He's a a respected expert on medical law and bioethics who has served on a number of British and international committees concerned with those issues. But you might know him as the author of the "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency."

He's Alexander McCall Smith and he will be at Nicola's Books on Wednesday.

Boasting an impressive bibliography, Smith is also known for his "Sunday Philosophy Club Series," "Corduroy Mansions" series, several children's books and many other novels.

His "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency," which was turned into an HBO series, centers around Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s premier lady detective.

Smith just released "Unusual Uses for Olive Oil: A Professor Dr von Igelfeld Entertainment Novel" in January. Any book that includes the words "academic rival Detlev-Amadeus Unterholzer" is certainly worth a read.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013. 7 p.m. Free. Nicola's is located in the Westgate Shopping Center at 2513 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. 734-662-0600.