THE CORDUROY MANSIONS SERIES
“A new cast of characters to love.”
—Entertainment Weekly
CORDUROY MANSIONS
In London’s hip Pimlico neighborhood, Corduroy Mansions, a block of crumbling brickwork and dormer windows is home to a delightfully eccentric cast of residents including, but not limited to: a wine merchant who desperately hopes his son will move out; a boutique caterer who has designs on the oenophile down the hall; a snarky member of Parliament; and Freddie de la Hay, a vegetarian Pimlico terrier.
Volume 1
978-0-307-47650-0 (pbk)
978-0-307-37908-5 (hc)
978-0-307-37930-6 (eBook)
THE DOG WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD
Freddie de la Hay has been recruited by MI6 to infiltrate a Russian spy ring. A pair of New Age operators wants to use Terence Moongrove’s estate as a center for cosmological studies. Literary agent Barbara Ragg represents a man who hangs out with the Abominable Snowman, and the rest of the denizens of the housing block have issues of their own.
Volume 2
978-0-307-73944-5 (pbk)
978-0-307-37973-3 (hc)
978-0-307-37984-9 (eBook)
A CONSPIRACY OF FRIENDS
There’s never a dull moment for the residents of Corduroy Mansions: Berthea Snark is still at work on her scathing biography of her own son; literary agents Rupert Porter and Barbara Ragg are still battling each other; fine-arts graduate Caroline Jarvis is busy blurring the line between friendship and romance; and William French is still worrying that his son, Eddie, may never leave home. But uppermost on everyone’s mind is Freddie de la Hay—William’s faithful terrier (and without a doubt the only dog clever enough to have been recruited by MI6)—who has disappeared while on a mystery tour around the Suffolk countryside.
Volume 3
Coming in June 2012
978-0-307-90723-3 (hc)
978-0-307-90724-0 (eBook)
THE 44 SCOTLAND STREET SERIES
“Will make you feel as though you live in Edinburgh….
Long live the folks on Scotland Street.”
—The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
44 SCOTLAND STREET
All of Alexander McCall Smith’s trademark warmth and wit come into play in this novel chronicling the lives of the residents of a converted Georgian town house in Edinburgh. Complete with colorful characters, love triangles, and even a mysterious art caper, this is an unforgettable portrait of Edinburgh society.
Volume 1
978-1-4000-7944-5 (pbk)
978-0-307-27679-7 (eBook)
ESPRESSO TALES
The eccentric residents of 44 Scotland Street are back. From the talented six-year-old Bertie, who is forced to arrive in pink overalls for his first day of class, to the self-absorbed Bruce, who contemplates a change of career in between admiring glances in the mirror, there is much in store as fall settles on Edinburgh.
Volume 2
978-0-307-27597-4 (pbk)
978-0-307-38639-7 (eBook)
LOVE OVER SCOTLAND
From conducting perilous anthropological studies of pirate households to being inadvertently left behind on a school trip to Paris, the wonderful misadventures of the residents of 44 Scotland Street will charm and delight.
Volume 3
978-0-307-27598-1 (pbk)
978-0-307-38759-2 (eBook)
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO BERTIE
Pat is forced to deal with the reappearance of Bruce, which has her heart skipping—and not in the most pleasant way. Angus Lordie’s dog, Cyril, has been taken away by the authorities, accused of being a serial biter, and Bertie, the beleaguered Italian-speaking prodigy and saxophonist, now has a little brother, Ulysses, who he hopes will distract his mother, Irene.
Volume 4
978-0-307-38706-6 (pbk)
978-0-307-45522-2 (eBook)
THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF SCONES
The Unbearable Lightness of Scones finds Bertie still troubled by his rather overbearing mother, Irene, but seeking his escape in the cub scouts. Matthew is rising to the challenge of married life, while Domenica epitomizes the loneliness of the long-distance intellectual, and Cyril succumbs to the kind of romantic temptation that no dog can resist, creating a small problem, or rather six of them, for his friend and owner, Angus Lordie.
Volume 5
978-0-307-45470-6 (pbk)
978-0-307-47674-6 (eBook)
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING SEVEN
Bertie is—finally!—about to turn seven. But one afternoon he mislays his meddling mother, Irene, and learns a valuable lesson. Angus and Domenica contemplate whether to give in to romance on holiday in Italy, and even usually down-to-earth Big Lou is overheard discussing cosmetic surgery.
