THE GREAT CLOWN CONUNDRUM

By Alexander McCall Smith

Synopsis

Roll up! Roll up! A new season is about to begin at the Shortbread family's circus! The big-top is ready and everyone is excited to get started. But as the shows begin chief clown Mr Birdcage is in a bit of a pickle - none of his hilarious props seem to be working! When budding detectives Billy, Fern and Joe get on the case to investigate, they soon discover that the props have been tampered with! But who would want to sabotage Mr Birdcage and why?

Sample Player

Narrator	Kris Dyer
Length	1hr
Catalogue No.	617966
Publisher	Nudged Audio; 2020

Other audiobooks by Alexander McCall Smith

44 SCOTLAND STREET

Tales of the residents of a ficticious building in Edinburgh. Instantly recogniseable are the surveyor who dreams of golf club membership; the pushy mother with her five-year-old prodigy; the intellectual snob and more.

44 SCOTLAND STREET: THE COMPLETE SERIES 1-5

The complete BBC radio adaptations of Alexander McCall's bestselling series Inspired by Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City 44 Scotland Street started life as a serial in The Scotsman. It was a huge hit and was soon novelised adapted on stage and dramatised for BBC Radio 4. Collected here are all five radio series in which we follow the interconnected lives of the residents of adjoining flats in a tenement in Edinburgh's Georgian New Town. There's Pat a young tenant who arrives at 44 Scotland Street to flat-share with handsome surveyor Bruce (a man with more of an eye for the ladies than for a sound property); Matthew setting up the Something Special Gallery with little knowledge of art; and child prodigy Bertie Pollock who wants the life of an ordinary little boy but instead has psychotherapy yoga and Italian conversation lessons. And at the local cafA owner Big Lou is looking for love - but seems doomed to romantic disappointment... Their chance day-to-day criss-crossings quirky foibles and comic adventures are all observed by Number 44's longest-term resident anthropologist Domenica MacDonald her painter friend Angus Lordie - and Angus' dog Cyril the only canine in Scotland with a gold tooth. Full of charm humour and empathy these delightful dramas star Carol Ann Crawford and Crawford Logan with a superb cast including James Mackenzie Samuel Keefe Belle Jones and Anita Vettesse. Also included is an edition of Radio 4's Bookclub in which Alexander McCall Smith talks about his novel 44 Scotland Street with James Naughtie and readers.

AKIMBO AND THE CROCODILE MAN

When Akimbo is offered the chance to help tag baby crocodiles, he is very excited. John the Crocodile man wants to keep an eye on the latest batch of crocodiles, and Akimbo is keen to learn more about the dangerous creatures. Then John is attacked by an angry croc, and Akimbo has to use all his courage to save him!

AKIMBO AND THE ELEPHANTS

When Akimbo sees what poachers do to the elephants on his game reserve, he is determined to stop them. There’s only one way to do it, and that’s to become an elephant hunter himself! But it’s going to take strength and courage, and will involve facing danger . . .

AKIMBO AND THE LIONS

There’s a hungry lion stealing cattle, and Akimbo’s father has to catch it! But instead, he traps a cub. The cub won’t survive for long without its mother. Can Akimbo help save it?

AKIMBO AND THE SNAKES

Akimbo loves his life in Africa. He loves living in the great game reserve where his father is ranger. He is able to see all sorts of wonderful animals. But he doesn't see many snakes - they usually slither away when he gets close. But then his Uncle Peter asks if Akimbo would like to visit his snake park and Akimbo jumps at the chance!

BLUE SHOES AND HAPPINESS

More cases for Mma Ramotswe and her assistant, Mma Makutsi. Plus there is trouble when Mma Makutsi's greedy uncles demand an extra-large bride price from her fiance. Vol. 7 of the series

THE CAREFUL USE OF COMPLIMENTS

Isabel Dalhousie attends an art auction and finds two paintings attributed to the same artist appearing on the market at the same time. Both exhibit unusual characteristics and Isabel suspects they may be forgeries.

THE CASE OF THE VANISHING GRANNY

Billy, Fern and Joe Shortbread are the stars of their family circus, but they also have another talent ... they're experts at solving mysteries! When their circus moves into a new town they make friends with a young boy named Tom. But Tom can't enjoy the circus because his granny has disappeared. With the help of their astonishing circus skills can the Shortbread circus stars crack the clues and find Tom's granny?

THE CLEVERNESS OF LADIES

There are times when ladies must use all their wisdom and good sense to face life's problems and mysteries. Here are five tales of love, heartbreak, hope and the cleverness of ladies. Quick Reads.

