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Isabel Dalhousie #10.7
Sweet, Thoughtful Valentine
Philosopher and amateur sleuth Isabel Dalhousie has an unstinting commitment to her principles. Sticking to her promises has always been one of them. Then Isabel runs into an old classmate facing marital and financial troubles, who reveals a secret that becomes more and more difficult for Isabel to keep. Thankfully, Isabel’s devoted husband, Jamie, is there to help our heroine navigate her competing moral obligations. Beautifully perceptive and witty, this original short story by Alexander McCall Smith shows Isabel calling upon all of her intelligence, charm, and tact. A Vintage Shorts "Short Story Month" Original Selection. An ebook short.
95 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2016
337 people are currently reading
1197 people want to read
About the author
Alexander McCall Smith
668 books12.7k 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
October 1, 2016
I love all of this author's books but I have a special soft spot for Isabel and Jamie ( and Charlie of course). I like the way Jamie can make Isabel see sense when she goes over the top and yet he is always totally supportive. I like that they deal with everyday issues only with Isabel's unusual perspective on things. And most of all I like the way this author writes.
My only problem was that this was far, far too short!
My only problem was that this was far, far too short!
August 16, 2020
Sweet Thoughtful Valentine is a short story in the Isabel Dalhousie series by Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith. The audio version is perfectly read by Karlyn Stephen. Having hit upon the right gift for Jamie’s birthday, Isabel Dalhousie, owner and editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, treats herself to a wander around her favourite gallery. While there, she encounters an acquaintance and finds herself making a somewhat rash promise. It’s a promise that, with the hindsight of some later-learned information, causes Isabel no small difficulty. A little later, she indulges in a slightly mischievous courtesy that backfires on her.
Back home, sorting through young Charlie’s pockets, Isabel accidentally discovers a secret, something she really would rather not know about. Both situations are discussed with Jamie, whose sound advice always gives Isabel pause for further thought. Her dilemmas give rise to questions about promises and obligations. Things do eventually sort themselves out, but Isabel learns that sometimes it’s impossible to please everyone. McCall Smith uses the events in Isabel’s everyday life to spur the reader into considering the philosophical aspects of our daily decisions. A small but very enjoyable dose of Dalhousie.
Back home, sorting through young Charlie’s pockets, Isabel accidentally discovers a secret, something she really would rather not know about. Both situations are discussed with Jamie, whose sound advice always gives Isabel pause for further thought. Her dilemmas give rise to questions about promises and obligations. Things do eventually sort themselves out, but Isabel learns that sometimes it’s impossible to please everyone. McCall Smith uses the events in Isabel’s everyday life to spur the reader into considering the philosophical aspects of our daily decisions. A small but very enjoyable dose of Dalhousie.
August 6, 2016
Sweet Thoughtful Valentine is a short story in the Isabel Dalhousie series by Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith. Having hit upon the right gift for Jamie’s birthday, Isabel Dalhousie, owner and editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, treats herself to a wander around her favourite gallery. While there, she encounters an acquaintance and finds herself making a somewhat rash promise. It’s a promise that, with the hindsight of some later-learned information, causes Isabel no small difficulty. A little later, she indulges in a slightly mischievous courtesy that backfires on her.
Back home, sorting through young Charlie’s pockets, Isabel accidentally discovers a secret, something she really would rather not know about. Both situations are discussed with Jamie, whose sound advice always gives Isabel pause for further thought. Her dilemmas give rise to questions about promises and obligations. Things do eventually sort themselves out, but Isabel learns that sometimes it’s impossible to please everyone. McCall Smith uses the events in Isabel’s everyday life to spur the reader into considering the philosophical aspects of our daily decisions. A small but very enjoyable dose of Dalhousie.
Back home, sorting through young Charlie’s pockets, Isabel accidentally discovers a secret, something she really would rather not know about. Both situations are discussed with Jamie, whose sound advice always gives Isabel pause for further thought. Her dilemmas give rise to questions about promises and obligations. Things do eventually sort themselves out, but Isabel learns that sometimes it’s impossible to please everyone. McCall Smith uses the events in Isabel’s everyday life to spur the reader into considering the philosophical aspects of our daily decisions. A small but very enjoyable dose of Dalhousie.
