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Isabel Dalhousie is a philosopher by training, and an amateur sleuth by choice. When a young man falls from a balcony to his death, Isabel does not believe it was an accident. Plunging deep into the shady business community of Edinburgh, she is determined to root out the truth.

While Precious Ramotswe travels to a game reserve to investigate the death of an American tourist, trouble brews back home. Mma Makutsi launches the Complaint Half Hour, providing herself a forum for her grievances. And Precious' dependable husband Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni suddenly decides to mortgage his auto repair shop.

Mma "Precious" Ramotswe's comfortable existence as the only detective in Botswana is rattled when a certain Mr. Buthelezi opens the Satisfaction Guaranteed Detective Agency. Mr. Buthelezi's brochure advises, "Don't take any chances! Entrust your enquiries to a MAN!" As if this development isn't enough, Precious has also taken on two difficult cases, one of which hits close to home. But with wisdom and common sense on her side -- and plenty of bush tea -- she figures to crack both cases and upstage her competition.

Mma Ramotswe has been engaged to Mr. J.L.B Matekoni for quite some time, and still they have no wedding date. But she doesn't want to be too pushy, for Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni has much on his mind. Mma Potokwani, who runs the orphan farm, has tricked him into a parachute jump to benefit charity.

Between glances in the mirror, vain Bruce contemplates a new career as a wine merchant. His troubled flatmate Pat finds herself looking for true love at a nudist picnic. Precocious Bertie, now six years old, prepares for kindergarten despite the horror of being forced to wear pink overalls. Meanwhile, his domineering mother Irene and his psychotherapist Dr. Fairbairn struggle with dark secrets as Bertie plots his rebellion against them.

Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi travel to the Okavango Delta to visit a safari lodge beset by unexplained events. There they are awestruck by the breathtaking scenery, but also troubled by the region's many difficulties--not the least of which is the occasional grumpy hippopotamus.

This Isabel Dalhousie tale finds the ethical philosopher doing background checks on several candidates for the same job. In the process, Isabel learns quite a bit about herself, as well.

Danger hits close to home when a cobra is found in Mma Ramotswe's office. Of less immediate danger, but greater general interest, are the faulty blood pressure measurements being recorded at the local clinic. But perhaps the biggest mystery is why Mma Makutsi's fiancé has missed their usual dinner date. Is he discontented? And if so, will cramming her feet into a pair of fashionable blue shoes help Mma Makutsi find happiness?

Cajun cop Dave Robicheaux from New Iberia infiltrates the mob in New Orleans, going undercover when he is wounded and his partner killed.

When a second member of the Baskerville family dies, Sherlock Holmes investigates and finds murderous greed behind the supposed curse.