The private life of spies ; and The exquisite art of getting even /
by McCall Smith, Alexander [author.]; McCall Smith, Alexander, 1948-; McCall Smith, Alexander, 1948-.
Material type: BookPublisher: New York : Pantheon Books, [2023]Edition: First American edition.Description: 289 pages ; 25 cm.ISBN: 9780593700693.Summary: "From the beloved author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series comes a new short story collection: half spy stories, half tales of revenge, all highlight the kinder, funnier, and gentler side of espionage and retribution. In this dual collection of short stories, Alexander McCall Smith brings his trademark humor and warmth to inventive tales of spying and vengeance. In one story, a spy dropped deep into enemy territory manages to disguise himself--quite convincingly--as a nun. In another, an invitation to join the Vatican Secret Service sends a prospective operative down a rabbit hole of controversy and confusion. A third story finds an author, on the brink of public ruin, seeing the error of his ways after an act of kindness saves the day. A keen observer of humanity imbued with a sparkling imagination, Alexander McCall Smith illustrates throughout that transparency is paramount and forgiveness is restorative. With surprising insight and a healthy helping of humor, these stories remind us that, in the end, the high road is often the better one for all involved"-- Provided by publisher.Item type | Current location | Collection | Call number | Status | Date due |
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Books | Ed & Hazel Richmond Pub Library | Adult Ficition | 808.83 Mcc (Browse shelf) | Available |
Browsing Ed & Hazel Richmond Pub Library Shelves , Collection code: Adult Ficition Close shelf browser
635.93347 Wen Cacti of the Southwest: Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. | 808.83 Gri Sparring partners / | 808.83 Mcc Tiny tales / | 808.83 Mcc The private life of spies ; | 808.83 Moy Paris for one and other stories / | 808.84 Eco Chronicles of a liquid society / | 813/.54 The laws of our fathers / |
Originally published in hardcover in two volumes in Great Britain as The Exquisite Art of Getting Even by Polygon Books, an imprint of Birlinn Limited, Edinburgh, in 2022, and The Private Life of Shadows by Abacus, an imprint of Little, Brown Book Group, London, in 2023.
Booklist, April 01, 2023
Booklist Starred Reviews
"From the beloved author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series comes a new short story collection: half spy stories, half tales of revenge, all highlight the kinder, funnier, and gentler side of espionage and retribution. In this dual collection of short stories, Alexander McCall Smith brings his trademark humor and warmth to inventive tales of spying and vengeance. In one story, a spy dropped deep into enemy territory manages to disguise himself--quite convincingly--as a nun. In another, an invitation to join the Vatican Secret Service sends a prospective operative down a rabbit hole of controversy and confusion. A third story finds an author, on the brink of public ruin, seeing the error of his ways after an act of kindness saves the day. A keen observer of humanity imbued with a sparkling imagination, Alexander McCall Smith illustrates throughout that transparency is paramount and forgiveness is restorative. With surprising insight and a healthy helping of humor, these stories remind us that, in the end, the high road is often the better one for all involved"-- Provided by publisher.
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