Volume 6
978-0-307-73936-0 (pbk)
978-0-307-74488-3 (eBook)
THE ISABEL DALHOUSIE NOVELS
“The literary equivalent of herbal tea and a cozy fire….
McCall Smith’s Scotland [is] well worth future visits.”
—The New York Times
The Sunday Philosophy Club
Isabel Dalhousie is fond of problems, and sometimes she becomes interested in problems that are, quite frankly, none of her business—including some that are best left to the police. Filled with endearingly thorny characters and a Scottish atmosphere as thick as a highland mist, The Sunday Philosophy Club is an irresistible pleasure.
Volume 1
978-1-4000-7709-0 (pbk)
978-0-375-42298-0 (hc)
978-0-375-42343-7 (eBook)
Friends, Lovers, Chocolate
While taking care of her niece Cat’s deli, Isabel meets a heart transplant patient who has had some strange experiences in the wake of his surgery. Against the advice of her housekeeper, Isabel is intent on investigating. Matters are further complicated when Cat returns from vacation with a new boyfriend, and Isabel’s fondness for him lands her in another muddle.
Volume 2
978-1-4000-7710-6 (pbk)
978-0-375-42299-7 (hc)
978-0-375-42392-5 (eBook)
The Right Attitude to Rain
When Isabel’s cousin from Dallas arrives in Edinburgh, she introduces Isabel to a bigwig Texan whose young fiancée may just be after his money. Then there’s her niece, Cat, who’s busy falling for a man whom Isabel suspects of being an incorrigible mama’s boy. Isabel is advised to stay out of it all, but the philosophical issues of these matters of the heart prove too tempting for her to resist.
Volume 3
978-1-4000-7711-3 (pbk)
978-0-375-42300-0 (hc)
978-0-375-42462-5 (eBook)
The Careful Use of Compliments
There’s a new little Dalhousie on the scene, and while the arrival of Isabel’s son presents her with the myriad wonders of life, it doesn’t diminish her curiosity about other things. While attending an art auction, she discovers a mystery revealed in one of the paintings, launching her into yet another intriguing investigation.
Volume 4
978-1-4000-7712-0 (pbk)
978-0-375-42301-7 (hc)
978-0-375-42527-1 (eBook)
The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday
A doctor’s career has been ruined by allegations of medical fraud and Isabel cannot ignore what may be a miscarriage of justice. Meanwhile, there is her baby, Charlie, who needs looking after; her niece, Cat, who needs someone to mind her deli; and a mysterious composer who has latched on to Jamie, making Isabel decidedly uncomfortable.
Volume 5
978-0-307-38707-3 (pbk)
978-0-375-42513-4 (hc)
978-0-307-37776-0 (eBook)
The Lost Art of Gratitude
When Minty Auchterlonie takes Isabel into her confidence about the complicated troubles at the investment bank she heads, Isabel finds herself doubting Minty.
Volume 6
978-0-307-38708-0 (pbk)
978-0-375-42514-1 (hc)
978-0-307-37857-6 (eBook)
The Charming Quirks of Others
Old friends of Isabel’s ask for her help in a rather tricky situation: A successor is being sought for the headmaster position at their alma mater and an anonymous letter has alleged that one of the candidates has a very serious skeleton in their closet.
Volume 7
978-0-307-73939-1 (pbk)
978-0-307-37917-7 (hc)
978-0-307-37945-0 (eBook)
The Forgotten Affairs of Youth
A visiting Australian philosopher asks Isabel’s help to find her biological father. Isabel cannot help but oblige, even though she has concerns of her own. Her young son, Charlie, is now walking and talking, and her housekeeper, Grace, regularly attends a spiritualist who has taken to providing advice. And could it finally be time for Jamie and Isabel to get married?
Volume 8
978-0-307-73940-7 (pbk)
978-0-307-37918-4 (hc)
978-0-307-90679-3 (eBook)
The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds
Coming in December 2012 • Volume 9
978-0-307-90733-2 (hc) • 978-0-307-90734-9 (eBook)
THE PORTUGUESE IRREGULAR VERBS SERIES
“Deftly rendered … [with] endearingly eccentric characters.”
