What do you think?
Isabel Dalhousie #16
The Subtle Pleasures of Indiscretion
The surface of Isabel Dalhousie's life is usually a tranquil one. From her house in Edinburgh, she edits a philosophical journal. In the background is her housekeeper, Grace; her husband, Jamie; and her two small boys. And yet, in the middle of this rather idyllic setting, things are happening.
Jamie, a bassoonist, has been invited to play in a prestigious London concert. This invitation, though, comes from a scheming woman who finds him particularly charming. Alarm bells ring. And they ring too when a wily philosopher, Christopher Dove, reveals a plot to topple Professor Robert Lettuce, a member of Isabel's editorial board.
Could Isabel's life get more complicated? Yes. A woman she knew many years ago at school approaches her with a request for help. She has made an awkward discovery as a result of taking a DNA test. Can Isabel prevent the information obtained from this test from causing real harm to a whole family? If anybody can do that, it is Isabel Dalhousie. And she does that with tact and, most importantly, the grace that we have come to know as her hallmark quality.
Jamie, a bassoonist, has been invited to play in a prestigious London concert. This invitation, though, comes from a scheming woman who finds him particularly charming. Alarm bells ring. And they ring too when a wily philosopher, Christopher Dove, reveals a plot to topple Professor Robert Lettuce, a member of Isabel's editorial board.
Could Isabel's life get more complicated? Yes. A woman she knew many years ago at school approaches her with a request for help. She has made an awkward discovery as a result of taking a DNA test. Can Isabel prevent the information obtained from this test from causing real harm to a whole family? If anybody can do that, it is Isabel Dalhousie. And she does that with tact and, most importantly, the grace that we have come to know as her hallmark quality.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published July 21, 2026
About the author
Alexander McCall Smith
661 books13k followersAlexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. Visit him online at www.alexandermccallsmith.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
July 9, 2026
Another very welcome visit to the world of Isabel, Jamie and their two small boys. In this sixteenth story Isabel deals with with a threat to her marital happiness, solves yet another problem caused by Christopher Dove, and helps someone she has not met since their school days with a very delicate problem.
All this is done with Isabel's usual understanding and tactfulness. As usual I come away from another Alexander McCall Smith book amazed at the extent of this author's general knowledge and his skill at character building. Easily five stars.
All this is done with Isabel's usual understanding and tactfulness. As usual I come away from another Alexander McCall Smith book amazed at the extent of this author's general knowledge and his skill at character building. Easily five stars.
October 7, 2026
Alexander McCall Smith is probably best known for his 'Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency' novels, but he's a prolific author who also pens other series and standalone books.
In this 16th entry in the 'Isabel Dalhousie' series, Isabel - as always - applies moral principles to incidents in her life. The book can be read as a standalone but familiarity with the characters is a plus.
*****
Isabel Dalhousie and her younger husband Jamie live in Edinburgh and have two little boys, Charlie and Magnus. Isabel is a philosopher who publishes and edits The Review of Applied Ethics.....
…..and Jamie is an elite basoonist who gives concerts and teaches music.
Isabel is the prime beneficiary of a well-funded family trust, and uses her wealth to live well and help others.
As the story opens, Isabel and Jamie are talking about little Magnus - who like his brother Charlie before him - is a nursery school biter. This leads to Isabel and Jamie discussing greedy children in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the dreadful liar Matilda, and a long list of characters in children's stories who come to a bad end.
Concerned about Magnus being expelled from infant school, Isabel tells him: "You see, darling, we don't bite people in this family. Do you ever see Daddy biting anybody?...Big boys don't bite, and if you want to be a big boy, you will have to stop biting people." And Magnus says, "All right. Won't. Can I hit them instead?" 😊 In the end, two helpings of ice cream discourage Magnus from hitting or biting, and all is well.
In the remainder of the novel, Isabel finds herself in the midst of three dilemmas.
✿ Isabel has a compulsion to assist people with their troubles, so she agrees to help an old schoolmate named Andrea Dowde. Andrea explains she took a genetic test and discovered a previously unknown half-brother named John Sinclair. John wants to speak to Andrea's brother and sister, saying he has a right to meet his relatives. Andrea would prefer John stay away, so her siblings don't learn of their father's infidelity.
Isabel mentions Andrea's situation to her housekeeper Grace, who belongs to a spiritualist group and is friends with a medium called Linda. Linda happens to live on the same street as John Sinclair, and encourages him to attend her seance, to discourage him from doing the wrong thing.
For Isabel, though, "The world of psychics is just too bound up in her mind with charlatanism - and with the wishful thinking and exploitation that goes with the territory." So Isabel feels compelled to take steps.
✿ A music promoter named Neave Farrel invites Isabel's husband Jamie to play in a series of concerts in London, and perhaps make a record for Deutsche Grammophon, which would boost Jamie's career. Jamie is pleased, and invites Isabel to have drinks with Neave and himself, to discuss the concerts.
When Isabel meets Neave - a striking woman with Irish good looks - it seems obvious Neave is after Jamie for more than his bassoon playing. Jamie is oblivious to Neave's machinations, being naïve about seductive women.
This puts Isabel in a quandary. Should she mention Neave's intentions to Jamie. Would Jamie be insulted? Would he think Isabel doesn't trust him? Isabel has to cogitate and decide.
✿ As soon as Isabel became editor of the 'Review of Applied Ethics' she started having problems with two male board members. Supercilious Professor Lettuce and his young protégé Professor Dove are envious of Isabel, resent her, and repeatedly scheme against her. Isabel bests them every time, and things seem to have settled down.
