Bøker av Alexander McCall Smith

Fans around the world adore the best-selling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series and its proprietor, Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's premier lady detective. In the first book of the bestselling series, Mma Ramotswe - with help from her loyal associate, Grace Makutsi - navigates her cases and her personal life with wisdom, good humour and the occasional cup of tea.Wayward daughters. Missing Husbands. Philandering partners. Curious conmen. If you've got a problem, and no one else can help you, then pay a visit to Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's only - and finest - female private detective.Her methods may not be conventional, and her manner not exactly Miss Marple, but she's got warmth, wit and canny intuition on her side, not to mention Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, the charming proprietor of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors. And Precious is going to need them all as she sets out on the trail of a missing child, a case that tumbles our heroine into a hotbed of strange situations and more than a little danger . . .Delightfully different, THE NO.1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY offers a captivating glimpse of an unusual world.Includes a sneak peek of The Colours of all the Cattle, the latest instalment in the beloved NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE series!(The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is the 1st book in the series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order)

The next charming and heartwarming installment in the classic THE NO.1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY series, from bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith. This is Mma Ramotswe's twentieth wonderful adventure.

Little, Brown/Abacus has sold more than 12 million copies of Alexander McCall Smith's books. This is the twenty-first book in the perennially adored The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.

The new Botswana book from bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith, this is Mma Ramotswe's nineteenth wonderful adventure.

Precious Ramotswe, that cheerful Botswanan private investigator of 'traditional build', is now married to Mr J.L.B. Matekoni of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors. The Agency is busy, but Mma Ramotswe cannot ignore the plea which is made by a woman who comes to her with a tale of particular misfortune. Unfortunately, her attempts to help are interrupted by a close encounter between her tiny white van and a bicycle, and by a spectacular disagreement between her assistant, Mma Makutsi, and one of the apprentices at the garage. This apprentice has found a fancy girlfriend who drives a Mercedes-Benz. How can he be rescued from his folly? And as for Mma Makutsi, she has found a dancing class, and a man who may not be able to dance very well, but who admires her greatly. And all of this happens against a background of quiet sessions of bush tea, and of a land that stretches out forever under mile upon mile of empty sky...

Now that she is finally and happily married to her long-term suitor Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, Mma Ramotswe of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency of Botswana might have expected life to grow more sedate. But the many problems that lead customers to Mma Ramotswe's door seem, if anything, to have multiplied, and no sooner has she settled her traditionally built person into the married state than she finds herself looking into several troublesome matters at once. There is, to begin with, a disturbing case of blackmail and theft from the Government catering college. Then, while on an errand for her husband to the Mokolodi Game Reserve Mma Ramotswe is seconded to investigate an unpleasant atmosphere that may be down to witchcraft, or something worse. There are sinister goings-on at a health clinic to be looked into, not to mention any number of small wrongs to be righted along the path to detective triumph. And all the time Mma Ramotswe has weighty questions of a philosophical nature to consider, such as whether it is right to find happiness in small things, such as a new pair of blue shoes, a slice of cake, or a red sunset over the Kalahari.

THE NO.1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY introduced the world to the one and only Precious Ramotswe - the engaging and sassy owner of Botswana's only detective agency. TEARS OF THE GIRAFFE, McCall Smith's second book, takes us further into this world as we follow Mama Ramotswe into more daring situations ... Among her cases this time are wayward wives, unscrupulous maids, and the challenge to resolve a mother's pain for her son who is long lost on the African plains. Indeed, Mma Ramotswe's own impending marriage to the most gentlemanly of men, Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, the promotion of Mma's secretary to the dizzy heights of Assistant Detective, and the arrival of new members to the Matekoni family, all brew up the most humorous and charmingly entertaining of tales.* TEARS OF THE GIRAFFE was selected as one of the GUARDIAN's top ten 'Fiction Paperbacks of the Year, 2000

The latest in the hugely popular 44 Scotland Street series from the worldwide bestselling author, Alexander McCall SmithLife for Bertie seems to be moving at a pace that is rather out of his control. Upstairs, at 44 Scotland Street, his father Stuart is powerless to stop over-bearing Irene and her determination that Bertie will travel to deepest, coldest Aberdeen on a three-month sojourn. Can his friend Ranald Braveheart Macpherson save the day? And can the boys execute a great escape? Meanwhile, further up in the New Town, Bruce Anderson's property development plans are thwarted by a sudden crisis of conscience that leads to a shocking revelation. And, in Big Lou's cafe, it seems that love might blossom at last.Warm hearted, humorous and always wonderfully wise, Love in the Time of Bertie offers philosophical insight as well as sartorial elegance. There are tribulations as well as celebrations in this the next instalment in the 44 Scotland Street series.