June 14, 2016
For me, reading about Isabel Dalhousie is the equivalent of eating sweets. I adore the character of Isabel. I adore her thoughtfulness, her tangents, her tendency to overthink everything. In fact, for me, one of the best things about the Isabel Dalhousie series is the way she thinks through everything. This is a great glimpse into her soft, thoughtful world. Nothing much happens, which is always a delightful treat.
February 4, 2023
This novella started slow and I didn't really know where it was going. I considered adding to my DNF list but in the end, kept going. I am glad I did. This 95 page book surprised me a few times and really made me think.
February 21, 2023
3.5* A novella that brings up a few ethical dilemmas in the context of a sweet, loving married couple. Bottom line: it’s often hard to know what the right thing to do is and even more often hard to do it.
Bonus bottom line: it’s also best to mind your own business most of the time.
Bonus bottom line: it’s also best to mind your own business most of the time.
August 22, 2017
Once again I thought there were too many coincidences and my usual Isabel-as-mother reservations (among others) apply. But the way Isabel thinks and the evocation of Edinburgh are enough to ensure I'll continue to read the series.
June 5, 2020
An entertaining, thoughtful novella. Our forever thoughtful philosopher solved a dilemma related to two friends and one auction house painting.
Isabel Dalhousie has become my comfort reading.
Isabel Dalhousie has become my comfort reading.
April 29, 2017
I have enjoyed the Sunday Philosophy Club series. I know this series does not appeal to many people, but I love Isabel Dalhousie’s ethical musings.
Isabel finds a gift for Jamie’s birthday so she treats herself to a meander through her favorite gallery before heading home. She encounters an acquaintance who tells Isabel her problems. Isabel makes a promise, but then finds it difficult to keep. She finds herself in a moral dilemma
The book is well written. I am always amazed at Smith’s creative ideas for his stories. In this series, Smith uses events in Isabel’s everyday life to spur the reader into considering the philosophical aspects of our daily decisions. I find I am thinking about the philosophical question for days after finishing the book. Smith writes with a subtle humor that I enjoy. The characters are so unforgettable and unique. This was a short story. I cannot wait for the next book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book was about two and a half hours long. Davina Porter does an excellent job narrating the story. Porter has narrated the entire series. Porter is a Scottish actress and an award-winning audiobook narrator. I love her slight Scottish accent that is just perfect as Isabel.
Isabel finds a gift for Jamie’s birthday so she treats herself to a meander through her favorite gallery before heading home. She encounters an acquaintance who tells Isabel her problems. Isabel makes a promise, but then finds it difficult to keep. She finds herself in a moral dilemma
The book is well written. I am always amazed at Smith’s creative ideas for his stories. In this series, Smith uses events in Isabel’s everyday life to spur the reader into considering the philosophical aspects of our daily decisions. I find I am thinking about the philosophical question for days after finishing the book. Smith writes with a subtle humor that I enjoy. The characters are so unforgettable and unique. This was a short story. I cannot wait for the next book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book was about two and a half hours long. Davina Porter does an excellent job narrating the story. Porter has narrated the entire series. Porter is a Scottish actress and an award-winning audiobook narrator. I love her slight Scottish accent that is just perfect as Isabel.
September 5, 2017
Isabel Dalhousie is selecting the perfect Valentine's gift for Jamie when she encounters an old school acquaintance who wants to show her a painting on view at a nearby auction house. The school acquaintance, Roz, has run into some money difficulties, and believes she's identified the painting as misidentified and by a far more important artist than listed. Roz hopes to repair her fortunes by picking up the picture for a song and reselling it much closer to its true value.
Isabel promises to keep quiet, but has misgivings. A promise is a promise, though, so...
Then she discovers that the seller is an old friend whose mother is in a nursing home and whose financial reversals have been far more serious.
As is typical for an Isabel Dalhousie story, this is a story of thought and reflection, not action. Isabel chews over the problem in her own way, while also listening to and considering Jamie's far more direct, straightforward approach to the moral and ethical problem.
I like these characters and enjoy their musings and struggles of the mind. However, these are not the stories to pick up for action and quick-moving stories.
Highly recommended, but for those looking for a thoughtful rather than an exciting read.
I bought this story.
Isabel promises to keep quiet, but has misgivings. A promise is a promise, though, so...
Then she discovers that the seller is an old friend whose mother is in a nursing home and whose financial reversals have been far more serious.
