A Guide to the Birds of East Africa

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 wouldn't 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 Rose's hand, thieves, potential kidnappers and corrupt officials, not to mention one particularly determined love rival, seem destined to thwart Mr Malik's chances. 
 
Will an Indian gentleman in the heart of Africa be defeated by the many obstacles that stand between him and his heart's desire? Or will honour and decency prevail? 
 
'A funny, ingenious and touching love story' Joanne Harris, The Times 
 
'A delightful comedy... It invites comparison to The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency books, but it's original and, if anything, has more depth' Daily Mail 
 
'Sweet, charming and utterly wonderful on the subject of birds' Metro 
 
Nicholas 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.

A book of immense charm; a sort of P G Wodehouse meets Alexander McCall Smith

An enchanting comedy of bird-watching, love and African life

A delightful comedy... It invites comparison to The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency books, but it's original and, if anything, has more depth

Sweet, charming and utterly wonderful on the subject of birds

A charming satire - think William Boyd's A Good Man of Africa with a dash of Alexander McCall Smith

Heart-warming, I was charmed . . . akin to the No 1 Ladies Detective AgencySeries [with] a flavour all its own

Drayson's tale, spiked with a comtemporary sensibility and wit, teases apart the strands of life in Nairobi... More than that, it's a page-turner... Charming, certainly, but far from cloying

Nicholas 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 two previous novels, Confessing a Murder, Love and the Platypus.

'A funny, ingenious and touching love story' Joanne Harris 
 
Reserved, honourable Mr Malik. You wouldn't 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 Rose's hand, thieves, potential kidnappers and corrupt officials, not to mention one particularly determined love rival, seem destined to thwart Mr Malik's chances. 
 
Will an Indian gentleman in the heart of Africa be defeated by the many obstacles that stand between him and his heart's desire? Or will honour and decency prevail?

Nicholas Drayson

Daily Mail on A Guide to the Birds of East Africa

A gentle alternative world just waiting to be explored...put aside your woes and cares and give yourself a treat

The engaging sequel to Nicholas Drayson's 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 Club's annual safari. Yet a series of crimes puts the club's 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 buried secrets?

Nicholas Drayson

Praise for A Guide to the Beasts of East Africa

A book of immense charm; a sort of P G Wodehouse meets Alexander McCall Smith

A delightful comedy... It invites comparison to The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency books, but it's original and, if anything, has more depth

A gentle alternative world just waiting to be explored...put aside your woes and cares and give yourself a treat

A book of immense charm; a sort of P G Wodehouse meets Alexander McCall Smith

A delightful comedy... It invites comparison to The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency books, but it's original and, if anything, has more depth

A gentle alternative world just waiting to be explored...put aside your woes and cares and give yourself a treat

A book of immense charm; a sort of P G Wodehouse meets Alexander McCall Smith

A delightful comedy... It invites comparison to The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency books, but it's original and, if anything, has more depth

A gentle alternative world just waiting to be explored...put aside your woes and cares and give yourself a treat

Books by Nicholas Drayson

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter