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In this Isabel Dalhousie original short story, available exclusively in electronic format, our intrepid heroine—accused by a distraught wife of being the "other woman"—makes a surprising discovery as she attempts to defend her reputation.
Summer in Edinburgh is a season of delicate sunshine and showers, picnics with loved ones in blossoming gardens, and genteel celebrations of art and music. But Isabel Dalhousie’s peaceful idyll is broken when a single meeting over coffee with fellow philosopher Dr. George McLeod brings an irate phone call from his wife, Roz, who implacably accuses Isabel of conducting an affair with her husband.
Wounded by the injustice of Roz’s wild allegation and concerned both for her standing among the gossipy group of her scholarly peers and for Roz’s apparent state of hysteria, Isabel sets out to discover more about the McLeods, and to set the record straight before the bitterness in their marriage poisons her own reputation. For insight into the McLeods’ relationship she turns to Millie, who is both an old acquaintance of Isabel’s and a university colleague of George’s.
In this engaging, intelligently observed story, Alexander McCall Smith’s sharp-eyed heroine is reminded once again to avoid jumping to hasty conclusions about the lives of others, and to value friendship wherever it’s found.
Eventually, Smith had an urge to write a novel about a woman who would embody the qualities he admired in the people of Botswana, and the result, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, was a surprise hit, receiving two special Booker citations and a place on the Times Literary Supplement's International Books of the Year and the Millennium list. "The author's prose has the merits of simplicity, euphony and precision," Anthony Daniels wrote in the Sunday Telegraph. "His descriptions leave one as if standing in the Botswanan landscape. This is art that conceals art. I haven't read anything with such unalloyed pleasure for a long time."
Despite the book's success in the U.K., American publishers were slow to take an interest, and by the time The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency was picked up by Pantheon Books, Smith had already written two sequels. The books went from underground hits to national phenomena in the United States, spawning fan clubs and inspiring celebratory reviews. Smith is also the author of a detective series featuring the insatiably curious philosopher Isabel Dalhousie and the 44 Scotland Street novels, which present a witty portrait of Edinburgh society
In an interview on the publisher's web site, Smith says he thinks the country of Botswana "particularly chimes with many of the values which Americans feel very strongly about -- respect for the rule of law and for individual freedom. I hope that readers will also see in these portrayals of Botswana some of the great traditional virtues in Africa -- in particular, courtesy and a striking natural dignity."
When he isn't writing books or teaching, Smith finds time to play the bassoon in the candidly named amateur ensemble he co-founded, The Really Terrible Orchestra.
Anonymous
Posted May 19, 2012
If you like the Isabel Dalhousie series you'll like this short story...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 5, 2011
I believe this is by far the best installment of the Isabel Dalhousie series although it is a very short story. There are fewer than 42 full pages which are followed by a three-page list of the author's books and a generous excerpt from the forthcoming The Affairs of Youth.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 17, 2012
This was not worth the $1.99 or the time it took to read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BettyG76
Posted April 10, 2012
I loved the "Womens's 1# Detective" series.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 23, 2012
Where do I go to get my hour and one half back? I have read all of the Isabelle Dalhousie books and loved them. This one disappointed.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Laurel_Blue
Posted March 21, 2012
I have been a fan of the Isabel Dalhousie stories for a long time. I found this story intriguing and entertaining and I am so glad I was able to read it on my nook.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 27, 2012
Hey if ur there post on the first book u can on this page and ill find u
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 26, 2011
Isabel Dalhousie devotees will not be disappointed. I hope this delightful author gives us more and more!
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Posted December 22, 2011
Short but perfect to savor with a morning cup of coffee
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Posted November 23, 2011
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Posted October 31, 2011
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Posted March 26, 2012
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Posted April 26, 2012
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Posted November 9, 2011
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Posted January 20, 2012
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Posted February 20, 2012
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Posted January 27, 2012
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Posted January 5, 2012
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Posted January 28, 2012
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Overview
In this Isabel Dalhousie original short story, available exclusively in electronic format, our intrepid heroine—accused by a distraught wife of being the "other woman"—makes a surprising discovery as she attempts to defend her reputation.
Summer in Edinburgh is a season of delicate sunshine and showers, picnics with loved ones in blossoming gardens, and genteel celebrations of art and music. But Isabel Dalhousie’s peaceful idyll is broken when a single meeting over coffee with fellow philosopher Dr. George McLeod brings an irate phone call from his wife, Roz, who implacably accuses ...