—Chicago Sun-Times
Welcome to the insane and rarified world of Professor Dr Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld of the Institute of Romance Philology. Von Igelfeld is engaged in a never-ending quest to win the respect he feels certain he is due—a quest that has a way of going hilariously astray.
Portuguese Irregular Verbs
978-1-4000-7708-3 (pbk)
978-0-307-42729-8 (eBook)
The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs
978-1-4000-9508-7 (pbk)
978-0-307-42858-5 (eBook)
At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances
978-1-4000-9509-4 (pbk)
978-0-307-42488-4 (eBook)
The Unusual Uses for Olive Oil Coming in December 2012
978-0-307-27989-7 (pbk)
978-0-307-94866-3 (eBook)
Read them all …
“There is no end to the pleasure.”
—The New York Times Book Review
The first novel in the series that introduced us to Detective Precious Ramotswe
THE NO. 1 LADIES’
DETECTIVE AGENCY
Millions of readers have fallen in love with the traditionally built, eminently sensible, and cunning proprietor of the only ladies’ detective agency in Botswana.
Volume 1
978-1-4000-3477-2 (pbk) • 978-1-4000-9688-6 (mm)
978-0-375-42387-1 (hc) • 978-1-4000-7765-6 (eBook)
HBO® Tie-ins:
978-0-307-45663-2 (pbk) • 978-0-307-45662-5 (mm)
A treat for young readers, introducing Precious’s first case as a young girl
THE GREAT CAKE MYSTERY
“A detective is born! Lucky young readers will now be able to make the acquaintance of the one and only Precious—Alexander McCall Smith’s beguiling and intrepid Botswanian sleuth, as she takes on her very first case. What a delightful, breezy read!”
—Mary Pope Osborne, bestselling author of The Magic Tree House series
978-0-307-74389-3 (pbk)
978-0-307-94944-8 (hc)
978-0-307-74390-9 (eBook)
TEARS OF THE GIRAFFE
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is growing, and in the midst of solving her usual cases—from an unscrupulous maid to a missing American—sensible and cunning detective Mma Ramotswe ponders her impending marriage, promotes her talented secretary, and finds her family suddenly and unexpectedly increased by two.
Volume 2
978-1-4000-3135-1 (pbk)
978-1-4000-7767-0 (eBook)
MORALITY FOR BEAUTIFUL GIRLS
While trying to resolve some financial problems for her business, Mma Ramotswe finds herself investigating the alleged poisoning of a government official as well as the moral character of the four finalists of the Miss Beauty and Integrity contest. Other difficulties arise at her fiancé’s Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, as Mma Ramotswe discovers he is more complicated than he seems.
Volume 3
978-1-4000-3136-8 (pbk)
978-1-4000-7766-3 (eBook)
THE KALAHARI TYPING SCHOOL FOR MEN
Mma Ramotswe is content. But, as always, there are troubles. Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni has not set the date for their wedding, her assistant Mma Makutsi wants a husband, and worst of all, a rival detective agency has opened up in town. Of course, Mma Ramotswe will manage these things, as she always does, with her uncanny insight and good heart.
Volume 4
978-1-4000-3180-1 (pbk)
978-0-375-42217-1 (hc)
978-1-4000-7941-4 (eBook)
THE FULL CUPBOARD OF LIFE
Mma Ramotswe has weighty matters on her mind. She has been approached by a wealthy lady to check up on several suitors. Are these men interested in her or just her money? This may be difficult to find out, but it’s just the kind of case Mma Ramotswe likes.
Volume 5
978-1-4000-3181-8 (pbk)
978-0-375-42218-8 (hc)
978-0-375-42324-6 (eBook)
IN THE COMPANY OF CHEERFUL LADIES
Precious Ramotswe is busier than usual at the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency when the appearance of a strange intruder in her house and a mysterious pumpkin in her yard add to her concerns. But what finally rattles Mma Ramotswe’s normally unshakable composure is the visitor who forces her to confront a painful secret from her past.
Volume 6
978-1-4000-7570-6 (pbk)
978-0-375-42271-3 (hc)
978-0-375-42357-4 (eBook)
BLUE SHOES AND HAPPINESS
Mma Ramotswe and her inestimable assistant, Grace Makutsi, have their hands full with finding a cobra in their office and investigating the medical clinic and the local advice columnist. But the most troubling situation is in Mma Makutsi’s personal life. When her wealthy fiancé misses their customary dinner date, Mma Makutsi wonders if he’s having second thoughts about their engagement, but Mma Ramotswe once again steps in with calming, sage advice.