Isabel thinks of Lettuce and Dove as two peas in a pod, so she's surprised when Dove turns up at her office and confides, "I have discovered something about Lettuce when he was an undergraduate at Oxford. He cheated on an examination...They almost sent him down but gave him another chance."
Isabel dismisses the youthful misdemeanor, but Dove insists, "I have no alternative but to publish details of Lettuce's record." Isabel gleans that traitorous Dove wants his mentor's job, and feels obliged to do something. It's fun to see Dove learn his lesson.
Other parts of the story feature a financially struggling musician; Professor Dove planning to foist a philosophy department intern on Isabel; and Isabel and Jamie preparing delicious meals like cheese soufflé and broadbean salad; chicken cacciatore; and potato dauphinoise.
I always enjoy the Isabel Dalhousie books because they're clever, erudite, and things work out in the end. Highly recommended for light reading.
Thanks to Netgalley, Alexander McCall Smith, and Pantheon for an ARC of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
August 14, 2026
The Subtle Pleasures Of Indiscretion is the sixteenth book in the Isabel Dalhousie series by British author, Alexander McCall Smith. As the editor and owner of the Review of Applied Ethics, Isabel Dalhousie’s life involves striking a balance between meeting the journal’s printer deadlines, domestic duties and spending quality time with husband Jamie and their sons, Charlie and Magnus.
Taking a break from preparing the journal, she encounters a former classmate who, she recalls, was bullied at school. It’s perhaps her guilt over failing to act at the time that leads her to agree to help in a family matter. By now, Jamie is well used to her tendency to do this, knowing his cautions will have little effect.
So she agrees to find a way to dissuade a half-brother, found through a DNA test, from exposing Andrea Dowle’s mother and siblings to their father’s infidelity. But in discussing it with her housekeeper, Grace, she sets in motion a short train of events that ends up involving a medium from Grace’s spiritualist group, acting in a manner far beyond what either of them might have foreseen.
While Professor Robert Lettuce, a member of the Review’s editorial board, is not her favourite person, when Isabel learns that his ambitious lieutenant, Christopher Dove is plotting against him, she feels compelled to act. Before she can even mention it to Lettuce, though, he foists upon her, completely unasked for, one of his students as an intern. How will she diplomatically reject this pretty young man?
Jamie shares the news that a woman who organises concerts in London and Berlin has managed to schedule a bassoon concerto for him that will be recorded by Deutsche Grammophon, a singular opportunity. But when Isabel meets Neave Farrell, her dislike is instantaneous, and a colleague of Jamie’s warns her to be wary of the woman’s motives.
Isabel and Jamie navigate the small moments of everyday life: young Magnus needing to learn he can’t bite his nursery school classmates; a trombonist friend of Jamie’s needing financial help; and getting the Review’s journal articles ready on time. And as they prepare meals at the end of the day, a myriad of topics comes under discussion: the helpfulness, or otherwise, of moral fables; blame and responsibility in respect of young male brain physiology; the ridiculous plots of soap operas; how a stream of consciousness can lead to apparent non-sequiturs; maleness; and the cruelty of nicknames and bullying.
During her day, Isabel finds herself musing on a range of things: being propelled by a sustaining cause; the need to focus on commonality rather than differences; the psychological burden of past guilt; and agonising over ethical choices. Jamie tells her “…if you’re going to interrogate every cup of coffee you drink, you’re going to end up with no time to drink it.”
All those things exercising her mind are eventually resolved, mostly satisfactorily, although Isabel does manage to put her foot in her mouth with Jamie during one conversation. Delightful, as always.
Taking a break from preparing the journal, she encounters a former classmate who, she recalls, was bullied at school. It’s perhaps her guilt over failing to act at the time that leads her to agree to help in a family matter. By now, Jamie is well used to her tendency to do this, knowing his cautions will have little effect.
So she agrees to find a way to dissuade a half-brother, found through a DNA test, from exposing Andrea Dowle’s mother and siblings to their father’s infidelity. But in discussing it with her housekeeper, Grace, she sets in motion a short train of events that ends up involving a medium from Grace’s spiritualist group, acting in a manner far beyond what either of them might have foreseen.
While Professor Robert Lettuce, a member of the Review’s editorial board, is not her favourite person, when Isabel learns that his ambitious lieutenant, Christopher Dove is plotting against him, she feels compelled to act. Before she can even mention it to Lettuce, though, he foists upon her, completely unasked for, one of his students as an intern. How will she diplomatically reject this pretty young man?
Jamie shares the news that a woman who organises concerts in London and Berlin has managed to schedule a bassoon concerto for him that will be recorded by Deutsche Grammophon, a singular opportunity. But when Isabel meets Neave Farrell, her dislike is instantaneous, and a colleague of Jamie’s warns her to be wary of the woman’s motives.
Isabel and Jamie navigate the small moments of everyday life: young Magnus needing to learn he can’t bite his nursery school classmates; a trombonist friend of Jamie’s needing financial help; and getting the Review’s journal articles ready on time. And as they prepare meals at the end of the day, a myriad of topics comes under discussion: the helpfulness, or otherwise, of moral fables; blame and responsibility in respect of young male brain physiology; the ridiculous plots of soap operas; how a stream of consciousness can lead to apparent non-sequiturs; maleness; and the cruelty of nicknames and bullying.
During her day, Isabel finds herself musing on a range of things: being propelled by a sustaining cause; the need to focus on commonality rather than differences; the psychological burden of past guilt; and agonising over ethical choices. Jamie tells her “…if you’re going to interrogate every cup of coffee you drink, you’re going to end up with no time to drink it.”
All those things exercising her mind are eventually resolved, mostly satisfactorily, although Isabel does manage to put her foot in her mouth with Jamie during one conversation. Delightful, as always.
