The Joy and Light Bus Company
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- Create Date：2021-11-06 08:51:57
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Alexander McCall Smith
- ISBN：1408714434
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Summary
Mr。 J。L。B。 Matekoni attends a course hosted by the local chamber of commerce entitled “Where Is Your Business Going？” But rather than feeling energized， he comes back in low spirits， unsure how to grow the already venerable and successful Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors。 Then an old friend from school approaches him about a new business venture that could be just the ticket。 When it turns out he will need to mortgage his property in order to pursue this endeavor， Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi wonder what this will mean for his current business―as well as their own。
Even as she puzzles over mysteries on the domestic front， Mma Ramotswe’s professional duties must take precedence。 When a concerned son learns that his aging father’s nurse now stands to inherit the family home， he begins to doubt her intentions and takes his case to Botswana’s premier detective agency。 Fortunately， Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are committed agents of justice and agree to investigate。
Tricky as these matters may be， Mma Ramotswe knows that the most creative solutions are often found with the support of loving friends and family。 Working together over a cup of red bush tea， she and Mma Makutsi will rely on their tact， humor， and goodwill to ensure that all involved find the happiness that they deserve。
Even as she puzzles over mysteries on the domestic front， Mma Ramotswe’s professional duties must take precedence。 When a concerned son learns that his aging father’s nurse now stands to inherit the family home， he begins to doubt her intentions and takes his case to Botswana’s premier detective agency。 Fortunately， Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are committed agents of justice and agree to investigate。
Tricky as these matters may be， Mma Ramotswe knows that the most creative solutions are often found with the support of loving friends and family。 Working together over a cup of red bush tea， she and Mma Makutsi will rely on their tact， humor， and goodwill to ensure that all involved find the happiness that they deserve。
Reviews
Donna Davis
，
Cheapest therapy on the planet。 Full review is in the works。
Amanda
，
Always enjoyable to drop in for a visit with the ladies
Sandy
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Mma Ramotswe and her sidekick are on top form in this latest instalment - I don't seem to tire of their little adventures！ Mma Ramotswe and her sidekick are on top form in this latest instalment - I don't seem to tire of their little adventures！ 。。。more
Belinda L
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Love this series。 Can't wait for the next one。 Love this series。 Can't wait for the next one。 。。。more
Sally
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Always delightful
Duckpondwithoutducks
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The Joy and Light Bus Company is the name of this book， and joy and light are the feelings it gives you。 It is the 22nd book in the No。 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series。 Often， if a series has that many installments， it can start to feel forced， the plots can feel rehashed， the character development nonexistent or excessive。 But I enjoy each successive book in this series as much as the last， the author always manages to tell another entertaining story。As always， the threads of the story are ge The Joy and Light Bus Company is the name of this book， and joy and light are the feelings it gives you。 It is the 22nd book in the No。 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series。 Often， if a series has that many installments， it can start to feel forced， the plots can feel rehashed， the character development nonexistent or excessive。 But I enjoy each successive book in this series as much as the last， the author always manages to tell another entertaining story。As always， the threads of the story are gentle， it is definitely in the cozy mystery genre – Precious has to deal with a man who doesn’t like the way his father’s will has been made up， and with a potentially disastrous business venture Mr。 J。L。B。 Matekoni wishes to make。I love how this book makes you feel like you are in Botswana。 I love the author’s discerning insights into human nature。 And one thing I want more of？ More scenes with the characters Motholeli and Puso。Note: I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley。 。。。more
Mel
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I will never not read this series！ These are absolute comfort books， simple yet full of philosophical reflection on society。 They are full of kindness， wisdom and humour， exactly what everyone needs at the moment。 Throughout 22 books， Mma Ramotswe's detective agency has expanded， but she hasn't lost her sense of self。 Mma Makutsi is one of my favourite characters of all time， and Mr J。L。B。 Matekoni continues to be an excellent role model。 This book was about imposter syndrome， resilience， depres I will never not read this series！ These are absolute comfort books， simple yet full of philosophical reflection on society。 They are full of kindness， wisdom and humour， exactly what everyone needs at the moment。 Throughout 22 books， Mma Ramotswe's detective agency has expanded， but she hasn't lost her sense of self。 Mma Makutsi is one of my favourite characters of all time， and Mr J。L。B。 Matekoni continues to be an excellent role model。 This book was about imposter syndrome， resilience， depression and compassion， and as always is handled with care by the author。 I love this series of books。 。。。more
Sue Burton
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Loved it
Annette O'grady
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another great read from this author
Graham Jenkins
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Easy to read and lots of fun！
Lesli
