Espresso Tales 44 Scotland Street Series (2)

Alexander McCall Smith's many fans will welcome the second installment in the bestselling 44 Scotland Street series. Back are all our favourite denizens of a converted Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh. Bertie, the immensely talented six-year-old, is now enrolled in kindergarten, and much to his dismay, has been clad in pink overalls for his first day of class. Bruce has lost his job as a surveyor and, between admiring glances in the mirror, is contemplating becoming a wine merchant. Pat is embarking on a new life at Edinburgh University and perhaps on a new relationship, courtesy of Domenica, her witty and worldly-wise neighbour. In any event, he couldn't be less suitable than her ill-fated flirtation with Bruce. Full of McCall Smith's gentle humour and sympathy for his characters, Espresso Tales is also an affectionate portrait of a city and its people who, in the author's own words, "make Edinburgh one of the most vibrant and interesting places in the world."

Alexander McCall Smith has written more than 50 books, including the bestselling No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and The Sunday Philosophy Club series. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and taught law at the University of Botswana and at Edinburgh University. He lives in Edinburgh.