The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds (Isabel Dalhousie Novels) Book 9 - Softcover

McCall Smith, Alexander

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0349138761 ISBN 13: 9780349138763

Publisher: Abacus, 2013

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: Abacus
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0349138761
• ISBN 13: 9780349138763
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 256