As is typical for an Isabel Dalhousie story, this is a story of thought and reflection, not action. Isabel chews over the problem in her own way, while also listening to and considering Jamie's far more direct, straightforward approach to the moral and ethical problem.
I like these characters and enjoy their musings and struggles of the mind. However, these are not the stories to pick up for action and quick-moving stories.
Highly recommended, but for those looking for a thoughtful rather than an exciting read.
I bought this story.
July 24, 2021
Again, McCall uses his books as an avenue to discuss a philosophical conundrum that he presents to the reader.
Though Isabel lives an unlikely and charmed life (inherited money, handsome younger husband, children, running a philosophy journal, and a housekeeper) which makes me like her a little less as so many things were just dropped in her lap, I mostly enjoyed this installment in the series.
Though Isabel lives an unlikely and charmed life (inherited money, handsome younger husband, children, running a philosophy journal, and a housekeeper) which makes me like her a little less as so many things were just dropped in her lap, I mostly enjoyed this installment in the series.
July 11, 2017
I really love Isabel Dalhousie. This book covered telling the truth and just what a promise means. I loved it.
January 5, 2024
If you love to read philosophical stories this book is for you. Just not my genre.
March 30, 2017
Short, in-between Isabel Dalhousie book. Liked it. Her instinct to interfere is getting a bit more tempered ... and that is probably a good thing. She goes off in search of a birthday gift for Jaime, and during her outing runs into a friend who is hoping to get a particular painting at auction for cheap: the auctioneer has not valued it as the work of a famous painter, but she can prove it is. After promising to hold her tongue, Isabel runs into another friend, who turns out to be selling the painting in question to keep her mother in the expensive nursing home she's in until her death. Does Isabel tell? What are the ramifications of not telling? And what about the note she finds in Charlie's pocket, which implies another mother at his playgroup is having an affair? What should she do about that?
May 1, 2021
I’m not sure if Isabel was always quite this frustrating or if my patience has worn out - sometimes she goes too far. I am all for some philosophy, but the world does not rest entirely on your shoulders Isabel.
Ah well, aside from a few insufferable moments, this is a sweet snapshot into Isabel and Jamie’s life.
Ah well, aside from a few insufferable moments, this is a sweet snapshot into Isabel and Jamie’s life.
July 4, 2019
A sweet, thoughtful story. I like these little one-off stories, they are very sweet.
December 15, 2022
Lovely short story that does make the reader take pause and consider what one should or should not promise others, what our moral obligations are to each other, and how despite doing the right thing sometimes you can still end up at odds with individuals. Good food for thought. I really wish I knew someone like Isabel. The conversations would be fascinating. Thank you, Alexander McCall Smith, for making me think outside the book!
October 14, 2016
This is a very short read but perfect for an 'in between' ... revisiting Edinburgh and its many delights and the wonderful main character Isabel Dalhousie always makes me want to board a plane for Scotland. Delightful and for those who don't know the Dalhousie series it's a great introduction!
November 23, 2021
Isabella Dalhousie.finds herself in a quandary, what is the right thing to do when you have given a promise to a friend, but finds out if will effect another friend's support of her elderly mother?
Short story, but all of the classic characters are there.
Short story, but all of the classic characters are there.
September 11, 2017
It was as cutting a comment as could be made, short of downright rudeness, and Isabel smarted under it. As is always the case in such circumstances, possible responses only came to mind much later. (from Chapter Four)
It depressed [Isabel] to realize that the answer was that while Miss Campbell would not want her [own] income depressed in any way, she would be delighted if that happened to Isabel. The essence of envy of that sort was that it gave rise to a pain that would only be dulled when those others lost everything. There was no other anodyne for material envy. (from Chapter Four)
"That's about power," said Isabel. "If somebody knows your secrets, then they have power over you. Confession helped cement priestly power." (from Chapter Four)
Then he continued, "You haven't told me why you mentioned John Donne."
"No man is an island, entire of itself," she whispered back. "Every man is . . ." She suddenly had difficulty remembering. But he knew.
"I learned that at school," he said. "We had this English teacher who made us learn whole passages off by heart. I can do the Gettysburg Address, if you like. I used to be able to do all of 'Tam O'Shanter.'"
"Everybody can," said Isabel. "Everybody in Scotland, that is. When chapman billies leave the street, and drouthy neibors, neibors meet . . . "
Jamie returned to Donne. "Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is less . . ."