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Alexander McCall Smith's Ladies' Detective Agency books are truly a joy to read and review！ The latest book in the series （#22！） follows several interesting cases。 Mr。 J。L。B。 Matekoni attends a course on expanding your business and this makes him think about how the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors shop is doing and whether it's living up to its potential。 Mma Ramotse and Mma Makutsi wonder what is bothering him and how they can help steer him in the right direction。 And the ladies also investigate a Alexander McCall Smith's Ladies' Detective Agency books are truly a joy to read and review！ The latest book in the series （#22！） follows several interesting cases。 Mr。 J。L。B。 Matekoni attends a course on expanding your business and this makes him think about how the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors shop is doing and whether it's living up to its potential。 Mma Ramotse and Mma Makutsi wonder what is bothering him and how they can help steer him in the right direction。 And the ladies also investigate a case of a son who wants to find out why his father is planning to leave his house to his nurse instead of his children。 Of course， Mma Potokwane from the orphan farm， a cup of red bush tea and and Mma Makutsi's talking shoes are there to help。 All of these issues are investigated with so much love， humour and humility that they warm my heart and also make me laugh out loud。 McCall Smith's writing style is gentle and witty and his characters are so lovable that they draw me back to this series again and again！Thank you very much to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada， Knopf Canada for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more
Sharolyn
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Joy and Light expresses the sentiment I feel towards these books perfectly。 Nothing very new ever happens， but the beautiful turns of phrase， the gentle plot， and the wisdom of Mma Ramotswe always feel worthy of my time。 A comfort and relief when there is so much heaviness in the world。
Jennifer Schell
，
A huge thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my views。 There is something soothing about Alexander McCall Smith's writing， and this， the 22nd installment， does not disappoint。 They are written with the characteristic wit and wisdom that fans have come to expect from this and all of McCall Smith's books。 If you have not had the pleasure of reading this series， I urge you to start。 The books do not necessarily need to be read in order as the A huge thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my views。 There is something soothing about Alexander McCall Smith's writing， and this， the 22nd installment， does not disappoint。 They are written with the characteristic wit and wisdom that fans have come to expect from this and all of McCall Smith's books。 If you have not had the pleasure of reading this series， I urge you to start。 The books do not necessarily need to be read in order as the author fills in many details， and the characterization is top-notch。 You will fall in love with the characters and this gentle writing style。 。。。more
LibraryLaur
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This series is always a comfort read for me。*Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review。
Andrea Pole
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The Joy and Light Bus Company by Alexander McCall Smith is the latest addition to the wonderful No。 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series。 Once again， we are transported to Botswana where Mma Ramotswe is peacefully going about her business of bringing justice to those in her community。 This time around， Precious and Mma Makutsi follow up on a complaint from a son who is concerned that his father is planning to leave a large inheritance to the woman who has cared for him for the past decade。 While th The Joy and Light Bus Company by Alexander McCall Smith is the latest addition to the wonderful No。 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series。 Once again， we are transported to Botswana where Mma Ramotswe is peacefully going about her business of bringing justice to those in her community。 This time around， Precious and Mma Makutsi follow up on a complaint from a son who is concerned that his father is planning to leave a large inheritance to the woman who has cared for him for the past decade。 While the team investigate the complaint， Precious must also deal with Mr J。L。B。 Matekoni's plans to pursue a new business venture with an old friend。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。Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an ARC。 。。。more
Marianne
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“’There is nothing wrong with this bus，’ he said。 ‘Or there won’t be， once we have fixed all the things that…’ He floundered， before continuing， ‘… all the things that are wrong with it。’ Then he added， hurriedly， ‘Not that there are all that many things wrong， I think。 Just some。 Just three or four … or five。 Small things， mostly， like brakes and so on。’”The Joy and Light Bus Company is the twenty-second book in the No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by popular Scottish author， Alexander McCa “’There is nothing wrong with this bus，’ he said。 ‘Or there won’t be， once we have fixed all the things that…’ He floundered， before continuing， ‘… all the things that are wrong with it。’ Then he added， hurriedly， ‘Not that there are all that many things wrong， I think。 Just some。 Just three or four … or five。 Small things， mostly， like brakes and so on。’”The Joy and Light Bus Company is the twenty-second book in the No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by popular Scottish author， Alexander McCall Smith。 Having left a very capable Fanwell in charge of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors， Mr JLB Matekoni attends a business course and returns pensive， eventually sharing that he intends to achieve his full potential。 This apparently involves a partnership with an old school friend in a bus company。What worries Precious Ramotswe most about the scheme is that the necessary bank loan will be taken against the garage and the premises of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency。 