Customer Reviews: Read 63 more reviews...
 interconnecting short stories November 28, 2008
Fascinating book; it's less a novel than a series of interconnecting short stories. The characters are all well drawn, and at first seem primarily to belong only because of the their connection with the address in the title-- 44 Scotland Street. But there's more going on here; and the author ties things up satisfyingly by the end of the book.
Really enjoyed it!
 a dull story about dreary malcontents November 22, 2008
Based upon my enjoyment of McCall Smith's "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" series, I bought all four of the '44 Scotland Steet' books. I don't care to finish the first book, '44 Scotland Street', and plan to return the other three books. I have never seen such a dreary collection of mal-contented characters gathered in one story, and don't even care what happens to them all. If I can't care about at least one of them, then I can't care about the story's outcome. The author shows no resemblance whatsoever to the one who wrote about the noble characters and humorous daily life that I came to appreciate while reading the "No. 1..". series. There is no sizzle, no tension, no appreciation for the author or his characters, no timing. PASS!
 A little different book November 18, 2008
44 Scotland Street
This was a different kind of story from the ones I have read by this author, but it was interesting and fun, once I got into the personalities of the various interwoven characters.
It ended with open possibilities, so that I am sure there will be a sequel to the story. I shall look for it to come out.
McCall is no Maupin October 30, 2008
First, I am a faithful reader of McCall's No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. So, I bought this book after reading that McCall serialized this novel in the style of Maupin's "Tales of the City." ["Tales of the City" is filled with lively, colourful characters -- one of which is the city of San Francisco -- a truly delightful book.]
Edinburgh is another such place, a fantastic city filled with interesting people. I'm sorry to say that not one of these characters made it into "44 Scotland Street." If one were to judge Edinburgh and the people therein by this book, you'd believe the city were filled with mundane folks.
I didn't hate the book but I couldn't recommend that anyone waste their time reading it, either.
Loved this book -- Isabel Dalhousie, begone! September 13, 2008
I'm not really sure why I even picked this book up (or the other books in the series, all of which are just as fun as this one). I couldn't get interested in the #1 Ladies Detective Agency series, and I loathed Isabel Dalhousie, the smug, boring heroine of the Sunday Philosophy Club "mysteries".
But this book is really a delight. The pacing of 44 Scotland Street is very deft and the characters are an interesting mix. I enjoyed reading about each one of them, the good and the bad, the weak and the strong.
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