The Charming Quirks of Others

Alexander McCall Smith is a master at writing about almost anything. My favorite series of his is this one. Isabel is so introspective that I can see that some people would not understand her at all. I am a lot like her in that way and I am happy to know someone else (even if they are fictional) is like that too. I think too much. I realize it and know that I feel things very strongly as well. In that way I feel I am a better person. I love the stories Mr. Smith tells of Edinburgh and the people who live there. I have been to Edinburgh 3 or 4 times and love it. The last time was for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. I loved it! It should be on a lot of bucket lists. Edinburgh comes alive for me in these stories of Isabel and Jamie and I want to go back!

I love Alexander McCall Smith and have enjoyed all of the Isabel Dalhousie and Ladies Detective Agency books very much. They are low key, philosophical, humorous, gently written and they make me think about life and people in general, and find some positive, calming relief from the thrillers that I read on a regular basis (until another gentle, thoughtful book comes out.) My only complaint is that McCall Smith does not publish a new book very often and I miss being able to keep up with some of my favorite characters. Some people say they were disappointed in this book and some of his other more recent books, that are just more of the same. These books are not exciting. But they are a series that continues to relate the every day lives of interesting, lovable characters and this one is no different to me than any of the others. I am not sure what the negative reviewers were expecting, but this is exactly what I expect from these novels and am never disappointed. They are all the same, except that each is a continuation of the last, and they are meant to be that way. If you don\’t enjoy that, don\’t buy it. Otherwise, I find them a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I\’ve been a fan of this series from the start (as well as of the 44 Scotland Street books). The interesting and insightful characters, the many references to places in Edinburgh and environs, the little glimpses into Scottish culture and life and overall \”gentle\” tone make these books so appealing. However I found something about this book rather gloomy and depressing, but I can\’t quite articulate what or why. It just didn\’t give me the same enjoyment reading the previous books in the series had done. Isabel doesn\’t quite seem herself and at times I found her obsessing over her relationship with Jamie rather tiresome. I wondered whether Mr. McCall Smith was depressed when he wrote this one, or if perhaps he has grown tired of the series. I also felt the central sleuthing aspect of the story was underdeveloped and rather resolved all too quickly in the last few pages, as well as being overshadowed by the storyline of the central characters\’ personal lives. In previous books, the balance between \”the mystery\” and Isabel\’s own life was just right – you wanted to find out what was going to happen in both situations. Here, the story of the three headmaster candidates almost seems like an afterthougt. Several other small threads seem to be either resolved too quickly or glossed over and left unresolved. If this had been the first book from the series I had ever read, I don\’t think I would give the others a try. Hopefully this is just a one-off blip in an otherwise enjoyable and intelligent series.

Those who know this series know that the best parts of it are watching those moments where Isabel must rectify her human desire to act with the philosophical underpinnings of her character and this novel is wonderful in so doing. It\’s also fantastic to have an actual mystery on the plate to solve. One hopes that, as \’a woman of some discretion\’ Isabel will be given more discreet matters that require her attentions. That Scotland itself is such a force in the novel adds to its charms. We can not all travel to Edinburgh, but through Isabel\’s eyes we have a beautiful visit.

This delightful series never disappoints. And on this return visit to Edinburgh, we find Isabel enjoying her lovely romance with Jamie. They are happily raising their little boy, Charlie, together. Of course all is not perfect, and Isabel discovers she has a rival, Prue, for Jamie\’s affections. But Isabel manages to confront Prue as only Isabel can. These stories are subtle and beautifully described. And the situation Isabel encounters in this book is interconnected with other elements in her life as only can happen in a small town sort of place like Edinburgh. People sometimes ask Isabel to \”look into things,\” knowing that she is insightful and discreet. So, when Jillian, a distant acquaintance, asks her to suss out an anonymous letter Jillian\’s husband received regarding three candidates for a position at a private boys\’ school he is involved with, Isabel relectuantly obliges. As usual Isabel is successful and enjoys an \”aha! moment\”: \”For a few brief, delicious moments, Isabel experienced a sense of euphoria.\” She had \”established the authorship of the letter beyond question.\” I\’m looking forward to catching up with Isabel again soon!

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