The Private Life of Spies and The Exquisite Art of Getting Even

From the beloved author of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series comes a new short story collection: half spy stories,half tales of revengeall highlight the kinderfunnierand gentler side of espionage and retribution. In this dual collection of short storiesAlexander McCall Smith brings his trademark humor and warmth to inventive tales of spying and vengeance. In one storya spy dropped deep into enemy territory manages to disguise himself–quite convincingly–as a nun. In anotheran invitation to join the Vatican Secret Service sends a prospective operative down a rabbit hole of controversy and confusion. A third story finds an authoron the brink of public ruinseeing the error of his ways after an act of kindness saves the day. A keen observer of humanity imbued with a sparkling imaginationAlexander McCall Smith illustrates throughout that transparency is paramount and forgiveness is restorative. With surprising insight and a healthy helping of humorthese stories remind us thatin the endthe high road is often the better one for all involved.