Suspicion, it seems to Detective Ulf Varg, is everywhere, and even he, as a respected police officer is not beyond its grip. Not when it comes to things he loves, such as his dog, Martin, whose bizarre scuffle with a troublesome squirrel has resulted in a sequence of perhaps unwise decisions on Varg's part . . . Along with this frustrating predicament, Varg continues to have existential matters on his mind. His hopeless feelings for his colleague, Anna. His particular place in the world. His increasing desire to open his mind to certain relationships, including that with his professional partner, Blomqvist, whose flaws are often overshadowed by his loyalty and kindness, along with his impressive investigative work. Together they have been assigned to get to the bottom of a sensitive crime that has occurred in Sweden's esteemed art community. The highly-regarded art historian and expert, Anders Kindgren, has either wrongly identified a valuable work, or he has been framed for the mistake. Fingers point in several directions, and their investigations lead Varg and Blomqvist into a maze of motives, infidelities and suspicion at every turn.The eventual truth of the case, as with many sensitive crimes, lies not in greed nor ambition, but in love itself. Sometimes, Varg realises, we are compelled to put love first, even if that means angering or hurting others. Or, in the case of Martin, testing the very limits of the law . . .

It is summer in Scotland Street (as it always is) and for the habitu s of Edinburgh's favourite street some extraordinary adventures lie in waiting. For the impossibly vain Bruce Anderson - he of the clove-scented hair gel - it may finally be time to settle down, and surely it can only be a question of picking the lucky winner from the hordes of his admirers. The Duke of Johannesburg is keen to take his flight of fancy, a microlite seaplane, from the drawing board to the skies. Big Lou is delighted to discover that her young foster son has a surprising gift for dance but she is faced with big decisions to make on his and her futures. And with Irene now away to pursue her research in Aberdeen, her husband, Stuart, and infinitely long-suffering son, Bertie, are free to play. Stuart rekindles an old friendship over peppermint tea whilst Bertie and his friend Ranald Braveheart Macpherson get more they bargained for from their trip to the circus. And that's just the beginning . . .

As Botswana awaits the familiar blessing of the rains and the resumption of the eternal cycle, seismic upheaval is taking place at the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Not only is Mr J. L. B. Matekoni attempting to reform himself into a modern husband, but after her marriage to Phuti Radiphuti, Mma Ramotswe's challenging but irreplaceable associate Mma Makutsi has joyful news.With the arrival of an heir to the Double Comfort furniture empire and Mma Makutsi busy with motherhood, Mma Ramotswe must tackle tea-making and detective work alone. Well-known troublemaker Violet Sephotho may or not be behind a smear campaign against the Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon, and a dispute over the will of a local dignitary points to a shocking family secret. But the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is resilient and adaptable, and change brings salutary lessons: that our enemies are not always obvious, that a snake under the bed may be an ally, and that a mother's love conquers all.

THE NO.1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY published in 1998, introduced the world to the one and only Precious Ramotswe, the engaging and sassy owner of Botswana's only detective agency. TEARS OF THE GIRAFFE took us further into this world, and now, continuing the adventures of Mma Ramotswe, MORALITY FOR BEAUTIFUL GIRLS, finds her expanding her business to take in the world of car repair and a beauty pageant. Alexander McCall Smith's sense of humour and gentle charm have created a substantial cult following. MORALITY FOR BEAUTIFUL GIRLS will win him yet more fans.

Beloved and bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith lends his delightful touch to the Austen classic, Emma.'It's comfort reading at its most soothing' IndependentPrepare to meet a young woman who thinks she knows everything.Fresh from university, Emma Woodhouse triumphantly arrives home in Norfolk ready to embark on adult life with a splash. Not only has her sister, Isabella, been whisked away on a motorcycle up to London, but her astute governess, Miss Taylor is at a loose end, abandoned in the giant family pile, Hartfield, alongside Emma's anxiety-ridden father. Someone is needed to rule the roost and young Emma is more than happy to oblige.As she gets her fledging design business off the ground, there is plenty to delight her in the buzzing little village of Highbury. At the helm of her own dinner parties and instructing her new little protegee, Harriet Smith, Emma reigns forth. But there is only one person who can play with Emma's indestructible confidence, her old friend and inscrutable neighbour George Knightley - this time has Emma finally met her match?You don't have to be in London to go to parties, find amusement or make trouble. Not if you're Emma, the very big fish in the rather small pond. But for a young woman who knows everything, Emma has a lot to learn about herself.Ever alive to the uproarious nuances of human behaviour, and both the pleasures and pitfalls of village life, beloved author Alexander McCall Smith's Emma is the busybody we all know and love, and a true modern delight.

Roll up! Roll up! The Shortbread Family Circus is in town! Introducing the first tale in The Big-Top Mysteries, an exciting new series from Alexander McCall Smith and illustrator Sam Usher.

