Writers on a New England Stage to Welcome Alexander McCall Smith, 11/11

The Music Hall's Writers on a New England Stage series will present bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, Alexander McCall Smith, on Wednesday, November 11, 2015. A self-confessed serial novelist, he is the author of several other series and has written more than 100 books. He comes to town with his with his new installment in the beloved bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, THE WOMAN WHO WALKED IN SUNSHINE.

The 7:30pm event includes an author presentation followed by an onstage interview with Virginia Prescott, host of New Hampshire Public Radio's "Word of Mouth." It will be held at The Music Hall's Historic Theater at 28 Chestnut Street, in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

"We've had Alexander McCall Smith on our top-pick list of authors since the very early days of Writers on a New England Stage 10 years ago," said Patricia Lynch, Executive Producer of the celebrated author series. "I am delighted that he'll be bringing his vibrant prose and witty, sophisticated characters to our stage at last!"

ABOUT THE BOOK

This latest installment of the beloved and best-selling series, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, is as endearing and delectable as ever. Mma Ramotswe must contend with her greatest challenge yet-a vacation!

Business is slow at the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, so slow in fact that for the first time in her estimable career Precious Ramotswe has reluctantly agreed to take a holiday. The promise of a week of uninterrupted peace is short-lived, however, when she meets a young boy named Samuel, a troublemaker who is himself in some trouble. Once she learns more about Samuel's sad story, Mma Ramotswe feels compelled to step in and help him find his way out of a bad situation.

Despite this unexpected diversion, Mma Ramotswe still finds herself concerned about how the agency is faring in her absence. Her worries grow when she hears that Mma Makutsi is handling a new and rather complicated case. A well-respected Botswanan politician is up for a major public honor, and his reputation is now being called into question by his rivals. The man's daughter has contacted the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency to investigate these troubling claims, but, as in so many cases, all is not as it seems. In the end, the investigation will affect everyone at the agency and will also serve as a reminder that ordinary human failings should be treated with a large helping of charity and compassion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH is the author of the beloved, bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, the 44 Scotland Street series, and the Corduroy Mansions series. He is also the author of numerous children's books. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh and has served with many national and international organizations concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and taught law at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland.

TICKETS

The ticket package for Writers on a New England Stage: Alexander McCall Smith on Wednesday, November 11 at 7:30pm is $13.25 ($11.25 for members).

Book: THE WOMAN WHO WALKED IN SUNSHINE

For each 1-2 tickets sold, the purchase of a book voucher ($24.95 hardcover) is required. Vouchers can be redeemed on the event night for signed copies of the book. Packages can be purchased through The Music Hall Box Office, located at 28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth, or over the phone at 603.436.2400.

About Writers on a New England Stage

Writers on a New England Stage was created by Executive Producer Patricia Lynch, also Executive Director of The Music Hall, and is a partnership between The Music Hall and New Hampshire Public Radio. Since 2005, the series has spotlighted a broad range of celebrated authors including Salman Rushdie, John Irving, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Dan Brown, Isabel Allende, Stephen King, Ann Patchett, E.L. Doctorow, Madeleine Albright, John Updike, Wally Lamb, Jodi Picoult, David McCullough, and Cokie Roberts, among many others. Each literary evening features an author presentation followed by an onstage interview with Virginia Prescott, host of New Hampshire Public Radio's "Word of Mouth." Live music is performed by the award-winning house band Dreadnaught. Shows are rebroadcast on NH Public Radio.