous review that these book

A lovely visit with old friends

This is another enjoyable book in the #1 Ladies Detective series. All my favorite characters are back, and the talking shoes even make another appearance. Though I’m sure Botswana has its problems as a country, the series continues to portray a gentle, idealized version of life there.

Unprofessional recording

I have read all of the books in this series and usually I love Lisette Lecat’s voice. However, this is the first book with a subpar recording. Every sentence has a snap, crackle and pop of mouth noises. I’ve never heard that before. Usually the recording technician would edit those out. It was so distracting and unpleasant, I wanted to stop listening, but I kept going to finish the book. I hope that future books in the series have a more professional sound.

Beautiful

Yet another beautiful book by Mr. McCall Smith, narrated to perfection by Ms. Lecat. Loved it!

A lovely continuation

The evolving lives, the observations of humanity, the laugh-out-loud moments. I am always uplifted by each No. 1 Ladies Detective book.

This time the blurb promised more than was in this book.

(quote from the book blurb)

" . . . Publisher's Summary

Precious Ramotswe dips her toe into the world of politics in the newest addition to the beloved and best-selling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

When Mma Potokwane suggests to Mma Ramotswe that she run for a seat on the city council, Mma Ramotswe is at first unsure. But when she learns about the proposed construction of the flashy Big Fun Hotel next to a graveyard, she allows herself to be persuaded.

Her opponent is none other than Violet Sephotho, who is in the pocket of the hotel developers. Although Violet is intent on using every trick in the book to secure her election, Mma Ramotswe refuses to promise anything beyond what she can deliver - hence her slogan: "I can't promise anything - but I shall do my best."

To everyone's surprise, she wins. As it turns out, politics does not agree with Mma Ramotswe. Though everyone is supportive, she eventually resigns. She thinks there will be a new election, but she discovers the rules state that in such an event, the runner-up automatically takes the seat. Violet is triumphant and sure she will get the Big Fun Hotel planning application through without a hitch.

But Mma Makutsi and Mma Potokwane are not about to make it easy for her. Through it all, Mma Ramotswe uses her good humor and generosity of spirit to help the community navigate divisive issues and proves that honesty and compassion will always carry the day. . . ." (end of quote from the book blurb)

This book seems to cover about half of this book blurb. Or, there was more? It seemed to end abruptly.

I love these books and look forward to any future books.

Entertaining & Comfort-Giving

The superintendent of the orphan farm, Mma Potokwane, begs Precious to run for the city council. Unless she becomes a candidate, says Mma Potokwane, the open seat will be filled by... Violet Sephotho. Precious reluctantly agrees but immediately has second thoughts and plans to escape this obligation. Grace Makutsi throws herself into the campaign, determined to prevent Violet from acquiring yet another position she does not deserve.
The big case of this book concerns a hit and run and the difficulty of finding the perpetrator. Charlie thinks he has a friend who might find out some information, but the friend turns on Charlie and basically threatens him. When Charlie goes home -- in a bad part of town, he finds his living quarters have been attacked and he is not safe there, so Precious has him stay with her. It is touching to see how Charlie responds to her kindness and to see him grow a little from the nurturing she provides.
Another plotline concerns a girl Charlie really likes but he ultimately thinks is impossibly out of his league.
For many volumes Charlie's irresponsibility has been like a burr under a saddle but this book provides some development and suggests that he is not irredeemable. A very hopeful book.

a philosophical conversation

all the characters we know and love, with an emphasis on Charlie this time. politics and politicians, forgiveness and restitution.