July 31, 2026
Very soothing read. Lots of little moments that really speak to current events and human behavior. I’ve always felt that way about this series, but it feels especially poignant and relevant right now as the USA struggles with very overt corruption, cruelty and destruction of norms. This book is a good reminder of basic human decency and that the moral arc does bend toward justice. The part that really resonated with me was the philosopher, John Rawls, theory of justice. I see parallels with the old golden rule-treat others as you yourself would want to be treated. Just really appreciate this series and the author’s other books too. They always bring me moments of peace and delight and right now, more so than ever, serve as beacons of hope.
July 26, 2026
Isabel Dalhousie is always pleasant company.
August 15, 2026
The Subtle Pleasures Of Indiscretion is the sixteenth book in the Isabel Dalhousie series by British author, Alexander McCall Smith. The audio version is narrated by Stephanie Moore. As the editor and owner of the Review of Applied Ethics, Isabel Dalhousie’s life involves striking a balance between meeting the journal’s printer deadlines, domestic duties and spending quality time with husband Jamie and their sons, Charlie and Magnus.
Taking a break from preparing the journal, she encounters a former classmate who, she recalls, was bullied at school. It’s perhaps her guilt over failing to act at the time that leads her to agree to help in a family matter. By now, Jamie is well used to her tendency to do this, knowing his cautions will have little effect.
So she agrees to find a way to dissuade a half-brother, found through a DNA test, from exposing Andrea Dowle’s mother and siblings to their father’s infidelity. But in discussing it with her housekeeper, Grace, she sets in motion a short train of events that ends up involving a medium from Grace’s spiritualist group, acting in a manner far beyond what either of them might have foreseen.
While Professor Robert Lettuce, a member of the Review’s editorial board, is not her favourite person, when Isabel learns that his ambitious lieutenant, Christopher Dove is plotting against him, she feels compelled to act. Before she can even mention it to Lettuce, though, he foists upon her, completely unasked for, one of his students as an intern. How will she diplomatically reject this pretty young man?
Jamie shares the news that a woman who organises concerts in London and Berlin has managed to schedule a bassoon concerto for him that will be recorded by Deutsche Grammophon, a singular opportunity. But when Isabel meets Neave Farrell, her dislike is instantaneous, and a colleague of Jamie’s warns her to be wary of the woman’s motives.
Isabel and Jamie navigate the small moments of everyday life: young Magnus needing to learn he can’t bite his nursery school classmates; a trombonist friend of Jamie’s needing financial help; and getting the Review’s journal articles ready on time. And as they prepare meals at the end of the day, a myriad of topics comes under discussion: the helpfulness, or otherwise, of moral fables; blame and responsibility in respect of young male brain physiology; the ridiculous plots of soap operas; how a stream of consciousness can lead to apparent non-sequiturs; maleness; and the cruelty of nicknames and bullying.
During her day, Isabel finds herself musing on a range of things: being propelled by a sustaining cause; the need to focus on commonality rather than differences; the psychological burden of past guilt; and agonising over ethical choices. Jamie tells her “…if you’re going to interrogate every cup of coffee you drink, you’re going to end up with no time to drink it.”
All those things exercising her mind are eventually resolved, mostly satisfactorily, although Isabel does manage to put her foot in her mouth with Jamie during one conversation. Delightful, as always.
Taking a break from preparing the journal, she encounters a former classmate who, she recalls, was bullied at school. It’s perhaps her guilt over failing to act at the time that leads her to agree to help in a family matter. By now, Jamie is well used to her tendency to do this, knowing his cautions will have little effect.
So she agrees to find a way to dissuade a half-brother, found through a DNA test, from exposing Andrea Dowle’s mother and siblings to their father’s infidelity. But in discussing it with her housekeeper, Grace, she sets in motion a short train of events that ends up involving a medium from Grace’s spiritualist group, acting in a manner far beyond what either of them might have foreseen.
While Professor Robert Lettuce, a member of the Review’s editorial board, is not her favourite person, when Isabel learns that his ambitious lieutenant, Christopher Dove is plotting against him, she feels compelled to act. Before she can even mention it to Lettuce, though, he foists upon her, completely unasked for, one of his students as an intern. How will she diplomatically reject this pretty young man?
Jamie shares the news that a woman who organises concerts in London and Berlin has managed to schedule a bassoon concerto for him that will be recorded by Deutsche Grammophon, a singular opportunity. But when Isabel meets Neave Farrell, her dislike is instantaneous, and a colleague of Jamie’s warns her to be wary of the woman’s motives.
Isabel and Jamie navigate the small moments of everyday life: young Magnus needing to learn he can’t bite his nursery school classmates; a trombonist friend of Jamie’s needing financial help; and getting the Review’s journal articles ready on time. And as they prepare meals at the end of the day, a myriad of topics comes under discussion: the helpfulness, or otherwise, of moral fables; blame and responsibility in respect of young male brain physiology; the ridiculous plots of soap operas; how a stream of consciousness can lead to apparent non-sequiturs; maleness; and the cruelty of nicknames and bullying.
During her day, Isabel finds herself musing on a range of things: being propelled by a sustaining cause; the need to focus on commonality rather than differences; the psychological burden of past guilt; and agonising over ethical choices. Jamie tells her “…if you’re going to interrogate every cup of coffee you drink, you’re going to end up with no time to drink it.”
All those things exercising her mind are eventually resolved, mostly satisfactorily, although Isabel does manage to put her foot in her mouth with Jamie during one conversation. Delightful, as always.
