Alexander McCall Smith
born: August 24, 1948; Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)
lives: Edinburgh, Scotland
Why does this Scottish author have an Indiana connection? That's yet to be determined, but there must be one.
In his
"No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series, there is a character named Clovis Andersen. He's referenced in the early books as the author of
The Principles of Private Detection, a book that the protagonist, Precious Ramotswe, considers her prized manual.
Clovis Andersen makes a personal appearance in the 13th title in the series (
The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection, 2012), turning up in Botswana on a visit not related to Mma Ramotswe.
Turns out that his business is called Muncie Investigations -- because it's located in Muncie, Indiana. "We have a river, and we make glass jars," Andersen says. "We make some very famous glass jars for pickling fruit."
Later, Anderson talks about an orphanage in Muncie. "The orphans' home was a place made of a curious yellow brick and its windows were painted red around the edges." He mentions a boy from the orphanage, who "went to college in Bloomington. As I did."
There is every indication that Andersen will make future appearances in the series, and perhaps reveal more of his Indiana connections!
(Photo ©Chris Watt, courtesy of
Alexander McCall Smith website)
