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Glasgow for Bertie is the promised land. The city of pies and Irn
Bru, far from his controlling mother, Irene â his place of
escape. But how will he respond to the news of the proposed merging
of Edinburgh and Glasgow? A new member of Bertieâs class at
school is causing ripples in his social circle. She is called
Galactica MacFee and is going to be a match for Olive and her
lieutenant, Pansy. And, an incredible new discovery: a Pictish
stone, that is said to have the first-know written poem carved into
it is the talk of the town. But, when the poem is eventually
translated, it is thought it is best to keep it under wraps. In
this new instalment in the perennially popular 44 Scotland series,
we are back in the world of Angus and Domenico, Bruce, Matthew and
Elspeth, and, of course, Bertie and his friend Ranald Braveheart
Macpherson. Filled with Alexander McCall Smithâs trademark wit,
warmth and humour, this new book is a must-read.
The characters in this delicious book are pushed to the point of no
return and seek retribution. But how we get even is not always the
best road to redemption. On the island of Mull, it takes an incomer
to make the locals realise that they need to take matters into
their own hands to maintain the community's reputation. In 'The
Principles of Soap' the value of friendship overcomes adversity and
opportunistic nepotism. In suburban Edinburgh opposing neighbours
find out the hard way that the best method of dealing with a canine
disturbance is not to bury one's head in the sand. And in the final
tale we meet an author on the brink of public ruin who sees the
error of his ways after an act of kindness saves the day. These
four tales show that the exquisite art of getting even is a skill
that sees kindness win over malice. Tantalising and amusing, these
stories show off a darker side but carry with them the author's
trademark warmth and humour.
It's the most anticipated event of the decade: Big Lou and Fat
Bob's wedding and everyone is invited! After a wonderful day, Big
Lou crashes back down to earth and finds that she is a victim of
her own success. The lure of those famous bacon rolls is preventing
her from leaving hungry customers without their daily dose of
deliciousness - even to go for a long-awaited honeymoon. Will Big
Lou find the happiness she so richly deserves? Everyone in Scotland
Street hopes so, but, as Burns warned, the best laid plans ... The
relative peace and tranquillity of 44 Scotland Street is about to
be disrupted. Irene is to return for a two-month stay, consigning
Bertie to a summer camp. Not satisfied with that, she somehow
manages to come between the enigmatic nun, Sister Maria-Fiore dei
Fiori di Montagna, and her friend, the hagiographer, Antonia
Collie. Can a person really change, even after being struck by
lightning? Bruce's metamorphosis and new-found outlook on life is
put to the test as he prepares to leave his creature comforts for
the monastic simplicity of Pluscarden Abbey. His house sitter,
meanwhile, gets a little too comfortable in his new life and
discovers that the talented Bruce Anderson's shoes are all too easy
to slip into. With great taste comes great responsibility. Come and
discover The Enigma of Garlic and join the delightful denizens of
Edinburgh's most famous address. This latest instalment of the
much-loved 44 Scotland Street series is wise, witty, and full of
warmth.
It is 1938 and the final days of the British Empire. In a bungalow
high up in the green hills above the plains of Ceylon, under a vast
blue sky, live the Ferguson family: Bella, a precocious
eight-year-old; her father Henry - owner of Pitlochry, a tea
plantation - and her mother Virginia. The story centres around the
Pavilion in the Clouds, set in the idyllic grounds carved out of
the wilderness. But all is not as serene as it seems. Bella is
suspicious of her governess, Miss White's intentions. Her suspicion
sparks off her mother's imagination and after an unfortunate series
of events, a confrontation is had with Miss White and a gunshot
rings off around the hills. Years later, Bella, now living back in
Scotland at university in St Andrews, is faced, once again with her
past. Will she at last find out what happened between her Father
and Miss White? And will the guilt she has lived with all these
years be reconciled by a long over-due apology?
