The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds (Isabel Dalhousie Novels): 9 - Hardcover

Alexander McCall Smith

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1408704145 ISBN 13: 9781408704141

Publisher: Little, Brown, 2012

Synopsis

As a mother, wife, employer and editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, Isabel Dalhousie is aware that to be human is to be responsible. So when a neighbour brings her a new and potentially dangerous puzzle to solve, once again Isabel feels she has no option but to shoulder the burden.

A masterpiece painting has been stolen from Duncan Munrowe, old-fashioned philanthropist, father to two discontented children, and a very wealthy man. As Isabel enters into negotiations with the shadowy figures who are in search of a ransom, a case where heroes and villains should be clearly defined turns murky: the list of those who desire the painting - or the money - lengthens, and hasty judgement must be avoided at all cost. Morals, it turns out, are like Scottish clouds: complex, changeable and tricky to get a firm grip on; they require a sharp observational eye, a philosophical mindset, and the habit of kindness. Fortunately for those around her, Isabel Dalhousie is in possession of all three.

About this title

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"

"Isabel is a force to be reckoned with." --"USA Today"
"Delightful. . . . McCall Smith's talent for dialogue is matched only by his gift for characterization." --"Chicago Tribune"
"The literary equivalent of herbal tea and a cozy fire. . . . Invites readers into a world of kindness, gentility and creature comforts." --"The New York Times"
"Fascinating. . . . Utterly satisfying." --"Booklist" (starred review)
"Endearing. . . Offers tantalizing glimpses of Edinburgh's complex character and a nice, long look into the beautiful mind of a thinking woman." --"The New York Times Book Review
"
"Readers get to soak up the cozy atmosphere of this Scottish university town and McCall Smith's gentle good will." --"The Boston Globe
"
"A world where humor is gentle, suffering is acknowledged but not foregrounded, and efforts to do good are usually rewarded. It's a wonderful place to visit, even if we don't get to live there." --"The Washington Post
"
"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"

Isabel is a force to be reckoned with. "USA Today"
Delightful. . . . McCall Smith s talent for dialogue is matched only by his gift for characterization. "Chicago Tribune"
"The literary equivalent of herbal tea and a cozy fire. . . . Invites readers into a world of kindness, gentility and creature comforts. "The New York Times"
Fascinating. . . . Utterly satisfying. "Booklist" (starred review)
Endearing. . . Offers tantalizing glimpses of Edinburgh s complex character and a nice, long look into the beautiful mind of a thinking woman. "The New York Times Book Review
"
Readers get to soak up the cozy atmosphere of this Scottish university town and McCall Smith s gentle good will. "The Boston Globe
"
A world where humor is gentle, suffering is acknowledged but not foregrounded, and efforts to do good are usually rewarded. It s a wonderful place to visit, even if we don t get to live there. "The Washington Post
"
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""

Isabel is a force to be reckoned with. USA Today
Delightful. . . . McCall Smith s talent for dialogue is matched only by his gift for characterization. Chicago Tribune
"The literary equivalent of herbal tea and a cozy fire. . . . Invites readers into a world of kindness, gentility and creature comforts. The New York Times
Fascinating. . . . Utterly satisfying. Booklist (starred review)
Endearing. . . Offers tantalizing glimpses of Edinburgh s complex character and a nice, long look into the beautiful mind of a thinking woman. The New York Times Book Review

Readers get to soak up the cozy atmosphere of this Scottish university town and McCall Smith s gentle good will. The Boston Globe

A world where humor is gentle, suffering is acknowledged but not foregrounded, and efforts to do good are usually rewarded. It s a wonderful place to visit, even if we don t get to live there. The Washington Post

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"

Book Description:

In bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith's ninth tale of Isabel Dalhousie, Edinburgh philosopher and sleuth, the victim of an important art theft appeals to her for help.

About this edition

• Publisher: Little, Brown
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1408704145
• ISBN 13: 9781408704141
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256