Modern Fiction Books > Alexander McCall Smith Modern Fiction Books

an unconventional detective

Advantages: easy read, relaxing
Disadvantages: too short

...hold your attention right till the end (and into the first chapter of its follow-up Tears of the Giraffe if you happen to own the 2003 Abacus paperback edition). I suppose it is mainly due to the relaxed way the story or stories are told. You cannot help getting into that same relaxed mode. Arguably nothing really happens, crime-wise apart from a bit of adultery here, a bit of muti there. Why don't people die? Have you noticed how many times the ...
...As if the great nation was obsessed by death. But not in Alexander Mc Call Smith's Bostwana. You do wonder at one time if something sinister has indeed happened. However it would have been a mistake, I believe, if the writer had gone down a different path as the whole tone of the book would have been changed, creating an imbalance of sorts. But if the lack of gripping stuff (as in violence and murder) puts you off then just read the book for its ...

gijoe1974 12.03.2008 · Read full review
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Review of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency - Alexander McCall Smith

A Flat of Different Characters.

Advantages: easy to read, good characters.quite funny
Disadvantages: n/a

...for older readers. 44 Scotland Street is book number one of a series and was first published in a magazine over a period of several weeks. Turned into a paperback edition in 2005 it has gained popularity over the years, explaining why a one off novel managed to create 4 other books surrounding the characters. The book starts off with being introduced to Pat, in her 20s she is now on her second gap year and has decided to break away from her parents ...
...a gallery, working alongside a rich but pretty useless man who knows nothing about art isn't exactly ideal but discovering what one of her flatmates is like is a lot less appealing. This book isn't all featured on Pat though, it's based on the other tennants of the building as well, revealing little parts of their lives and what they like to keep hidden behind closed doors. Parents who are obsessed with having their 5 year old son not enjoy the things ...

crezzie 05.08.2009 · Read full review
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Review of 44 Scotland Street - Alexander McCall Smith

Blue Shoes and Happiness

Advantages: Next book in the series see how the tale unfolds
Disadvantages: if you didn't like the earlies books you wont like this one

I really enjoyed this story in the series, i feel with each book this one is better than the one before, the author has a knack of rambling on and going off on a tangent, which seems to suit the thoughts of the character and then still managing to tie it back in to the story. It has the odd major crime or case but most of the people Precious Ramotswe helps are ordinary people with everyday problems but the lack of constant thrill and drama does not ...
...find out how events turn out. This book has a mystery at a game reserve, an interesting look at buying new shoes and a blackmailed cook. Aswell as this we get a glimpse into how it would be to live in another part of the world, with all the poverty and concern about rain dominating the life of the area this does not rob them of happiness and community spirit of helping each other and having respect for each other, those that follow the old traditional ...

lizzie71 22.07.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Blue Shoes and Happiness - Alexander McCall Smith

Can a friend be a lover too?

Advantages: easy reading
Disadvantages: Sometimes alittle slow

Friends, Lovers and Chocolate. I borrowed this book from my husband who was given a huge pile of Alexander McCall Smiths books at Christmas. Isabel Dalhousie has many friends, she is a spinster Philosopher living in Edinburgh, and is the Editor of "the Review of Applied Ethics", she enjoys a "Genteel" life, with housekeeper Grace looking after her, although she doesn't live-in. Grace is more down to earth but does enjoy going to spiritualist meetings ...
...is a young Musician, a bassoonist and he teaches adolescents in his home and also plays in chamber orchestras when needed, he like many others enjoys a friendship with Isobel who treats her guests to glasses of wine and often meals. He had a friendship with Isabel's niece, but it fell through, although he remained friends with Isabel. Isabel's niece Cat plays a part too in this story and this is where the Chocolate comes in, as she runs a delicatessen ...

jo145 04.09.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Friends, Lovers, Chocolate - Alexander McCall Smith

Bothering 'bout Botswana!

Advantages: Entertaining read, great characters, authentic setting, gentle humour
Disadvantages: Complex names

...brought into their lives in Tears of the Giraffe and I felt that added an extra dimension to the story, which was definitely beneficial. I will look forward to reading more about them in future books. Tears of the Giraffe interweaves their lives along with the cases that come into the detective agency. Mma Ramotswe's work is different to traditional policing and the novels never get violent, frightening or gory. Although they deal with some serious ...
...gentle humour. I read Tears of the Giraffe in a few days. It is reasonably short - 217 pages - and split into chapters, which I find always helps me read a book faster. ("Just one more chapter!") I also want to find out what happens next, of course! There is one minor disadvantage to these books for me and that is the African names. I have studied several languages, but none from Africa and I do find some of the names a bit off-putting initially, ...

KarenUK 09.09.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Tears of the Giraffe - Alexander McCall Smith