Customer Reviews:
 The Careful Use of Compliments April 27, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I'm always curious and somewhat puzzled....how does a man think he can write as if he were a woman? But, I have to say, Alexander McCall Smith makes it believable. His main character is in many ways genderless, and not totally feminine sounding, but the story is excellent, the writing style enjoyable to read, and I'm crazy about all things Scottish, so it was a pleasure. Having been in Edinburgh, it was fun to be able to feel I was walking along with the protagonist about the city. I think I'd like to read more in this series.
 Agree - Isabel has jumped the shark February 28, 2008
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
I agree with the earlier posted who said Isabel has jumped the shark with the birth of Charlie. However, I think the Charlie storyline could have been very interesting, if McCall-Smith had any idea what it's like to be a mother of a newborn baby, which is impossible.
The ridiculous way that Isabel continues to pine for and obsess about Jamie is almost comical in this book. Sorry, but most new moms only have eyes for their babies, for at least the first 6 months or so. Hormones play a big role in that unconditional love thing, you know. But in this book, she barely gives Charlie a passing thought; we never see her being in the least bit tender with him, etc. Even in one scene where she looks out the window (or whatever) and sees Jamie holding Charlie, she's only thinking about wonderful Jamie. Sorry, this is not believable at all.
 Bored and disappointed February 19, 2008
2 out of 8 found this review helpful
Isabel Dalhousie is surely the most self-absorbed,pedantic,prudish shrewish busybody I have ever had the misfortune to come up against. She obviously considers her opinions to be the only ones that count, and doesn't trust anyone to have a legitmate thought in their heads. Even the father of her child is given the sharp side of her tongue every time he speaks. What he ever saw in her is a mystery. I have read many stories set in Edinburgh, a city I love, but these tales are spoiled by this impossible woman. Surely the women of Edinburgh have progressed far enough to let the person they love know how they feel without dissecting every emotion until there is nothing left. Not recommended.
Disappointing January 25, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is the first book I have read in this series. His character development for Isabel cannot compare with that for Mma Ramotswe in the Detective series. Based on this novel, I would not read anymore in this series. I just didn't find Isabel, or her perfectly behaved baby, believable. I would forget that the baby was in the scene, since he was most often awake, completely content and completely silent, or asleep, even on weekend-long romantic getaways, at dinner parties, and at galleries. Who is this kid???
Even the character of Jamie wasn't well developed (maybe he was more life like in previous novels, but in this one he seems flat, an afterthought, and a bit subservient).
I am very surprised this has averaged 4 stars here. I recommend the Detective series for better developed characters, more engaging plots, and an undercurrent of humor.
 Good read January 18, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Good book. Whole different feel than the #1 Ladies Detective Agency, but just as well written.
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