Alexander McCall Smith
Author of The No. 1 Ladiesʼ Detective Agency
About the Author
Alexander McCall Smith was born on August 24, 1948 in Zimbabwe. He was a professor of medical law at the University of Edinburgh, but he left in 2005 to focus on his writing. He has written over 60 books, including specialist academic titles including Forensic Aspects of Sleep and The Criminal Law show more of Botswana, short story collections including Portuguese Irregular Verbs, and children's books including The Perfect Hamburger. He is best known for the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. He also writes the Corduroy Mansions, Isabel Dalhousie and 44 Scotland Street series. He has received numerous awards, including The Crime Writers' Association Dagger in the Library Award and the 2004 United Kingdom's Author of the Year Award. His book, The Full Cupboard of Life, received the Saga Award for Wit in the United Kingdom. In 2007, he received a CBE for his services in literature. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Image credit: Alexander McCall Smith, Hobart 25 August 2008
Series
Works by Alexander McCall Smith
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency / Tears of the Giraffe / Morality for Beautiful Girls / The Kalahari Typing School… (2003) 130 copies, 3 reviews
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency / Tears of the Giraffe / Morality for Beautiful Girls / The Kalahari Typing School… (2005) 117 copies, 1 review
The Private Life of Spies and The Exquisite Art of Getting Even: Stories of Espionage and Revenge (2023) 71 copies, 1 review
The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (Abridged Audio adaptation featuring Adjua Andoh) (2003) 25 copies, 2 reviews
Altering the Blueprint: The Ethics of Genetics [A University-Level Course] (2004) 22 copies, 1 review
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency / Tears of the Giraffe / Morality for Beautiful Girls (2002) 22 copies, 1 review
[unidentified works] 11 copies
Lonely Planet Better than Fiction: True Travel Tales from Great Fiction Writers (Lonely Planet Travel Literature) (2017) 9 copies
The Akimbo Adventures: 1 6 copies
The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency: BBC Radio Casebook Vol. 4: Eight BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisations (2019) 4 copies
3 Books: Professor Dr. von Igelfeld Entertainment Series Set - Portuguese Irregular Verbs, The Finer Points of Sausage… (1960) 4 copies
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Box Set (Books 2-4): Tears of the Giraffe, Morality for Beautiful Girls, The… (2018) 4 copies
44 Scotland Street: Series 1-3: Full-cast radio adaptations of the much-loved novels (2017) 3 copies
The Sunday Philosophy Club / Friends, Lovers, Chocolate / The Right Attitude to Rain / The Careful Use of Compliments /… (2009) 3 copies
The Harriet Bean 3-Book Omnibus: The Five Lost Aunts of Harriet Bean; Harriet Bean and the League of Cheats; The… (2013) 2 copies
The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency: BBC Radio Casebook Vol.3: Seven BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisations (2018) 2 copies
My Italian Holiday 2 copies
Akimbo of Africa 2 copies
No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency: BBC Radio Casebook: BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations (2017) 2 copies
Morality for Beautiful Girls 2 copies
GINN Reading 360 Pocket Books: Level 10, Set 1: #1 Up, Up and Away!; #2 The Girl Who Changed the Weather; #3 Cyclops… (1990) 2 copies
44 Scotland Street 5 Book Collection (44 Scotland Street / Espresso Tales / Love Over Scotland / The World According to… (2005) 2 copies
As Lágrimas da Girafa 1 copy
Zurafanin Gozyaslari 1 copy
3 Books! 1) The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency 2) Tears of the Giraffe 3) Morality for Beautiful Girls, (2001) 1 copy, 1 review
Kadonneiden ystävien maille 1 copy
I Think of You 1 copy
Marvellous Mix-ups 1 copy
Still Life 1 copy
2 Books! Books #4 & #5 ~1) The Kalahari Typing School for Men 2) The Full Cupboard of Life 1 copy, 1 review
Good Morning Killer 1 copy
Het Beste Boek 269: Graan / Het Meisje Dat Geluk Had / Met Alle Geweld / Het Orkest Sat de Wereld Redt — Author — 1 copy, 1 review
5 Books! #6-10 ~In the Company of Cheerful Ladies,~Blue Shoes and Happiness,~The Good Husband of Zebra Drive,~The… (2009) 1 copy
44 Scotland Street Series 5 Books Collection Set By Alexander Mccall Smith (The Bertie Project, The Revolving Door Of… (2019) 1 copy, 1 review
East Coast Stories 1 copy
Animal Intelligence 1 copy
A Goose For Christmas 1 copy
The Return of Note 1 copy
The Ceremony 1 copy
Associated Works
Swami and Friends / The Bachelor of Arts / The Dark Room / The English Teacher (1935) — Introduction — 225 copies, 3 reviews
The Lineup: The World's Greatest Crime Writers Tell the Inside Story of Their Greatest Detectives (2009) — Contributor — 220 copies, 3 reviews
Mr. Sampath: The Printer of Malgudi / The Financial Expert / Waiting for the Mahatma (1948) — Introduction — 151 copies, 3 reviews
The Book Lovers' Appreciation Society: Breast Cancer Care Short Story Collection (2009) — Contributor — 96 copies, 1 review
An Innocent Abroad: Life-Changing Trips from 35 Great Writers (2014) — Contributor — 75 copies, 4 reviews
The No. 1 Ladies's Detective Agency: The Complete First Season (2009) — Original novel — 75 copies, 2 reviews
100 Journeys for the Spirit: Sacred, Inspiring, Mysterious, Enlightening (2010) — Contributor — 56 copies
New Beginnings: New Writing from Bestselling Authors Sold in Aid of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Earthquake Charities (2005) — Contributor — 47 copies
Australian Reader's Digest Select Editions: Assegai • La's Orchestra Saves the World • Envy the Night • The… (2009) — Author — 4 copies
Livros Condensados: O Miradouro | O Jardineiro Francês | A Última Aula | A Orquestra de La Salva o Mundo (2010) — Author — 4 copies
