Audio ( )

Another great instalment in this series. It's not often that I'll bother sticking with a series to book 17 but Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series is it! Another lovely outing. ( )

I think I felt in the previous installment of this series that the relationship between Precious and Grace was shifting, or on the verge of coming to a head. But nothing happened then. And for most of this book I felt the same way-- that Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi have such different ways of approaching life that their partnership must surely end. But, without spoiling anything, I will say that Precious has surprised me again, and in the process has proven herself to be a person of most generous spirit. Of course I knew that already and I find it frustrating at times, but I think that is more of a reflection on me than on her. These novels calm my soul, more and more as the story develops. ( )

While some of the previous books have faltered a little in the mystery story line, I think this one is back on track. Great to visit with all the regulars again, too! ( )

Book number 17 in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. In this one, Fanwell accidentally acquires a dog, Mr. Polopetsi gets involved in a shady business scheme, and the ladies help a Canadian woman who spent her childhood in Botswana and has returned looking for people she once knew and places she half-remembers.

As usual, this is just pure, warm, comfort reading, perfect for when you're having a stressful day. It is also one of the installments where I'm genuinely curious to see how the investigation comes out, although, of course, that's not really about the plot, any more than anything else in this series is.

Seventeen books in, and I'm still amazed that I've never gotten tired of these, but I'm certainly not complaining! ( )

Grace continues to overstep her bounds. The orphans get a dog. Still refreshingly upbeat. ( )

Digital audiobook performed by Lisette Lecat

Book # 17 in the hugely popular “No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” series, has Mma Precious Ramotswe and her “co-director” Mma Grace Makutsi at loggerheads once again over updating office practices vs relying on tried and true methods. This time their cases include a Canadian woman, originally raised in Botswana, who wants to reconnect with her nanny, and a closer-to-home case involving a Ponzi scheme. Then there’s the stray dog than Fanwell has brought to the agency.

I love this series. I enjoy spending time with these people, though I rather missed Mr J L B Matekoni who barely appears in this episode. Mma Ramotswe can always be relied upon to consider carefully the underlying motives and various options for dealing with any problem. While Mma Makutsi is frequently the one to rush forward, perhaps jumping to the wrong conclusion, or arriving at the right answer but for the wrong reason!

Lisette Lecat does a marvelous job of performing the audio books. She brings these characters to life. 5* for her performance! ( )

A quick read, more of the same - not great literature or challenging, but pleasantly familiar, just as I like it ( )

I saved this book carefully. And December 2017 was the perfect time to read it. It's a delightful cocktail of the expected and the (slightly) unexpected. The intersection of canny and naive is an odd place to sit but that's Mr. McCall Smith's favorite spot. Here's to the joy of friendships and small mysteries. ( )

The theme of finding home runs through Alexander McCall Smith's “Precious and Grace” (2016), the 17th volume in his No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. So does forgiveness, or the need for forgiveness as much for the wronged as for the one who did the wrong.

This may sound like heavy stuff for a novel that seems light and fluffy when you are reading it, but that is often the case with McCall Smith's novels. There's usually a hard nut or two somewhere in his creamy mixture of chocolate and peanut butter.

A Canadian woman named Susan who spent her girlhood in Botswana comes to the detective agency asking Precious Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi to find the house where she once lived and, in particular, the woman who cared for her, someone named Rosie.

Meanwhile Fanwell, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's apprentice mechanic, returns with a stray dog. That dog, it turns out, needs a home even more than Susan does, thus giving Precious two assignments, even if only one has a fee involved.

Finding Rosie and the place where Susan grew up turn out to be relatively easy, even if the task does involve a close call with a poisonous snake. The real challenge becomes discovering why this woman wants to find Rosie and what she plans to do after she does.

What's really needed, Precious decides, is not reunion but forgiveness. Forgiveness is grace, and grace is a very precious thing. ( )

As usual I love these books for all the kind lessons in them. I will admit that Mma Matsuki absolutely drives me crazy, but Mma Ramstowes patience is a lesson to learn for sure. ( )

Precious and Grace continue to work well together mostly through Precious' kindly patience, tolerance and wisdom. Even though Grace is intelligent she is keenly sensitive to what people say, and how they say it. If those words and manners don't meet with her expectations she can easily she make a hasty and incorrect decision. Precious has learned to navigate this emotional and stubborn land mine of an employee to help Grace see the truth clearly.

Precious uses a natural, wholesome spirituality to consider those that come to her for help. She handles them and their cases with a sweet disposition, understanding and sympathy. This innate ability to think about and treat others
humanely and non-judgmentally brings to mind Louise Penny's Armand Gamache who works similarly.

Would be interesting to have them meet and establish the Caring and Thoughtful Detectives Club. Of course, their modesty would prevent them from doing it. LOL

Precious and Grace is another winner in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

Precious Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi have been working together at the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency for several years now. Over that time, Mma Makutsi has gone from secretary to co-director, largely through her own determination and assertiveness. Charlie, originally one of Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's apprentices, has been let go from that position, and is now Mma Ramotswe's very part-time assistant--and is starting, at last, to grow up. Fanwell, the other apprentice, is on track to be a qualified mechanic, and is also maturing. Mr. Polopetsi is a volunteer part-time assistant, contributing his special skills when he's needed and not filling in as a chemistry teacher in the schools. Then one day Mma Ramotswe finds out from her friend Mma Potokwani, matron of the orphan farm, that Mr. Polopetsi has a new money-making business scheme, the Fat Cattle Club, which sounds very much like a pyramid scheme. She's got to find out what's really going on before he gets himself into serious trouble.

