Dibs

Alexander McCall Smith, beloved author of several bestselling novels featuring Botswanan female detective Precious Ramotswe, is great friends with Flea, bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The pair met in 2004 after the bassist (real name Michael Balzary) posted on the band’s web site about how much he loved Precious Ramotswe. Having survived a suicide attempt, drugs and rehab, Flea found the plump African sleuth’s adventures “really fun to read and make you feel like human beings can have worthwhile lives.” Attending a lecture by the 57-year-old Smith — who is also a bioethics expert and bassoonist — the 43-year-old rocker introduced himself. A lively friendship was born. Smith (who calls the younger man “Mr. Flea”) told a Scottish reporter this week: “I know it seems a strange pairing but he’s my pal in the rock world.”