A number of Alexander McCall Smith’s books have been inspired by photographs or give photographs a central place in the narrative. In this talk he discusses how photographs may inspire the writing of fiction and how the well-conceived photograph may be as powerful an expression of feeling as a line of poetry. McCall Smith says: “I […]

Blackwell’s are delighted to have Alexander McCall Smith joining us to talk about his latest book The Department of Sensitive Crimes, the first Detective Varg novel. The detectives who work in Malmo Police’s Department of Sensitive Crimes take their job very seriously. The lead detective, Ulf Varg, prioritizes his cases above even his dog’s mental health. […]

The Department of Sensitive Crimes is a Scandinavian Blanc novel. Scandinavian Blanc is different from Scandinavian Noir: there is nothing noir about the world of Ulf Varg, a detective in the Sensitive Crimes Department in the Swedish city of Malmo. Ulf is concerned with very odd, but not too threatening crimes – young women who […]

Alexander McCall Smith is one of the world’s most prolific and best-loved authors. His highly successful series The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency sold over twenty million copies in the English language alone, and his books have become bestsellers throughout the world. For one afternoon only, McCall Smith joins forces with the BBC Symphony Orchestra to bring to […]

Join Alexander McCall Smith for an evening of sheer delight as he discusses his new books, The Second Worst Restaurant in France, and The Department of Sensitive Crimes. Plus catch up on all Mma Ramostwe’s gossip in Botswana and find out what’s new with Isabel Dalhousie in Edinburgh. An event not to be missed. Tickets and information here.

Join us with Alexander McCall Smith, author of bestselling books such as The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agencyand The House of Unexpected Sisters. Alexander has two upcoming titles: The Second Worst Restaurant in France which follows on from My Italian Bulldozer and is a feast of funny twists and turns. If you’re into crime stories, The Department of Sensitive Crimes is set to […]