The second exciting story from The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Precious Ramotswe is now known as Botswana's first and only lady detective and has many cases. She's looking for a young American who disappeared ten years ago. Will she finally marry Mr JLB Matekoni?

After a throw-away comment lands him in a difficult situation, Dr Neil Anderson's principles are put to the test. He ultimately leaves his job, his partner, and Edinburgh far behind for the seclusion and remote beauty of the Isle of Mull off the west coast of Scotland. There love once again blossoms, and Neil's life is forever changed.

Temperaturen stiger i Gaborone, og Mma Ramotswe lurer på om det er årsaken til at virksomheten i detektivbyrået går tregt. Med færre saker å håndtere har Mma Ramotswe tid til å tenke på de nye naboene sine, et par som har et ganske ustabilt forhold. Men så kommer en fjern kusine av Mma Ramotswe med en bønn om hjelp, og byrået bestemmer seg for å stille opp med selvtillit og åpne hjerter. En familiesak må da være en enkel oppgave, eller?I mellomtiden skjer det noe rart med Mma Ramotswes varebil, som tar Charlie og J.L.B. Matekoni ut på en hårreisende nattekspedisjon. Mma Ramotswe blir minnet om behovet for å se en sak fra alle sider, og deretter finne en løsning - helst over en deilig kopp te og en skive av hennes venninne Mma Potokwanes fruktkake.Forflytter meg til min egen tid i Botswana. Så levende tegnet er steder og mennesker. Jeg elsker denne milde høfligheten - som balsam for vår trøblete tid.SUNDAY POSTNår du er sammen med dem du er glad i, kan de aller minste ting bli så viktige, så morsomme, fordi kjærligheten forandrer verden, forandrer alt.ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH

En kvinne fra Australia oppsøker Damenes detektivbyrå. Hun ber Mma Ramotswe om hjelp til å finne barnepleieren som oppdro henne under barndommen i Botswana. Kvinnen ønsker å takke henne for å ha vært en så viktig del av livet hennes. Mma Ramotswe lykkes ofte med å løse saker, men denne viser seg å by på en rekke utfordringer og overraskelser. På kontoret har Mma Ramotswe også et helt team å administrere: Mr Polopetsi, deltidslærer i naturfag og ny assistent ved byrået, Charlie, tidligere lærling og ung mann som er altfor kjekk for sitt eget beste, samt den noe uortodokse, men hjertevarme medsjefen, Grace Makutsi. Precious og Grace er en historie om det å være detektiv og medmenneske. Dessuten noen leksjoner om takknemlighet og plikt.

To forvirrende saker lander på Mma Ramotswes detektivpult: Først advokat Mma Sheba, som mistenker at en bedrager stiger fram som nevø og arving til en avdød farmer. Mma Ramotswe besøker gården for å finne ut alt hun kan om den selvoppnevnte nevøen.Deretter kommer eieren av en nyåpnet skjønnhetssalong og ber om hjelp til å finne ut hvorfor hennes salong er forfulgt av uhell. Hun har fått et skremmende omen i posten, og det går rykter om at hun bruker produkter som er farlige for kundens hud.Mma Makutsi har ikke sagt noe, men det blir mer og mer tydelig at hun er gravid...Det er som å møte igjen gamle venner.THE BOSTON GLOBEDen gode Mma Ramotswe er herlig original, og en påminnelse om den rolige, tilbakelente livsstilen som fortsatt eksisterer i deler av det postkoloniale Afrika.THE GUARDIAN

Pappa var alltid best! For Mma Ramotswe har alltid hennes far, avdøde Obed Ramotswe, vært det store forbildet. Hun føler at hun vet alt om livet hans - men gjør hun egentlig det? Foreldre kan av og til overraske, og vi oppdager at ting ikke var helt som vi trodde. Det samme gjelder Mma Makutsi, som også blir overrasket av sin egen fortid. Det rolige livet i Damenes detektivbyrå blir forstyrret av en mann som dukker opp i Gaborone. Ham vil Mma Ramotswe virkelig ikke møte. Og enda mindre hennes mann J.L.B. Matekoni.«Smith leverer noen viktige leksjoner om menneskelig skrøpelighet og verdien av veldedighet»PUBLISHERS WEEKLYUventede søstre er som en skive av Mma Potokwanes seriøst fristende fruktkake. Og de gir begge mersmak.THE NATIONAL