During WW2 there was a rumour that German spies were landing by
parachute in Britain, dressed as nuns... Conradin Muller was an
unusual spy. He was recruited in Hamburg in June 1943, much against
his will, and sent on his first, and only, mission in late
September that year. He failed to send a single report back to
Germany, and when the War came to an end in May 1945, he fell to
his knees and wept with relief. From a highly reluctant German spy
who is drawn to an East Anglian nunnery as his only means of
escape, to the strange tale of one of the Cambridge spy ring's
adventures with a Russian dwarf, these are Alexander McCall Smith's
intriguing and typically inventive stories from the world of
espionage. 'Spy-masterful storytelling' Sunday Post 'Delightfully
old-fashioned and prudent of prose, McCall Smith unspools his
tales' Daily Mail '[Adds] another treasure to McCall Smith's
already glittering library' New York Journal of Books
Stories do not have to be long. In the space of a couple of
sentences - or even a page or two - we can see the human heart
exposed in a way that is more powerful than in a novel. In Tiny
Tales Alexander McCall Smith explores romance, ambition, kindness
and happiness in thirty short stories that range in length from the
short to the tiny. The settings are as diverse as the characters -
Scotland, England, Australia, the United States - combining to
create a rich and always surprising selection. An Australian pope?.
A persuasive cosmetic surgeon? The world's laziest cat. A group of
students living together and getting romantically entangled? All
human and animal life is here - in miniature.
The twenty-fourth book in the multi-million copy bestselling and
perennially adored No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. If you
are the founder and Managing Director of the No. 1 Ladies'
Detective Agency you may expect complete strangers to approach you
with their problems when they see you having dinner with your
husband in a peri-peri restaurant. And if you are Precious
Ramotswe, you are a kind and helpful person who will be willing to
take on a quest to find the relatives of a man who, many years ago,
left the country for the uncertainties and dangers of a distant
conflict. While that is going on, though, there may be other things
that claim your attention - such as the shocking news that a club
that calls itself the Cool Singles Evening Club is encouraging
married men to pretend to be single and meet women under false
pretences. Who can be behind such a distasteful venture? Mma
Ramotswe shows great tact in dealing with this situation, and
avoids harm to the innocent. And all the time, she and her
assistant, Grace Makutsi, are getting on with their normal lives -
which, of course, include birthdays and the buying of birthday
presents. A new dress makes a fine present, but not if, when being
tried on, it splits in a way that is thought to be irreparable. Mma
Potokwani has dealt with situations far worse that, and in dealing
with this local emergency she shows her characteristic wisdom. At
the end of the day, disaster is averted. Life in Botswana, that far
and lovely country of the title, continues smoothly, which is what
Mma Ramotswe and her friends want - and most certainly deserve.
The characters in this delicious book are pushed to the point of no
return and seek retribution. But how we get even is not always the
best road to redemption. On the island of Mull, it takes an incomer
to make the locals realise that they need to take matters into
their own hands to maintain the community's reputation. In 'The
Principles of Soap' the value of friendship overcomes adversity and
opportunistic nepotism. In suburban Edinburgh opposing neighbours
find out the hard way that the best method of dealing with a canine
disturbance is not to bury one's head in the sand. And in the final
tale we meet an author on the brink of public ruin who sees the
error of his ways after an act of kindness saves the day. These
four tales show that the exquisite art of getting even is a skill
that sees kindness win over malice. Tantalising and amusing, these
stories show off a darker side but carry with them the author's
trademark warmth and humour.
In Pianos and Flowers we are invited to glimpse a world long
departed. In these stories, inspired by long-lost photographs, the
lives of the people in the frame are imagined and then explored,
layer by layer. Three sisters brought up in Penang, caught in the
tide of war. A group of small boys in a Glasgow slum - their
childhood blighted by poverty, their adult lives taking very
different paths. A young woman's search for love in the unlikely
realm of Egyptian antiquities. And through all of these
photographs, and all of these stories, there runs the same refrain:
the possibilities of love, of friendship, of happiness lie before
us.
