Reviews

The Man with the Silver Saab by Alexander McCall Smith

leda00's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.0

alidottie's review against another edition

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3.0

3 and a half
These stories in the life of Varg Ulf of the Sensitive Crimes Division ( in Malmo Sweden) are so typical to the writings of McCall-Smith that if you like his writings, you will be very comfortable in your reading.

cfiduccia's review

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lighthearted mysterious

3.75

enparker's review

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funny hopeful inspiring slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

debandleo's review against another edition

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4.0

Very fun read!

jackster62's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

chaptersbymidnight's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

jmclincoln's review against another edition

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5.0

What a delicate, gentle story. I loved Ulf’s interior dialogue with himself. He was always trying to be a better man, and he was trying to see himself in the contemporary Sweden, not the one of his boyhood. The Department of Sensitive Crimes once again had a quiet, delicate case to solve. In fact, Ulf had to first decide if he in deed had a case. And poor Martin, Ulf’s deaf dog. He had a terrible run in with a squirrel from which Martin came out the worse. In this troubling time of “tribal” animosity and the pandemic effect, I so needed this wonderful story. Spending time with Ulf Varg is time well spent.

saintreagan's review against another edition

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4.0

I originally wanted to rate this 3/5 stars, but because of how enjoyable the writing and humor was, i bumped it up to 4/5 stars

This was a bizarre read - most detective mysteries involve a mystery (shocker) with you finding out little odds and ends about the detective as the story unfolds. However, contrastingly, this story was just ABOUT a detective and involved a mystery only in odds and ends.

While the writing style was eclectic, I did enjoy the humorous focus without making the jokes corny. Lots of dry wit throughout.

Not much of a mystery or a nail biter, but a fun read nonetheless. Blomquist is a great character. The whole book felt like a good made-for-tv film.

All in all, 4 stars

jhaverinen's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0