CORDUROY MANSIONS

We follow the strange, wonderful goings on of the residents and visitors at Corduroy Mansions, Pimlico; from nasty Liberal Democrat MP Oedipus Snark to the newest resident, Pimlico Terrier Freddie de la Hay.

THE DOG WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD

In the genteel environs of Corduroy Mansions, Pimlico, strange doings are afoot, mostly in the name of love. Lonely William French and his faithful canine Freddie are recruited to the service of MI6 by a beguiling lady operative, and William's neighbour Caroline finds her suitor James mysteriously lacking. Meanwhile, Barbara Ragg is tempted to the Highlands by blossoming romance.

THE DOUBLE COMFORT SAFARI CLUB

Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are called to a safari lodge in Botswana's Okavango Delta to carry out a delicate mission on behalf of a former guest. Volume 11 of the series

EMMA

Fresh from university, Emma Woodhouse arrives home eager to get her fledging design business off the ground. There is one person capable of crushing Emma’s confidence, her inscrutable neighbour George Knightly, and for a young woman who knows everything, Emma has a lot to learn about herself! Part of ‘The Austen Project’, where renowned authors adapt Austen’s novels for the present day.

ESPRESSO TALES

More challenges for the residents of 44 Scotland street.

FATTY O'LEARY'S DINNER PARTY

When his loving wife Betty plans a trip to Ireland for Fatty O’Leary’s 40th birthday things go wrong almost immediately: the seats in economy class on the plane are too small; Irish bathroom furniture is not as commodious as he'd have liked. And all the time Fatty must put up with the unthinking cruelty of strangers.

THE FOREVER GIRL

A novel about love and following one’s heart, and the unexpected places to which this can lead us At the age of four Clover chooses her own name. Aged six, she falls in love with her best friend, James. But in the adult world, things are not so simple: Clover's mother finds she's fallen out of love with her husband, and realises that James's father is interested in her. As Clover and James, and their parents, navigate their irresistible but baffling mazes of emotion, we are given a beautifully realised tale about how love can shape a life.

FRIENDS, LOVERS, CHOCOLATE

Isabel Dalhousie thinks often of friends, sometimes of lovers, and on occasion of chocolate. As an Edinburgh philosopher she is certain of where she stands. She can review a book called In Praise of Sin with panache and conviction, but real life is... well, perhaps a bit more challenging...

THE FULL CUPBOARD OF LIFE

Mma Ramotswe is engaged to Mr JLB Matekoni and wonders when a day for the wedding will be named. But she is anxious to avoid putting too much pressure on her fiancé, for he has weighty matters to address. Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe is approached by a wealthy lady and asked to check up on several suitors. Are these men just interested in her money? Vol. 5 of the series

THE GOOD HUSBAND OF ZEBRA DRIVE

Mr JLB Matekoni is drawn into the work of the agency when he investigates a case involving an errant husband. But can a man investigate such matters with as much skill as one of the ladies? Mma Ramotswe has her doubts... Volume 8 of the series.

THE HANDSOME MAN'S DELUXE CAFE

Motherhood proves to be no obstacle to Mma Makutsi's success, as she launches a new enterprise of her own - a restaurant for Gaborone's most fashionable diners. But she isn't fully prepared for the challenges that come with running one's own business. Help may come from an unexpected source, if only Mma Makutsi can swallow her pride and ask. Vol. 15 of the series

HEAVENLY DATE AND OTHER FLIRTATIONS

In these hilarious stories of perverse meetings, casual dates and romantic encounters, we are enthralled, saddened, inspired and surprised by the encounters we witness. Entanglements that can be shocking, edifying, compulsive, complicated and sometimes completely disastrous.

I THINK OF YOU

In I Think of You, the reader travels through literary Edinburgh in summer, heartbreak in a rain-drenched glen in the Highlands, a voyage on the Argo in Ancient Greece, and from Dallas to Helsinki and home again. Throughout this collection, the author explores various themes of love, kindness and friendship, as well as the philosophy of food, the idiosyncrasies of language and the importance of canonical hours. Each poem is a journey of the soul that interrogates what it is to love and to be alive.

