Nicholas Drayson

You wouldn't notice Mr Malik in a Nairobi street - except, perhaps, to comment on his carefully sculpted comb-over - but beneath his unprepossessing exterior lie a warm heart and a secret passion. Not even his closest friends know it, but Mr Malik is head-over-heels in love with the leader of the local Tuesday-morning bird walk, Rose Mbikwa.

Mr Malik is love with the leader of the Tuesday morning bird walk of the East African Ornithological Society, Rose Mbikwa. While Mr Malik plans how he will ask Rose to the Hunt Ball, Harry Kahn arrives in town and makes it clear that he too has Rose in his sights. A wager is set - whoever sees the most birds in a week will ask Rose to the ball.

For lovers of Alexander McCall Smith, the engaging follow up to Nicholas Draysons much-loved A Guide to the Birds of East Africa sees the return of Mr Malik and the East African Ornithological Society.Mr Malik has been busy planning the Asadi Clubs annual safari. But a series of crimes puts the clubs very existence at risk. It is up to Mr Malik and Co. to solve a decades-old murder, recover the club mascot and identify, once and for all, the most dangerous beast in Africa.Not to mention his only daughter may, or may not, be getting married in a week.Will Mr Malik again prevail over Kenyan politics, a reluctant bride and unrevealed secrets?A book of immense charm; a sort of P G Wodehouse meets Alexander McCall Smith Joanne Harris on A Guide to the Birds of East AfricaA delightful comedy... It invites comparison to The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency books, but its original and, if anything, has more depthDaily Mail on A Guide to the Birds of East AfricaNicholas Drayson was born in England and lived in Australia since 1982, where he studied zoology and gained a PhD in 19th-century Australian natural history writing and two daughters. He has worked as a journalist in the UK, Kenya and Australia, writing for publications such as the Daily Telegraph and Australian Geographic. He is the author of three previous novels, Confessing a Murder, Love and the Platypus and A Guide to the Birds of East Africa (Penguin, 2008). He is now wandering through England aboard his boat, the Summer Breeze.

For lovers of Alexander McCall Smith, Nicholas Drayson introduces the charming Mr Malik and the East African Ornithological Society in A Guide to the Birds of East Africa.Reserved, honourable Mr Malik. You wouldnt notice him in a Nairobi street - except, perhaps, to comment on his carefully sculpted comb-over - but beneath his unprepossessing exterior lie a warm heart and a secret passion. Not even his closest friends know it, but Mr Malik is head-over-heels in love with the leader of the local Tuesday-morning bird walk, Rose Mbikwa.Little can he imagine the hurdles that lie before him. Even as he plucks up the courage to ask for Roses hand, thieves, potential kidnappers and corrupt officials, not to mention one particularly determined love rival, seem destined to thwart Mr Maliks chances.Will an Indian gentleman in the heart of Africa be defeated by the many obstacles that stand between him and his hearts desire? Or will honour and decency prevail?A funny, ingenious and touching love story Joanne Harris, The TimesA delightful comedy... It invites comparison to The No.1 Ladies Detective A gency books, but its original and, if anything, has more depthDaily MailSweet, charming and utterly wonderful on the subject of birdsMetroNicholas Drayson was born in England and has lived in Australia since 1982, where he studied zoology and a PhD in 19th century Australian natural history writing. He has worked as a journalist in the UK, Kenya and Australia, writing for publications such as the Daily Telegraph and Australian Geographic. He is the author of three other novels, Confessing a Murder, Love and the Platypus and A Guide to the Beasts of East Africa.

La Rose Mbikwa i el senyor Malik coincideixen cada dimarts a les passejades que organitza la Societat Ornitològica de l Àfrica Oriental pels voltants de Nairobi. Tots dos tenen certa edat, són vidus i estan més o menys jubilats de les seves respectives feines. El senyor Malik esta secretament enamorat de la Rose i, després de dubtar molt, ha decidit que li enviara una carta per convidar-la al Ball Anual de Caçadors de Nairobi. Però de sobte apareix en escena Harry Khan, un antic company d escola del senyor Malik, un pavero que, a banda de remoure-li antics traumes, s ha ficat la Rose Mbikwa entre cella i cella. Els companys de club de tots dos decideixen organitzar una aposta per evitar que la Rose es trobi en la desagradable situació d haver de decidir entre tots dos: aquell que vegi un nombre més alt d ocells de diferents menes en el termini de dues setmanes es guanyara el dret i el plaer de convidar la dama al ball.

El atildado señor Malik tiene un secreto que ni si- quiera sus amigos más cercanos conocen: lleva años enamorado de Rose Mbikwa, compañera en la Sociedad Ornitológica a la que dedica todos sus ra- tos libres. Cuando por fn reune el valor para invitarle al baile anual de la asociacion, reaparece en su vida un antiguo conocido: el fanfarron Harry Kahn, quien, evidentemente, tambien se siente atraido por Rose. Los dos caballeros deciden jugarse a la dama en un singular reto: la llevara al baile aquel que sea capaz de avistar mas especies de pajaros en una semana. Y, como en el amor y en la guerra todo vale, Malik y Kahn se embarcan en una guerra sin cuartel plagada de trucos y trampas.Una tierna y original historia de amor y rivalidad don- de la fantastica naturaleza de Kenia desempeña un papel fundamental.