Showing results by author "Alexander" in All Categories

Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori Montagna, who is suffering from an acute identity crisis, wants to know more about her own past, and after doing a DNA test, she discovers that she has a relative she didn't know about. But her newfound family causes a bit of a rift between her and her flatmate, Antonia Collie. Bertie's dream of moving to the promised land – the Dear Green Place – comes crashing down as he learns that he is to move to the far northeast – Peterhead, near Aberdeen, leaving poor Ranald Braveheart Macpherson a little heartbroken and lost.

'I am a fortunate woman to have such an eventful life', observes Mma Ramotswe. Perhaps, but there are times when rather too much seems to be happening. This latest despatch from Botswana is certainly full of events, even if it starts with a leisurely trip to buy a pair of shoes for Mr J.L.B. Matekoni. As often happens, one thing leads to another, and we are soon caught up in an ill-thought-out plan hatched by Charlie, junior mechanic and trainee detective. Charlie has met up with two rising stars of the local musical world – jazz players known as Lion and Leopard.

Sir John Woodstock (James Fleet) is the Lord of the Castle and basically in charge of keeping order in the ramshackle medieval village. Although he hates all that torturing and usually lets the peasants off with a bit of community service. He lives in his huge but slightly falling down castle (but then it was built by the French, so what can one expect) with his daughter Anne (Martha Howe-Douglas) and very teenage son Henry (Steven Kynman). Anne’s best friend Charlotte (Ingrid Oliver) nearly always joins Anne on her constant quest to find fit men in the village. 

The complete BBC Radio adaptations of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency featuring Botswana's only female private detective agency, run by the irrepressible Precious Ramotswe. Based on the hugely popular novels and brought to life with music and full casts, these evocative productions return us to Botswana, where Precious has more mysteries to solve.

Alexander McCall Smith, worldwide best-selling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and The 44 Scotland Street novels, presents a season of beautifully written short stories. Distract yourself with the warmth of his voice and the infectious ripple of his laughter as he reads short stories written for you, from the heart. A truly positive distraction and an antidote to the stresses of everyday life. Find the full range of Alexander McCall Smith’s work – short stories, novels in series and stand alone novels, poetry and non-fiction at alexandermccallsmith.com.

'Among the most successful parenting resources of all time' iPaper 'A shining alternative to high-stress modern parenting, and families from New Delhi to New York will shout with joy' Heather Shumaker, author of It's OK Not to Share and It's OK to Go Up the Slide DISCOVER THE PARENTING SECRETS...

Brought to you by Penguin. Before the Rebellion, the Empire reigned. The first book in a new trilogy. "In order to ensure the security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire! For a safe and secure society!" With one speech, and thunderous...

Plymouth, July 1801: Richard Bolitho's small squadron, still repairing battle scars earned in heavy action at Copenhagen, has been months away from the sea. But the Admiralty needs Bolitho. After eight years of war with France, Britain must make a gesture that will show her strength and determination - and one which will dramatically weaken the French cause. The Admiralty wants to attack, so Rear-Admiral Bolitho must follow his flag's tradition of victory.

October 1789, New South Wales, and into Sydney, capital of Britain's infant colony, sails the frigate Tempest. She is one of His Majesty's ships employed in policing the new southern trade routes. Her captain is Richard Bolitho, who hopes to be ordered home to England. Instead he is dispatched on a mission to the islands of the Great South Sea, where he must face hazards of fickle winds, pirates, and savage islanders.

The story revolves around the comings and goings at No. 44 Scotland Street, a fictitious building in a real street in Edinburgh. Immediately recognisable are the Edinburgh chartered surveyor, stalwart of the Conservative Association, who dreams of membership of Scotland's most exclusive golf club. We have the pushy Stockbridge mother, and her prodigiously talented five-year-old son, who is making good progress with the saxophone and with his Italian.

Following on from the brilliant The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Tears of the Giraffe charts the further adventures of Mma Ramotswe, Botswana's only female private detective. It's going to take all her intuition and eminent sensibility for Mma Ramotswe to crack her hardest case yet: the decade-old disappearance of an American on the edge of the Kalahari.

My fame was far ahead of me. I once had my own space fleet and the best women in the world. Some called me a hero, others a murderer. A few said I was a traitor. Even my father turned his back on me. Long story short, in the end, I was sentenced to death. That didn't quite work for me. So when the chance came, I took it. I chose a new life in a new world. Got a new body too. Now I'm a young nobleman in the Russian Empire. Yes, I'll have to start biting throats again. Prove I belong at the top. But when has that ever stopped me? Fate gave me another go, and I don't plan to waste it.

A blade in the dark. A death in the third act. A royal secret that could shake the throne. London. 1889. When the Duke of Steele invites Lady Rosalynd to share his box at the Royal Opera House for a performance of Rigoletto, neither expects the evening to end in blood. But as the doomed Gilda breathes her last onstage, a killer slips into the adjacent box and one of London's most ruthless industrialists falls to a stiletto blade. Both Rosalynd and Steele witness the shadowy figure flee, yet can do nothing to stop the crime.

From the author of the internationally bestselling, award-winning The Devotion of Suspect X comes the next novel featuring "Detective Galileo." The Devotion of Suspect X was a hit with critics and readers alike. The first major English language publication from the most popular bestselling...

With his characteristic warmth, inventiveness and brilliant wit, Alexander McCall Smith gives us more of the gloriously entertaining comings and goings at 44 Scotland Street, the Edinburgh townhouse. Six-year-old prodigy Bertie perseveres in his heroic struggle for truth and balanced good sense against his insufferable mother and her crony, the psychotherapist Dr Fairbairn, going as far as to make a short-lived bid for freedom on a trip to Paris with the Edinburgh youth orchestra.

'It's like ice cream, Mr Flynn,' Bertie continued. 'When you have ice cream, you need to eat it straight away, otherwise it melts. If there are people who haven't got any, you should share it, if you can.' When despair for the world grows, Bertie's theory of ice cream reminds us that it's the simple pleasures in life that we should hold onto.

When two-time Academy Award winner Austin Grainger walks away from Hollywood at the height of his fame, the world thinks he’s lost his mind. But after years of flashing cameras and relentless headlines, Austin wants something real. On fifteen hundred quiet Texas acres, he finally finds peace, that is until the rancher next door makes his presence known.

Life - and crime - is not always as it seems for Ulf Varg and the other fearless detectives in Malmo's Department of Sensitive Crimes. There are always surprising new cases to take on, and the latest batch is no exception. And that's not to mention Ulf's struggle to contain his feelings for his colleague Anna Bengsdotter. All in all, things are distinctly difficult in Malmo, and it seems up to Ulf and the Department to set them right.

Nowadays, many excellent poker books are available for players keen to improve their game. However, the vast majority are aimed at listeners who are already sophisticated in their understanding of poker. This book is different. Improve Your Poker Now! is aimed at players who love poker and have moved beyond the introductory level, but who may be flummoxed by terms like GTO, ICM, merged ranges, and blocker effects. These players want a clear, straightforward guide that improves their game — now!

Spithead, 1784. His Majesty's frigate, Undine, sets sail for India and the seas beyond. Europe may be at peace - but in colonial waters the promises of statesmen count for little and the bloody struggle for supremacy still goes on. Richard Bolitho would have cause to remember his admiral's words: 'The task I am giving you would be better handled by a squadron'.