*ISABEL DALHOUSIE - Book 9 * Nothing captures the charm of Edinburgh like the bestselling Isabel Dalhousie series of novels featuring the insatiably curious philosopher and woman detective. Whether investigating a case or a problem of philosophy, the indefatigable Isabel Dalhousie, one of fiction’s most richly developed amateur detectives, is always ready to pursue the answers to all of life’s questions, large and small.
In this latest installment of Alexander McCall Smith’s endearing Isabel Dalhousie series, the Edinburgh philosopher and amateur sleuth answers an unexpected appeal from a wealthy Scottish collector who has been robbed of a valuable painting.
One afternoon over coffee at Cat’s delicatessen, a friend of Isabel’s shares a call for help from Duncan Munrowe. Crafty thieves have stolen a prized painting from his collection, a work by the celebrated French artist Nicolas Poussin that was earmarked for donation to the Scottish National Gallery. Munrowe has been approached by the thieves and hopes that Isabel will assist him in recovering the painting. Never one to refuse an appeal, she agrees, and discovers that the thieves may be closer to the owner than he ever would have expected.
Against the backdrop of this intriguing case, Isabel copes with life’s issues, large and small. She and Jamie have begun to suspect that their three-year-old son, Charlie, might be a budding mathematical genius. What should be done about it? Then there is the question of whether Isabel should help a young couple who want to move in together—against the wishes of the girl’s parents. The boyfriend is hoping Isabel might intercede.
As she wrestles with these problems, Isabel finds herself tested as a parent, a philosopher and a friend. But, as always, she manages to use the right combination of good sense, quick wits and a kind heart to come to the right solution, proving once again why Isabel Dalhousie has become one of Alexander McCall Smith’s most beloved characters.
This ebook edition includes a Reading Group Guide
**
From Booklist
Starred Review A painting by Nicolas Poussin, valued at £3million pounds and slated for donation to Scotland’s National Gallery, has been stolen from the stately home of a Scottish country gentleman and held for ransom. After contacting his insurance company, the victim takes the unusual step of reaching out to Isabel Dalhousie, a philosopher who specializes in ethics. Isabel has the reputation for being able to sort through thorny situations and murky motives, a quality that has involved her in other people’s problems in eight previous novels in this series. At first glance, Isabel doesn’t seem nearly as quirky and human as McCall Smith’s other woman detective, Precious Ramotswe (of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency), or as the recurring characters in the Scotland Street or Corduroy Mansions series. Isabel seems to have it all, effortlessly: inherited wealth that allows her to publish the Review of Applied Ethics, a dreamboat of a younger husband, and an adorable little boy—all this good fortune housed in a well-appointed Edinburgh home. But Isabel’s constant awareness of how Nemesis may take notice of her makes her wholly sympathetic. The art theft itself, which expands into a consideration of famous art heists and forgeries, gives readers fascinating glimpses into a mostly hidden crime industry. McCall Smith spikes his heroine’s seemingly cloistered world with enough close encounters with tragedy—a neighbor stabbed to death by someone he brought home, for example—to make both Isabel and the reader aware of the fragility of good fortune. Utterly satisfying for its art-theft puzzle, characterization, and Edinburgh setting. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The Precious Ramotswe novels continue to be McCall Smith’s most popular franchise, but the Isabel Dalhousie series, starring the ethicist and crime solver, is sneaking up on the outside. --Connie Fletcher
Review
Praise for the Isabel Dalhousie series
“McCall Smith’s talent for dialogue is matched only by his gift for characterization. It’s hard to believe that he could make up a character as complex and unique as Isabel. She is by turns fearless, vulnerable, headstrong and insecure, but always delightful.” —Chicago Tribune
“Readers get to soak up the cozy atmosphere of this Scottish university town and McCall Smith’s gentle good will.” —The Boston Globe
“Entertaining and enchanting reading about characters you think you know—and wish you did.” —Las Vegas Review-Journal
“McCall Smith’s contemporary cozies have proved that crimes need not be punishable by death to provide a satisfying read . . . A genteel, wisdom-filled entertainment.” —Los Angeles Times
Description:
*ISABEL DALHOUSIE - Book 9
*
Nothing captures the charm of Edinburgh like the bestselling Isabel Dalhousie series of novels featuring the insatiably curious philosopher and woman detective. Whether investigating a case or a problem of philosophy, the indefatigable Isabel Dalhousie, one of fiction’s most richly developed amateur detectives, is always ready to pursue the answers to all of life’s questions, large and small.