August 19, 2026
Our favorite philosopher is up to her neck in problems this time around, a couple of her own, but mostly other people's. An old schoolfriend has asked her to help figure out a way to keep a secret from being revealed, a member of her philosophy journal's board is about to reveal information that may destroy a colleague's career, the spiritual beliefs of her housekeeper Grace are being tested because of something Isabel asked her to do, and Isabel's lovely husband Jamie has become romantic prey for a woman with whom he works.
The complications of the story may not sound terribly exciting but they are an excuse to read a well-written book about intelligent, civilized people who care about others. Who understand that sometimes the reasons behind what people do are just as important as the actions they take. Who do what they can whenever they can to make their corner of the world a little bit better.
Like most of Smith's many books, this one is a breath of fresh air.
The complications of the story may not sound terribly exciting but they are an excuse to read a well-written book about intelligent, civilized people who care about others. Who understand that sometimes the reasons behind what people do are just as important as the actions they take. Who do what they can whenever they can to make their corner of the world a little bit better.
Like most of Smith's many books, this one is a breath of fresh air.
June 10, 2026
No more for me!
I have been reading the Isabelle Dalhousie and the Scotland Street series by Alexander McCall-Smith for many years, loved them all and eagerly anticipated the latest instalments.
Until now McCall-Smith has navigated the zeitgeist without aligning to a political narrative and has delicately installed a balance of views in his characters, but with "The Subtle Pleasures of Indiscretion" he has failed.
McCall-Smith's own biases are blatantly on display; the Climate Cult and Identity Politics underlie his writing, and I suppose you would expect no less as he was/is an academic, and as we all know, that is WOKE central. What a shame!
I have been reading the Isabelle Dalhousie and the Scotland Street series by Alexander McCall-Smith for many years, loved them all and eagerly anticipated the latest instalments.
Until now McCall-Smith has navigated the zeitgeist without aligning to a political narrative and has delicately installed a balance of views in his characters, but with "The Subtle Pleasures of Indiscretion" he has failed.
McCall-Smith's own biases are blatantly on display; the Climate Cult and Identity Politics underlie his writing, and I suppose you would expect no less as he was/is an academic, and as we all know, that is WOKE central. What a shame!
August 3, 2026
This is a short but very thoughtful book in which you can see examples of effective ways to deal with lies, deceit and other negative interpersonal situations.
And it is a visit with old friends Isabel, Jamie, Grace, and their boys Charlie and Magnus. It is not action packed — instead opting for reassuring and comforting — two things most of us need more of in these fraught times.
And it is a visit with old friends Isabel, Jamie, Grace, and their boys Charlie and Magnus. It is not action packed — instead opting for reassuring and comforting — two things most of us need more of in these fraught times.
September 26, 2026
This wasn’t my favourite Isabel Dalhousie book bit long time fans will still find it enjoyable. It had everything the series does best with an intriguing and thought provoking cozy mystery set in Edinburgh.
September 7, 2026
I do question my record here on goodreads for I feel I have read many more of these books than checked off here on this site. Maybe it is the slow pacing of the stories that makes me feel I have read more than my records on this site indicate. But then, I am not in a rush to fill in the slots. I think I get irritated at times with the slow tempo in this series. Who knows?
September 3, 2026
I occasionally enjoy reading about philosophy. It is not a topic that I focus on often, but Alexander McCall Smith’s Isabel Dalhousie has a succinct way of getting to the basis of many thorny situations.
Isabel has an innate fairness about her that is quite admirable. If she is presented with a problem, she finds the best possible solution.
In addition to problems arising from her ownership and single-handed editing of the publication Review of Applied Ethics, Isabel deals with personal situations with her two young sons, her housekeeper and Jamie, her musician husband. She handles all with care and fairness.
“Everyone has redeeming qualities,” says Isabel. “We’re all a mixture of good and bad. The proportions vary, of course…”
Isabel has an innate fairness about her that is quite admirable. If she is presented with a problem, she finds the best possible solution.
In addition to problems arising from her ownership and single-handed editing of the publication Review of Applied Ethics, Isabel deals with personal situations with her two young sons, her housekeeper and Jamie, her musician husband. She handles all with care and fairness.
“Everyone has redeeming qualities,” says Isabel. “We’re all a mixture of good and bad. The proportions vary, of course…”
August 12, 2026
I have read every book in this series and with each successive book have grown to dislike Isabelle intensely. She is the type of privileged women who has inherited a significant amount of money. She has a high opinion of herself and doesn’t mind dispensing her brand of advice. She is the kind of person that one avoids when they see her coming. I will avoid her by no longer reading any upcoming books in subsequent volumes. Fatuous.
September 20, 2026
Reading Alexander McCall Smith isn't an indiscretion, but it certainly a pleasure.
September 6, 2026
The Isabel Dalhousie series is such a delight. We visit remarkable Edinburgh and associate with Isabel, a moral philosopher, her musician husband Jamie, Grace their housekeeper, and their two children Magnus and Charlie.
September 14, 2026
What can I say? I love this author and I love this series.
August 12, 2026
A pleasure to read.
August 18, 2026
Maybe 3.5 stars. This book showed a different Isabel, a not so kind Isabel, sometimes a rude almost mean Isabel. The story was ok but the change of character was off putting.
September 12, 2026
3.25; audiobook
July 2, 2026
I have loved the previous books in this series but found this one lacked the charm.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Pantheon and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on July 21st, 2026.
Hard to believe, but this is book 16 of my favorite McCall Smith series based on Isabel Dalhousie. Isabel is a philosopher who is editor (and now owner) of the Review of Applied Ethics, and each novel sees her living her life in Edinburgh, doing her job, contemplating moral issues in the world around her (which I admit is my number one hobby) and solving problems that people seem to bring to her.
