Dear Book-lover

The Dog Who Came in From the Cold, a brand new novel in Alexander McCall Smith’s award-winning serial, Corduroy Mansions is available now. To celebrate publication, the publishers and The Telegraph have created an enchanting, innovative animated world to introduce the characters - meet everyone’s favourite Pimlico terrier, Freddie de la Hay, Terence Moongrove (exponent of sacred dance) and the only nasty Lib Dem MP - Oedipus Snark. And hear the voice of the inimitable Andrew Sachs as he reads extracts from the first book in the series to set the mood. Alexander McCall Smith has created a vivid and fast-moving world in which minor miracles occur when city-dwellers break the habit of a lifetime and talk to their neighbours. And their dogs!

BE AMONGST THE FIRST TO TAKE A PEEK - click on the link

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Confirmed - Book three in the serial will appear daily on Telegraph.co.uk from September.

EXCLUSIVE: For a chance to win afternoon tea with Alexander McCall Smith EMAIL info@birlinn.co.uk with your name and contact details and the name of the city where Corduroy Mansions is set.

The winner will be drawn at random on 31 May 2010. Afternoon tea will be for two people in the company of Alexander McCall Smith, at a venue and on a date to be mutually agreed. Please note that due to the nature of Mr McCall Smith’s diary, the date may be some months away.