A Distant View of Everything (Isabel Dalhousie Novels)

Alexander McCall Smith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0349142696 ISBN 13: 9780349142692

Publisher: Abacus, 2018

Recently distracted by the arrival of her and Jamie's second son, Magnus, Isabel Dalhousie - philanthropic editor of the Review of Applied Ethics - is anxious. The next issue of the Review is far from ready, her eldest, Charlie, is jealous, and their housekeeper, Grace, has an officious approach to childcare. With some relief, Isabel returns to helping out at her niece Cat's delicatessen, where surely the most taxing duty is the preparation of sandwiches.

It's not long before Isabel's helpful, philosophical nature draws her into customers' problems, specifically that of ambitious, self-proclaimed matchmaker, Bea Shandon. Bea has staged a potentially dangerous liaison involving enigmatic plastic surgeon, Tony MacUspaig, who may not be quite who he claims to be - and Isabel's help is required in getting to the truth of the matter.

Good-hearted Isabel proceeds with her usual thorough attention to task, and on Bea's advice talks to her friend Rob, a trustworthy regular on Bea's dinner party circuit, and known to have deep suspicions about MacUspaig. It becomes clear, however, that Rob has an agenda of his own and Isabel is now contending with that, along with a mysterious medical condition of Jamie's and some frustrating dead ends when it comes to Bea's predicament.

When the truth finally reveals itself, Isabel must conclude that along with MacUspaig, Bea, Jamie - and even Cat - she herself is not immune to misunderstandings, or the neurotic fantasies that arise from keeping secrets . . .

Review:

Like [Barbara] Pym, McCall Smith believes that the small stuff in life matters (Scotsman)

Brimming with discreet charm (Mail on Sunday)

Isabel Dalhousie's charm is undeniable (Sunday Times)

Delightful (Sunday Telegraph)

McCall Smith's greatest gift as a writer - and God knows this is just one of many - is that he can write likeable characters (New Statesman)

In ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH'S delightful new Isabel Dalhousie novel A DISTANT VIEW OF EVERYTHING, Isabel risks antagonising husband Jamie, as she investigates a suspiciously amorous surgeon (Good Housekeeping)

McCall Smith's distinctively charming writing style makes this book a very easy summer read (Scottish Field)

A delightful read (Mature Times)

Book Description:

The latest novel in Alexander McCall Smith's much-loved Isabel Dalhousie series.