Damenes detektivbyrå nr. 1 hjelper ofte folk med å finne ting de har mistet, men de har aldri måttet hjelpe noen med å finne seg selv. Før nå. To godhjertede søsken har tatt seg av en kvinne uten hukommelse, bare kjent som «Mrs».Mma Makutsis familiesituasjon og jobb som detektiv hindrer henne ikke i å starte forretning på egen hånd. Hun åpner «Kjekkasens luksuskafé» for Gaborones mest fasjonable middagsgjester. Ikke engang «Frk 97 %» er forberedt på å takle temperamentsfulle kokker, fulle kelnere og alle utfordringene som følger med å drive egen forretning. Det er noe J.L.B Matekoni har erfaring med, og nå må han treffe tøffe valg som vil få store følger for både bilverkstedet hans og for detektivdamene i nabohuset.«En sann fryd... Mma Ramotswe finner rådsnare og lykkelige løsninger på problemer som kan ta motet fra enhver. Å følge henne gjennom opplevelsene holder leseren engasjert og sulten på mer.»NEW YOR JOURNAL OF BOOKS

Mma Ramotswe må takle sin største utfordring hittil - en ferie!Det er lite å gjøre på Damenes detektivbyrå nr. 1. Faktisk så lite at Mma Ramotswe motvillig går med på å ta en ferieuke. I sitt fravær kan hun ikke la være å tenke på hvordan det går med byrået hennes, særlig da hun får høre at Mma Makutsi har tatt seg av en komplisert politisk sak. Når en kjent og respektert politiker skal få en utmerkelse, blir hans gode navn og rykte trukket i tvil av hans motstandere. Hans søster ber Damenes detektivbyrå nr. 1 undersøke de plagsomme anklagene, og det viser seg - som så ofte - at ting slett ikke er slik de ser ut.Tittelen kommer av Precious' filosofering over at hun - velsignet med sin manns kjærlighet - kan unne seg å gå i solskinnet. Lesere av denne boka - og hele serien - vil føle seg like velsignet.BOOKLIST (stjerneanmeldelse)

Mens Botswana venter på regn for å gi næring til landet, går Precious Ramotswes tanker til kjærlighet og vennskap som viktig næring for den menneskelige sjelen. I et bryllup møter Mme Ramotswe en gammel venninne, som er lei seg fordi hennes eneste datter har vendt seg bort fra henne. Ikke nok med det, en gammel kjenning har samtidig mistet alle pengene sine og funnet trøst i en karismatisk og mystisk pastor, som har trollbundet flere kvinner i regionen. Damenes detektivbyrå bestemmer seg for å undersøke problemene. I mellomtiden er deltidsdetektiv Charlie engstelig for hvordan han skal få faren til Queenie-Queenie til å godkjenne ekteskapet deres.UimotståeligTHE TIMESHver side inneholder et smykke av vidd og innsikt.THE SCOTSMANEt meget sjarmerende tilskudd til en høyt elsket serie. Det er noe oppløftende med disse romanene. McCall Smith har en egen evne til å omfavne det intime for å åpne de store perspektiver.LOVEREADING.CO.UKKarakterer vidunderlig observert, varme og morsomme. McCall Smith løfter det hverdagslige til noe spesielt.MANHATAN BOOK REVIEW

Botswana trenger kvinner som Mma Ramotswe i politikken, heller enn de samme gamle mennene som blir valgt om og om igjen. Det mener hennes venninne Mma Potokwane. Eieren av Damenes detektivbyrå lar seg overtale. For å bli valgt til bystyret må Mma Ramotswe ha en politisk plattform og noen gode saker å kjempe for - eller mot. Etter å ha rådført seg med kollega Mma Makutsi velger hun slagordet: "Jeg kan ikke love noe - men jeg skal gjøre mitt beste." Hennes intensjon er å stoppe byggingen av Big Fun Hotel. Det prangende hotellet skal bygges respektløst nær en kirkegård. Mma Ramotswe tar opp kampen, men rundt hjørnet lurer Violet Sephotho, som kan komme med noen overraskelser.En engasjerende reise inn i et verden som er enklere og varmere enn den du forlater.NEW YOURK JOURNAL OF BOOKSMcCall Smith fortsetter å bringe glede til sine lesere med sin innsikt i det menneskelige hjerte.PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

Isabel Dalhousie, everyone's favourite moral philosopher, is once again called on to help navigate a decidedly delicate dispute with all of the insight and compassion she has become known for. What makes Isabel's investigations so unique is her uncanny ability to view all sides of a situation with coolness and reserve - and she will tap deep into her stores of both in order to help see this one through. Meanwhile, Isabel and her husband Jamie will together be dealing with tricky personal issues of their own. Philosophical observations and humorous asides abound in this fifteenth instalment of the beloved series.

'We all know the range and breadth of Alexander's writing, not all of it comic but much of it SO comic it keeps us afloat through dark times. [He] has an insatiable appetite for travel and new experiences and new vistas , but also that kind of never-satisfied curiosity which is what a writer requires, one of the reasons why there is this extraordinary profusion of characters and places and set-ups...' James Naughtie