The Discreet Charm of the Big Bad Wolf

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In the hilarious new novel in the best-selling Detective Varg series, Ulf Varg will need to resolve both a sensitive crime and his own delicate dilemma in the hopes of preserving the peace.

The Department of Sensitive Crimes is downsizing in light of a recent downturn of sensitive crime, and staff members are wondering who among them will be transferred elsewhere. As the bickering between colleagues intensifies, Ulf tries his best to stay above the fray. But when Anna, a longtime friend and coworker, appears to blame him for an old case that went sideways, it seems she may be putting her own job prospects above their friendship.

In the midst of all this, Ulf embarks on an important inquiry: a man's cabin has mysteriously disappeared and Ulf is tasked with finding out what happened. How exactly does one steal a house And, more to the point, how does one track down a stolen house Meanwhile, a promising veterinary treatment for deafness in dogs has been announced, and Ulfs dog, Martin, might be the perfect patient.

This latest novel is another masterful, farcical installment in the series that defines the genre that Alexander McCall Smith is singlehandedly championing: Scandi blanc.

Reviews

"Though [McCall Smith] has the lightest of touches and is always entertaining, he is a deeply serious writer who values truth, honesty, sympathy and kindness.In all his various series, this is nowhere more evident than in the novels featuring Ulf Varg. . . . It is all so charming and agreeable and reads so easily that you are tempted to think of him as a lightweight writer. You will, however, do this only if you do not see that comedy may be as serious, as morally concerned, as darker and grimmer fictions. McCall Smith is always concerned with how people behave, especially how they behave towards others. . . . While always alert to the question of right and wrong behavior, he is a kindly judge."
The Scotsman

"A crime ripped from the mind of Mother Goose animates McCalls witty fourth outing for Swedish police detective Ulf Varg. . . .Ulf and company are extremely pleasant company, lending this farcical mystery all the comforts of a good cozy without most of the clichs, and Smith juggles the various subplots with ease. Simply put, this is good-natured fun."
Publishers Weekly

"Alexander McCall Smiths Detective Varg mysteries star a cerebral, conflicted detective in an appealingly oddball police department in Malm, Sweden. . .. High on comical quirkiness."
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Author Bio

ALEXANDER McCALL SMITHis the author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels and of a number of other series and stand-alone books. His works have been translated into more than forty languages and have been best sellers throughout the world. He lives in Scotland.