Books In Order: A Deep Dive into the Literary Journey of Alexander McCall Smith
Meet the Author: Alexander McCall Smith
An iconic figure in the literary universe, Alexander McCall Smith, garners recognition around the world for his rich collection of crime fiction and children’s books. Born in Rhodesia but of Scottish heritage, Smith’s prolific career began in the realm of medical law and bioethics with a series of non-fiction books dating back to 1978.
Alexander McCall Smith: The Origin Story
The turning point in Smith’s career came with his transition from non-fiction to fiction, making a grand entrance into the world of storytelling with his novel – The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency in 1999. This marked Smith’s first foray into novel writing and established him as a notable novelist.
The Unique Writing Style of Alexander McCall Smith
Smith’s unique narrative approach is characterized by his distinct ability to blend crime, humor, and profound insights into human nature, encapsulated within series such as the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Professor Dr. Von Igelfeld Entertainment, Isabel Dalhousie, and 44 Scotland Street to name a few. His ability to juggle different genres and styles offers readers a diverse range of books in order to enjoy.
Now, let’s delve into Alexander McCall Smith’s fiction books in order of their original publication date, which also aligns with their chronological order:
Publication Order of No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Books
| The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency | (1998) |    |
| Tears of the Giraffe | (2000) | |
| Morality for Beautiful Girls | (2001) | |
| The Kalahari Typing School for Men | (2002) | |
| The Full Cupboard of Life | (2003) | |
| In the Company of Cheerful Ladies | (2004) | |
| Blue Shoes and Happiness | (2006) | |
| The Good Husband of Zebra Drive | (2007) | |
| The Miracle at Speedy Motors | (2008) | |
| Tea Time for the Traditionally Built | (2009) | |
| The Double Comfort Safari Club | (2010) | |
| The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party | (2010) | |
| The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection | (2012) | |
| The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon | (2013) | |
| The Handsome Man’s De Luxe Café | (2014) | |
| The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine | (2015) | |
| Precious and Grace | (2016) | |
| The House of Unexpected Sisters | (2017) | |
| The Colors of All the Cattle | (2018) | |
| To the Land of Long Lost Friends | (2019) | |
| How to Raise an Elephant | (2020) | |
| The Joy and Light Bus Company | (2021) | |
| A Song of Comfortable Chairs | (2022) | |
| From a Far and Lovely Country | (2023) | |