The book that made us all feel wonderful: The first of Alexander McCall Smith's much loved and bestselling Botswana series is being reissued with a new cover alongside other classic titles from the Abacus list in our 40th Anniversary year.

"The Miss Marple of Botswana." -"The New York Times Book Review" "Smart and sassy...Precious' progress is charted in passages that have the power to amuse or shock or touch the heart, sometimes all at once." -"Los Angeles Times" "The author's prose has the merits of simplicity, euphony and precision. His descriptions leave one as if standing in the Botswana landscape. This is art that conceals art. I haven't read anything with such alloyed pleasure for a long time." -Anthony Daniels, "The Sunday Telegraph"

Following a distinguished career as a Professor of Medical Law, Alexander McCall Smith has turned to writing full-time. He is the author of over sixty books on a wide array of subjects, and his books have been translated into forty-six languages. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife.