Mma Precious Ramotswe, owner of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Gabarone, Botswana, is quite happy with her life as a wife, mother and private detective. At least she thought she was. When her assistant, Mma Makutsi, brings to her attention an article in a women's magazine about whether or not one's life has purpose, Mma Ramotswe starts wondering what she is really accomplishing. Perhaps there's more she could do with her life if she simply tried harder.

Before Mma Ramotswe has time to consider how she might create more meaning in her life, her dear friend Mma Potokwane --- matron of the local orphanage --- encourages Mma Ramotswe, over cups of red bush tea and slices of fruitcake, to stand for a soon-to-be open spot on the Gabarone City Council. A certain group is determined to build a large resort hotel in Botswana, the Big Fun Hotel, right next to a cemetery, thereby disturbing the peace and quiet in the area and neglecting to show the proper respect for the dead. It's crucial that there's someone on the council to thwart the developers. Should Mma Ramotswe throw her hat into the ring and take up the cause to protect what should be a peaceful haven for the dead and the grieving?

"The familiar warmth, honesty and compassion of the characters ensure that faithful readers return to this series repeatedly, even for the 19th time."

In addition to her search for a more meaningful life, Mma Ramotswe takes on a case involving a respected elderly doctor from her hometown of Mochudi. Dr. Marang, who is retired from medicine, was the victim of a hit-and-run. The police, in spite of their best efforts, have been unable to find the culprit who was behind the wheel of the car that him, leaving him permanently physically injured. Dr. Marang and his daughter, Constance, are counting on Mma Ramotswe to succeed where the police have failed. Now, if only the revered detective could decide where to begin and quickly learn how to find a needle in a haystack.

As if all that weren't enough, Charlie, one of the employees at Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's auto repair shop, has found a woman who he's crazy about but who just may be out of his league. And Mma Makutsi, Mma Ramotswe's secretary and assistant detective, is once again dogged by an old enemy who continues to bedevil her with regularity, Violet Sephotho.

Is it possible for modest Mma Ramotswe to run a political campaign and win the election by failing to make outrageous claims and improbable promises that she may not be able to keep? Can she come out ahead by simply saying that she'll always do her best on behalf of the people, or does she need to stoop to the low-level ways of her competitor in order to achieve victory? As usual, the lady detective takes the high road and lets the chips fall where they may, all the while doing her best for everyone in her life.

THE COLOR OF ALL THE CATTLE is another truly enjoyable installment in this long-running series. It's fun to see Mma Ramotswe expand her repertoire as she stands for public office, investigates to expose bad guys who want to remain in the shadows, and works hard to make the Botswana that she loves so dearly a better place for everyone. The familiar warmth, honesty and compassion of the characters ensure that faithful readers return to this series repeatedly, even for the 19th time.