Failure of such a risky business venture will impact on them all。 （Self-appointed） senior co-managing director of the Agency， Mma Grace Makutsi can see the problem， but understands that “male menopausal behaviour was beyond rational argument”。 She promises to enlist Phuti Radiphuti’s help in talking sense into Mr JLB Matekoni。Precious seeks the wise counsel of her good friend Mma Potokwani at the Orphan Farm， reflecting that “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。” Her sound advice is gratefully accepted， even if it does include a recommendation for yoga。While there， Precious is disturbed by what she learns about one of the newest orphans: there is a suggestion that a well-off family is engaging in a practice long out-lawed。 Acting on impulse， she later manages get important information from very close to the source， and cleverly uses a certain woman’s susceptibility to superstition to ensure things are set to rights。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。 No instalment in this series is complete without some mention of Mma Makutsi’s nemesis: after witnessing a brazen act of shoplifting by the dreadful Violet Sepotho， attempts to force accountability on her backfire on Mma Potokwani and Precious。 As always， the ladies muse on many topics， including what is required to keep men happy， and Mma Makutsi coins an excellent term for those old-fashioned males who still indulge in sexual discrimination: Past Tense Men。 If you want to know why slugs and beetles in her vegetable garden remind Precious of baboons in the corn， you need to read the book， but that’s no hardship！ As always， McCall Smith gives the reader some minor mysteries that don’t tax the brain too much， laced with plenty of gentle philosophy， astute observations and wise words。 This author never fails to delight。 。。。more
Mrs J
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ExcellentGentle and atmospheric， beautiful characters。 McCall's description of Gaborone and Botswana are so good you can feel the heat on your shoulders and smell the rains。 Superb。 ExcellentGentle and atmospheric， beautiful characters。 McCall's description of Gaborone and Botswana are so good you can feel the heat on your shoulders and smell the rains。 Superb。 。。。more
Brenda
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Set in Botswana， this is the 22nd book in one of my most beloved series of all time。 Simply and sweetly written， these heartwarming books are chock full of charm， fascinating traditions in Botswana and a beautiful range of characters。 As with all the author's other books （I've read each at least twice）， I giggled out loud a few times at the wittiness。 Mma Makutski's ninety seven percent， self promotion and quirky personality are funny and refreshing。 Traditionally built Mma Ramotswe is dear， fai Set in Botswana， this is the 22nd book in one of my most beloved series of all time。 Simply and sweetly written， these heartwarming books are chock full of charm， fascinating traditions in Botswana and a beautiful range of characters。 As with all the author's other books （I've read each at least twice）， I giggled out loud a few times at the wittiness。 Mma Makutski's ninety seven percent， self promotion and quirky personality are funny and refreshing。 Traditionally built Mma Ramotswe is dear， fair and fiercely loyal to her country and people。 She would be an amazing friend to have bush tea with。 Her husband， Mr。 J。 L。 B。 Matekoni is quiet， unassuming and usually takes things quite literally。 As owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors he attends a seminar， after which a speaker approaches him with a business proposition。 He thinks it's a brilliant idea but not everyone agrees。Meanwhile， No。 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is asked to investigate a case of an elderly man planning to leave his family home to his young nurse。 Precious and Grace make a visit which goes differently than expected。 Precious and her closest friend Mma Potokwane also witness and become involved in a peculiar incident。 Bits of the characters' backgrounds come into play such as Mma Ramotswe's love for her late father and loyalty to her little white van and Mma Makutski's secretarial training。 The writing is simple but clever and Alexander McCall Smith has an incredible insight into human nature。 For me these books feel like home。The books are about kindness and love with gentle mysteries， incredibly soothing and escapist。 If you are seeking an incredible series， please do not miss this one！ Very special indeed。 Pure joy。My sincere thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this absolutely wonderful and tender book。 It is as good as the previous ones in the series。 。。。more
Susan Siow
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As good as ever！ Can't believe this is book 22 in the series！ How I wish Alexander McCall Smith would write a new book every month instead of every year！ Love how the book ended with these words "The important thing is to carry on doing what you're doing。。。And not to do what other people think you should do。 You should do what you do as well as you possibly can。" So common-sensical yet so heartwarming。 As good as ever！ Can't believe this is book 22 in the series！ How I wish Alexander McCall Smith would write a new book every month instead of every year！ Love how the book ended with these words "The important thing is to carry on doing what you're doing。。。And not to do what other people think you should do。 You should do what you do as well as you possibly can。" So common-sensical yet so heartwarming。 。。。more
Anne Herbison
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It takes me a while to adjust to the tangents which give a slow pace to the narrative， but it's worth slowing down and just enjoying the story as it unfolds， no matter how circuitously。 I can't help feeling that the author has a big smile on his face as he writes。 It takes me a while to adjust to the tangents which give a slow pace to the narrative， but it's worth slowing down and just enjoying the story as it unfolds， no matter how circuitously。 I can't help feeling that the author has a big smile on his face as he writes。 。。。more
Sheena Jack
