The Discreet Charm of the Big Bad Wolf is another treasure for fans of Alexander McCall Smith. Detective Ulf Varg, working in the department of sensitive crimes, solves more than his cases with his thoughtful insights into relationships. Subtle and charming, to be enjoyed by readers new to AMS as well as established fans.

After reading serious heavy literary tomes, Alexander McCall Smith is like a palate cleanser. You can always count on him to entertain, philosophize and depict, with tongue in cheek, some wonderful characters. This book is no exception.

McCall revisits the Department of Sensitive Crimes in Malmo, Sweden We meet again Ulf Varg (which means Wolf Wolf in Swedish. Ulf has a girlfriend, Juni, who works for his veterinarian. Re-appearing here are his employee, the long-winded Blomquist, his next door neighbor, and Ulf's dog, Martin the deaf but, lip-reading Shepherd. Amusing enough already. But McCall Smith has more up his sleeve.

There is the theft of a house. Not a housebreaking but an actual house-moving-to-another-location. The case is brought to the department by Sweden's bacon king. Following this crime is the issue of governmental downsizing, cochlear implants for dogs, and the loss of UIf's beloved antique Saab.

It's difficult to imagine how McCall Smith manages to be so prolific and entertaining, writing so many books with so many different characters. Yet he does. The only conclusion I can come to is that so many people enjoy reading his "food for thought" and thoughtful points to ponder like he does in every one of his series.
This is a fine example of what he does best.