A new client also appears, a Canadian woman named Susan Peters, who spent part of her childhood in Botswana, and would like to find her old home, and her old nursemaid. She paints an idyllic picture of her memories of her early years there, and Mma Ramotswe is happy to help her.

As always, this is a slower-moving, quiet story, more focused on the characters and relationships than intense mystery-solving. It's what I love about these books, and why they remain popular after seventeen entries in the series. Mma Ramotswe is wise and kind but not infallible; Mma Makutsi is difficult, often insecure and suspicious, but ultimately loyal and sound.

I love these books for their gentleness, their character development, and the recognition that people can be good even though we're all flawed.

Recommended.

I bought this book. ( )

I read Alexander McCall Smith's books because my mother loves them, and it gives us a common bond. I love the warmth and folksy wisdom of the characters, who are becoming dear friends.
This most recent No 1 Ladies Detective Agency novel is one of the best in the series, imo. ( )

I just love these books. Each one is like a visit with friends, and as such I don't really ask too much from my reading experience. The mystery in this book is a lovely quiet little mystery, just suited to Mma Ramotswe, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. ( )

"Precious and Grace" number 17 (yes, really) in the series is another charming and easy to read cosy mystery from the Pen of Alexander McCall Smith. The women from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency are on the case again. This time, Precious and Grace are searching for the former nanny of a Canadian woman, keen to rediscover her past life in Botswana. While sorting through the lies, red tape and intrigue, Precious must also deal with a potential Ponzi scheme, snakes and a stray dog. Another delightful holiday-read from McCall Smith. Always charming. ( )

I enjoyed this book as I do all of the author's books, but not as much as some of the others in this series. Mma Makutsi kind of annoyed me in this book, but I guess she was just being herself. I felt scared for Precious when she got bit by the snake, but also chided her for not changing the batteries in her flashlight. I guess the author didn't want to stop the series yet. ( )

My blog post about this book is at this link. ( )

These books really are the reading equivalent of comfort food. I met someone today who told me that she had "never been able to get on with them." I was surprised because for me it is the opposite: I always expect to enjoy them. They are not deep mysteries but the situations depicted them show an incredible understanding of what makes people tick, and the solutions are dispensed with just a touch of philosophy.

There are reminders always that the setting is not the West, but Botswana, a country struggling to find its place in the 21st century. Technology is changing the world. Even Precious Ramotswe's husband Mr. J.L.B Matekone comments on how much cars have changed, making them so difficult for him to repair.

Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are now co-directors of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and that situation breeds its own frictions, and I enjoyed their interaction.

So if you haven't ever read these, and would like something light and cozy to read, give this series a try. But I would advise starting at the beginning. ( )

This is the latest in Alexander McCall Smith's No.1 Ladies' Detectiver Agency series, and, as always it has served to be the perfect antidote for the distressing things I hear on the news every day. Mma Ramotswe and her faithful assistant (or is it now co-detective? Precious can never quite remember) Mma Makutsi are once again busty solving cases. And as usual, none of these are very earth shattering, but all seem to involve showing forgiveness in one way or another. A Canadian woman who was born in Botswana is looking for both her old house and her old nursemaid. Mr. Polopetsi seems to have gotten himself involved in a Ponzi scheme. The horrible Violet Esphotho has been nominated for Woman of the Year, and finally, in the most touching story in the book, Fanwell, who works at teh Tlokwweg Road Speedy Motors has become attached to a stray do he cannot keep.

How all these problems get solved just might restore your faith in the goodness of mankind. Anyone who has not acquainted themselves with this most cozy of cozy mysteries is truly missing out on something special. ( )

I found this to be more like the earlier installments of the series in that a moral lesson is gently infused throughout the book. In this case, the lesson is on forgiveness. Precious and Grace help a client learn that forgiveness is the best way to forget something painful from the past and then find themselves applying this lesson in their own lives as well. As always, AMS's love of Africa shines through on every page. ( )

Precious Ramotswe is the owner and principal of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency; Grace Makutski is her self-promoting sidekick/secretary/co-director. Together these two take on the problems of the townspeople of Gaborone in Botswana is a down-home, common-sense manner.

In this seventeenth book in the series, the ladies undertake the task of finding a long-lost nanny for a Canadian woman. They find her but uncover some other truths along the way. Several other perplexing situations present themselves as well – a stray dog who adopts the junior mechanic Fanwell, a business scheme that is too good to be true entangles another part-time employee, and of course there is the ever present nemesis of Grace and Precious – Violet Sephotho – who shows up in their lives once again. Altogether, another fine story with a mystery at its core.

McCall-Smith writes in a manner that is at once familiar and comforting. It is like sitting down with an old friend who tells you a personal story. Steady pacing moves the story along at a gentle rate, seeming not rushed yet revealing information at just the right moment. ( )

Need I say more than I LOVE this series. If I’ve got a cold, they make me feel better. If I’m sad they make me happy. If I’m frustrated, they make me realize what is important in the world. ( )

Precious and Grace have the case of finding a Canadian woman's nanny when the woman returns several decades later. But what is her real motivation? Forgiveness is the theme here. This series is repitive, but so very cozy! ( )

AMS's affection for his characters and Botswana flow through all his stories, making them shine. I am thankful he's such a prolific writer, because it means each year I get to spend time with these literary friends. Can't recommend this series, and this book in particular, highly enough. ( )