Reader's Digest Select Editions: Assegai • La's Orchestra Saves the World • Envy the Night • For the Love of… (2009) — Author — 3 copies
Australian Reader's Digest Select Editions: The Murder Artist • Start From Here • At Risk • The No.1 Ladies'… (2005) 3 copies, 1 review
Livros Condensados: Algum Risco | A Alquimia do Amor | Premeditado | Agência nº 1 de Mulheres-Detectives (2006) — Contributor — 2 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- McCall Smith, R. Alexander
- Birthdate
- 1948-08-24
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- UK
- Birthplace
- Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia)
- Places of residence
- Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Botswana
Swaziland
Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK - Education
- University of Edinburgh (LL.B|PhD)
Christian Brothers College, Bulawayo - Occupations
- author
novelist
writer
professor (Medical Law) - Organizations
- The Really Terrible Orchestra
Royal Society of Edinburgh (Fellow ∙ 2001) - Awards and honors
- Order of the British Empire (Commander, 2006)
British Book Award (Author of the Year, 2004)
Edinburgh University's School of Law, Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, 2007 - Agent
- Caroline Walsh (David Higham Associates)
- Short biography
- ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH has a double existence. He is a Professor of Medical Law, but also an author who has now written over fifty books on a wide range of subjects. These range from specialist titles such as 'Forensic Aspects of Sleep', (the only book on the subject) to 'The Criminal Law of Botswana' (also the only book on the subject) and from the widely translated 'The Perfect Hamburger' (a children's novel) to 'Portuguese Irregular Verbs' (a collection of stories about eccentric German professors). His collection of African stories, 'Children of Wax', received critical acclaim and has been the subject of an award-winning film.
Members
Discussions
Anyone Read Alexander McCall Smith's Emma? in I Love Jane Austen (October 2015)
March Read - NO SPOILERS - The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency in The Green Dragon (March 2013)
March Read - Spoilers - The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency in The Green Dragon (March 2013)
#1 Ladies Detective Agency in All Books Africa (May 2009)
Reviews
The Double Comfort Safari Club: The New No. 1… by Alexander McCall Smith
Perhaps my most favourite to date. "The Double Comfort Safari Club" by Alexander McCall Smith is a delightful and heartwarming addition to the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. It follows the beloved protagonist, Mma Precious Ramotswe, as she navigates new cases with her characteristic wisdom and compassion. Set against the charming backdrop of Botswana, the story weaves together themes of love, loyalty, and the importance of community. This particular installment delves into the complexities of relationships, both personal and professional, highlighting Mma Ramotswe's gentle yet astute approach to solving problems. The novel's charm lies in its celebration of everyday kindness and the enduring human spirit, making it a comforting and uplifting read.… (more)
I love this series. My escape to a World of kindness and beautiful richness
Yes I’m still listening to the No. 1 Ladies Detective books at book number 25. They are just enjoyable comfort listening for me. Most have been read by Lisette Lecat but this is the second one that was narrated by Bianca Amato who also does an excellent job with the story and the characters. There was one misstep with a terrible narrator that made me read the print edition but I’m happy to listen to Lisette Lecat or Bianca Amato any time.
This time around Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are looking into some troubling things that are happening at a nearby hotel. The longtime owner has handed the company to his nephews and niece but ever since then, trouble seems to haunt the hotel. Food poisoning, scorpions, snakes, etc. are not the things that result in good reviews. The hotel’s reputation is in trouble and the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency is on the job.
It's just a delightful series that at this point is like sitting down for a cup of tea with old friends.… (more)
This time around Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are looking into some troubling things that are happening at a nearby hotel. The longtime owner has handed the company to his nephews and niece but ever since then, trouble seems to haunt the hotel. Food poisoning, scorpions, snakes, etc. are not the things that result in good reviews. The hotel’s reputation is in trouble and the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency is on the job.
It's just a delightful series that at this point is like sitting down for a cup of tea with old friends.… (more)
This 4th book in the series really focuses on Mma Makutsi, the assistant lady detective. She flexes her entrepreneurial muscles and her love life (or lack thereof) gets examined. Life continues on for Mma Ramotswe and her fiance Mr JLB Matekoni as he returns to work from his illness and they deal with a misbehaving Puso. Mma Ramotswe faces her first competitor in the detective business and she helps a businessman right past wrongs.
Lists
Sonlight Books (1)
AlphaKIT: Brown (1)
Next in Series (1)
Latin America (1)
Comfort Reads (1)
Latin America (1)
Unread books (1)
Favourite Books (1)
Africa (3)
A Novel Cure (3)
Books Read in 2019 (10)
Carole's List (12)
Urban Fiction (2)
Detective Stories (14)
Favorite Series (2)
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 286
- Also by
- 51
- Members
- 116,337
- Popularity
- #70
- Rating
- 4.0
- Reviews
- 3,484
- ISBNs
- 3,323
- Languages
- 36
- Favorited
- 259
