Books like Children of Wax by Alexander McCall Smith

A charming and clever women detective, Precious Ramotswe, solves mysteries in Botswana's small town of Midsomin, South Africa, from 1986 to 1997, facing dangers and love in the process. The novel is beloved by readers worldwide for its clever dialogue and characters who are as flawed as the rest of us. The book is a bestseller and has been translated into 45 languages, including Polish, German, and Japanese, among others. It was also voted one of the International Books of the Year and the Millennium by the Times Literary Supplement.

Precious Ramotswe of Botswana tackles school misbehavior, navigates Grace Makutsi’s marriage hiccups, and shares tea with Clovis Andersen—an author of a famous investigative manual—while juggling her usual cases.

The sensational sixth installment in the best-selling chronicles of the irrepressibly curious Isabel Dalhousie. Isabel's son, Charlie, is now of an age--eighteen months--to have a social life, and so off they go to a birthday party, where, much to Isabel's surprise, she encounters an old adversary, Minty Auchterlonie, now a high-flying financier. Minty had seemed to Isabel a woman of ruthless ambition, but the question of her integrity had never been answered. Now, when Minty takes Isabel into her confidence about a personal matter, Isabel finds herself going another round: Is Minty to be trusted? Or is she the perpetrator of an enormous financial fraud? And what should Isabel make of the rumors of shady financial transactions at Minty's investment bank?Not that this is the only dilemma facing Isabel: she also crosses swords again with her nemesis, Professor Dove, in an argument over plagiarism. Of course her niece, Cat, has a new, problematic man (a tightrope walker!) in her life. And there remains the open question of marriage to Jamie--doting father of Charlie.As always, there is no end to the delight in accompanying Isabel as she makes her way toward the heart of every problem: philosophizing, sleuthing, and downright snooping in her inimitable--and inimitably charming--fashion.From the Hardcover edition.

An African tale about a mouse who defies the cat.

A traditional African tale retold in a children's adventure story featuring animals competing in a spear-throwing contest to win the hand of King Leopard's daughter.

A collection of some of the oldest African tales, selected by Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, which presents such themes as cunning animals, magic spells, and people who change forms.

Jordan wanders into a creepy wax museum and meets a strange inmate, sparking a chilling adventure.