Love Over Scotland

August 20, 2007
The irresistible third entry to the 44 Scotland Street series picks up with the residents of 44 Scotland Street where Espresso Tales
left off and is as addictive as any book McCall Smith has written. Anthropologist Domenica has flown off to the Straits of Malacca to study modern-day pirates. Back in Edinburgh, Pat moves from 44 Scotland Street and develops a crush on fellow art student Wolf, whose strange ways hint at a darker subplot that involves Pat's flatmate. Pat moves in with gallery owner Matthew, who struggles with both a sudden fortune and a yearning for Pat. Meanwhile, child prodigy saxophonist Bertie becomes a reluctant member of the Edinburgh Teenage Orchestra at age six and later, on a trip to Paris, finds himself wonderfully unsupervised. Poet/portrait painter Angus is tormented by the theft of his beloved dog Cyrus. The proceedings sparkle with McCall Smith's trademark wit (“It was not always fun being a child, just as it had not always been fun being a medieval Scottish saint”), proving once again, he's a true treasure. Illustrations by Iain McIntosh enliven the text.

Starred review from September 15, 2007
Life is full of drama for residents of 44 Scotland Street, in this thoroughly enjoyable third installment in McCall Smiths droll series. This time around, anthropologist Domenica Macdonald leaves Edinburgh to study modern-day pirates in the Malacca Straits. Her platonic companionship and spirited views are sorely missed by confirmed bachelor Angus Lordie, who is further vexed by the theft of his loyal hound, Cyril. Smart, affable Pat begins work toward an art history degree at the University of Edinburgh, where she meets a handsome cad, appropriately named Wolf. (Matthew, the kind, if somewhat bland, gallery owner Pat works for, continues to harbor hope Pat will one day fall for him.) Supremely talented young Bertie, who speaks fluent Italian and plays the saxophone like a pro, endures more humiliation at the hands of his pushy mother, who insists he audition for the Edinburgh Teenage Orchestra. (He repeatedly reminds herto no availthats hes only six.) Scotsman McCall Smith, author of more than 50 books, including the best-selling No.1 Ladies Detective Agency novels and theIsabel Dalhousie and Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, serves up yet another masterful blend of wisdom, humor, and heart. Is it any wonder his graceful works have won him fans around the world?(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)