Review:This was the first Alexander McCall Smith book that we have read and we were entranced by how well this gentleman weaves a story. We will look forward to reading more of his books and learning more about Bostwana and Africa. Read more

Review:I just love the way Alexander McCall Smith writes. I have read all of his books to date and cannot wait for the next one. He is the only fiction (?) author I read. I do not live in Pinole, CA, I live on the Big Island (Hawaii Island), HI Read more

Review:Things are never as they first seem for Mma Ramontse and the unraveling of them is the fun of these stories from Botswana. Every one is a morality tale with a satisfying ending. In this book Mma Ramontse is cajoled into taking a vacation but it is short lived when an assistant calls her back to help solve a case. Read more

Review:Everyone with a little power seems to have an exaggerated opinion of himself or herself in Edinburgh. But it must be true elsewhere: Love Over Scotland employs such a kindly look at such pretensions that I was able to see myself quite clearly in some of the satirized characters. It's good for the soul to read this book.

If you haven't read the earlier books in the series (44 Scotland Street and Espresso Tales), I recommend you do so before beginning Love Over Scotland.

Academic p... Read more

Review:Alexander McCall Smith writes beautifully. His storytelling follows a calmly measured pace. Ethical dilemmas are presented directly but gently. You care about these characters and wonder how they will decide which path to take. Isabel edits an ethics periodical from her home in Edinburgh, Scotland. She is involved with family and friends. Knowing her through these books is a privilege akin to knowing the lady detectives of Botswana in Smith's other fine series. Read more

Review:This is a light spoof of European academic life. It reads quickly and portrays many aspects of interpersonal and political situations occurring in academe. Amusing and pleasant read. Characters are well-drawn and quite archtypical ; if you have been in the environment, you've met them all. Read more

Review:The great description of characters, emotions, places and situations, made me believe I was in Scotland among friends. I could feel the happiness of Bertie, the wisdom of angus, annoyance at the narcissism of that deplorable Bruce! What I could not do was stop reading. Read more

Review:Corduroy Mansions is an apartment building in Pimlico that houses an eclectic group of people. The story revolves around the building's residents and their friends, acquaintances, and co-workers, recounting entertaining anecdotes about the various characters.

For example, William, who lives on the top floor of Corduroy Mansions, is a fiftyish wine shop owner who'd prefer to think of himself as forty-eight-ish. William is frustrated with his n'er do well son Eddie - a twenty-something who ... Read more

Review:This book is quite different from the previous McCall Smith books I've read (Lady's detective agency, Scotland Street, Isabelle Dalhousie). It was sensitive and quite interesting, and well worth the read - very enjoyable. Read more

Review:Love any book by Alexander McCall Smith; especially this series, "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency". I fell in love with Mme Ramotswe's sensibility and intuitive nature. She knows the nature and psychology of people. Her charcter is so warm and wise, I wish she were a real person so I could bring her home. It blows my mind that a man wrote this series about this dynamic woman. Very wise man indeed. Read more