The private life of spies and the exquisite art of getting even : stories of espionage and revenge / Alexander McCall Smith.

Short stories.

Includes bibliographical references.

Half spy-stories, half tales-of-revenge; all highlight the kinder, funnier, gentler sides of espionage and retribution. In this dual collection of short stories, Alexander McCall Smith brings his trademark humour, warmth and wisdom about the human condition to inventive tales of spying and vengeance. In one story, a WW2 spy dropped deep into enemy territory manages to disguise himself--quite convincingly--as a nun. In another, an invitation to join the Vatican Secret Service sends a prospective operative down a rabbit hole of controversy and confusion. A third story finds an author, on the brink of public ruin, seeing the error of his ways after an act of kindness saves the day. A keen observer of humanity imbued with a sparkling imagination, Alexander McCall Smith illustrates throughout these two delightful collections that transparency is paramount and forgiveness is restorative. With surprising insight and a healthy helping of humour, these stories remind us that, in the end, the high road is often the better one for all of us.