9A non-taxing relaxing read. Not as much in it as others in the series. For interest I've borrowed the Collected Poems of W H Auden from the local library. (He wrote on an amazing number of subjects in a great number of styles.) Anyway in the story Isabelle goes to a lecture by Edward Mendelson on Auden's work. He later come to dinner at her place. A nice touch of reality in a novel. ( )

Yeah, I need to take a break from Alexander McCall Smith books. It's not that I don't like them, but I've read too many in too short a time and if don't stop I'll probably end up hating them. But this was the last I had, so maybe I'm good for a while.

This one kinda promised a mystery but didn't really deliver. I shouldn't be surprised, it's very well in keeping with the tone of the rest of the series, but the blurb on the bac sold it as more of a mystery, so that annoyed me.

Also, Cat is becoming less and less likeable with each book and I'm starting to think the author doesn't like her and is deliberately making her worse. I wish we could see things from her perspective once in a while. ( )

This book was just what I hoped for. I will accordingly give it 4 stars but feel that I should dampen any wild expectations. I've gotten used to the very reserved yet very nosy Isabel. I love her fox in the garden. ( )

not really a mystery, but Isobel involved in case of dr. disgraced by experiment results on drug

Isabel Dalhousie is a sleuth, no two ways about it. Simply put, she is another version of Botswana's Mma Ramotswe of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Why didn't I notice this sooner?

Being a philosopher helps inform her sleuthing. She makes human errors but always ends up giving people the benefit of the doubt, along with clear and substantially good guidance. Like Mma Ramotswe she helps people move on with mended lives. Isabel is caring, and feels compelled to help when its needed.

But most importantly despite being wealthy and able to afford a good life, she treats virtually everyone fairly and respectfully. Because she is intuitively intelligent and introspective she recognizes her weaknesses (which cause those human errors mentioned above) and always works on improving herself.

Confident, warm and friendly Isabel acknowledges how fortunate she is in life and love. And just how important civility and kindness are.

Very good read.