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Another delight from mma ramotsweA brilliant story as expected from this author。 A great storyline with lovely characters full of warmth humour and kindness。 No bad dreams after reading this one。
Abigail
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The series is definitely past its peak， and this one had a complete idiot plot。 But there were still some enjoyable moments。
Carolyn Walsh
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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。 Alexander McCall Smith writes with wit， wisdom， and a quiet philosophy of life and friendship。 Set in present-day Botswana， MMA。 Precious Ramotswe still runs the detective agency along with 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。 Alexander McCall Smith writes with wit， wisdom， and a quiet philosophy of life and friendship。 Set in present-day Botswana， MMA。 Precious Ramotswe still runs the detective agency along with her good friend Mma。 Makutsi。 Grace Makutsi was originally hired as a secretary， but she keeps promoting herself under new impressive titles over the years。 She now refers to herself as 'Senior co-Managing Director。' The detective agency hasn't handled any vicious crimes。 Rather， clients come to them with aggravating personal problems。 Precious Ramotswe handles these with common sense， patience， kindness， and tact。 She often has input from her trusted friends， Grace and Mma Patokwane， who runs an orphanage。 They have painfully learned that forgiveness and kindness may fail to improve a person's character during an encounter with the wicked Violet。 Their client is a wealthy man who has discovered that his elderly father has left his house in a will to a younger woman who has been his nurse for 10 years。 He is dismayed that the evil woman has unduly influenced his father to do so and wants her investigated。 In the meantime， Precious has become very worried about her husband， who runs a car repair business。 He attended a business conference where one of the speakers was an old school friend who has become very successful。 Her husband started to fret that he was in a dead-end business。 Persuaded by his friend， he now dreams of running a bus company in partnership with this old friend。 Precious abhors the idea of putting up the garage that includes her detective office as security for a bank loan。 On visiting her friend at the orphanage， Precious learns about two orphaned children， cruelly treated and working as unpaid slaves for a wealthy woman。 How she handles this amounts to sheer genius。 When this thought-provoking and the compelling book concludes， I am already awaiting the next book in the series。 Reading about these charming characters is like visiting old friends。 。。。more
Carla
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I will always look forward to the next book in this series。 I feel like I’m meeting old friends who will make me feel better about life。 I love them all。
Elite Group
，
What a joy！ Twenty-two books later and I’m still in love with the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency。Dear Mma RamotsweCan 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。 Mma Makutsi’s shoes are still talking to her – even you s What a joy！ Twenty-two books later and I’m still in love with the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency。Dear Mma RamotsweCan 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。 Mma Makutsi’s shoes are still talking to her – even you starting to notice it now。 And of course， she’s promoted herself！ Once again， your wonderful friend Mma Potokwani helped you through some personal crises and you helped her solve the problem of children working as slaves。 What a terrible thing to encounter now Mma。 Humans can be so cruel to one another。Mma Ramotswe， I don’t want to give too many clues away on the story but do want to congratulate Mma Adjoa Andoh for narrating the book。 Goodness me Mma！ I felt like I was in the room with her while she read the story and she is so clever – she could imitate you， Mma Makutsi， Rra Maketoni and all the other people exactly so that I felt like I was right there。 She is brilliant！ Especially with Mma Makutsi。 Explaining about her shoes and flashing glasses。 I could see them Mma – all the way here in England。I’m sure that you will summon Rra McCall Smith back to Botswana to write another story – please Mma make sure that Mma Anjoa Andoh narrates it？ That way I can return to Africa and imagine sitting on the stoep with you while you drink your rooibos tea。 RonyElite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review。 ‘t 。。。more
Adele
，
After 22 books in the series it’s difficult to come up with new ways to describe how enjoyable these tales from Botswana are。 Mma Ramotswe is a comforting influence born from her enviable philosophy on life and taking joy in its simplest， yet most important， pleasures。
Wendy
，
Another lovely instalment in the series。
Linden
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I look forward to reading about Mma。 Ramotswe's adventures， and this one did not disappoint。 Her husband goes to a class on successful businesses， and is talked into mortgaging his garage to invest in his former classmate's business idea， a bus company。 Mma。 Ramotswe is very unhappy about the idea of debt， but her husband thinks it's a good plan。 Other concerns are a client who says a greedy nurse caused his father to change his will， and some children who are being mistreated by a wealthy emplo I look forward to reading about Mma。 Ramotswe's adventures， and this one did not disappoint。 Her husband goes to a class on successful businesses， and is talked into mortgaging his garage to invest in his former classmate's business idea， a bus company。 Mma。 Ramotswe is very unhappy about the idea of debt， but her husband thinks it's a good plan。 Other concerns are a client who says a greedy nurse caused his father to change his will， and some children who are being mistreated by a wealthy employer。 But never fear， it all works out in the end--one of the reasons these books are so enjoyable。 Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC。 。。。more
Jo Dervan
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