Alexander McCall Smith

(born 1948 - ) - Edinburgh

Alexander McCall Smith

In the last few years, the profile of Alexander ‘Sandy’ McCall Smith has reached stratospheric levels, largely due to the success of the The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency stories. The stories, set in Botswana in Southern Africa, feature the intuitive and generous Mma Ramotswe and her small but successful private detective agency. The No.Ladies’ Detective Agency novels won the CWA Dagger in the Library award in 2004. Alexander McCall Smith has also won the SAGA Award for Wit in 2003.

McCall Smith was born in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), but moved to Scotland to study law. Later he moved to Botswana to set up a new law school at the University of Botswana. McCall Smith now lives in Edinburgh with his wife and children, where he is professor of Medical Law at Edinburgh University.

He has written over 50 books, including fiction, children’s books, and textbooks on medical ethics and law. The Isabel Dalhousie series, starting with The Sunday Philosophy Club, is set in Edinburgh.

Among Alexander McCall Smith's newest books are The Miracle at Speedy Motors, the latest in the 44 Scotland Street stories first serialised in the Scotsman, and The Careful Use of Compliments. He is also the co-founder of an amateur orchestra called '‘The Really Terrible Orchestra".

  • Cover scan of The 2 1/2 Pillars Of Wisdom
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    The 2 1/2 Pillars Of Wisdom - Paperback
    Professor Doctor Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld inhabits the rarefied world of the Institute of Romance Philosophy at Regensburg, a world he shares with his colleagues, Professors Florianus Prinzel and Detlev Amadeus Unterholzer. Their unlikely adventures are described in these three novels.
  • Cover scan of 44 Scotland Street
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    44 Scotland Street - Paperback
    The story revolves around the comings and goings at No. 44 Scotland Street in Edinburgh. With its multiple-occupancy flats, Scotland Street is an interesting corner of the New Town, verging on the Bohemian, where haute bourgeoisie rub shoulders with students and the more colourful members of the intelligentsia.
  • Cover scan of The Careful Use Of Compliments
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    The Careful Use Of Compliments - Paperback
    Philosopher and amateur sleuth Isabel Dalhousie is about to find her Edinburgh home life profoundly altered by the birth of her baby. Cat, Isabel's niece, has her reasons for not feeling warmly disposed towards the new arrival. Isabel is nevertheless, as her profession dictates, philosophical about such difficulties.
  • Cover scan of The Comfort Of Saturdays
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    The Comfort Of Saturdays - Hardback
    Isabel Dalhousie is a new mother and a connoisseur of philosophy; she'd rather not be a sleuth. But when a chance conversation at a dinner party draws Isabel into the case of a doctor whose career has been ruined, she cannot ignore what may be a miscarriage of justice.
  • Cover scan of Corduroy Mansions
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    Corduroy Mansions - Hardback
    'Corduroy Mansions' is the nickname given to a crumbling mansion block in London's vibrant Pimlico. It is inhabited by an assortment of characters ' including, amongst others, a literary agent, a wine merchant, one accountant, possibly the first ever nasty Liberal Democrat MP and his long-suffering PA, and a small dog in his prime.
  • Cover scan of The Double Comfort Safari Club
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    The Double Comfort Safari Club - Hardback
    It is all very well for Mr Clovis Anderson, renowned author of 'The Principles of Private Detection', to warn against working for those we love. But it is clear to Mma Ramotswe that Rra Anderson is not a regular visitor to Botswana, where friends and family, like cattle and acacia trees, are everywhere.
  • Cover scan of Dream Angus
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    Dream Angus: The Celtic God Of Dreams - Paperback
    If he's in the right mood, divine Angus might grant you the sight of your true love in a dream, you might even fall in love with him, but he'll never love you back. He's too busy making mischief - stealing the place of the gods from his father, turning his enemies into pigs etc - until he is trapped by his own romantic games.
  • Cover scan of Espresso Tales

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    Espresso Tales: The Latest From 44 Scotland Street - Hardback
    'Espresso Tales' is the second volume in Alexander McCall Smith's 'Scotland Street' series.
  • Cover scan of Friends, Lovers, Chocolate

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    Friends, Lovers, Chocolate - Hardback
    Isabel Dalhousie thinks often of friends, sometimes of lovers, and on occasion of chocolate. But whilst this Edinburgh philosopher is certain of where she stands, her life is about to become a good deal more challenging, thanks to love, friendship and temptation.
  • Cover scan of The Full Cupboard Of Life
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    The Full Cupboard Of Life - Paperback
    Mma Ramotswe, who became engaged to Mr J.L.B. Matekoni at the end of the first book in this series, is still engaged. She wonders when a day for the wedding will be named, but she is anxious to avoid putting too much pressure on her fiancé. For indeed he has other things on his mind.
  • Cover scan of The Good Husband Of Zebra Drive

