Alexander McCall Smith

(born 1948 - ) - Edinburgh

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.

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".

Key Titles

The 2 1/2 Pillars Of Wisdom
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.
44 Scotland Street
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.
Akimbo And The Baboons
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.
Akimbo And The Lions
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?
Akimbo And The Snakes
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!
At The Villa Of Reduced Circumstances
Is there anything funny about German professors? This novel features the endless mishaps of the inimitable German professor, Professor Dr Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld.
The Careful Use Of Compliments
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.
The Comfort Of Saturdays
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.
Dream Angus: The Celtic God Of Dreams
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.
Espresso Tales: The Latest From 44 Scotland Street
'Espresso Tales' is the second volume in Alexander McCall Smith's 'Scotland Street' series.
The Finer Points Of Sausage Dogs
Is there anything funny about German professors? This novel features the endless mishaps of the inimitable German professor, Professor Dr Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld.
Friends, Lovers, Chocolate
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.
The Full Cupboard Of Life
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.
The Good Husband Of Zebra Drive
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?
In The Company Of Cheerful Ladies
'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'.
The Kalahari Typing School For Men
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?
Love Over Scotland
'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.
The Miracle At Speedy Motors
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?
Morality For Beautiful Girls
'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.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
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.
Portuguese Irregular Verbs
Is there anything funny about German professors? This novel features the endless mishaps of the inimitable German professor, Professor Dr Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld.
The Right Attitude To Rain
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.
The Sunday Philosophy Club
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.
Tears Of The Giraffe
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.
The Unbearable Lightness Of Scones
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.
The World According To Bertie
'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.