In this latest installment of Alexander McCall Smith’s endearing Isabel Dalhousie series, the Edinburgh philosopher and amateur sleuth answers an unexpected appeal from a wealthy Scottish collector who has been robbed of a valuable painting.
One afternoon over coffee at Cat’s delicatessen, a friend of Isabel’s shares a call for help from Duncan Munrowe. Crafty thieves have stolen a prized painting from his collection, a work by the celebrated French artist Nicolas Poussin that was earmarked for donation to the Scottish National Gallery. Munrowe has been approached by the thieves and hopes that Isabel will assist him in recovering the painting. Never one to refuse an appeal, she agrees, and discovers that the thieves may be closer to the owner than he ever would have expected.
Against the backdrop of this intriguing case, Isabel copes with life’s issues, large and small. She and Jamie have begun to suspect that their three-year-old son, Charlie, might be a budding mathematical genius. What should be done about it? Then there is the question of whether Isabel should help a young couple who want to move in together—against the wishes of the girl’s parents. The boyfriend is hoping Isabel might intercede.
As she wrestles with these problems, Isabel finds herself tested as a parent, a philosopher and a friend. But, as always, she manages to use the right combination of good sense, quick wits and a kind heart to come to the right solution, proving once again why Isabel Dalhousie has become one of Alexander McCall Smith’s most beloved characters.
This ebook edition includes a Reading Group Guide
**
From Booklist
Starred Review A painting by Nicolas Poussin, valued at £3million pounds and slated for donation to Scotland’s National Gallery, has been stolen from the stately home of a Scottish country gentleman and held for ransom. After contacting his insurance company, the victim takes the unusual step of reaching out to Isabel Dalhousie, a philosopher who specializes in ethics. Isabel has the reputation for being able to sort through thorny situations and murky motives, a quality that has involved her in other people’s problems in eight previous novels in this series. At first glance, Isabel doesn’t seem nearly as quirky and human as McCall Smith’s other woman detective, Precious Ramotswe (of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency), or as the recurring characters in the Scotland Street or Corduroy Mansions series. Isabel seems to have it all, effortlessly: inherited wealth that allows her to publish the Review of Applied Ethics, a dreamboat of a younger husband, and an adorable little boy—all this good fortune housed in a well-appointed Edinburgh home. But Isabel’s constant awareness of how Nemesis may take notice of her makes her wholly sympathetic. The art theft itself, which expands into a consideration of famous art heists and forgeries, gives readers fascinating glimpses into a mostly hidden crime industry. McCall Smith spikes his heroine’s seemingly cloistered world with enough close encounters with tragedy—a neighbor stabbed to death by someone he brought home, for example—to make both Isabel and the reader aware of the fragility of good fortune. Utterly satisfying for its art-theft puzzle, characterization, and Edinburgh setting. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The Precious Ramotswe novels continue to be McCall Smith’s most popular franchise, but the Isabel Dalhousie series, starring the ethicist and crime solver, is sneaking up on the outside. --Connie Fletcher
Review
Praise for the Isabel Dalhousie series
“McCall Smith’s talent for dialogue is matched only by his gift for characterization. It’s hard to believe that he could make up a character as complex and unique as Isabel. She is by turns fearless, vulnerable, headstrong and insecure, but always delightful.”
—Chicago Tribune
“Readers get to soak up the cozy atmosphere of this Scottish university town and McCall Smith’s gentle good will.”
—The Boston Globe
“Entertaining and enchanting reading about characters you think you know—and wish you did.”
—Las Vegas Review-Journal
“McCall Smith’s contemporary cozies have proved that crimes need not be punishable by death to provide a satisfying read . . . A genteel, wisdom-filled entertainment.”
—Los Angeles Times