Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Precious and Grace
Precious and Grace: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (17) | Alexander McCall Smith
36 posts | 32 read | 17 to read
In this latest installment of the beloved and best-selling No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, Precious Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi help a young woman on a quest to find someone from her past. Changes are afoot at the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, where Mma Makutsi, who has recently been promoted to co-director, has been encouraging Mma Ramotswe to update to more modern office practices. However, an unusual case will require both of them to turn their attention firmly to the past. A young Canadian woman who spent her early childhood in Botswana requests the agencys help in recovering important pieces of her life there. With only a faded photographand, of course, some good old-fashioned detective skillsto guide them, Precious and Grace set out to locate the house that the woman used to live in and the caretaker who looked after her many years ago. But when the journey takes an unexpected turn, they are forced to consider whether some lost things may be better off unfound. Busy as she is with this challenging investigation, Mma Ramotswe can always be relied on to come to the aid of her friendswho seem to have a special knack for landing in hot water. Mr. Polopetsi, an occasional assistant at the agency, has made an ill-advised business decision that may lead to serious trouble. And next door at Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, Fanwell, the junior mechanic, has become helplessly attached to a stray dog who proves to be a bigger responsibility than he can handle. With Mma Makutsi by her side, Mma Ramotswe dispenses help and sympathy with the graciousness and warmth for which she is so well known, and everyone is led to surprising insights into the healing power of compassion, forgiveness, and new beginnings. From the Hardcover edition.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
Soubhiville
post image
Pickpick

When things are hectic and I need a book with fairly low stakes that‘s uplifting, I can always count on Mma Romatswe and the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.

In this one the lady detectives are trying to find the childhood home and friends of Susan, a Canadian woman who grew up in Botswana but left when still young. Also Fanwell finds a stray dog, and Mma Romatswe tries to help find his home.

The characters are old friends. 📚💕

Ruthiella Totally agree. Her calm wisdom is soothing. 1y
JenReadsAlot I think I read the first 8 or 9 in the series. Good reminder I should get back at them! 1y
Kristin_Reads I wholeheartedly agree and this particular book was one of my favorites in the series. 1y
Tamra 😍🤗 1y
68 likes4 comments
blurb
Blueberry
post image
Eggs Nicely done 👍🏼 2y
53 likes3 stack adds1 comment
review
Tamra
post image
Pickpick

Another installment in a comfort read series. McCall always has a sense of humor and is insightful on the nature of people and what motivates them. He is definitely a “glass is half full” writer.

review
LazyLimaLife
post image
Mehso-so

There are no surprises with this series. It‘s not like they‘re gonna open a US #1 Ladies Detective Agency or solve who stole the million dollar art work from the Mallory Gallery. If you‘ve read the series it‘s just nice to spend time with these characters who have become like old friends.

blurb
Aimeesue
post image

Mma Ramotswe ❤️❤️❤️
#stella
#pibble

Tamra 💚💜 5y
27 likes1 comment
blurb
BookishMe
post image

#ReadingResolutions
Working together turned these incredible women into #Friends
I believe I need to catch up with the remaining title in the #series before the next book is published

The BBC #audiobook is so FUN with the dramatic adaptation. #overdrive

Tamra My favorite series! 6y
BookishMe @Tamra 💖 💖 have you listened to this adaptation? 6y
42 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Andrew65
post image

Started listening to book 17 in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, almost up to date with this series, only 1 more to go after this one. Hopefully this improves on the last one, which was my least favourite in the series.

Liatrek I‘ve only read up to book 5 in the series. Im hoping to read the next one soon. 6y
Andrew65 @Liatrek It is a great series. 6y
57 likes1 stack add2 comments
quote
Vansa
post image

So true. Specially about freedom.