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Edinburgh - Picturesque Notes (Hardcover)
Robert Louis Stevenson; Introduction by Alexander McCall Smith; Illustrated by Iain McIntosh; Cover design or artwork by Iain McIntosh
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R517
R418
Discovery Miles 4 180
Save R99 (19%)
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Three classic adventure tales from the bestselling author of The
No. 1 Ladiesâ Detective Agency, now together in paperback for the
first time. Imagine living in the heart of Africa. Imagine living
in a place where the sun rises every morning over blue mountains.
Akimbo and his parents live on the edge of an African game reserve.
It's his father's task to protect the thousands of amazing animals
who make it their home, and wildlife-loving Akimbo dreams of
helping him. In these three adventures, Akimbo protects elephants
from poachers, saves a lion cub from a trap, and rescues a man from
a crocodile! This 3-in-1 collection contains Akimbo and the
Elephants, Akimbo and the Lions and Akimbo and the Crocodile Man.
Fans of The Jungle Book and the Just So Stories will love these
stories of wild animals and thrilling adventures. Alexander McCall
Smith grew up in Zimbabwe and then moved to Scotland. He was
a professor of Medical Law and has written almost 100
books, including the well-loved and bestselling No. 1 Ladies
Detective Agency series. He lives in Edinburgh.
Illustrator Peter Bailey has worked with some of Britain's
best-known authors and poets, including Allan Ahlberg, Dick
King-Smith, Michael Morpurgo and Philip Pullman.
Follow the exploits of the children who go to a most unusual school
- the sail-powered training ship Tobermory. When a film crew
arrives in Tobermory Bay, Ben and Fee are invited to be extras. But
their suspicions are soon aroused - is the film crew genuine, or
are they up to something sinister? Ben and Fee soon discover the
truth when they uncover a dastardly plan masterminded by a South
American businessman...
Once upon a time in Botswana there was a little girl called
Precious, who grew up to become a famous detective. But even as a
young girl she had an extraordinary ability to solve mysteries.
This volume contains all her first adventures, from the mystery of
some missing snacks to the clues that lead to a family reunion.
This is a special collection which includes all four of the Young
Precious adventures so far Precious and the Monkeys Precious and
the Missing Lion Precious and the Mystery of Meerkat Hill Precious
and the Zebra Necklace
The latest in the hugely popular 44 Scotland Street series from the
worldwide bestselling author, Alexander McCall Smith It's the most
anticipated event of the decade: Big Lou and Fat Bob's wedding and
everyone is invited! After a wonderful day, Big Lou crashes back
down to earth and finds that she is a victim of her own success.
The lure of those famous bacon rolls is preventing her from leaving
hungry customers without their daily dose of deliciousness - even
to go for a long-awaited honeymoon. Will Big Lou find the happiness
she so richly deserves? Everyone in Scotland Street hopes so, but,
as Burns warned, the best laid plans... The relative peace and
tranquillity of 44 Scotland Street is about to be disrupted. Irene
is to return for a two-month stay, consigning Bertie to a summer
camp. Not satisfied with that, she somehow manages to come between
the enigmatic nun, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna, and
her friend, the hagiographer, Antonia Collie. Can a person really
change, even after being struck by lightning? Bruce's metamorphosis
and new-found outlook on life is put to the test as he prepares to
leave his creature comforts for the monastic simplicity of
Pluscarden Abbey. His house sitter, meanwhile, gets a little too
comfortable in his new life and discovers that the talented Bruce
Anderson's shoes are all too easy to slip into. With great taste
comes great responsibility. Come and discover The Enigma of Garlic
and join the delightful denizens of Edinburgh's most famous
address. This latest instalment of the much-loved 44 Scotland
Street series is wise, witty, and full of warmth.
With an introduction by Alexander McCall Smith, author of The No. 1
Ladies' Detective Agency series. One did not drink sherry before
the evening, just as one did not read a novel in the morning. In
1970s London, Edwin, Norman, Letty and Marcia work in the same
office and suffer the same problem - loneliness. Lovingly and with
delightful humour, Barbara Pym conducts us through their day-to-day
existence: their preoccupations, their irritations, their
judgements, and - perhaps most keenly felt - their worries about
having somehow missed out on life as post-war Britain shifted
around them. Deliciously, blackly funny and full of obstinate
optimism, Quartet in Autumn shows Barbara Pym's sensitive artistry
at its most sparkling. Its world is both extraordinary and
familiar, revealing the eccentricities of everyday life.
