The Quiet Side of Passion

June 1, 2018
McCall Smith's series about privileged Edinburgh philosopher Isabel Dalhousie is a bit rarefied, lacking the depth and humor of his No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, or the beehive intensity of his 44 Scotland Street novels. Isabel?of inherited wealth, married to a much-younger hunky musician, mother of two?mostly lives in her head, frequently going off on thought tangents, even in mid-conversation. It's McCall Smith's rare ability to fascinate the reader with Isabel's wide-ranging thoughts?on luck, DNA, class, tattoos, the pasta strozzapreti (which translates to priest stranglers )?that makes this series delightful to many, even though the episodes are virtually plotless. In this twelfth installment, a single mother at Isabel's older son's nursery school provides much of the interest. She's manipulative, edgy, and may be linked to someone dangerous (Isabel is assaulted in a heart-pounding episode that may connect to the woman). Meanwhile, Isabel needs more household help, leading to a nice ironic turn showing how more help can backfire. This series is like gaining entry to someone's mind, a privilege that will captivate some readers and puzzle or frustrate others.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

February 1, 2018

Because their sons attend school together, single mother Patricia has latched onto a reluctant Isabel Dalhousie, who doesn't like the shady company Patricia keeps. She starts wondering whether little Basil's father is really a celebrated local organist, as Patricia claims, and learns that the man feels shut out of his son's life. Now what? More Edinburgh charm from blockbuster author McCall Smith.

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