This book opens with a delightful exchange on biting and socialization (the biter being Isabel’s younger son, Magnus). What follows delves into plot elements to do with surprising DNA results, the occult, and some nasty (and typical?) academic jockeying. But on the way — and this is the best part of these books — there are thoughts and discussions on the difference between treating people with decency vs respect, censorship, the temporary beauty of making music, how to define a “real” man by a definition of masculinity, how to really define selfishness, John Rawls theory of justice (look it up — it’s simple and fascinating), etc. I’ll include a few quotes, but suffice it to say that I enjoy the depth of moral discussion which the author keeps complex but also accessible. I have no appetite for dry philosophy journals, but morality is a subject that everyone has the capacity to consider, but which needs to go beyond the shallow slogans that permeate our current political life.
Every one of these books is a treat for me.
Some quotes:
“Making music was so much of an effort, and when you get to the final bar, it all fadd away; silence had been temporarily replaced by something beautiful and harmonious, but only for a few precious minutes. That was all that art did. For a moment, it made beautiful the space it occupied, giving a vision of something sublime, something that made sense. But then we turned away, and we had to start all over again.”
“We all have to do what we can, every single day, to ensure that the faults in our character do not derail our attempts to improve — to become more morally aware. It was exhausting, and so she sighed, and wondered whether she should stop thinking about it. Did we really have to expend so much energy on the development of our moral character? We could never be perfect. It was legitimate, surely to look after our own interests and the interests of those who were closest to us —family and friends most of all. That meant that there were limits to what we could do for others — and limits, too, to how much time we could spend on personal moral improvement. We cannot all be saints.”
“She thought of beauty, and the part that it played in our lives. We sought it out, whether or not we were aware of what we were doing. We looked for it in things, in people, in places, because beauty was something that was resolved and complete. And yet beauty itself was never enough: If you loved others for their beauty alone, then you were destined for disappointment. Beauty was no more than an invitation to contemplate something that lay before one: resolution, harmony, peace — there were many desiderata that beauty might promise, but not provide.”
Hard to believe, but this is book 16 of my favorite McCall Smith series based on Isabel Dalhousie. Isabel is a philosopher who is editor (and now owner) of the Review of Applied Ethics, and each novel sees her living her life in Edinburgh, doing her job, contemplating moral issues in the world around her (which I admit is my number one hobby) and solving problems that people seem to bring to her.
This book opens with a delightful exchange on biting and socialization (the biter being Isabel’s younger son, Magnus). What follows delves into plot elements to do with surprising DNA results, the occult, and some nasty (and typical?) academic jockeying. But on the way — and this is the best part of these books — there are thoughts and discussions on the difference between treating people with decency vs respect, censorship, the temporary beauty of making music, how to define a “real” man by a definition of masculinity, how to really define selfishness, John Rawls theory of justice (look it up — it’s simple and fascinating), etc. I’ll include a few quotes, but suffice it to say that I enjoy the depth of moral discussion which the author keeps complex but also accessible. I have no appetite for dry philosophy journals, but morality is a subject that everyone has the capacity to consider, but which needs to go beyond the shallow slogans that permeate our current political life.
Every one of these books is a treat for me.
Some quotes:
“Making music was so much of an effort, and when you get to the final bar, it all fadd away; silence had been temporarily replaced by something beautiful and harmonious, but only for a few precious minutes. That was all that art did. For a moment, it made beautiful the space it occupied, giving a vision of something sublime, something that made sense. But then we turned away, and we had to start all over again.”
“We all have to do what we can, every single day, to ensure that the faults in our character do not derail our attempts to improve — to become more morally aware. It was exhausting, and so she sighed, and wondered whether she should stop thinking about it. Did we really have to expend so much energy on the development of our moral character? We could never be perfect. It was legitimate, surely to look after our own interests and the interests of those who were closest to us —family and friends most of all. That meant that there were limits to what we could do for others — and limits, too, to how much time we could spend on personal moral improvement. We cannot all be saints.”
“She thought of beauty, and the part that it played in our lives. We sought it out, whether or not we were aware of what we were doing. We looked for it in things, in people, in places, because beauty was something that was resolved and complete. And yet beauty itself was never enough: If you loved others for their beauty alone, then you were destined for disappointment. Beauty was no more than an invitation to contemplate something that lay before one: resolution, harmony, peace — there were many desiderata that beauty might promise, but not provide.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have to stop doing this to myself. I consistently think that I have not read a McCall Smith, so I pick one up because my dad loves them. And then I am underwhelmed, remember I have read and not really enjoyed them before, and am stuck because I am not someone who will DNF a book.
There is nothing wrong with this book in concept. And if you like McCall Smith and have enjoyed all of the books in the Isabel Dalhousie series before, then I am sure this will be one that you enjoy. The challenge for me is that I have not read the previous books, so I am not familiar with how this series has evolved from Isabel as a single woman to a family woman. You don't necessarily need all of that context to understand this book and the characters, but there is so little that happens that it feels like a chapter in the series rather than a whole book. Well, except for the word count and the drawn out story.
For me, this reads very much like how I felt about the Fifty Shades of Grey series .... There is not a lot of plot and a whole lot of filler. For Fifty Shades, that was the red room; for Isabel, it's just the banalities of her day. I also feel like McCall Smith inserts all of this intellectual thinking as a way of trying to show his reader how smart he is, especially when he spells out the meanings of words and colloquialisms to the reader. If I want to know what something means precisely, I will look it up. If not, I'll figure it out from context or skip it if it's not necessary for me to understand while I read on.
