The Joy and Light Bus Company (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Book 22)

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In this latest installment in the beloved No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, Mma Ramotswe is tempted to put the brakes on a business venture before it even gets rolling. They talked about the sorts of things they liked to talk about when there were no important decisions to be made and when the conversation could wander comfortably along uncluttered shores.” In the end, Mma Ramotswe's patience and common-sense will win out, and, without a doubt, all will be the better for it. That, of course, is always a good time to think—when you know that you are going to have to do something, but you know that you do not have to do it just yet.” After the ladies converse over tea and fruit cake, Mma Ramotswe learns that a new orphan girl, who arrived with a broken wrist, was forced to work for a wealthy family without pay.

The rub is that Mr. Matekoni has to borrow thousands of dollars for the start-up enterprise, and plans to use his business - Tloweng Road Speedy Motors - as collateral. Mma Ramotswe, who fears the bus company will fail, is VERY troubled by the plan and hopes to nip it in the bud. People had to be left to make their own mistakes, even if the rest of us could see quite clearly the dangers that lay ahead.” This book focuses on the mechanic, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni. He is a good man, a kind man, a dependable man. He takes a literal approach to much of life. When at a business seminar, hearing about "networking" (<- about which he is clueless) he is worried that there may not be time to eat lunch. How long does it take to network? A new client wants Agency to investigate the nurse looking after his elderly father when it emerges that his father has willed her his farm, alleging that the woman has exercised undue influence on the old man. When Precious and Mma Potokwani visit the farm, they tend towards a different conclusion but, heeding Clovis Anderson’s best advice, they reserve judgement. A meeting with the daughters of the family reveals that things are not quite so straightforward. attends a business seminar where he happens to meet an old acquaintance called Mr. T.K. Molefi. Mr. Matekoni and Mr. Molefi decide to start a bus company that would put Mr. Matekoni's mechanic skills to good use.She had that greatest of all things, wisdom, and that was a very important thing to possess in a world that seemed to be losing the respect it had always had for wise people. Wise people had been replaced in the public estimation by that curious category of people—celebrities—who were, for the most part, shallow people not known for their wisdom. Where were the Nelson Mandelas of this world of celebrity? Where were the Gandhis” In Smith’s meandering 13th 44 Scotland Street novel (after 2017’s A Time of Love and Tartan), the latest personal developments among the residents of the Edinburgh street will strike many as Continue reading »

of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars The Joy and Light Bus Company by Alexander McCall Smith I wish to express my sincere thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada. I was delighted to receive this ARC in return for an honest review. It is astounding that this is the 22nd book in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series, and they always remain fresh and enjoyable and provide food for thought. As always, there is lots happening in the small community, but Mma Ramotswe can unfailingly be relied upon to be the voice of reason and patience in an increasingly chaotic world. I must say that I enjoy these characters immensely, and twenty-two books in they feel like old and treasured friends. These stories bring light and joy, and are simply a delightful escape that I will indulge in at any given opportunity. and the vestiges of that early feeling were still there, as she could not bring herself to punish the snails or caterpillars for their depredations. They were her fellow creatures, after all. They had not asked to be snails or caterpillars, and they needed to eat, as we all did.”There was rarely anything new in life, she thought—but it was not just human failings that repeated themselves: so too did those things that were positive. They recurred, which was a good thing, in a way, as familiarity brought with it a certain comfort. So it was reassuring when people followed routines that you had seen them follow countless times: without pattern the world could be a perplexing and frightening place. That was why Mma Ramotswe liked the old ways; that was why she appreciated it when people greeted you in the traditional manner, or enquired after your health, or made mention of things that had happened a long time ago and that people liked to hear about. These things reminded you of who you were, where you were, and how, even after you had gone, there would still be this place, this earth, this happiness—all still there for those who came after you.” Traditional mystery and thriller readers may find the pace too slow with way too much interior, contemplative monologue; however, Alexander McCall Smith in many places is expert at conveying a great deal within a short description.

In the end, Mma Ramotswe’s patience and common-sense will win out, and, without a doubt, all will be the better for it. For me, the gentle humor goes a long way. I also appreciate the depth of respect for working people that shines out of every book in this series. Mma Potokwane, who runs the orphan farm and is Mma Ramotswe’s closest friend, reflects on the squabble over the old man’s will. “Rich people are always forgetting that they are only rich because of the work of others. They do not dig their money out of the ground, you know, Mma.” There is no need to be unkind to people who are unhappy inside themselves. There is room for everyone. Everyone should be able to find somewhere on this earth to sit down.” In any case, Mr. Mophephu is concerned about his rich elderly father, whose caregiver may be exerting undue influence - perhaps even planning to marry the old man - for financial gain. This is a delicate situation that requires diplomacy from Mma Ramotswe. Can you believe it? Twenty-two stories you’ve asked Rra Alexander McCall Smith to share with us over the years! As each one arrives, I wonder, “what new mystery will Mma Ramotswe manage to solve this time?” I wasn’t disappointed. Rra JLB Maketoni wanted to become partners in a bus company. Yo! That was a close shave I think Mma.

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I enjoy this series and this particular volume provided a pleasant interlude at what can be a very hectic time of year. It was fun to dip into the lives of characters that I have grown fond of and I always enjoy the descriptions of teatime with cake. If your ceiling should fall down, then you have lost a room, but gained a courtyard. Think of it that way.