I am a huge fan of Alexander McCall Smith. In case you are not familiar with the No. #1 Ladies Detective Agency, then you must have been particularly busy for the last 8 or so years. I'll fill you in. This book, and the series that followed, is like literary Prozac...when you finish reading it, you actually feel better. About everything.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer description really sums it up best...they said:
"One of the best, most charming, honest, hilarious and life-affirming books to appear in years." -- The Plain Dealer
My friend and fellow author, Chris Forman, (The Maria Hart Mysteries), and I actually went to the East Village in NYC a few years back to listen to "Sandy", as his friends call him, speak at Cooper Union. I can call him that because he is my friend. He may not know this...but let's not waste time on that right now. Anyway, Chris and I found out that this man was not just an outstanding writer, but somewhat of a stand-up comic as well. We couldn't stop laughing. It was a great evening, and even though the proper N.P.R. crowd didn't seem to appreciate us simulating the lighter swaying chant "SANDY, SANDY" before he appeared, we didn't let that bother us. Actually, not much was bothering us because rather than waiting on line at the college before the doors opened, we accidentally discovered the oldest continually operating saloon in New York called McSorley's Old Ale House . Everyone from Lincoln to John Lennon has has an ale or two in this place. They asked me what I would like and I responded "Um, I don't know yet." to which I then received two pints of ale. I really don't know why they even ask this because in reference to drinks, that's pretty much all they'll give you.
It was a night to remember and quite an honor to see Alexander McCall Smith in person. I thought we behaved rather well considering how excited we were to be there. Besides, when the announcer mentioned National Public Radio, the previously irritated pearl wearing woman with the highlighted chin-length bob in front of us did utter a tiny "woo-hoo!"...I heard her and so did Chris.
I've been getting some great hits on this blog, and I have the ability to check and see where my readers are coming from. So far I've been able to track hits from North and South America, Canada, Western and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, and Oceania. (Big shout-outs to my New Zealand and Australian friends...your support is amazing...THANK YOU!)
What I've noticed is so far though, is no one from Africa has yet to visit talesfromadogcatcher.blogspot.com. Since I'm fascinated by all things African and wish to visit someday...I would love to have some visitors from that part of the world. My publisher, Lyons Press /Globe Pequot Press, has a great book out about that part of the world by Peter Allison called Don't Look Behind You! A Safari Guide's Encounters with Ravenous Lions, Stampeding Elephants, and Lovesick Rhinos that takes place in Botswana, parts of South Africa, Mozambique and Namibia. It's a follow up to his bestselling Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide . Both books are absolutely hysterical.
Tales from a Dog Catcher is available in South Africa online at Kalahari.net and at http://www.loot.co.za/. Also, in parts of the Middle East at Mindreign.com. حكايات من الماسك الكلب (Isn't that cool!) I'm not sure if the book is in brick and mortar stores in that region yet...so if anyone sees a copy on a shelf in these regions of the world, please drop me a line and let me know. That would really make my day! Have to go now...please excuse any typos - had to rush this so I can drive my kids to their friend's houses because if I don't do that right now, they will turn into pumpkins.
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Yes, it was a fun day. Train to the city, diner at Juniors, ale at McSorely's, and hearing Sandy. Oh, and wandering around the Village.
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