Volume 7
978-1-4000-7571-3 (pbk)
978-0-375-42272-0 (hc)
978-0-375-42426-7 (eBook)
THE GOOD HUSBAND OF ZEBRA DRIVE
In the life of Mma Ramotswe there is rarely a dull moment, and lately her husband, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, has been keeping her occupied above all else. He has been hinting for some time now that he intends to do something special for their adopted daughter, Motholeli, but when his plan hits some snags he finds himself lucky to be married to the ever-resourceful, ever-understanding Precious Ramotswe.
Volume 8
978-1-4000-7572-0 (pbk)
978-0-375-42273-7 (hc)
978-0-375-42479-3 (eBook)
THE MIRACLE AT SPEEDY MOTORS
Investigating her latest case, Mma Ramotswe has to trek to a game preserve, where she rediscovers the breathtaking beauty of her beloved Botswana. She is there to uncover the truth about an elderly American traveler whose safari proved to be his last journey. What she discovers is a surprise to everyone concerned.
Volume 9
978-0-307-27746-6 (pbk)
978-0-375-42448-9 (hc)
978-0-307-37719-7 (eBook)
TEA TIME FOR THE TRADITIONALLY BUILT
Mma Ramotswe’s white van, in need of repair, is replaced with a new, characterless vehicle by her husband, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni. She sets out to find the van, unaware that it has been stolen from the man who bought it. Elsewhere, the owner of a local football team has enlisted the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency to help explain its dreadful losing streak: surely someone must be fixing the games.
Volume 10
978-0-307-27747-3 (pbk)
978-0-375-42449-6 (hc)
978-0-307-37810-1 (eBook)
THE DOUBLE COMFORT SAFARI CLUB
Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi travel to the north of Botswana, to the stunning Okavango Delta, to visit a safari lodge where several unexplained and troubling events have occurred—including the demise of one of the guests.
Volume 11
978-0-307-27748-0 (pbk)
978-0-375-42450-2 (hc)
978-0-307-37900-9 (eBook)
THE SATURDAY BIG TENT WEDDING PARTY
Mma Ramotswe is haunted by a dream in which she is driving her dear old white van. When she discovers that the van is still in use, Mma Makutsi wonders whether her own troubling dream will be prophetic as well. In the meantime, one of Phuti Radiphuti’s apprentices has gotten a girl pregnant and has run away.
Volume 12
978-0-307-47298-4 (pbk)
978-0-307-37839-2 (hc)
978-0-307-37963-4 (eBook)
THE LIMPOPO ACADEMY OF PRIVATE DETECTION
Mma Ramotswe is called in to tackle a mysterious disciplinary problem at her daughter’s school. Her assistant, Grace Makutsi, is having trouble adjusting to wedded bliss. And the estimable Clovis Andersen, author of The Principles of Private Detection, has arrived right there in Botswana on a case of his own.
Volume 13
978-0-307-37840-8 (hc)
978-0-307-90715-8 (eBook)
THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY BOXED SETS
Volumes 1-3: 978-0-679-78975-8 (pbk)
Volumes 1-5: 978-0-307-26158-8 (pbk)
ALSO BY ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH
LA’S ORCHESTRA SAVES THE WORLD
A heartwarming novel about the life-affirming powers of music and companionship during a time of war.
It is 1939, and Lavender—La to her friends—has fled London for small-town life to avoid German bombs and to escape memories of her shattered marriage. As the war drags on, in need of some diversion and to boost the town’s morale, La organizes an amateur orchestra, drawing musicians from the village and local RAF base, including Feliks, a shy Polish refugee who becomes La’s prized recruit. Does La’s orchestra save the world? The people who come to hear it think so. But, what will become of it after the war is over? And what will become of La herself?
978-0-307-47304-2 (pbk)
978-0-307-37838-5 (hc)
978-0-307-37866-8 (eBook)
“These are pithy, engaging tales, as habit-forming as peanuts.”
—Publishers Weekly
THE GIRL WHO MARRIED A LION AND OTHER TALES FROM AFRICA
978-0-375-42312-3 (hc)
978-0-375-42344-4 (eBook)
VISIT THE
Alexander McCall Smith
WEBSITE!
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