She thought: when will it come -- that moment when that no longer resonates with people too tired of others and their demands, too exhausted to open their doors to those in need, too overwhelmed by the scale of humanity in all its billions to value individual human life. (from Chapter Four)
Isabel sighed. "I'm not sure if that's the way our economic system works. We don't always have what we deserve to have; we get what the system allows us to have." (from Chapter Five)
And now she was openly reproached and reviled. She sighed. Doing the right thing was not always the best way of securing the approval of others -- far from it, it would seem.
But the gratitude of others was not the point. You did what needed to be done because it needed to be done, and for no other reason. (from Chapter Seven)
It depressed [Isabel] to realize that the answer was that while Miss Campbell would not want her [own] income depressed in any way, she would be delighted if that happened to Isabel. The essence of envy of that sort was that it gave rise to a pain that would only be dulled when those others lost everything. There was no other anodyne for material envy. (from Chapter Four)
"That's about power," said Isabel. "If somebody knows your secrets, then they have power over you. Confession helped cement priestly power." (from Chapter Four)
Then he continued, "You haven't told me why you mentioned John Donne."
"No man is an island, entire of itself," she whispered back. "Every man is . . ." She suddenly had difficulty remembering. But he knew.
"I learned that at school," he said. "We had this English teacher who made us learn whole passages off by heart. I can do the Gettysburg Address, if you like. I used to be able to do all of 'Tam O'Shanter.'"
"Everybody can," said Isabel. "Everybody in Scotland, that is. When chapman billies leave the street, and drouthy neibors, neibors meet . . . "
Jamie returned to Donne. "Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is less . . ."
She thought: when will it come -- that moment when that no longer resonates with people too tired of others and their demands, too exhausted to open their doors to those in need, too overwhelmed by the scale of humanity in all its billions to value individual human life. (from Chapter Four)
Isabel sighed. "I'm not sure if that's the way our economic system works. We don't always have what we deserve to have; we get what the system allows us to have." (from Chapter Five)
And now she was openly reproached and reviled. She sighed. Doing the right thing was not always the best way of securing the approval of others -- far from it, it would seem.
But the gratitude of others was not the point. You did what needed to be done because it needed to be done, and for no other reason. (from Chapter Seven)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2018
A unique story about ethics. Isabel Dalhousie, owner and editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, meets a friend at an art previewing prior next week’s auction. As they look at the upcoming sale items, Roz draws Isabel’s attention to one picture. She shares a bit of vital information about its value — and extracts from Isabel the promise that she’ll not tell a soul. Since the auctioneer obviously doesn’t realize the painting's true worth, Roz plans to get it for a song, resell it, and make a small fortune.
The story’s maybe a bit wordy in places as Isabel muses over the ethics of this and other sticky situations she encounters during the week. She tries to sort out what she should do, if anything, with the help — or dissuasion — of her husband. He calls her his “sweet, thoughtful valentine” and wishes she would stay out of other people’s problems.
The art drama intensifies when she meets another friend by chance one day. Ruth’s in a financial bind, having to sell her home, also her mother’s belongs, to pay for her mother’s stay in a nursing home where she’s getting really good care. Ruth has sent a few of her mother’s paintings to an upcoming art sale. They likely won’t bring much, but...
The awful truth dawns on Isabel's conscience.
The writer has done a great job of squeezing poor Isabel between a rock and a hard place, between one friend and another, between promise and conscience. Will she practice the ethics she preaches or mind her own business? The solution is intriguing and unexpected.
The story’s maybe a bit wordy in places as Isabel muses over the ethics of this and other sticky situations she encounters during the week. She tries to sort out what she should do, if anything, with the help — or dissuasion — of her husband. He calls her his “sweet, thoughtful valentine” and wishes she would stay out of other people’s problems.
The art drama intensifies when she meets another friend by chance one day. Ruth’s in a financial bind, having to sell her home, also her mother’s belongs, to pay for her mother’s stay in a nursing home where she’s getting really good care. Ruth has sent a few of her mother’s paintings to an upcoming art sale. They likely won’t bring much, but...
The awful truth dawns on Isabel's conscience.
The writer has done a great job of squeezing poor Isabel between a rock and a hard place, between one friend and another, between promise and conscience. Will she practice the ethics she preaches or mind her own business? The solution is intriguing and unexpected.
May 21, 2020
the moral delimma in this short story is excellent, and got me properly riled up! Isabel is so infuriating! I think it served her right for both women in the end to be mad at her because she chose 'the moral high ground'.
Roz is such a terrible person I wouldn't have problem with my conscience to rat her out. If she didn't want people to know, she shouldn't have told anyone. I know this is not the 'right thing', but in this the 'right thing' is to help Ruth. Because in all aspects she's the party with the lesser knowledge, and Roz on the other hand is essentially doing insider trading. AMS ended up giving Isabel a way out, but that itself is so controversial, what normal people would be able to willy-nilly bid on something that's 40K? insane! only because Isabel is well off! god sometimes her 'holier than thou' attitude is really grating me. And I wished AMS didn't wrap everything up so neatly by having Ruth phoned her to say she's sorry! (although she is right, Isabel did do her a big favour, but in a way, she did it for herself! so she doesn't have to feel bad of Ruth being essentially robbed of a good 50K and NOT feel bad about breaking her promise. basically, she wants to have her cake and eat it too. arg. and all under the good name of 'doing the right thing!' infuriating!!!
Roz is such a terrible person I wouldn't have problem with my conscience to rat her out. If she didn't want people to know, she shouldn't have told anyone. I know this is not the 'right thing', but in this the 'right thing' is to help Ruth. Because in all aspects she's the party with the lesser knowledge, and Roz on the other hand is essentially doing insider trading. AMS ended up giving Isabel a way out, but that itself is so controversial, what normal people would be able to willy-nilly bid on something that's 40K? insane! only because Isabel is well off! god sometimes her 'holier than thou' attitude is really grating me. And I wished AMS didn't wrap everything up so neatly by having Ruth phoned her to say she's sorry! (although she is right, Isabel did do her a big favour, but in a way, she did it for herself! so she doesn't have to feel bad of Ruth being essentially robbed of a good 50K and NOT feel bad about breaking her promise. basically, she wants to have her cake and eat it too. arg. and all under the good name of 'doing the right thing!' infuriating!!!
May 7, 2019
Again I love EVERYTHING Alexander McCall Smith writes and marvel at his prodigious body of high quality work. Once again Isabel Dalhousie is faced with an ethical dilemma which she faces with her usual deep thought analysis and then takes action. Her internal philosophical debates are so engaging that we see "oursleves" and others as she struggles with outcomes and solutions. She has such insight in the everyday issues of life, the human condition and nature and continues to learn from her engagement in the struggle to do the right thing. I so wish that McCall Smith would publish a book around the subject: "Insights learned and shared by Isabel Dalhousie as she strives apply philosophical analyses to ethical dilemmas and relationships." There are so many "gems of insight" and quotable quotes in these books that I want them all collected and codified in one volume. I wish that I could "meet" Isabel some day --such an innately good woman!
February 4, 2023
I like books which are defining - the first thing you read in a new place or outlook on life. Read this as my first ever Playaway (LOVE the concept) and first rental from Ickenham Library - my new library for the first flat I’ve ever lived in alone. I’m so happy.
What a fun protagonist and overall build up of the story - all these mini moral dilemmas have you pausing to consider whether you agree or whether she’s missed something. When the BIG trouble arrived, I had so much fun stopping reading and asking everyone who would listen what they would do - I’d say half agreed with the husband, the other half had totally different interpretations, particular on stretching a promise.
Really had me thinking about friendship and as with every good story, I never saw the ending coming and was completely satisfying 😄 Favourite, 5 stars.
Probably doesn’t have readability for the final chapter, but everything in the run up I could think about over and over again.
What a fun protagonist and overall build up of the story - all these mini moral dilemmas have you pausing to consider whether you agree or whether she’s missed something. When the BIG trouble arrived, I had so much fun stopping reading and asking everyone who would listen what they would do - I’d say half agreed with the husband, the other half had totally different interpretations, particular on stretching a promise.
Really had me thinking about friendship and as with every good story, I never saw the ending coming and was completely satisfying 😄 Favourite, 5 stars.
Probably doesn’t have readability for the final chapter, but everything in the run up I could think about over and over again.
August 21, 2023
Isabel has a hard time! Every decision has to be philosophically analysed! I'd hate to be in her mind, I'd go insane!
1.The angel... self conversation!!!!!!!!! 'Cat was always short with her when she made philosophical points.' God ,so would I!