Isabel comes across as a very self-absorbed person who, despite her philosophical objectives, does not really do things for the sake of others. She helps people and does things to satisfy herself, and to make herself feel better. Is it really doing a service to tell Lettuce that Dove is going to explode a tawdry secret? Is it following a moral compass to do this? It would probably be better for her to tell him that Dove is up to no good and to have him speak to Dove directly. Is asking Grace to stalk John through her friendship with a neighbour really about helping her schoolmate or about making her feel less guilty about being a contributor to bullying? These are obviously intended to make us think about the moral dilemmas behind her actions and how we judge them. But I had no desire to dig deep. I just wanted to get it done.
In the end, McCall Smith is definitely not for me. But if he is for you and you have always been happy with his style and stories, go for it.
There is nothing wrong with this book in concept. And if you like McCall Smith and have enjoyed all of the books in the Isabel Dalhousie series before, then I am sure this will be one that you enjoy. The challenge for me is that I have not read the previous books, so I am not familiar with how this series has evolved from Isabel as a single woman to a family woman. You don't necessarily need all of that context to understand this book and the characters, but there is so little that happens that it feels like a chapter in the series rather than a whole book. Well, except for the word count and the drawn out story.
For me, this reads very much like how I felt about the Fifty Shades of Grey series .... There is not a lot of plot and a whole lot of filler. For Fifty Shades, that was the red room; for Isabel, it's just the banalities of her day. I also feel like McCall Smith inserts all of this intellectual thinking as a way of trying to show his reader how smart he is, especially when he spells out the meanings of words and colloquialisms to the reader. If I want to know what something means precisely, I will look it up. If not, I'll figure it out from context or skip it if it's not necessary for me to understand while I read on.
Isabel comes across as a very self-absorbed person who, despite her philosophical objectives, does not really do things for the sake of others. She helps people and does things to satisfy herself, and to make herself feel better. Is it really doing a service to tell Lettuce that Dove is going to explode a tawdry secret? Is it following a moral compass to do this? It would probably be better for her to tell him that Dove is up to no good and to have him speak to Dove directly. Is asking Grace to stalk John through her friendship with a neighbour really about helping her schoolmate or about making her feel less guilty about being a contributor to bullying? These are obviously intended to make us think about the moral dilemmas behind her actions and how we judge them. But I had no desire to dig deep. I just wanted to get it done.
In the end, McCall Smith is definitely not for me. But if he is for you and you have always been happy with his style and stories, go for it.
July 30, 2026
Moral philosopher Isabel Dalhousie has a number of matters on her mind: there’s the never-ending aggravation provided by the machinations of Professor Lettuce and Professor Dove, who always seem to insert themselves into her work as owner and editor of a philosophical journal. There’s an old school mate who has contacted her to ask for her aid - a man who has recently disclosed that he is the product of an affair that the school friend’s father had is determined to tell the schoolmate’s mother about it and the woman does not want her mother to be upset. In addition, young Magnus is getting into trouble at school for biting people and needs to be dissuaded from that behaviour. Most importantly, an orchestral conductor wants Jamie to play in an important concert and prestigious recording in London, but upon meeting her Isabel is immediately aware that the woman wants Jamie for more than his bassoon playing…. This is the 16th book in Mr. McCall Smith’s Isabel Dalhousie series, and like the ones before it, it is a gentle story full of small philosophical musings and quiet lessons in good (moral) behaviour. I was rather peeved with Isabel in the last book because she is just *too* perfect at times, but in this one she acknowledges her own anger toward some people without feeling too guilty about it; she even admits that she very much dislikes the female conductor who obviously wants to steal her husband away from her. I don’t know how much one needs to have read the previous books in the series before tackling this one, because Mr. McCall Smith always provides snippets of background such that the present story is understandable without knowing the details of the earlier books, but there’s something soothing in these gentle tales, like a warm cup of tea on a cold day. Mildly recommended.
August 9, 2026
For the past five or six years I have delightfully enjoyed whatever Alexander McCall Smith has written. The Isabel Dalhousie books may be my favorite of his series. This series is difficult to explain to people unfamiliar with his books. These are less mysteries and more unraveling life’s misunderstandings and finding the answers to questions. Sometimes the resolution is a discussion to understand motive, morals and responsibility. How can these philosophical dilemmas be entertaining or hold your interest? That’s the art of Alexander McCall Smith.
Book number sixteen finds Isabel dealing with the usual home issues, professional issues and the issues of those who seek her out. From childhood biting to a threat to her marriage, to an ethical divide between two colleagues to someone from her past comes forward with a problem that gives Isabel cause to reexamine her own past behavior. If someone says, nothing happens in these books, they aren’t paying attention. There are dilemmas abound for Isabel to navigate.
What I enjoy most is how thoughtful these books are, the deep dig into human behavior, even with simple appearing things there is often much more below the surface. Even well-intending people make mistakes or fail to correctly interpret life in front of them, or simply do not have enough information to see an issue from multiple sides.
All of McCall Smith’s books deal with kindness and doing the right thing. But how do you weave compelling stories and interesting characters around such moralistic ideals. Again, that’s the art and talent of the author. I loved this book and look forward to his next one.
Book number sixteen finds Isabel dealing with the usual home issues, professional issues and the issues of those who seek her out. From childhood biting to a threat to her marriage, to an ethical divide between two colleagues to someone from her past comes forward with a problem that gives Isabel cause to reexamine her own past behavior. If someone says, nothing happens in these books, they aren’t paying attention. There are dilemmas abound for Isabel to navigate.
What I enjoy most is how thoughtful these books are, the deep dig into human behavior, even with simple appearing things there is often much more below the surface. Even well-intending people make mistakes or fail to correctly interpret life in front of them, or simply do not have enough information to see an issue from multiple sides.
All of McCall Smith’s books deal with kindness and doing the right thing. But how do you weave compelling stories and interesting characters around such moralistic ideals. Again, that’s the art and talent of the author. I loved this book and look forward to his next one.
