Every book series by Alexander McCall Smith in reading order cover image


Rodney Alexander Alasdair McCall Smith was born on 24th August 1948 in Zimbabwe, United Kingdom. McCall Smith is known to be a great author of fiction, he is known to write at an accelerated pace and never misses a day.

His average speed is 5000 words a day when he’s in the comfort of his home and he writes 2000-3000 words daily while traveling. Although he specializes in fiction, he has written over 150 books in multiple genres including crime/thriller novels, fiction, and Children’s novels as well.

His works are influenced by the African culture and the native people. Anyone willing to start reading McCall Smith’s books may easily be overwhelmed by the number of books he’s written and where to start.

Therefore, in this article, you’ll find the list of all books written by McCall Smith arranged respectively with the book series in reading order and standalone novels including some of his best-known works. Let’s dive into The Complete List of Alexander McCall Smith Books in order without further ado.

Here is The Complete List of Alexander McCall Smith Books in Order:

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency

The series presents a divorced middle age black woman, Precious Ramotswe, who is sharp and extremely smart and solves cases as a detective and helps women around her. This huge book series consists of 24 well-written books filled with incredible and suspenseful story plots that are fun to read.

Here are the books in chronological/reading order from The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency:

  1. The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency
  2. Tears of the Giraffe
  3. Morality for Beautiful Girls
  4. The Kalahari Typing School for Men
  5. The Full Cupboard of Life
  6. In the Company of Cheerful Ladies
  7. Blue Shoes and Happiness
  8. The Good Husband of Zebra Drive
  9. The Miracle at Speedy Motors
  10. Tea Time for the Traditionally Built
  11. The Double Comfort Safari Club
  12. The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party
  13. The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection
  14. The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon
  15. The Handsome Man’s De Luxe Café
  16. The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine
  17. Precious and Grace
  18. The House of Unexpected Sisters
  19. The Colors of All the Cattle
  20. To the Land of Long Lost Friends
  21. How to Raise an Elephant
  22. The Joy and Light Bus Company
  23. A Song of Comfortable Chairs
  24. The Cleverness of Ladies

Professor Dr von Igelfeld Series

This book series is about a professor named Dr. Moritz-Maria V on Igelfeld and his adventures. Although this series is considered to be for young readers, the story plot and the characters are portrayed very artistically, making it a fun-to-read series for various age groups.

Here are the books in chronological/reading order from the Professor Dr von Igelfeld Series:

  1. Portuguese Irregular Verbs
  2. The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs
  3. At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances
  4. Unusual Uses for Olive Oil
  5. Your Inner Hedgehog

Isabel Dalhousie Books (Also Called The Sunday Philosophy Club Series)

This series brings out more of an emotional play compared to other series by McCall Smith. This book features Isabel, the protagonist who witnesses the death of a man who fell from the upper circle of a hall, however, things aren’t as simple as they seem. This is a big series with 14 primary books.

Here are the books in chronological/reading order from the Isabel Dalhousie Series:

  1. The Sunday Philosophy Club
  2. Friends, Lovers, Chocolate
  3. The Right Attitude to Rain
  4. The Careful Use of Compliments
  5. The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday
  6. The Lost Art of Gratitude
  7. The Charming Quirks of Others
  8. The Forgotten Affairs of Youth
  9. The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds
  10. The Novel Habits of Happiness
  11. A Distant View of Everything
  12. The Quiet Side of Passion
  13. The Geometry of Holding Hands
  14. The Sweet Remnants of Summer

Isabel Dalhousie Short Stories/Novellas

Readers who are looking to begin with something light to get a glimpse of McCall Smith’s writing style, its portrayal of characters, and story plots can opt for this book series which includes 3 short story books.

Here are the books in chronological/reading order from the Isabel Dalhousie Short Stories/Novellas:

  1. The Perils of Morning Coffee
  2. At the Reunion Buffet
  3. Sweet, Thoughtful Valentine

44 Scotland Street Books

This is a huge book series with 15 novels that re-introduces McCall Smith’s romantic tone of writing and contains the most intriguing, well-portrayed, and interesting characters, along with the complicated love triangles and mysteries that keep the readers curious.

Here are the books in chronological/reading order from the 44 Scotland Street Series:

  1. 44 Scotland Street
  2. Espresso Tales
  3. Love Over Scotland
  4. The World According to Bertie
  5. The Unbearable Lightness Of Scones
  6. The Importance of Being Seven
  7. Bertie Plays the Blues
  8. Sunshine on Scotland Street
  9. Bertie’s Guide to Life and Mothers
  10. The Revolving Door of Life
  11. The Bertie Project
  12. A Time of Love and Tartan
  13. The Peppermint Tea Chronicles
  14. A Promise of Ankles
  15. Love in the Time of Bertie

Big-Top Mysteries Series

This book series contains only 1 book for young readers that represents Sherlock Holmes. As it is meant for younger readers, the writing is simple yet interesting and fun to read.

Here is the book from the Big-Top Mysteries Series:

  1. The Case of the Vanishing Granny

Mythological Series

This series includes only 1 novel that portrays a mythical story about the Celtic God of dreams, beauty, love, and youth. The portrayal of the characters and the modern alter egos of Dream Angus along with the writing style makes the book quite interesting to read.

Here is the book from the Mythological Series:

  1. Dream Angus: The Celtic God of Dreams

Corduroy Mansions Series

This is one of the most popular series by McCall Smith consisting of 3 books featuring some of the best portrayals of characters ever created with every character having ambitions and struggles. The humor in this series is on-point along with a great story plot that makes the book an absolute treat.

Here are the books in chronological/reading order from the Corduroy Mansions Series:

  1. Corduroy Mansions
  2. The Dog Who Came in from the Cold
  3. A Conspiracy of Friends

The School Ship Tobermory Series

This series introduces 2 characters namely, Fee and Ben, on a thrilling adventure full of mysteries at Tobermory Bay. This series consists of 3 books intended for middle-aged readers with mystery, risk, fun, and a lot of adventure.

Here are the books in chronological/reading order from The School Ship Tobermory Series:

  1. School Ship Tobermory
  2. The Sands of Shark Island
  3. The Race to Kangaroo Cliff

Paul Stuart Series

With a total of 2 books, this series follows the life of an Author trying to finish his book and the challenges he faced along the way of traveling across countries. This series delivers a beautiful and heartwarming story of the Protagonist, Paul Stuart in his journey filled with mystery and curiosity.

Here are the books in chronological/reading order from The Paul Stuart Series:

  1. My Italian Bulldozer
  2. The Second-Worst Restaurant in France

Detective Varg Books

Another great book series with a total of 4 books filled with suspense, well-portrayed and intriguing characters along with a fun-to-read plot.

Here are the books in chronological/reading order from The Detective Varg Series:

  1. The Department of Sensitive Crimes
  2. The Talented Mr. Varg
  3. The Man with the Silver Saab
  4. The Discreet Charm of the Big Bad Wolf

Detective Varg Novellas

The Strange Case of the Moderate Extremists

Children’s Book Series

McCall Smith has written several Children’s books with engaging and intriguing characters and a great plot that attracts many young readers. This series includes 6 books for Children.

Here are the books in chronological/reading order from The Children’s Book Series:

  1. Akimbo series
  2. Harriet Books
  3. Max and Maddy’s books
  4. Precious Ramotswe’s Very First Cases books
  5. Young Corgi books
  6. Standalone Children’s books

Below are multiple Children’s books series in reading/Chronological order:

Akimbo Books

  • Akimbo and the Lions
  • Akimbo and the Crocodile Man
  • Akimbo and the Elephants
  • Akimbo and the Snakes
  • Akimbo and the Baboons

Harriet Bean Books

  • The Five Lost Aunts of Harriet Bean
  • Harriet Bean and the League of Cheats
  • The Cowgirl Aunt of Harriet Bean

Max And Maddy Books

  • Max & Maddy and the Bursting Balloons Mystery
  • Max & Maddy and the Chocolate Money Mystery

Precious Ramotswe’s Very First Cases Books

  • The Great Cake Mystery
  • Precious and the Monkeys
  • Precious and the Mystery of Meerkat Hill
  • Precious and the Mystery of the Missing Lion
  • Precious and the Zebra Necklace

Young Corgi Books

  • Alix and the Tigers
  • Suzy Magician
  • The Tin Dog

Children’s Book

  • White Hippo
  • Film Boy
  • The Joke Machine
  • Marzipan Max
  • The girl who changed the weather
  • Calculator Annie
  • Springy Jane
  • Who Invented Peanut Butter?
  • My Chameleon Uncle
  • The Doughnut Ring
  • The Princess Trick
  • Paddy and the Ratcatcher
  • The Banana Machine
  • Billy Rubbish
  • The Bubblegum Tree
  • The Watermelon Boys
  • The Popcorn Pirates
  • Monkey Boy
  • Teacher Trouble
  • The Spaghetti Tangle
  • The Muscle Machine
  • Boing Boing
  • Freddie Mole
  • The Great Clown Conundrum
  • Noah Wild and the Floating Zoo

Standalone Novels

Besides several series, of course, McCall Smith has also written a number of standalone novels which can be a great choice for people not willing to commit to reading an entire series yet. It’s a great choice to get started and understand the style of McCall Smith.

Here is a list of the standalone novels by McCall Smith:

  1. Uncle Gangster
  2. La’s Orchestra Saves the World
  3. Fatty O’Leary’s Dinner Party
  4. The Forever Girl
  5. Hari & His Electric Feet
  6. Good Pilot, Peter Woodhouse
  7. Max Champion and the Great Race Car Robbery

Collection of Short Stories

McCall Smith has written several short stories which are definitely worth a read if you want to get a glimpse of Mr. Smith’s renowned writing style, story plot, and characters.

Here is the list of all the short stories written by McCall Smith:

  1. Tiny Tales: Stories of Romance, Ambition, Kindness, and HappinessChildren of Wax: African Folk Tales
  2. Heavenly Date and Other Flirtations
  3. “Trouble at the North Pole” and Other Stories
  4. The Perfect Hamburger and Other Delicious Stories
  5. The Girl Who Married a Lion: and Other Tales from Africa
  6. The Baboons Who Went This Way and That: Folktales from Africa
  7. The Book That Changed My Life
  8. Trains and Lovers
  9. Chance Developments
  10. Pianos and Flowers
  11. Marvelous Mix-ups
  12. In a Time of Distance and Other Poems

Nonfiction Books

  • What W. H. Auden Can Do for You
  • A Work of Beauty: Alexander McCall Smith’s Edinburgh
  • Who Built Scotland

Novellas

  • Good Dog Lion
  • Freddie Mole. Lion Tamer

Anthologies

  • One City
  • A New Omnibus of Crime
  • The Sunday Night Book Club
  • The Best British Mysteries IV
  • Midsummer Nights
  • Ox-Tales
  • Crimespotting
  • Imagined Lives
  • No Rest for the Dead
  • The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 8
  • What You Wish for: A Book for Darfur
  • Better Than Fiction: True Travel Tales from Great Fiction Writers
  • How Rude! Modern Manners Defined
  • OxCrimes: 27 Killer Stories from the Cream of Crime Writers
  • Who Built Scotland

CONCLUSION

Alexander McCall Smith is known to be a great Novelist and rightly so, he has written over 150 books in multiple genres from fiction, love, non-fiction, thriller-crime, children’s novels, and much more.

He is truly a very talented and gifted man. So go ahead and pick any series, standalone novels, or short stories to start reading and watch yourself be addicted to his style. Happy reading!

Also read: All the Books by Peter James arranged in reading order

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