Recommendations For Alexander McCall Smith

Recommended by Beth Peters

Highly recommend two series by Alexander McCall Smith: The Number One Lady Detective series for some

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Recommended by Pam Dellion

Alexander McCall Smith has several series.The #1 Ladies Detective Agency, 44 Scotland Street, Isabel

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Books By Alexander McCall Smith

How to Raise an Elephant
The Joy and Light Bus Company
A Song of Comfortable Chairs
From a Far and Lovely Country
The Miracle at Speedy Motors
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built
The Double Comfort Safari Club
The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party
The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection
The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon
The Handsome Man's de Luxe Café
The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Precious and Grace
Tears of the Giraffe
The House of Unexpected Sisters
Morality for Beautiful Girls
The Colors of All the Cattle
The Kalahari Typing School for Men
To the Land of Long Lost Friends
The Full Cupboard of Life
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies
Blue Shoes and Happiness
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive
The People's City
The Great Hippopotamus Hotel
The Conditions of Unconditional Love
Dream Angus: The Celtic God of Dreams
The Girl who Married a Lion
The Perfect Passion Company
Precious Ramotswe: A Mysterious Profile
Precious and the Monkeys
Mystery of Meerkat Hill
The Mystery of the Missing Lion
Precious and the Zebra Necklace
Young Precious: the Collected Adventures
The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe's Very First Case
The Akimbo Adventures
School Ship Tobermory
The Sands of Shark Island
The Race to Kangaroo Cliff
The Secret of the Dark Waterfall
The Case of the Vanishing Granny
The Great Clown Conundrum
Akimbo and the Crocodile Man
Akimbo and the Lions
Akimbo and the Snakes
Akimbo and the Baboons
Akimbo and the Elephants
Pianos and Flowers: Brief Encounters of the Romantic Kind
Tiny Tales
In a Time of Distance
I Think of You
Emma: A Modern Retelling
What W. H. Auden Can Do for You
My Italian Bulldozer: A Paul Stuart Novel
The Second-Worst Restaurant in France: A Paul Stuart Novel
Chance Developments: Unexpected Love Stories
At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances
Unusual Uses for Olive Oil
Your Inner Hedgehog
Corduroy Mansions
The Dog Who Came in from the Cold
A Conspiracy of Friends
La's Orchestra Saves the World
Trains and Lovers
The Forever Girl
Fatty O'Leary's Dinner Party
The Strange Case of the Moderate Extremists
The Good Pilot Peter Woodhouse
Cook for Me
The Pavilion in the Clouds
A Laborer in the Vineyard of Love
The Private Life of Spies and The Exquisite Art of Getting Even
Heavenly Date and Other Flirtations
Portuguese Irregular Verbs
The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs
The Peppermint Tea Chronicles
A Promise of Ankles
Love in the Time of Bertie
The Enigma of Garlic
The Stellar Debut of Galactica Macfee
The 44 Scotland Street Cookbook
Love Over Scotland
The Department of Sensitive Crimes
The World According to Bertie
The Talented Mr. Varg
The Unbearable Lightness of Scones
The Man with the Silver Saab
The Importance of Being Seven
The Discreet Charm of the Big Bad Wolf
Bertie Plays the Blues
Sunshine on Scotland Street
Bertie's Guide to Life and Mothers
The Revolving Door of Life
The Bertie Project
A Time of Love and Tartan
The Perils of Morning Coffee
The Sunday Philosophy Club
At the Reunion Buffet: An Isabel Dalhousie Story
Friends
Sweet
The Right Attitude to Rain
44 Scotland Street
The Careful Use of Compliments
Espresso Tales
The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday
The Lost Art of Gratitude
The Charming Quirks of Others
The Forgotten Affairs of Youth
The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds
The Novel Habits of Happiness
A Distant View of Everything
The Quiet Side of Passion
The Geometry of Holding Hands
The Sweet Remnants of Summer

Tips and Resources From Your Alexander McCall Smith Book Club Friends:

For over 20 years, the humour, compassion, and occasional cup of tea that Precious Ramotswe brings to the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency have delighted millions of people. Do you count yourself among the fans of Botswana’s premier lady detective? Or are you more a fan of the residents and neighbours of 44 Scotland Street? Perhaps you prefer the mysteries the philosopher and amateur sleuth Isabel Dalhousie solves? There are so many stories – long and short – from Alexander McCall Smith to discuss, let’s get to it!

the order of the Books and all Related Books Available
All Alexander McCall Smith’s Book Series in Order of Publication

Find the right order of the books in the series.

No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Books In Order
Isabel Dalhousie Books In Order
44 Scotland Street Books In Order
Detective Varg Books In Order
Perfect Passion Company Books In Order
Professor Dr von Igelfeld Entertainment Books In Order
Corduroy Mansions Books In Order
Precious Ramotswe Books In Order
Akimbo Books In Order
School Ship Tobermory Books In Order
Recommendations From Alexander’s Fans

Janet Evanovich

Recommended by Gianna Ramirez

I’m a huge fan of mysteries with humour and a dash of romance Janet Evanovich’s books are on the top

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Shelby Van Pelt

Recommended by Flora Wilson

I really loved Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures and have recommended it to everyone. I

Read More Shelby Van Pelt

Peter Lovesey

Recommended by Maya Torres

I first learned about Peter Lovesey books featuring detective Peter Diamond from Louise Penny who ha

Read More Peter Lovesey

Martha Grimes

Recommended by Eleanor Jackson

Martha Grimes’ mysteries with Richard Jury and Melrose Plant are well written and entertaining. I en

Read More Martha Grimes

Rhys Bowen

Recommended by Beth Peters

Rhys Bowen’s Molly Murphy series is great. Good stories with a sense of humor. This is one of my fav

Read More Rhys Bowen

Amor Towles

Recommended by Eleanor Jammins

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towels is excellent. He does a thorough job of researching his novels. I

Read More Amor Towles

Nell Goddin

Recommended by Victoria Baker

I am really enjoying Nell Goddin’s Molly Sutton mysteries. I like the setting in a small village of

Read More Nell Goddin

Ian Rankin

Recommended by Savannah Cooper

Ian Rankin is a fantastic storyteller and writes well on so many levels. Has a great ear for dialogu

Read More Ian Rankin

Alan Bradley

Recommended by Amanda Scrip

Alan Bradley’s series about Flavia de Luce are wonderfully written delights. Wish there were more of

Read More Alan Bradley

Rhys Bowen

Recommended by Fatima Walker

I love Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness series. Such fun! They’re light, but clever and amusing. I started

Read More Rhys Bowen

Annie Barrows

Recommended by Hannah Carter

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is an excellent, enjoyable and informative epistol

Read More Annie Barrows

Elizabeth Peters

Recommended by Dorothy Beams

I have read the whole Amelia Peabody series at least four times! Like the Inspector Gamache series,

Read More Elizabeth Peters

MC Beaton

Recommended by Florence Sanchez

I’ve read all of MC Beaton’s books and absolutely love them! They’re also good for a re-read. IMO th

Read More MC Beaton
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Recommended Books From Alexander McCall Smith Fans

The Levee
Abattoir Blues
Masked Prey
Bless the Bride
Breaking Silence
The Camera Man: A DC Smith Investigation
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies
Cross Bones
Chosen Prey
Two for Texas
Winter's Child
Crime Scene: A Novel
Headhunters
The Crime of Miss Oyster Brown and Other Stories
Fearless Fourteen
Treasure State
Deadlock: A V. I. Warshawski Novel
Trickster's Point
Into the Darkness
Scarpetta
Christmas Crumble: An Agatha Raisin Short Story
Death of a Butterfly
A Silent Death
Hot to Trot: An Agatha Raisin Mystery
Original Sin
The Inheritance
Murder in My Backyard
The Crossing Places
The Twelve Clues of Christmas
A Shilling For Candles
The Travelling Companion
Sand Sharks
The Deeds of the Disturber
Precious and Grace
This Tender Land
The Piper: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Story
Lane: A Case For Willows And Lane
See Delphi and Die
Three Hands in the Fountain
The Blood Card
Fire and Bones
The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches
The Night Fire
A Last Goodbye
The Turn of the Key
Hellbender: A Novella
A Superior Death
Break No Bones
A Darker Reality
A Banquet of Consequences
The Secret Place
To Love and Be Wise
What's Left Behind
The Cruelest Month
Triple
The Angel Court Affair
Trigger Mortis
Photo Finish
Down the Hatch: An Agatha Raisin Mystery
The Pillars of the Earth
V is for Vengeance
Total Recall: A V. I. Warshawski Novel
The Devil's Code
Plain Truth
The Great Hippopotamus Hotel
This Body of Death
Prince of Fire
The One Thing More
Bethlehem Road
Naughty In Nice
Deborah's Judgment: A Deborah Knott Short Story
In This Grave Hour
Wednesday's Child: An Inspector Banks Novel
Lay Down My Sword and Shield
The Stargazey
Bloody Kin
Lethal White
Watching Eagles Soar
Free Fire
Still Life
Keeping Watch
Skinwalkers
Short Story: The MatchUp Collection
Looking Good Dead
Acceptable Loss: A William Monk Novel
Winter Prey
Out of the Deep I Cry
Guardian of the Horizon
Faithless: A Novel
Not Dark Yet
A Killer in King's Cove
The Horse You Came in On
A Finer End
A Stranger in Mayfair
The Golden Egg
Point of Origin
Theft of an Idol
The Rags of Time: A DC Smith Investigation
The Dark Horse: A Longmire Mystery
Beau Death
A Grave in the Woods
A Sorrowful Sanctuary
Injustice for All
A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax
Bedford Square
Midnight Escape
Christmas Is Murder
The Camelot Caper
L is for Lawless
Unnatural Death
The Shape Shifter
Man Overboard
Duel to the Death
Remains of Innocence
Miss Pym Disposes
Trace
Partner in Crime
Final Account: An Inspector Banks Novel
I'm Not Done with You Yet
The Empress File
The Man with a Load of Mischief
Flash and Bones
Hide and Seek
The Snake
Death on the Tiber
Kingdom of the Blind
P is for Peril
One Perfect Couple
The Jackal's Head
Dark Sky
The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday
Pay Dirt: A V.I. Warshawski Novel
In Plain Sight
Poseidon's Gold
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Heaven's Keep
Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell
Inherit the Dead
Heavenly Pleasures
Twilight
The False Inspector Dew
Death of a Dentist
Surfacing
E is for Evidence
Secret Prey
Sons of the Wolf
Agatha Raisin and The Terrible Tourist
Resurrection Men
The Torment of Others
W is for Wasted
Incident at Badamaya: A Novel
Killing Grounds
Death of a Nurse
Mad River
All the Colors of Darkness
False Prophet: A Decker/Lazarus Novel
Three-Inch Teeth
The Ink Black Heart
The Collector
Red Knife
An Extravagant Death
The Lantern's Dance
Wild Irish Rose
Mortal Causes
A Sunlit Weapon
The Strange Case of the Moderate Extremists
Garment of Shadows
Dark Road
An Evil Heart
Union Jack
The Reversal
A False Mirror
Cleanskin
Sudden Prey
The Investigator
In the Nick of Time: John Rebus vs. Roy Grace
The Last Remains
Bad Boy: An Inspector Banks Novel
Southampton Row
The Fool's Run
Street Dreams
What Rose Forgot
Y is for Yesterday
Vermilion Drift
The Sinister Pig
Friend of the Devil: An Inspector Banks Novel
Chinese Whispers
About Face
The Postscript Murders
Midnight Cowboy
Girl Missing
Bones to Ashes
Certain Prey
Freaks: A Rizzoli & Isles Short Story
Hunting Shadows
The Midnight Feast
Phantom: A Harry Hole Novel
The Three Fates
Arcadia: A Case For Willows And Lane
The Drop
A Dying Light in Corduba
Treachery at Lancaster Gate
Stranded
Electra
The Body in the Castle Well
Death of an Honest Man
Blood Hunt
Corridors of the Night: A William Monk Novel
A Fearsome Doubt
Spirit Crossing
Death of a Valentine
Bad Love
The First Cut: A Novel of Suspense
The Last Coyote
Devil's Delight: An Agatha Raisin Mystery
A Breach of Promise: A William Monk Novel
The A List
Lay Down the Law
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive
Taking the Veil: MatchUp Collection
Wild Fire
Three to Get Deadly
Maisie Dobbs
The Golden One
Heartwood
Common Murder
The Burning: A Novel
The Maid
Molly Murphy Series: Books 1-15
The Dry
Her Last Breath
Death of a Spy
Leaving Time
D is for Deadbeat
Blood Memory
Death in Holy Orders
The Deadly Dance
Cimarron Rose
Betrayal of Trust
The Best American Mystery Stories 2018
Death in Darkness
To Play the Fool
Career of Evil
Sacred and Profane: A Decker/Lazarus Novel
The Kate Shugak Investigations: Books 1-9
The Mystery of the Lost Cezanne
Miss Kopp Just Won't Quit
Dead in the Water
Identity Unknown
Unnatural Exposure
Mrs. Pollifax Pursued
The Granite Coast Murders: A Brittany Mystery
The Redeemer
As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust
Let it Bleed
Deserves to Be Dead: MatchUp Collection
Cast Iron
Fatal Pursuit
Murder in the Dark
Red Mist
Burial of Ghosts
The Price of Love and Other Stories
Riviera Gold
A World of Curiosities
Damage Control
First Frost: A Longmire Mystery
Death of a Witch
The Evening and the Morning
Butchers and Other Stories of Crime
The Walkers of Dembley
The Tightrope Walker: A Novel
Birds of a Feather
Cold Comfort: A Novella
The Master of Blacktower
Portrait of an Unknown Woman
State of Terror
Hasty Death
Past Imperfect
The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2023
Messenger of Truth
Borderline
The Brutal Telling
Agatha Raisin and Tthe Haunted House
The Game
Hand of Evil
A Christmas Revelation: A Novel
Death in a Strange Country
Den of Iniquity
The Full Cupboard of Life
The Quality of Mercy
The Grave Tattoo
Ocean Prey
Death of a Chimney Sweep
Death in a Darkening Mist
The Shadow Side
One Fatal Flaw
Dishing the Dirt
Burning Angel
The Castlemaine Murders
Black Rainbow

“You can go through life and make new friends every year – every month practically – but there was never any substitute for those friendships of childhood that survive into adult years. Those are the ones in which we are bound to one another with hoops of steel.”

Alexander McCall Smith, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
RJ Martin
“If you’ve never read a book in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series you are in for a treat. I love the gentle humour and wisdom of detective Precious Ramotswe. The series is one of my favourites and every outing is a delight. I also love Isabel Dalhousie. In fact, I pretty much love anything and everything Alexander McCall Smith writes.”

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