July 21, 2026
Thank you Pantheon for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.
In the 16th installment of the Dalhousie series by Alexander McCall Smith, The Subtle Pleasures of Indiscretion follows philosopher Isabel as she helps her family, neighbors, and friends resolve communication and relationship struggles.
As a fan of cozy mysteries, literary fiction, and philosophical works, I was really looking forward to this being a wonderful mix of these elements. While it was a pleasant read, it didn’t quite hit the spot for me. The moral and interpersonal dilemma’s felt very lightly approached as “mysteries,” and the narrative didn’t delve as deeply into profound philosophical thoughts as I had hoped. I understand this series is intended to be a gentle, daily life, community focused cozy. However, I would have liked the trajectory to get a little more “harried” or intellectually rigorous at some point to satisfy at least one of my itches in reading a book.
On the positive side, I truly enjoyed how the stream of consciousness writing and meandering life musings made Isabel’s character interesting. There is definitely a strong appeal here for readers who enjoy following a recurring cast over a long series to get to know them on a deeper level. Ultimately, while it’s a charming slice-of-life story, I’m just not quite invested enough to continue with the rest of the series.
Read more of my book reviews here...
https://fortandfield.blogspot.com/sea...
In the 16th installment of the Dalhousie series by Alexander McCall Smith, The Subtle Pleasures of Indiscretion follows philosopher Isabel as she helps her family, neighbors, and friends resolve communication and relationship struggles.
As a fan of cozy mysteries, literary fiction, and philosophical works, I was really looking forward to this being a wonderful mix of these elements. While it was a pleasant read, it didn’t quite hit the spot for me. The moral and interpersonal dilemma’s felt very lightly approached as “mysteries,” and the narrative didn’t delve as deeply into profound philosophical thoughts as I had hoped. I understand this series is intended to be a gentle, daily life, community focused cozy. However, I would have liked the trajectory to get a little more “harried” or intellectually rigorous at some point to satisfy at least one of my itches in reading a book.
On the positive side, I truly enjoyed how the stream of consciousness writing and meandering life musings made Isabel’s character interesting. There is definitely a strong appeal here for readers who enjoy following a recurring cast over a long series to get to know them on a deeper level. Ultimately, while it’s a charming slice-of-life story, I’m just not quite invested enough to continue with the rest of the series.
Read more of my book reviews here...
https://fortandfield.blogspot.com/sea...
August 19, 2026
Alexaner McCall Smith is another prolific writ er who keeps multiple balls in the air by publishing different series of his novels while rarely disappointing. The Isabel Dalhousie books are ones I have been enjoying for years because they make me think about things that don’t usually come to mind.
Isabel Dalhousie is s well-off Scotswoman who publishes a journal of philosophical thought. She is married to Jamie, a bassoonist younger than she and the mother of two young boys. Isabel’s habit is to get involved in solving problems for people who ask for her aid. She also has two professors of philosophy who bedevil and annoy her. This novel is no different. Problem one: Does Isabel owe anything to an old schoolmate that she did not save from bullying? More worrisome, a woman sets her sights on seducing Isabel’s husband. These are two thorny issues.
You don’t need to have read any previous books of McCall Smith’s to enjoy this one. You just have to be open to perusing thoughtful and thorny questions. Because this book makes every situation self-resolve, Isabel doesn’t get as involved as in previous books. As a result, I find the usual Four Stars of my series rating of the Isabel books is reduced to Three Stars. It is still worth your time.
Thanks to Abacus publisher and Net Galley for letting me read this early copy. This is my honest opinion
Isabel Dalhousie is s well-off Scotswoman who publishes a journal of philosophical thought. She is married to Jamie, a bassoonist younger than she and the mother of two young boys. Isabel’s habit is to get involved in solving problems for people who ask for her aid. She also has two professors of philosophy who bedevil and annoy her. This novel is no different. Problem one: Does Isabel owe anything to an old schoolmate that she did not save from bullying? More worrisome, a woman sets her sights on seducing Isabel’s husband. These are two thorny issues.
You don’t need to have read any previous books of McCall Smith’s to enjoy this one. You just have to be open to perusing thoughtful and thorny questions. Because this book makes every situation self-resolve, Isabel doesn’t get as involved as in previous books. As a result, I find the usual Four Stars of my series rating of the Isabel books is reduced to Three Stars. It is still worth your time.
Thanks to Abacus publisher and Net Galley for letting me read this early copy. This is my honest opinion
October 7, 2026
I enjoy the characters but felt like it was a bit too much of the same old-same old. I also noted that the political and poly- religious (but not Christian) stance especially of this series has strengthened over the years and made me decide some time ago to no longer buy my own copies or keep up with this particular series. This bias is less apparent or pronounced in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and 44 Scotland Street.
To illustrate my point, later on in the story, Isabelle is pondering the old philosophers, even Buddha, their works, and their enduring relevance in framing our moral compass as having lasted for centuries. There is even a line taken from the Old Testament to underscore this point, yet McCall Smith never once acknowledges that most of the most abiding signposts to truly moral behaviour, regardless of the culture, derive solely from the Christian Bible. At one point in this same book, a character expresses a Christian sentiment of turning the other cheek, I think, and it was attributed to some vague erroneous source. As the author otherwise shows that he is very widely read, academically and intellectually astute, and consistently uses expressions and sentiments that are directly from the Bible, then why can't he correctly attribute the source, even if he dismisses the importance of this source.
