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libraryadvokate's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
rworrall78's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
dominicangirl's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
nikkid's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sharkybookshelf's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Detective Ulf Varg continues to investigate unusual cases, while pondering the oddities of human nature and navigating internal police bureaucracy.
Much like the first book in the series, this is very much about the characters and their mild eccentricities, which McCall Smith is so good at writing. The plot meanders along as Varg gets distracted and goes off on thought tangents - a gripping, fast-paced detective novel this is not - but this is part of the charm, except the Anna subplot which rapidly became tedious. This isn’t McCall Smith’s strongest series, but it’s still a perfectly comforting read - it’s exactly what I expected, and ideal for reading in the middle of the night while feeding a newborn. A slow-paced comfort read which highlights the little oddities of human nature while gently poking fun at police dramas, best enjoyed with a cup of tea and a biscuit.
leighsnerdlife's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
bob_dw's review against another edition
3.0
A distracting (in a good way) and mildly humorous series of long digressions wrapped around some mild mysteries of no particular importance. For fans of Mr. Smith this will be another good way to pass some time.
leighannsherwin's review against another edition
3.0
It pains me to give a low rating to this book. Alexander McCall Smith writes happy light stories, but this one meandered and at another time I might've loved it but I'm having a tough enough time concentrating and a story that goes no where but circles isn't helping. Most say Ulf is a nice guy, but in some parts he comes across as judgemental toward others at times. I might try reading this again when my concentration level returns but I barely got through it so maybe I won't.
carpeomnia777's review against another edition
4.0
A return to form. Similar to the first with low stakes fair. I thoroughly enjoy it and was sad it was over so quickly