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

A Song of Comfortable Chairs
From a Far and Lovely Country
How to Raise an Elephant
The Joy and Light Bus Company
Blue Shoes and Happiness
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive
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
The People's City
The Great Hippopotamus Hotel
The Conditions of Unconditional Love
The Girl who Married a Lion
Dream Angus: The Celtic God of Dreams
The Perfect Passion Company
The Great Cake Mystery: Precious Ramotswe's Very First Case
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 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 Elephants
Akimbo and the Crocodile Man
Akimbo and the Lions
Akimbo and the Snakes
Akimbo and the Baboons
Chance Developments: Unexpected Love Stories
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
Portuguese Irregular Verbs
The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs
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
The Bertie Project
A Time of Love and Tartan
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 Geometry of Holding Hands
The Sweet Remnants of Summer
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

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

Peter Lovesey

Recommended by Maya Torres

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

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Martha Grimes

Recommended by Eleanor Jackson

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

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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

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

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

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

Read More Janet Evanovich

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

Night Prey
A Refiner’s Fire
In Dublin's Fair City
The Chalk Pit
J is for Judgment
Burn Marks: A V. I. Warshawski Novel
Listen to Me
Blood Moon: A Kate Burkholder Short Mystery
The Potted Gardener
Triple Jeopardy
The Late Show
To Die but Once
The Witch Elm
Death of a Charming Man
Headhunters
What to Do When Someone Dies
The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party
Scandal Takes a Holiday
Whisper to the Blood
Dead in the Water
The Vanishing Man
Burn
Hammer of Eden
Love You Dead
Turbo Twenty-Three
Seven Up
The A List
The Reversal
Suicide Run
In the Dead of Night
The Highwayman: A Longmire Story
A Private Investigation: A DC Smith Investigation
Desolation Mountain
Thief of Hearts
Autopsy
The Face in the Mirror
Faith
The Genius
Northwest Angle
A Column of Fire
The Red Door
Bad Blood
The Law of Innocence
On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service
Sweet
Gone: An Alex Delaware Novel
Unusual Suspects: Stories of Mystery and Fantasy
The Complaints
Clawback
The Mercedes Coffin
Lethal White
A Fountain Filled With Blood
Straight into Darkness
Heaven's Prisoners
Prophecy
No Mark Upon Her
Evanly Bodies
Hush Now
Falco: The Official Companion
The Beat Goes On: The Complete Rebus Stories
The Turn of the Key
Red Bones
A Good Hanging
Curious Minds
The Fourth Sacrifice
Out of the Deep I Cry
The Secret Hangman
A False Mirror
Point of Origin
Wicked Appetite
Dreaming Spies
Man Found Dead in Park
The Mark of the Assassin
The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax
The Redbreast
Survival of the Fittest: An Alex Delaware Novel
Fugitive Colors
Perfect People
Killing Time: An Agatha Raisin Mystery
Guilt: An Alex Delaware Novel
The Red Room
The Bone Collection: Four Novellas
Killing Custer
The Clockmaker's Daughter
Kingdom of the Blind
Clete
The Locked Tomb Mystery and Other Stories
Sons of the Wolf
An East End Murder: A Charles Lennox Short Story
Never Say Die
Death of an Eye
Improbable Cause
The Shell Game: A Fox and O'Hare Short Story
A Study in Sherlock
Folly
A Conspiracy of Bones
To Kill a Troubadour
Death of a Snob
The Price of Love and Other Stories
Locked Rooms
Broken: A Novel
Freaks: A Rizzoli & Isles Short Story
The Mistletoe Mystery: A Maid Novella
A Christmas Vanishing: A Novel
The Department of Sensitive Crimes
Faking a Murderer: MatchUp Collection
The Levee
This Body of Death
Uncertain Voyage: A Novel
Deadly Decisions
The Fallen Man
