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stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
3.0
Always a quirky, light read, but the "mystery" didn't grab me as much this time, and Isabel's ramblings grated on me a bit this time.
melissa_who_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Isabel is asked to help a colleague find her birth mother and father, as Jane was given up for adoption as a baby and sent to Australia. The story winds its way around that story and other dilemmas - including her tempestuous relationship with her niece, Cat, and a bout of mushroom poisoning. It ends in the nicest possible way, with the wedding of Isabel and Jaime. Thoroughly enjoyable, in its own quiet way.
susie_reads's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
3.0
I borrowed my Mom's FirstReads copy of this one and found it an enjoyable read. While I was familiar with the Number One Ladies' Detective Agency series, Isabel Dalhousie was a new character to me. I think I might have enjoyed this one more if I'd read some of the earlier books in the series but I did like it overall. It was a quick, pleasant read and I think I might enjoy getting to know Isabel a bit better. It was just what I needed and I will definitely seek out earlier installments now that I've been introduced to this series.
soniapage's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this Isabel book so much more than the last few. The fretting over her relationship with her boyfriend was getting downright boring but now that has resolved. There is more of a story this time around in which Isabel helps a woman find her father. There is also a lot more of the tangents which Isabel mind goes off on which seems to bore some readers as evidenced by some of the reviews. I get a kick out of them since Isabel is, after all, a philosopher and her thoughts make me start thinking things through also.
I always enjoy the audio versions of these books.
I always enjoy the audio versions of these books.
jacki_f's review
3.0
This is the eighth book about Edinburgh-based philosopher and occasional sleuth Isabel Dalhousie. Reading this series, I sometimes wonder if Alexander McCall Smith has a little competition with himself when he writes each book, to see if he can get away with even less of a plot than in the previous installment. Certainly in this instance the main plot is very sparse and takes up maybe a quarter of the book. It's about Isabel helping an Australian philosopher who is tracking to track down her birth father. The remainder of the book is filled with Isabel's philosophical musings, her relationship with the lacklustre Jamie and the obligatory appearances by the usual long-running characters. I know that this is part of the literary comfort food appeal of the series, but I couldn't help feeling that I'd read it all before. Once again Isabel visits Guy Peploe and discusses landscape paintings. Once again Grace reports back on the events from a seance. Once again Brother Fox lurks in the bushes. Once again Cat is attracted to an unsuitable man. Once again Charlie likes unusual food. I hate to admit it, but I got bored.
Writing this, I realise that you could lobby the same accusations of repetitive formulas at the No. 1 Ladies Detective series, but somehow those books seem to hold their charm. I wonder if part of the problem is that none of the secondary characters in this series are terribly interesting or ever seem to evolve in any way. I particularly find Isabel's relationship with dreary Jamie to be devoid of any spark (although I was relieved that at least she appears to have given up fretting about whether she is worthy of him). Also, Mme Ramotswe's Botswana always feels like a magical landscape, but current day events sneak into Dalhousie's Edinburgh and sit uneasily with her old fashioned lifestyle and world view.
I adored the early books in this series and there are occasional glimpses that all is not lost, but overall this is a disappointment. The series badly needs a shake up and sadly, this book does not deliver that.
Writing this, I realise that you could lobby the same accusations of repetitive formulas at the No. 1 Ladies Detective series, but somehow those books seem to hold their charm. I wonder if part of the problem is that none of the secondary characters in this series are terribly interesting or ever seem to evolve in any way. I particularly find Isabel's relationship with dreary Jamie to be devoid of any spark (although I was relieved that at least she appears to have given up fretting about whether she is worthy of him). Also, Mme Ramotswe's Botswana always feels like a magical landscape, but current day events sneak into Dalhousie's Edinburgh and sit uneasily with her old fashioned lifestyle and world view.
I adored the early books in this series and there are occasional glimpses that all is not lost, but overall this is a disappointment. The series badly needs a shake up and sadly, this book does not deliver that.
bkdrgn303's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite sure why I'm continuing with these as I really don't like Isabel Dalhousie. Bit of a snob.
melissa_427's review against another edition
3.0
"As a philosopher one could not believe just one thing. One had to explore the possibility that what one thought to be true, might be false. That what one wanted to believe, might not be what one really should hold to be true."
"A private exploitative muttered in anger or irritation could be cathartic."
"... the essence of friendship, which was the sharing of the world."
"The real sign of being in love... you want to share your discovery with others, you want to share your delight. It's exactly what we want to do when we perceive any other kind of beauty."
"A private exploitative muttered in anger or irritation could be cathartic."
"... the essence of friendship, which was the sharing of the world."
"The real sign of being in love... you want to share your discovery with others, you want to share your delight. It's exactly what we want to do when we perceive any other kind of beauty."
coops456's review
2.0
Why destroy an illusion if the illusion brings you joy?
I do like Smith's writing style but Isabel is an odd character. Fantastic as a 40-something in the 21st century; she feels like she should be at least 20 years older.
ohthatmireille's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.5