Alexander McCall Smith

From the beloved and bestselling author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series comes a lighthearted comedic novel about a Swedish police department tasked with solving the most unusual, complicated, and, often, insignificant crimes. The detectives who work in Malmo Police's Department of Sensitive Crimes take their job very seriously. The lead detective, Ulf Varg, prioritizes his cases above even his dog's mental health. Then there are detectives...

Known for his sharp-witted mysteries set in Botswana and Sweden and numerous other literary works, Alexander McCall Smith here presents an assortment of short fiction revolving around casual dates, romantic encounters, and other human entanglements-which often don't proceed as expected and may turn shocking, compulsive, complicated, or sometimes, completely disastrous. But when it comes to matters of the heart, we human don't give up easily...

In this profile, the bestselling author of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series recounts the creation of his popular Botswanan sleuth. In 1998, Mma Precious Ramotswe made her debut in Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. The Plain Dealer hailed the novel as "One of the best, most charming, honest, hilarious and life-affirming books to appear in years." Decades and many books later, Precious has her own bestselling series,...

When a visiting croc expert invites Akimbo along on a field study, Akimbo is thrilled. But when the crocodiles attack the guide, injuring him gravely, it will be up to Akimbo to cross a crocodile-infested river and jump start a truck to bring back help. A rousing new Akimbo adventure from bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith.

Alexander McCall Smith-best-selling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency-enthralls children with his Akimbo adventures, Harriet Bean mysteries, and Max & Maddy detective tales. Swiss banker Conrad Huffendorf hires Max and Maddy Twist-world Clue champions and children of private detective legends-to stop a rash of bank robberies. Bank security cameras show each holdup being carried out by a different Saint Bernard. But how can the young detectives...

Born in Zimbabwe, New York Times best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith uses his first-hand knowledge of Africa to connect with his young audience and supply his Akimbo chapter books with vivid details. In a central African animal sanctuary, young Akimbo sees the carcass of a mother elephant rotting in the sun. Hearing that his ranger father rarely catches these killers, Akimbo hatches a secret plan to apprehend these villains himself. But are...

From the beloved author of the No. 1 Ladies’ DetectiveAgency series comes a beautiful and transporting volumeof poems brimming with warmth and humanity. What matters most in life? For Alexander McCall Smith, it is friendship, love, and travel—the themes found throughout his work that have made him a cherished writer the world over. This first collection of McCall Smith’s poems reflects on these topics with all his characteristic wit and charm. ...

Alexander McCall Smith, New York Times best-selling author of the acclaimed #1 Ladies' Detective Agency) series, captures the hearts and imaginations of young listeners with the unique and tender tale of Akimbo and his lion, Simba. When Akimbo and his park ranger father accidentally capture a lion cub, Akimbo decides to name it Simba and care for it. The two soon become inseparable. But when Simba grows too big, Akimbo must make the right choice for...

The irresistible wit of New York Times best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith has won over countless fans. His subtle humor and enchanting characterizations are fully on display in At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances. Professor Dr. von Igelfeld is pleased with his role as a visiting scholar at Cambridge, even if his English colleagues are difficult to comprehend. They frequently speak in metaphors and make peculiar assumptions, saying such odd...

When writer Paul Stewart heads to the idyllic Italian town of Montalcino to finish his already late book, it seems like the perfect escape from stressful city life. Upon landing, however, things quickly take a turn for the worse when he discovers his hired car is nowhere to be found. With no record of any reservation and no other cars available it looks like Paul is stuck at the airport. That is, until an enterprising stranger offers him an unexpected...