'Five engrossing, resonant stories here, with no weak links' The
Herald The world's first UNESCO city of literature, Edinburgh is
steeped in literary history. It is the birthplace of a beloved cast
of fictional characters from Sherlock Holmes to Harry Potter. It is
the home of the Writer's Museum, where quotes from writers of the
past pave the steps leading up to it. A city whose beauty is
matched only by the intrigue of its past, and where Robert Louis
Stevenson said, 'there are no stars so lovely as Edinburgh's
street-lamps'. And to celebrate the city, its literature, and more
importantly, its people, Polygon and the One City Trust have
brought together writers - established and emerging - to write
about the place they call home. Based around landmarks or
significant links to Edinburgh each story transports the reader to
a different decade in the city's recent past. Through these stories
each author reflects on the changes, both generational and
physical, in the city in which we live.
In the hilarious new novel in the best-selling Detective Varg
series, Ulf Varg will need to resolve both a sensitive crime and
his own delicate dilemma in the hopes of preserving the peace. The
Department of Sensitive Crimes is downsizing in light of a recent
downturn of sensitive crime, and staff members are wondering who
among them will be transferred elsewhere. As the bickering between
colleagues intensifies, Ulf tries his best to stay above the fray.
But when Anna, a longtime friend and coworker, appears to blame him
for an old case that went sideways, it seems she may be putting her
own job prospects above their friendship. In the midst of all this,
Ulf embarks on an important inquiry: a man's cabin has mysteriously
disappeared and Ulf is tasked with finding out what happened. How
exactly does one steal a house? And, more to the point, how does
one track down a stolen house? Meanwhile, a promising veterinary
treatment for deafness in dogs has been announced, and Ulf's dog,
Martin, might be the perfect patient. This latest novel is another
masterful, farcical installment in the series that defines the
genre that Alexander McCall Smith is singlehandedly championing:
Scandi blanc.
In the hilarious new novel in the best-selling Detective Varg
series, Ulf Varg will need to resolve both a sensitive crime and
his own delicate dilemma in the hopes of preserving the peace. The
Department of Sensitive Crimes is downsizing in light of a recent
downturn of sensitive crime, and staff members are wondering who
among them will be transferred elsewhere. As the bickering between
colleagues intensifies, Ulf tries his best to stay above the fray.
But when Anna, a longtime friend and coworker, appears to blame him
for an old case that went sideways, it seems she may be putting her
own job prospects above their friendship. In the midst of all this,
Ulf embarks on an important inquiry: a man's cabin has mysteriously
disappeared and Ulf is tasked with finding out what happened. How
exactly does one steal a house? And, more to the point, how does
one track down a stolen house? Meanwhile, a promising veterinary
treatment for deafness in dogs has been announced, and Ulf's dog,
Martin, might be the perfect patient. This latest novel is another
masterful, farcical installment in the series that defines the
genre that Alexander McCall Smith is singlehandedly championing:
Scandi blanc.
What really counts in this life? For the writer, Alexander McCall
Smith, it is friendship and love - themes that crop up time and
again in his novels. And it is these themes that he explores in
this collection of poems. In this book, divided into nine sections,
the author takes you on a journey across the globe from Africa to
Greece, London to Mumbai, and back home to Edinburgh. In a Time of
Distance is a captivating celebration of place and people, but also
of animals and books. Looking at the world through the lens of this
writer it is a better, more humane place. Throughout these poems
there are moments of swoop and soar, descriptions that will make
you laugh and realign your view. In this collection, Alexander
McCall Smith reminds us to look at the world differently, to stop
once in while and look up at the sky.