4 likes1 stack add
review
BookishMe
post image
Pickpick

#2018BookBinge Resolutions
Part of #santhiReads2018 is to complete the current reads from last year (> 8) by June and read own books, 1 each month.
Glad to have ticked off 2 though both not technically begun this year ;o

Started first book for #LitWorld2018GB set in Botswana. (contours of love between friends and family)
I hope to read different title in this series to welcome each new year

Tamra My favorite series. 😌 6y
BookishMe @Tamra I hope to reread from the first book after #20 is published ;)) 6y
Tamra @BookishMe 👏🏾👏🏾 I recently got this one because people have likened it to #1 Ladies. Haven‘t started it yet. 6y
See All 9 Comments
BookishMe @Tamra yes yes, I added it to my TBR after reading the author's other book 6y
Tamra @BookishMe buddy read? 6y
BookishMe @Tamra that will be awesome! When would you like to start? 6y
Tamra @BookishMe whenever works for you. I already have the book so it‘s up to you. 😊 (edited) 6y
BookishMe @Tamra Will let you know as soon as I get hols of a copy! ;D 6y
Tamra @BookishMe 👍🏾 6y
10 likes1 stack add9 comments
blurb
BookishMe
post image

#nowreading
12 hours late to begin my #newyearsreadathon
Will post other books later in the day

Tamra 💜 6y
15 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
Libby1
post image

In case anyone is stalking me for #SecretSantaGoesPostal !

1. Precious Ramotswe
2. Doctor Doolittle
3. June
4. Lola cat 😻
5. One son - 7 1/2 (that 1/2 is important!)
6. Chocolate, decorated tea towels (I know that‘s weird, but they remind me of beautiful things in the midst of mundane housework.)
7. 1-2 books read per week
8. Paper only
9. Silent Night or O Holy Night
10. No
11. Both
12. Both
13. None
14. Chocolate
15. Alan Bradley

umbrellagirl That half is *very* important! 6y
Libby1 @umbrellagirl - indeed! 😃 6y
59 likes2 comments
blurb
BookishMe
post image

You don't need superpowers to be #femaleHeroes
#autumnReads
Just plenty of common sense and a good heart, willingness to help others

Precious Ramotswe remains my literary role model.

Tamra 💜 Precious 7y
8 likes1 comment
blurb
Libby1
post image

Apparently, it's Friendship Day.

When I think of strong friendships in fiction I think of Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi at the Number One Ladies' Detective Agency.

This is the Friendship Bench at my son's school. If a child feels lonely during play time they can sit on the bench. The other children have been taught to look out for those who might be lonely and will come over to include that lonely child in their play.

I love this school. 💕

monkeygirlsmama That's so cool. What a great idea! 7y
Dragon Thanks for sharing the friendship bench 💙🌈 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awww I love that ❤️❤️ 7y
See All 6 Comments
JillR I so love the friendship bench ❤️ 7y
Libby1 I love this idea, too, @monkeygirlsmama , @Dragon , @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks , @JillR . My son loves his school. 7y
kspenmoll Beautiful idea! 7y
55 likes6 comments
review
SuziQoregon
post image
Pickpick

Finished this yesterday. It was enjoyable just as I always expect from the audio editions of this series.

blurb
SuziQoregon
post image

I live Lisette Lecat's narration of this series

review
Jen2
post image
Pickpick

Always good to hang out with Precious!!

Soubhiville Is this a new one? I've not heard of it! 7y
Tamra My absolute favorite feel good series. 🤗 7y
Tamra Have you read the prequels, the children's chapter book series that introduces Precious? I've only read the first so far, but just as delightful. (edited) 7y
See All 6 Comments
Vansa My favourite comfort reads!! 7y
Jen2 Yes this is the newest one. 7y
Jen2 I have read the prequels. They are so sweet!!! 7y
104 likes5 stack adds6 comments
blurb
Mrsemz
post image

So excited to see this at local library! HardcoverHearts and I enjoyed reading the very first book in this series and I'm so happy to reconnect with these two endearing and charming ladies.

5 likes1 stack add
blurb
Jen2
post image

Yeah, 20,000!!!!! Thanks all!!

