mezu_641's review against another edition
4.0
I think that this is a very well-written and enticing novel, great as a calm comfort book, but interesting enough that you won't get bored. Although the lives of the main characters seem mundane or filled with common situations and the main plot itself may come off as quite underwhelming, I found the philosophical conundrums Isabel was often tangled into, the questions of what was right or wrong in various contexts and whether we would ever know was incredibly fascinating.
coops456's review against another edition
4.0
Rather unexpectedly I've come to prefer this series to Smith's other Edinburgh collection, 44 Scotland Street.
Both can be irritatingly smug with their lives lived from a position of affluence but at least Isabel is well aware of her good fortune and appreciative of the privilege afforded her.
Her philosophical musings are often thought-provoking despite occasionally tending to self-indulgence.
Both can be irritatingly smug with their lives lived from a position of affluence but at least Isabel is well aware of her good fortune and appreciative of the privilege afforded her.
Her philosophical musings are often thought-provoking despite occasionally tending to self-indulgence.
ohthatmireille's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
bgg616's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoy the Isabel Dalhousie books. Perhaps because they are set in Edinburgh and the author always includes details about the city. Perhaps because Isabel is someone who is always helping others. I love her relationship with her husband, and her constant musings about life. She's a philosopher and editor by profession and can't help but let her mind constantly wander and think about things. I like the way her mind works snd it makes it feel OK to be someone who also is constantly thinking about this and that.
celestemarin's review against another edition
3.0
I quite like the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series and the first Isabel Dalhousie book, but found the first Corduroy Mansions and that sausage dog book kind of tiresome. This was more like the latter. I listened to this on tape while doing mindless data analysis and it was fine for that, but not particularly compelling. Then again, maybe I was distracted because my data analysis wasn't completely mindless.
karenchase's review against another edition
3.0
I think I'm done with Isabel Dalhousie. I appreciate the premise, but I haven't found anything new or particularly interesting in these stories lately. Isabel has the same moral dilemmas, the same abashed joy at her great fortunes in life and love. Not that I relish conflict, quite the contrary-- I am happy to read fiction in which there is no threat of violence or misery. But Isabel's constant narrative-killing musings are distracting and I find myself skimming over them. And without them, the narrative is really quite thin. The tics Smith employs in his dialogue are becoming more pronounced as well, and I find them sort of annoying now. Anyway, for those who find Isabel Dalhousie delightful, this one will not disappoint. Another arty mystery to solve, and plenty of moral dilemmas as well
sharonfalduto's review against another edition
3.0
So I've decided that McCall Smith books are like grilled cheese sandwiches. They're pretty good. They're homey and comforting. They don't generally really stand out, like, you don't think, "I'm going back to that restaurant because they have the BEST grilled cheese sandwiches!" but then when you go back, you totally order the grilled cheese again. And maybe some of them are a little exotic, with some different cheeses, like the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books, and some of them are more humble. They're all pretty good, and there are just so darn many of them.
That said, I don't think the plot of this one even matters. There's a painting that's stolen, and then some stuff happens, resolution, the end.
That said, I don't think the plot of this one even matters. There's a painting that's stolen, and then some stuff happens, resolution, the end.
bethnellvaccaro's review against another edition
3.0
I have to admit that I have taken to skimming some parts of this series, particularly the wanderings of Isabelle's mind. I still keep coming back for more, even though the latest installments don't match up to earlier books.
quilt_librarian477's review against another edition
3.0
A Light read with "moral dilemmas" for Isabel to sort out.
If you enjoyed the rest of Isabel Dalhousie series, you will enjoy this latest installment. While Isabel is solving the mystery of a stolen Poussin painting, she is struggling to sort out differences of opinion with Grace, about teaching Charlie mathematics and tackling a problem in Eddie’s romantic life. While the actual plots and structure of this series tend to be predictable—there are two elements – the ongoing musing about human relationships and Isabel’s honesty and goodness towards others that make this a enjoyable read for me.
If you enjoyed the rest of Isabel Dalhousie series, you will enjoy this latest installment. While Isabel is solving the mystery of a stolen Poussin painting, she is struggling to sort out differences of opinion with Grace, about teaching Charlie mathematics and tackling a problem in Eddie’s romantic life. While the actual plots and structure of this series tend to be predictable—there are two elements – the ongoing musing about human relationships and Isabel’s honesty and goodness towards others that make this a enjoyable read for me.