To illustrate my point, later on in the story, Isabelle is pondering the old philosophers, even Buddha, their works, and their enduring relevance in framing our moral compass as having lasted for centuries. There is even a line taken from the Old Testament to underscore this point, yet McCall Smith never once acknowledges that most of the most abiding signposts to truly moral behaviour, regardless of the culture, derive solely from the Christian Bible. At one point in this same book, a character expresses a Christian sentiment of turning the other cheek, I think, and it was attributed to some vague erroneous source. As the author otherwise shows that he is very widely read, academically and intellectually astute, and consistently uses expressions and sentiments that are directly from the Bible, then why can't he correctly attribute the source, even if he dismisses the importance of this source.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Isabel Dalhousie, a philosopher and editor of the journal “Review of Applied Ethics,” is a rather privileged woman. She enjoys a loving husband, two small children, and full-time help. However, like many women, she feels the pressure of being overextended with her responsibilities. Isabel is known for offering help to others which sometimes can be overwhelming.
In this installment, Isabel encounters a former high school acquaintance seeking advice about a family secret that is about to be revealed. A member of her editorial board informs her that another member cheated during college and he intends to make that transgression public. Additionally, there appears to be a woman scheming to get closer to Isabel’s husband.
This is the 16th book in the Isabel Dalhousie series. You do not need to have read the prior works to enjoy Isabel’s wisdom and kindness. Visiting with her is always a delightful and soothing experience. McCall Smith creates wonderful characters, and the story is filled with poignant observations and enjoyable humor. These novels may not be action-packed, but they offer profound wisdom from a philosophical and practical perspective.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @aaknopf for the DRC.
In this installment, Isabel encounters a former high school acquaintance seeking advice about a family secret that is about to be revealed. A member of her editorial board informs her that another member cheated during college and he intends to make that transgression public. Additionally, there appears to be a woman scheming to get closer to Isabel’s husband.
This is the 16th book in the Isabel Dalhousie series. You do not need to have read the prior works to enjoy Isabel’s wisdom and kindness. Visiting with her is always a delightful and soothing experience. McCall Smith creates wonderful characters, and the story is filled with poignant observations and enjoyable humor. These novels may not be action-packed, but they offer profound wisdom from a philosophical and practical perspective.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @aaknopf for the DRC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have been a fan of Alexander McCall Smith for years. Mma Precious Ramotswe is a favorite character in his The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series. I was excited to read something from his The Isabel Dalhousie Series.
In The Subtle Pleasures of Indiscretion, Edinburgh-based moral philosopher Isabel Dalhousie juggles three ethical dilemmas:
The London Concert: Her husband, Jamie, receives a dream musical opportunity orchestrated by a woman who has a blatant crush on him. Isabel must decide whether to warn him or remain silent to avoid causing him to doubt his own talent.
The DNA Dilemma: A close friend discovers a long-lost half-brother through a home DNA kit. She asks Isabel to help protect her late father's revered memory and shield the family from the sudden scandal.
The Academic Feud: Isabel's philosophical journal board falls into complete chaos. She is reluctantly forced to mediate a petty power struggle between Christopher Dove and the exasperating Professor Robert Lettuce.
Isabel relies on her signature empathy, grace, and pragmatic wisdom to help those around her find their footing.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pantheon, this book is scheduled for release July 21, 2026
In The Subtle Pleasures of Indiscretion, Edinburgh-based moral philosopher Isabel Dalhousie juggles three ethical dilemmas:
The London Concert: Her husband, Jamie, receives a dream musical opportunity orchestrated by a woman who has a blatant crush on him. Isabel must decide whether to warn him or remain silent to avoid causing him to doubt his own talent.
The DNA Dilemma: A close friend discovers a long-lost half-brother through a home DNA kit. She asks Isabel to help protect her late father's revered memory and shield the family from the sudden scandal.
The Academic Feud: Isabel's philosophical journal board falls into complete chaos. She is reluctantly forced to mediate a petty power struggle between Christopher Dove and the exasperating Professor Robert Lettuce.
Isabel relies on her signature empathy, grace, and pragmatic wisdom to help those around her find their footing.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pantheon, this book is scheduled for release July 21, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Quiet, measured Isabel's Edinburgh summer👨👩👦👦
The draws of this series for me are Isabel's home life and the various everyday ethical concerns she gets wrapped up in. She's very comfortably situated, with loving husband Jamie, two children, a career she loves and a firm place amongst the thinkers and academic community. Others come to her for advice or assistance and she can seldom turn them away in good conscience.
Here again, she gets stuck in on about half a dozen issues, from an old school contemporary who requests her intervention in a family matter; a scheming woman admirer of her handsome husband; a friend of Jamie's with financial problems; academic rivalries; an effort to recruit an intern to work with her; and a youngest son with a propensity to bite his schoolmates.
This novel is a perfect break from heavier, grittier suspense or action adventure. It's reflective, concerned with the human condition and the ethical concerns of daily living. I loved that Isabel and then Jamie shame themselves into abandoning the octopus meant for their evening meal!
Thanks to Pantheon and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
The draws of this series for me are Isabel's home life and the various everyday ethical concerns she gets wrapped up in. She's very comfortably situated, with loving husband Jamie, two children, a career she loves and a firm place amongst the thinkers and academic community. Others come to her for advice or assistance and she can seldom turn them away in good conscience.
Here again, she gets stuck in on about half a dozen issues, from an old school contemporary who requests her intervention in a family matter; a scheming woman admirer of her handsome husband; a friend of Jamie's with financial problems; academic rivalries; an effort to recruit an intern to work with her; and a youngest son with a propensity to bite his schoolmates.
This novel is a perfect break from heavier, grittier suspense or action adventure. It's reflective, concerned with the human condition and the ethical concerns of daily living. I loved that Isabel and then Jamie shame themselves into abandoning the octopus meant for their evening meal!
Thanks to Pantheon and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews