LoveReading Says
If you’re looking to be absorbed and entertained by a series that delivers delightful escapism, endearingly oddball characters, and a gentle sense of suspense, look no further than Alexander McCall Smith's Detective Varg series - Scandi crime delivered in decidedly introspective, whimsically amusing style.
The Talented Mr Varg, the second book in the series, sees the eponymous hero further engaged in thought-provoking self-reflection as a result of his psychoanalyst referring him to group therapy. Meanwhile, back at the ranch (namely, Malmo’s police Department of Sensitive Crimes), Ulf finds himself in a sensitive situation when one of his investigations involves his colleague Anna, a woman for whom he holds something of a torch.
As always, Ulf has more than one matter on his plate, and this novel also sees him looking into the possible blackmailing of a successful writer, all the while grappling with internal dilemmas. This story, and the series as a whole, is warmly funny, and as moreish as a plate of buttery biscuits.
The Detective Varg Series is our Series of the Month for July 2022. Click here to view our Series of the Month page.
Joanne Owen
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The Talented Mr Varg Synopsis
The second book in Alexander McCall Smith's new Detective Varg series.
The Detective Varg Series is our Series of the Month for July 2022. Click here to view our Series of the Month page.
Spring is coming slowly to Sweden - though not quite as slowly as Detective Ulf Varg's promised promotion at the Department of Sensitive Crimes. For Varg, referred by his psychoanalyst to group therapy at Malmoe's Wholeness Centre, life now seems mostly a circle of self-examination, something which may or may not be useful when it comes to the nature of his profession and the particularly sensitive cases that have recently come to light. All in a day's work for Detective Varg, except that one of his new investigations involves fellow detective Anna; it will require every ounce of self-discipline he has in order to remain professional.
The other, more curious case is centred around internationally successful novelist Nils Personn-Cederstroem. According to his girlfriend, Cederstroem is being blackmailed - but by whom and for what reason? Accompanied by his irritating but kindly colleague Blomquist, Varg begins his enquiries and soon the answers fall neatly into place. Nothing and no one is ever that simple, however, and not for the first time he learns as much about his own emotional and moral landscape as he does about the motives of others. Now Varg must make a possibly life-changing decision. Will he choose his own happiness over that of his heart's desire?
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Alexander McCall Smith Press Reviews
'Highly enjoyable . . . [Alexander McCall Smith] has a supreme talent for sketching truly likeable characters. His novels are full of human quirks and the bizarre minutiae of everyday life' - Independent
'This offering is the second in Alexander McCall Smith's 'Scandi Blanc' series. The Edinburgh-based author created the genre not only as an antidote to the violent crime novels Scandinavia has become known for but also the sometimes terrifying realities of modern life' - Sunday Post
'Reading the novel feels like a form of meditation. That said, McCall Smith's deceptively sharp wit is ever-present. There is also a real sense of immediacy to the interactions between characters - at times, it is almost as if you are personally involved in the conversations between Varg and his colleague, Blomquist. There is much to enjoy in this book' - Scotsman
About Alexander McCall Smith
Sir Alexander McCall Smith, often referred to as Sandy, is one of the world’s most prolific and most popular authors. His various series of books have been translated into over forty-six languages and have sold more than thirty million copies across the world. These include The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, the 44 Scotland Street novels, the Isabel Dalhousie novels and the von Igelfeld series. He also writes stand-alone novels, poetry, children’s fiction, and libretti for short operas. He was awarded a knighthood for services to literature, academia and charity in the New Year Honours List 2024.
For many years he was a professor of Medical Law and worked in universities in the UK and abroad before turning his hand to writing fiction. He has written and contributed to more than 100 books including specialist academic titles, short story collections, and a number of immensely popular children’s books. His first book, The White Hippo—a children’s book, was published by Hamish Hamilton in 1980. Alexander lives in Edinburgh.
Alexander has received numerous awards for his writing and holds twelve honorary doctorates from universities in Europe and North America. In 2007 he received a CBE for services to literature and in 2011 was honoured by the President of Botswana for services through literature to the country. In 2015 he received the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction and in 2017, The National Arts Club (of America) Medal of Honor for Achievement in Literature. In 2020, he will receive the honorary fellowship of the FT Weekend Oxford Literary Festival. The breadth of his body of work vividly evokes places and characters who are infused with humanity, decency, wit and humour – The National Arts Club citation
Click here to read an exclusive interview with Alexander McCall Smith by Mary Hogarth.
A Lovereading guide to the works of Alexander McCall Smith...
The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency was first published in 1998 and then, suddenly, it took off in America to the extent that no less than11 reprints were required in 2003.
Since then, so prolific has been his output, and so has his popularity soared, that there was a time when the sheer multitude of McCall Smith's books led to confusion as to which book fitted into each of the various series under which he writes. One has hardly been able to keep up with the sheer abundance of books published - we reckon at least thirty in less than a decade.
Now, thankfully, things have settled down and the legions of McCall Smiths avid fans can compartmentalise his new books into the four main series under which they sit - The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency Series, The Isabel Dalhousie Novels, The 44 Scotland Street Series and The Corduroy Mansions Series with a few more on top!
There are constant features across the whole panoply of McCall Smith's output. Wry and witty observations about the day-to-day lives of normal people. An innocence and delight in the human condition. And, always, a twinkle on the eye shared by writer and reader. He is a happy writer and that makes for happy readers.
He is best known for the following 4 series of novels (they are shown below in the order they were published) :-
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Tears of the Giraffe, Morality for Beautiful Girls, The Kalahari Typing School for Men, The Full Cupboard of Life, In the Company of Cheerful Ladies, Blue Shoes and Happiness, The Good Husband of Zebra Drive, The Miracle at Speedy Motors, Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, The Double Comfort Safari Club, The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party, The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection, The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon, The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe, The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine, Precious and Grace.
Isabel Dalhousie series: The Sunday Philosophy Club,Friends, Lovers, Chocolate, The Right Attitude to Rain, The Careful Use of Compliments, The Comfort of Saturdays, The Lost Art of Gratitude, The Charming Quirks of Others, The Forgotten Affairs of Youth, The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds, The Novel Habits of Happiness.
44 Scotland Street series: 44 Scotland Street, Espresso Tales, Love Over Scotland, The World According to Bertie, The Unbearable Lightness of Scones, The Importance of Being Seven, Bertie Plays the Blues, Sunshine on Scotland Street, Bertie's Guide to Life and Mothers, The Revolving Door of Life, The Bertie Project, A Time of Love and Tartan.
Corduroy Mansions Series: Corduroy Mansions, The Dog Who Came in from the Cold, A Conspiracy of Friends.
Author Photo © Graham Clark
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