IN THE COMPANY OF CHEERFUL LADIES

Now married to Mr JLB Matekoni, Mma Ramotswe finds that the work of her Detective Agency still keeps her very busy. She also has to intervene in a serious disagreement between Mma Makutsi and one of the garage mechanics. Vol. 6 of the series

THE KALAHARI TYPING SCHOOL FOR MEN

Precious Ramotswe faces competition from the new 'Satisfaction Guarantee Detective Agency' set up by Cephas Buthelezi. Meanwhile Mma Makutsi sets up a typing school for men and finds romance. Vol. 4 of the series

THE LIMPOPO ACADEMY OF PRIVATE DETECTION

The estimable Clovis Andersen, author of The Principles of Private Investigation - the No. 1 Ladies' prized manual - has arrived in Botswana, on a case of his own. Professional courtesy suggests that he call and announce himself to Mma Ramotswe... Volume 13 of the series.

THE LOST ART OF GRATITUDE

Isabel Dalhousie is drawn into the murky world of financial double-dealing when she encounters an old foe, Minty Auchterlonie, at a birthday party. At the same time her neice Cat has become engaged to a tightrope-walking stuntman and Isabel fears his next job could end in disaster.

LOVE OVER SCOTLAND

The complicated lives of the denizens of 44 Scotland Street are becoming no simpler. Domenica Macdonald has left for the Malacca Straits to conduct a perilous anthropological study of pirate households. Meanwhile, Angus Lordie's dog, Cyril, has been stolen, and is facing an uncertain future wandering the streets.

THE MINOR ADJUSTMENT BEAUTY SALON

With Mma Makutsi busy with motherhood, Mma Ramotswe must tackle detective work alone. Well-known troublemaker Violet Sephotho may or not be behind a smear campaign against the Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon, and a dispute over the will of a local dignitary points to a shocking family secret. Volume 14 of the series

THE MIRACLE AT SPEEDY MOTORS

When she receives a threatening anonymous letter, Mma Ramotswe is compelled to reconsider her unconquerable belief in a kind world. While she ponders the identity of the letter-writer, Mma Ramotswe has a further set of problems to solve, both professional and personal. Volume 9 of the series.

MORALITY FOR BEAUTIFUL GIRLS

Mma Ramotswe and her assistant, Mma Makutsi, are asked to investigate the contestants at a local beauty pageant. Meanwhile Mr JLB Matekoni seems to be losing interest in his business and Mma tries to find the reason. Vol. 3 of the series

THE NO.1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY

When Precious Ramotswe receives an inheritance from her father, she decides to set up Botswana's very first private detective agency—'for the problems of ladies, and others'. Aided by the loyal, resourceful Grace Makutsi, and multiple cups of red bush tea, she sets out to investigate cases including missing husbands, wayward wives, unscrupulous con artists and unexpected deaths. Included here are all 35 stories from the acclaimed BBC radio series, written and adapted by Alexander McCall Smith from his own internationally bestselling books.

THE NO.1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY

1st book in 'No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency' Series. Precious Ramotswe is Botswana's only female private detective. Her methods are not conventional but she has warmth and canny intuition on her side as she deals with philandering partners, conmen and wayward children.

PORTUGUESE IRREGULAR VERBS

Is there anything funny about German professors? This novel features the endless mishaps of the inimitable German professor, Dr Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld.

THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TO RAIN

The key to contentment in the Scottish climate is the right attitude to rain - just as in life the key to happiness lies in making the best of what you have. Bruised in love by her faithless Irish husband, Isabel Dalhousie is a connoisseur of intimate moral issues. She spends a great deal of her time considering how to improve the lives of those around her, especially when the problems involve matters of the heart...

THE SATURDAY BIG TENT WEDDING PARTY

As the countdown to Mma Makutsi's wedding begins, all is not as it should be at the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Mma Ramotswe, has reason to reflect on Rule No. 3 of The Principles of Private Detection: never lie to the client. Vol. 12 of the series

THE SUNDAY PHILOSOPHY CLUB

Amateur sleuth Isabel Dalhousie is a philosopher who uses her training to solve unusual mysteries. She also hosts The Sunday Philosophy Club at her house in Edinburgh. Behind the city's Georgian facades its moral compasses are spinning with greed, dishonesty and murderous intent. Instinct tells Isabel that the young man who tumbled to his death in front of her eyes at a concert in the Usher Hall didn't fall. He was pushed.

TEA TIME FOR THE TRADITIONALLY BUILT

The proprietor of a local football team has enlisted the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency to help explain its dreadful losing streak: surely someone must be fixing the games, it can't just be a case of unskilled players. Volume 10 of the series

TEARS OF THE GIRAFFE

As a newly engaged person, Precious Ramotswe continues the work of her detective agency whilst trying to decide with Mr JLB Matekoni about their future life together. But why is Mr JLB Matekoni's maid trying to frame Mma Ramotswe? Vol. 2 of the series