Scan barcode
linda_edwards's review against another edition
4.0
Another great book from the series. I love the way he writes, its just so beautiful, the words just flow and before you know it you've finished the book.
carodonahue's review
4.0
I have to say I was a little worried when I read the reviews of this one that were up when I started. But sometimes having low expectations is just the ticket for really enjoying something. The thing I always love about this series is that the plot really doesn't matter. These books feel like a reassuring exploration of human nature and the stories hinge on small things- passing comments, misunderstandings, people's motivation. This is certainly not the series to read if you're looking for a tight suspense thriller. But still, I couldn't put it down and kept looking forward to getting back to it. I love how we get to explore Isabel's interior monologue and think about what it means to be alive now and the ways that philosophy helps her sort through that. As always, I'm sad it's over.
frances_ab's review against another edition
2.0
This is one of those books you read because you read the first 10 in the series and don't want to give up. The series is unfortunately is getting somewhat stale, Isabel is starting to get seriously annoying (and at least someone calls her on her tendency to mentally drift off and start smiling to herself while talking to others) and her perfect life is now becoming cloying. Also, what happened to Cat's new partner from the last book? He suddenly disappeared with no explanation. Will I read the next one? Probably.
terann's review against another edition
4.0
Leisurely paced, Edinburgh setting, thought provoking, series characters
terryliz's review against another edition
3.0
In this latest installment of the Isabel Dalhousie series, we see the introduction of Magnus, Isabel and Jamie's new baby. There are little scenes where Charlie, their first son, comes to terms with not being the baby anymore with the usual petty jealousies of a first sibling.
Isabel runs into an old schoolmate who begs for Isabel's help in finding out the true character of a man she's introduced to another friend. Isabel, of course, cannot resist and usually I find her delicate sleuthing engaging, but this time, I felt like she really went out of her way to find information out for someone who wasn't particularly close to her about people she didn't even know; it rang a little false to me.
This was an easy enough read, but a bit ho hum for me and I've read all the books in this series. Perhaps there will be more excitement in the next installment as Magnus gets older.
Isabel runs into an old schoolmate who begs for Isabel's help in finding out the true character of a man she's introduced to another friend. Isabel, of course, cannot resist and usually I find her delicate sleuthing engaging, but this time, I felt like she really went out of her way to find information out for someone who wasn't particularly close to her about people she didn't even know; it rang a little false to me.
This was an easy enough read, but a bit ho hum for me and I've read all the books in this series. Perhaps there will be more excitement in the next installment as Magnus gets older.
tess_reading's review
4.0
Isabel is one of my favorite serial heroines; she’s deeply flawed but does so much thought-work in order to treat others with kindness and generosity. It’s a steadying pleasure to read a series where nothing much happens except that a rotating cast of characters grow to trust one another’s intentions more deeply and treat one another well.
judya's review
3.0
Not certain what to think of this book. In my opinion, the Isabel Dalhousie series is McCall Smith's weakest. It's no better or worse than any of the other installments, but lacks the gentle humor of the rest.
asuph's review
4.0
And Isable Dulhousie is back again, helping an old school friend with a potentially disastrous match-making. This eleventh helping Sunday Philosophy Club series continues the leisurely investigations into affairs of others and life in general. And it doesn't disappoint. It's a series that's either for you or not. And if you're still thinking of reading it at #11, it's for you, and any review is unnecessary. And if not, then any review is useless. So I'll as well save my words.
More...