Blood Lure
The Right Jack
Four to Score
A Capitol Death
Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer
Blow Fly
S is for Silence
Bad Love
The Jealousy Man and Other Stories
The Good Daughter: A Novel
Rebus: Long Shadows
Billy Straight: A Novel
The Bitterroots
The Ghost Walker
The Spider's Web
Friends
Coyote Waits
Murder for Love
Rough Country
Lie Down with Lions
Ocean Prey
A Trick of the Light
Bare Bones
The Darkest Evening
Long Upon the Land
Half Moon Street
Hallowed Ground: A Kate Burkholder Short Story
Past Reason Hated: An Inspector Banks Novel
Eye of the Wolf
Time and Tide: A DC Smith Investigation
The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday
Rules of Prey
Gallows View: The First Inspector Banks Novel
Smokin' Seventeen
Quantum
Trial by Fury
Gone Girl
Knots and Crosses
The Sins of the Wolf: A William Monk Novel
The Conditions of Unconditional Love
A Darkness More Than Night
Cold Comfort: A Novella
The Perfect Murder
Easy Prey
Blonde Hair
The Wandering Soul Murders
To Darkness and to Death
Third Twin
A Taint in the Blood
Slaves of Obsession: A William Monk Novel
Drawing Conclusions
A Divided Loyalty
Beginnings: A Kate Martinelli Novella
Paradise Lost
A Christmas Gathering
Help the Poor Struggler
The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine
Skeleton Canyon
The Pact: A Kate Burkholder Short Mystery
Be Buried in the Rain
The Fleet Street Murders
Cause of Death
The Burning
Jackdaws
Field of Bones
The Healers
The Maharani's Pearls: A Bess Crawford Story
Ice Cold: A Rizzoli & Isles Novel
The Beast: A Decker/Lazarus Novel
The Marching Season
The Frozen People: An Ali Dawson Mystery
Liar's Bench
The Long Call
In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner
Blood Money
The Maid
Hunting Shadows
Hardball: A V.I. Warshawski Novel
No Fixed Line
Over the Edge
Die Again: A Rizzoli & Isles Novel
A Dedicated Man
The Ape who Guards the Balance
Justice Denied
Lost Light
A Game of Fear: A Novel
Dead Water
The Snake
The Old Fox Deceiv'd
N is for Noose
The Crow Trap
Still Life
Final Account: An Inspector Banks Novel
A Lonely Death
The Chocolate War
The Man Who Fell from the Sky
Tooth and Claw: A Longmire Story
The Summons
The Winds of Change
The Hyde Park Headsman
The Closers
Two Kinds of Truth
Journey to Munich
The Grave Maurice
A Bird in the Hand
An Island of Suspects: A Brittany Mystery
Innocent Graves
The Last Camel Died at Noon
A Prey to Murder
The Walker in the Shadows
Death of a Gossip
The Pillars of the Earth
At the Scene of the Crime
The Cliff's Edge
The Kingdom
Blood Work
The Discreet Charm of the Big Bad Wolf
Death at the Chateau Bremont
Precious and Grace
The Death of Mrs. Westaway
In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead
The Janus Stone
The Body in the Castle Well
Death of a Laird: A Hamish Macbeth Short Story
A Cruel Deception
Dismissed with Prejudice
Something to Hide
One Good Turn
Absolute Proof
Fatal Pursuit
Twilight
Swan Peak
A Darkness of the Heart
Down the Hatch: An Agatha Raisin Mystery
Death of a Perfect Wife
Sanctuary: A Decker/Lazarus Novel
Alexandria
Bad Boy: An Inspector Banks Novel
Image in the Lake
The One Thing More
Wings of Fire
The Surgeon: A Rizzoli & Isles Novel
Justice: A Decker/Lazarus Novel
The Paris Apartment
Death in a Darkening Mist
Winter of the World
A Shooting at Chateau Rock
Heirs and Graces
What's Past Is Prologue
Farriers' Lane
Through a Glass
After the Storm
Garment of Shadows
Thale's Folly
Wicked Prey
In Their Footsteps
Thunder Bay
Winter's Child
Believing the Lie
Agatha Raisin and The Wizard of Evesham
Rebus' Scotland
Lay Down the Law
The Careful Use of Compliments
Trace Elements
Cold Wind
1999: An Allie Burns Novel
An Unsuitable Job for a Woman
Against the Grain
Kaleidoscope
Takedown Twenty
Standing in the Shadows
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Pretty Girls: A Novel
The Bones of Paris
The Cruelest Month
The Madness of Crowds
Breaking Point
How to Raise an Elephant
The Girls on the Shore: A Detective Matthew Venn Short Story
Harvest
The Black Book
Bethlehem Road
Bruno and Le Pere Noel: A Bruno
Traitors Gate
A Duty to the Dead
Love
The Blue Last
The Man from St. Petersburg
Witch

“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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