THE ONE WHERE MMA POTOKWANI SAVES THE DAY Grace Makutsi's husband,
Phuti, is in a bind. An international firm is attempting to
undercut his prices in the office furniture market. To make matters
worse, they have a slick new advertising campaign that seems hard
to beat. Nonetheless, with Mma Ramotswe's help, Phuti comes up with
a campaign that may just do the trick. Meanwhile, Mma Makutsi is
approached by an old friend who has a troubled son. Grace and Phuti
agree to lend a hand, but the boy proves difficult to reach, and
the situation is more than they can handle on their own. It will
require not only all of their patience and dedication, but also the
help of Mma Ramotswe and the formidable Mma Potokwani. 'The novels
of Alexander McCall Smith aren't yet prescribed on the NHS, but it
might not be a bad idea' Daily Telegraph 'Hugely enjoyable' Sunday
Times 'A clever, hilarious and sometimes poignant mystery' Book
Reporter
The latest instalment from the beloved THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE
AGENCY series Catch up on the latest from Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi
and other favourites in this new instalment of Alexander McCall
Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. As the
temperature rises in Gaborone, Precious Ramotswe, founder of the
No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, wonders whether the heat could be
the reason that business is particularly slow. Luckily, a slower
pace in life is her natural preference, unlike her colleague Mma
Makutsi, who is alert to every passing observation and inclined to
making snap decisions. With fewer cases to handle, Precious has
time to contemplate her new neighbours, a couple who, by the sounds
of it, have a rather volatile relationship . . . But then a distant
cousin of Mma Ramotswe's comes to the agency with a plea for help,
and the ladies decide to pursue the issue together. Armed with Mma
Ramotswe's circumspection and Mma Makutsi's sharp eye, they proceed
with confidence and open hearts. What, after all, could be more
straightforward than a family matter? Meanwhile, their colleague
Charlie is behaving oddly, borrowing Mma Ramotswe's van and
returning it in an unusual condition. Digging a little deeper, the
explanation is both strange and extraordinary, and takes Charlie,
along with Mma Ramotswe's husband, Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, on a
hair-raising night-time expedition. In the end, Precious is
reminded of the need to view a picture from every angle, to accept
the imperfections in people and situations, and then find a
solution - preferably over a delicious slice of her friend Mma
Potokwani's fruit cake. 'Irresistible' The Times 'Every page
contains a gem of wit and insight' Scotsman
At the bottom of a sharply descending street - in the topographical
sense - in Edinburgh's Georgian New Town, new residents have moved
in to number 44 Scotland Street, joining the already well-known and
much-loved denizens of that remarkable building. They appear to be
a bit of a mystery, but so, too, do other things. What exactly did
Sister Maria-Fiore, the aphorism-coining socialite nun, find on the
No. 23 bus? Could it be the remains of a hitherto unknown
Neanderthal, homo Watsoniensis? On the romantic front,
long-suffering Stuart's hopes of kindling a new relationship are
dashed, thanks to chino-wearing narcissist Bruce, effortlessly
exercising his powers of charm. The Promised Land beckons for
Bertie who is off to Glasgow for a school exchange that takes him
doon the watter. Back in Edinburgh, the Duke of Johannesburg's
desire to learn a new language, involving his Gaelic-speaking
driver Padruig, has gone horribly wrong; to be immersed in a
language, it seems, can be a captivating linguistic mistake. And
the patrons of Big Lou's cafe are in for a gastronomic treat. In
other words, everything in Edinburgh is absolutely normal.
During WW2 there was a rumour that German spies were landing by
parachute in Britain, dressed as nuns... Conradin Muller was an
unusual spy. He was recruited in Hamburg in June 1943, much against
his will, and sent on his first, and only, mission in late
September that year. He failed to send a single report back to
Germany, and when the War came to an end in May 1945, he fell to
his knees and wept with relief. From a highly reluctant German spy
who is drawn to an East Anglian nunnery as his only means of
escape, to the strange tale of one of the Cambridge spy ring's
adventures with a Russian dwarf, these are Alexander McCall Smith's
intriguing and typically inventive stories from the world of
espionage.
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