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44 Scotland Street |
Light-hearted and refreshing novel by the author of the well-known No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency books. Written originally as a serial for the Scotsman newspaper, but flows well enough. You are drawn into the lives of various Edinburgh people, some of them fairly eccentric. The narrative moves briskly and there are some very funny bits and a number of mild cliff-hangers, making a lively and unusual light read.
(Wendy Swann - bwl 33 February 2006) |
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Love Over Scotland |
The third in the 44 Scotland Street series won't need recommending to McCall Smith fans, who've probably read it already . . . Personally, I believe it's easy to underestimate these deceptively simple stories of Edinburgh life. They may seem overly cosy and occasionally stretch our credulity (would six-year-old Bertie be accepted by the orchestra?) but underlying the quiet fun is a solid and philosophical perception of how real people act in a real world.
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 42 October 2007) |
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The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency |
Meet Mma Precious Ramotswe and her No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Except Mma Ramotswe does not detect so much as help solve problems brought to her by her clients; problems ranging from the return of stolen cars, teenage relationships to witchcraft. But this is Botswana not middle-England. The African background is lovingly depicted and the reader is introduced to some colourful characters. The most memorable is Precious Ramotswe herself. Gentle, observant, humorous - thoroughly enjoyable
(Ferelith Hordon - bwl 17 February 2003) |
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The Sunday Philosophy Club |
Imagine seeing a young man fall past you from the gallery while at a concert. Isabel Dalhousie, editor of The Review of Applied Ethics, witnesses such an event and feels morally obliged to find out more. Under the pen of Rankin this would set the scene for a spiral of increasingly nasty deaths. However, this genteel foray into detection is an excuse for McCall Smith to reflect on life, morality and everything. Very enjoyable.
(Ferelith Hordon - bwl 26 October 2004) |
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