Redwritinghood 🎉🎉🎉🎉 7y
DGRachel Woo hoo!! 🎉🎉🎊🎉🎉 7y
ElizaTodd Congrats!! 👏🏼🌟💃🏻 7y
See All 30 Comments
writerlibrarian Bravo!!! 👊🏻 7y
BibliophileMomma Yay!!! 🎉🎊🍾👍🏼 7y
Lynnsoprano Way to go!🎉🎉👏👏 7y
Reviewsbylola 🎉🎉🎉 7y
DebinHawaii Congratulations!! 🎉👍🎉👍🎉😀 7y
LeahBergen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y
stacybmartin Yay - congrats!! 🎉📚🎉👏🏼 7y
vamp Great job 🤗 7y
Cortg 😍 7y
Jas16 Yay!!📚🎉🙌🏽 7y
EloisaJames Congrats!! 7y
TrishB 👍🎉😀 7y
moranadatter Congrats!🎉🎂 7y
aa_guer2021 Congrats! I just celebrated 1,000! 🎉😊😶 7y
susanw 🎉📚🏅 7y
Kaylamburson Amazing!! 🥇 🏆 7y
LauraJ Bravo 👏🏼 7y
Mimi28 Congratulations!!🎉🎈 7y
CrowCAH Yay congrats! 🎉👏🏻 7y
MyNamesParadise Congrats!! 🎉🎉🎉 7y
Redjewel_7734 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻📚📚🎉🎉 7y
asiriusreader Woohoo!! 🎉🎉🎉 7y
PurpleyPumpkin Yay!🎉🎊🎉🎊 7y
Ubookquitous 🏆🍾 congrats 7y
DuckOfDoom Congrats!!🎉📚 7y
jessdean Wow!🎉📚👌🏽😃 7y
Shemac77 Congratulations! 7y
172 likes30 comments
review
BookShark
post image
Pickpick

The 17th in the series of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency delighted as always with both humor and wisdom. Reading one of these gems from Alexander McCall Smith is a respite from the every day and escape to a peaceful pace. Botswana entices with these tales of mystery and the mundane.

blurb
Libby1
post image
41 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Abby2
Pickpick

These books are so full of beautiful words and thoughts. They are always a joy to read.

blurb
HardcoverHearts
post image

From Instagram- my reading life in 2016. Some favorites-2 readathons, 2 trips we took so I could scour the shelves of Portland & Seattle, my new collections & Baby Cat who will sit for a photo but disappear if you come over! This will go down as probably my best reading year ever- passing 200 books read. I think having the Instagram & Litsy reading communities has really helped me find the best books & to read more. Thank you all 👏🏻📚❤️

LauraBeth Wow - this is amazing! I ❤️ being able to visually see your reading year 😀 7y
Merethebookgal That's amazing!!🎉 7y
Suet624 200 books read???!!! Amazing! 7y
HardcoverHearts @LauraBeth , @Merethebookgal , @Suet624 - thank you guys! It's been a great reading year, for sure. 7y
24 likes4 comments
review
slhbooks
post image
Pickpick

Probably no surprise to anyone that I rate the newest No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novel 'Precious and Grace' as a 'pick'😉 I ❤️❤️❤️everything about this series. They are always such a comforting read and as soon as I finish one, I can hardly wait for the next one.
No kitties were available for photos today so kitty knickknacks will have to do.

BekahB I've been meaning to start this series. I loved the show on HBO and was sad when it didn't make it past the first season. 7y
Foxyfictionista I love these books. I do a reread every now and then. 7y
booksbythecup Re-reading the first one with my book club this year prompted me to start reading all of them. Needless to say I'm up to 4 7y
46 likes3 comments
blurb
Wilkie
post image

#latestbookishbuys Precious and Grace was a gift but I did not have the previous book so I was forced to buy The Woman who walked in Sunshine 😬Bitch Planet was a litsy discovery. #photoadaynov16

RealLifeReading Bitch Planet!! Yessss! 7y
Libby1 I read Precious and Grace just after the election. It was a perfect choice. It is funny and tender and healing. 7y
31 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Libby1
post image
Pickpick

This book.

It was the perfect antidote to a tough week. If you want some joy in your life read this book. Even if you haven't read previous books in this series (which I'd also recommend) you can jump right into this one without trouble.

#WhatWouldMmaRamotsweDo ?

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

WhatDeeReads I just started reading this series. I've only finished the first one, but I am loving it. 7y
Cortg I haven't read much A.M.S but I'm reading Chaim Potok currently & it's a very timely read :) 7y
57 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
slhbooks
post image

Here is my #bookhaul from Wednesday when I was much in need of some cheering up thanks to those election results😢 Between HPB and B&N, I did alright. I love The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series so that will be next up. Mma Ramotswe always brightens my day. This is a Louie-approved stack😽📚
#catsoflitsy #retailtherapy

britt_brooke Nice stack! 7y
melbeautyandbooks Retail therapy or whatever helps get you through these tough days. ❤️ 7y
Lesliereads Chin up, Mma! 7y
James Nice book haul! 7y
Mimi28 Yep! Whatever works! Cute cat 🐱 7y
57 likes5 comments
review
BethsBookBlog
post image
Pickpick

I never get tired of this series. Loved the audible narration!

quote
Libby1
post image

"We have to remind ourselves, she thought. We have to remind ourselves how the world looked when viewed from elsewhere."

WWMRD? #WhatWouldMmaRamotsweDo

rachelm Love that character! 7y
charl08 Or the other AMS inspired 'what would Isabel Dalhousie do?' 7y
Libby1 So do I, @rachelm ! 7y
Libby1 @charl08 - #WWIDD ? 😊 7y
slhbooks Great # 😉 7y
33 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
Libby1
post image

Typical grey Wednesday morning for this American in Northern Ireland after a tragic and not-so-typical 24 hours.

My November TBR is too serious and I need some sunshine ☀️. Alexander McCall Smith won't let me down. ❤️💔

Laura317 That series is lovely! 7y
slhbooks Thanks for the reminder! I will own this book by the end of the day📚I have a B&N gift card and HPB coupons burning a hole in my pocket. Retail/book therapy is just what I need to make it through the day. That and a gingerbread latte☕️and oh, what the heck, 🍪🍪🍪 7y
50 likes2 comments
review
bookwormmichelle
post image
Pickpick

Ahhh. As relaxing as a cup of tea. ☕

review
HardcoverHearts
post image
Pickpick

I am so glad I started the #Readathon with this book. It's the latest in the series and while I expected to fly through it, I was surprisingly caught up in it and therefore read it more slowly. And I enjoyed it tremendously.

22 likes1 stack add
blurb
HardcoverHearts
post image

Hour 1 of #readathon is starting! It's 6 am and still dark out but I am up and ready to go, having held myself back from reading the last few days so I could start fresh. I decided two minutes ago to start with Precious and Grace because I started with one from this series last readathon and loved the light heartedness of the writing and subject matter. Let's see if it bodes well again for a good readathon. Happy reading, everyone!! 📚📚📚

ReadingEnvy Such discipline! 7y
BeththeBookDragon I've gotten behind on my AMS series... I need to get caught back up! 7y
20 likes2 comments
blurb
Libby1
post image

(Photo taken from the author's Facebook page.)

#booktober
#strongwomen
#unforgettablewomen

This arrived in the post for me today! I love Precious Ramotswe because she is strong and smart and kind and good.

I want to be like her when I grow up. Oops. I'm already 40. Oh dear. ❤️📚❤️

Gulfsidemusing Great choice! 7y
Libby1 Thanks, @Lakesidemusing . Do you read this series? 7y
Foxyfictionista I love this series! 7y
Libby1 So do I, @Foxyfictionista . The book before this one was The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine and that is how I feel when I read these books: like I'm walking in sunshine. 7y
Foxyfictionista @Libby1 Yes! I like to read this series in the winter because they make me feel warm. I've only read the first 6 or 7 but I need to get the rest. They're so good!! 7y
30 likes5 comments
blurb
grace.rajendran
post image

My bookstore coworkers are the best! I LOVE this series and we had his event last night; I couldn't work it and was pretty disappointed. But look! This morning- I was surprised with my very own personalized copy!! Moral of the story: bookstore friends are some of the sweetest you could ever ask for!