You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
Engaging writing, well developed character, and an ending so infuriating I was shouting at the CD player. Davina Porter's narration was the only saving grace.
Mr McCall Smith, you have got to re-work the ending. What about the scar in Ian's vision?! Why did Graham follow her to the bar? And why did Ian recognize Graham if he wasn't the man from his vision/memory?
Sloooooooooow. Generally I have a lot of tolerance for vast quantities of character development and very little action, but my standards are different in audiobooks and this really tested my patience. Some of the writing was nice, but I couldn't have cared less about the characters and the mystery was not remotely mysterious enough. Plus, the narrator really could have used a better Scottish accent.
Paperback
I was left feeling a little unresolved. The plot seemed to take forever to set up (several chapters) or get interesting. I was hoping for a little more Miss Marple, I guess. That didn't happen.
I was left feeling a little unresolved. The plot seemed to take forever to set up (several chapters) or get interesting. I was hoping for a little more Miss Marple, I guess. That didn't happen.
#readscotland readalong on IG - March 2018
Enjoyed the first Dalhousie novel, but was expecting a bit more of a mystery. When I picked up this second in the series I was more prepared, with the plot, story and mystery. Really enjoyed this second book, I still adore and admire Isabel, can I please be her! I also enjoyed the philosophical aspect of this novel a bit more too. Once again the mystery turned out to be quite logical to explain away or to solve. So, these novels are definitely best enjoyed for the Scottish scenery, descriptions of tea and deliciously cozy moments and for the pleasure of an esteemable main character.
Because of this book, I found myself wanting to read more of the poetry and writings of W. H. Auden. If I’ve taken anything from this novel, Smith highly regards and esteems this poet. I’ll be checking out Alexander McCall Smith’s book, WHAT W. H. AUDEN CAN DO FOR YOU as well as an edition of Auden’s Poems in, The Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets collection (both may have wound up in my cart and now reside on my bookshelf).
Enjoyed the first Dalhousie novel, but was expecting a bit more of a mystery. When I picked up this second in the series I was more prepared, with the plot, story and mystery. Really enjoyed this second book, I still adore and admire Isabel, can I please be her! I also enjoyed the philosophical aspect of this novel a bit more too. Once again the mystery turned out to be quite logical to explain away or to solve. So, these novels are definitely best enjoyed for the Scottish scenery, descriptions of tea and deliciously cozy moments and for the pleasure of an esteemable main character.
Because of this book, I found myself wanting to read more of the poetry and writings of W. H. Auden. If I’ve taken anything from this novel, Smith highly regards and esteems this poet. I’ll be checking out Alexander McCall Smith’s book, WHAT W. H. AUDEN CAN DO FOR YOU as well as an edition of Auden’s Poems in, The Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets collection (both may have wound up in my cart and now reside on my bookshelf).
This is the second book I read last week, and here is another author I wish I had read much earlier in my life! This was my first Alexander McCall Smith novel, and it was such a delight to read about a practical and intelligent woman, written by a man!
Friends, Lovers, Chocolate is the second in the series of Isabel Dalhousie books, which I found out only after reaching the end of the book, and I believe, I didn’t miss much. Each story is a different one, and I think in the first book, you’re probably introduced to Isabel and a few other recurring characters who are present in the second book too. I picked this book from the library purely on the basis of the title of the book!
Isabel Dalhousie is a philosopher who lives and works in Edinburgh in Scotland. She is in her 40s and single. I female philosopher! I was floored by that..now that’s a profession I would want to get into, so that I could use my thoughts to some good use at least
Friends, Lovers, Chocolate is the second in the series of Isabel Dalhousie books, which I found out only after reaching the end of the book, and I believe, I didn’t miss much. Each story is a different one, and I think in the first book, you’re probably introduced to Isabel and a few other recurring characters who are present in the second book too. I picked this book from the library purely on the basis of the title of the book!
Isabel Dalhousie is a philosopher who lives and works in Edinburgh in Scotland. She is in her 40s and single. I female philosopher! I was floored by that..now that’s a profession I would want to get into, so that I could use my thoughts to some good use at least
Would be 2 stars for an interesting mystery that dragged on a bit, with some dull characters and their uninteresting love lives. But down to one star because of the sexist junk seemingly inserted at random from an mra pamphlet throughout the book.
Although it's classified as a mystery, it's not what one would expect. The suspense was slow and was somewhat bland. But that's not exactly a bad thing. The book and plot were highly moral, and I enjoyed Isabel's philosophical ramblings.
Such a nice book. I love philosophy in a fictional setting. lol
Honestly, though, this was a pretty good read. There was a review that said that it was like talking to you beast friend, I totally agree. The whole book felt like a mini-vacation with a best friend. Very simple and down-to-earth this book, yet some of the philosophical question that Isabel Dalhousie asks in the book are so deeply ingrained in my mind now.
Do pick it up if, like me, you need something light yet engaging.
Honestly, though, this was a pretty good read. There was a review that said that it was like talking to you beast friend, I totally agree. The whole book felt like a mini-vacation with a best friend. Very simple and down-to-earth this book, yet some of the philosophical question that Isabel Dalhousie asks in the book are so deeply ingrained in my mind now.
Do pick it up if, like me, you need something light yet engaging.
For whatever reason, I don't like the Dalhausie books as much as McCall-Smith's Scotland Street and Ladies' Detective Agency books, but still worth reading.