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    The Good Husband Of Zebra Drive - Hardback
    Precious Ramotswe is experiencing staffing difficulties. Her relationship with her assistant is strained. But the work of the agency must continue. Mr J.L.B. Matekoni becomes involved in the agency's work when he investigates an errant husband. But can a man investigate such matters as competently as one of the ladies?
  • Cover scan of In The Company Of Cheerful Ladies
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    In The Company Of Cheerful Ladies - Paperback
    'In the Company of Cheerful Ladies' follows the exploits of Precious Ramotswe, the cheerful Botswanan private investigator of 'traditional build', in this next instalment of the best-selling 'No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series'.
  • Cover scan of The Kalahari Typing School For Men
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    The Kalahari Typing School For Men - Paperback
    In the fourth book in the 'No 1 Ladies Detective Agency' series Precious Ramotswe faces a new challenge: competition. 'Ex-CID, Ex-New York and Ex-cellent', Cephas Buthelezi certainly talks the talk, but how would he deal with her current case - a man who has been attacked by ostrich rustlers?
  • Cover scan of La's Orchestra Saves The World

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    La's Orchestra Saves The World - Hardback
    'La's Orchestra Saves the World' is another delightful story celebrating friendship and the healing power of music, told with the warmth and charm we've come to love from one of the nation's favourite storytellers.
  • Cover scan of The Lost Art Of Gratitude
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    The Lost Art Of Gratitude - Hardback
    Isabel Dalhousie, philosopher & amateur problem solver, meets an old foe, Minty Auchterlonie, at a birthday party attended by their young children. Ambitious Minty, now the head of a small investment bank, is in trouble with her shareholders. Isabel becomes involved, & is drawn into a murky world of financial concealment.
  • Cover scan of Love Over Scotland
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    Love Over Scotland - Paperback
    'Love Over Scotland' revolves around the many colourful characters that come and go at No 44 Scotland Street. It features the stalwart Tory chartered surveyor, the pushy mother, and the Italian-speaking prodigy, Bertie.
  • Cover scan of The Miracle At Speedy Motors
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    The Miracle At Speedy Motors - Hardback
    A client, who was adopted, askes Precious Ramotswe to trace her biological family. But will her searches bring happiness or something rather different, something rather frightening?
  • Cover scan of Morality For Beautiful Girls
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    Morality For Beautiful Girls - Paperback
    'The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency' introduced the engaging and sassy owner of Botswana's only detective agency, Precious Ramotswe. This novel finds her expanding her business to take in the world of car repair and a beauty pageant.
  • Cover scan of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
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    The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Paperback
    The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is one woman, Precious Ramotswe, working out of a breezeblock office in Botswana. A cross between Kinsey Millhone and Miss Marple, Precious makes an unlikely heroine as she embarks on a very African mystery.
  • Cover scan of The Right Attitude To Rain
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    The Right Attitude To Rain - Paperback
    Bruised early in love by her faithless Irish husband, Isabel Dalhousie is a connoisseur of intimate moral issues. She's certain of the ethical basis for a little sleuthing now and again - especially when the problems involve matters of the heart.
  • Cover scan of The Sunday Philosophy Club
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    The Sunday Philosophy Club - Paperback
    Amateur sleuth Isabel Dalhousie is a philosopher who also uses her training to solve unusual mysteries. Instinct tells Isabel that the young man who tumbled to his death in front of her eyes at a concert in the Usher Hall didn't fall - he was pushed.
  • Cover scan of Tears Of The Giraffe
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    Tears Of The Giraffe - Paperback
    This novel features Precious Ramotswe, the owner of Botswana's only detective agency. Among her cases are wayward wives, unscrupulous maids and the challenge of a mother's pain over her lost son.
  • Cover scan of The Unbearable Lightness Of Scones

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    The Unbearable Lightness Of Scones - Hardback
    The story of Bertie and his dysfunctional family continues in this fifth installment alongside the familiar cast of favourites - Big Lou, Domenica, Angus Lordie, Cyril and others - in their daily pursuit of a little happiness.
  • Cover scan of The World According To Bertie
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    The World According To Bertie - Hardback
    'The World According To Bertie' is the fourth in the series and revolves around the many colourful characters that come and go at No. 44 Scotland Street. McCall Smith handles the characters with his customary charm and deftness.

Bibliography

No 1 Ladies Detective agency

Professor Dr Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld

Sunday Philosophy Club

44 Scotland Street

Other books

Children's fiction

  • Cover scan of Akimbo And The Baboons
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    Akimbo And The Baboons - Hardback
    Akimbo loves his life in Africa and the animals that live there. In this story, Akimbo finds out all about baboons, and comes closer than he would like to a much more dangerous animal.
  • Cover scan of Akimbo And The Crocodile Man

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    Akimbo And The Crocodile Man - Paperback
    When Akimbo is offered the chance to help tag baby crocodiles, he is very excited. John the Crocodile man wants to keep an eye on the latest batch of crocodiles, and Akimbo is keen to learn more about them. Then John is attacked by an angry croc, and Akimbo has to use all his courage to save him!
  • Cover scan of Akimbo And The Elephants
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    Akimbo And The Elephants - Paperback
    When Akimbo sees what poachers do to the elephants on his game reserve, he is determined to stop them. There's only one way to do it, and that's to become an elephant hunter himself. But it's going to take strength and courage, and will involve facing danger.
  • Cover scan of Akimbo And The Lions

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    Akimbo And The Lions - Paperback
    There's a hungry lion stealing cattle, and Akimbo's father has to catch it. But instead, he traps a cub. The cub won't survive for long without its mother. Can Akimbo help save it?
  • Cover scan of Akimbo And The Snakes

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    Akimbo And The Snakes - Paperback
    Akimbo loves his life in Africa - he adores living in the game reserve where his father is ranger and he is able to see all sorts of wonderful animals. But he doesn't see many snakes, as they usually slither away when he gets close. But then his uncle asks if he would like to visit his snake park and Akimbo jumps at the chance!
  • Cover scan of The Bubblegum Tree
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    The Bubblegum Tree - Paperback
    Billy, Nicola and Mr Gopal are off to India. But this is no holiday - they must solve the mystery of the missing bubblegum-tree sap, because without it, Gopal's Best Pink Bubblegum won't work - and this is no laughing matter.
  • Cover scan of The Bursting Balloons Mystery
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    The Bursting Balloons Mystery - Paperback
    Someone wants to sabotage a hot-air balloon race across America. Max and Maddy, international detectives, take on the case but it turns out to be a tough one.
  • Cover scan of Calculator Annie
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    Calculator Annie - Paperback
    Annie, who has always been hopeless at sums, wakes up one morning to find she is a mathematical genius. Annie finds herself helping out at the bank and the local newspaper - but will her talent last?
  • Cover scan of The Doughnut Ring
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    The Doughnut Ring - Paperback
    Jim bites off more than he can chew when he sends a chain letter asking people to send him doughnuts to sell for a good cause. A delightful story about a boy with a big heart and big business ideas.
  • Cover scan of The Five Lost Aunts Of Harriet Bean
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    The Five Lost Aunts Of Harriet Bean - Paperback
    When Harriet Bean discovers, at the age of nine, that she has five aunts, she's astonished. There's just one problem - she doesn't know where any of them are. But she's determined to find out.
  • Cover scan of The Muscle Machine
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    The Muscle Machine - Paperback
    Gordon is frustrated that Ted, the school bully, gets away with pushing people around - including him. So when he spots an advertisement for Mr World's muscle machine, he's immediately curious and decides to send off for one. He is surprised at what happens. In fact, Gordon's surprise, as well as his muscles, keeps on growing.
  • Cover scan of The Perfect Hamburger
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    The Perfect Hamburger - Paperback
    If only Joe could remember exactly what he had thrown so haphazardly into the mixing bowl! He knew that his perfect hamburger could revive his friend Mr Bothwick's ailing business and drive every other fast-food store off the high street.
  • Cover scan of The Popcorn Pirates
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    The Popcorn Pirates - Paperback
    Lucy, Hermione and Sam are off on a sailing trip. It sounds fun - but it may be dangerous. Captain Foster and his dog Biscuit need their help. Pirates have raided the ship and stolen the popcorn harvest - and all Biscuit's dog-food!
  • Cover scan of Precious Ramotswe In Scots
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    Precious and the Puggies - Hardback
    A previously unpublished story from Alexander McCall Smith, telling the story of the girlhood adventures of Precious Ramotswe, founder of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency.
Last modified Thursday 11 March 2010
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