2. The note: Hatton, Martin and Don ( Hugh's secret!!!!!! In Charlie's pocket!)
Learned a new currently apt word: ‘Irredentists' (Ukraine, Syria, .....). neologisms? New meanings/words
Obviously McCall Smith loves Scottish art( having read his first book in the series)
3. OMG what a delima for Isabel and Ruth!!!! Such a palava over her decisions!!
Jamie is everybody's dream husband... so understanding and her life is perfect if it wasn't for her mind🤣
Belive it or not I'm still intreged to read more!!!
1.The angel... self conversation!!!!!!!!! 'Cat was always short with her when she made philosophical points.' God ,so would I!
2. The note: Hatton, Martin and Don ( Hugh's secret!!!!!! In Charlie's pocket!)
Learned a new currently apt word: ‘Irredentists' (Ukraine, Syria, .....). neologisms? New meanings/words
Obviously McCall Smith loves Scottish art( having read his first book in the series)
3. OMG what a delima for Isabel and Ruth!!!! Such a palava over her decisions!!
Jamie is everybody's dream husband... so understanding and her life is perfect if it wasn't for her mind🤣
Belive it or not I'm still intreged to read more!!!
January 30, 2018
A quick book to read with an enjoyable cast, and interesting conundrums at the heart of it.
I enjoyed the way it played out, and I was glad to see it resolve - but I was startled in the middle to find a little bit of (almost?) transphobia. It took me right out of the story, since I felt the argument made by the supposed philosopher was shaky at best... and besides which I obviously disagreed. I won't get into it here, but it felt a little unnecessary given the rest of the book, and therefore I wondered if it was the author's way of trying to lend weight to their own views by attributing it to their intellectually and morally robust MC.
Nonetheless, and enjoyable hour spent.
I enjoyed the way it played out, and I was glad to see it resolve - but I was startled in the middle to find a little bit of (almost?) transphobia. It took me right out of the story, since I felt the argument made by the supposed philosopher was shaky at best... and besides which I obviously disagreed. I won't get into it here, but it felt a little unnecessary given the rest of the book, and therefore I wondered if it was the author's way of trying to lend weight to their own views by attributing it to their intellectually and morally robust MC.
Nonetheless, and enjoyable hour spent.
November 14, 2019
I love all these books, but especially this one, as it really made me think. It deals with so many dilemmas- keeping a promise, struggling with the right and wrong thing to do, and the reactions of friends to our actions. Isabel is a deep thinker and a good person, but sometimes even when intentions are good they are misinterpreted by others. There is something we can all relate to in this book.
I really love this quote towards the end:
"Doing the right thing was not always the best way of securing the approval of others -- far from it, it would seem.
But the gratitude of others was not the point. You did what needed to be done because it needed to be done, and for no other reason. "
I really love this quote towards the end:
"Doing the right thing was not always the best way of securing the approval of others -- far from it, it would seem.
But the gratitude of others was not the point. You did what needed to be done because it needed to be done, and for no other reason. "
April 27, 2021
A promise is sacred, right?
Isabel and her musician husband Jamie are a happily married favorite couple of mine and this story emphasizes their equal relationship and their supportive attitude towards one another.
Isabel, the philosophical queen of ethics, boxes herself in by making a promise that tests her resolve to always act in an ethical manner. While she vents to Jamie and listens to his take on the situation, she formulates her own solution.
While I liked the story, it does meander somewhat as Isabel's mind wanders. I thought it would have more Isabel-Jamie time.
Isabel and her musician husband Jamie are a happily married favorite couple of mine and this story emphasizes their equal relationship and their supportive attitude towards one another.
Isabel, the philosophical queen of ethics, boxes herself in by making a promise that tests her resolve to always act in an ethical manner. While she vents to Jamie and listens to his take on the situation, she formulates her own solution.
While I liked the story, it does meander somewhat as Isabel's mind wanders. I thought it would have more Isabel-Jamie time.
August 8, 2017
Again, simply too short, but otherwise another great story in this series. Here, Isabel must face the ethical dilemmas of an affair that becomes known to her by accident, and alerting the owner of a valuable painting of its true worth prior to hitting the auction block. As always, Isabel consults her husband Jaime and listens to her own heart before acting.
These books are like sitting down with a good friend on a Sunday morning and having a heartfelt, no holds barred talk.
Super---too short!
These books are like sitting down with a good friend on a Sunday morning and having a heartfelt, no holds barred talk.
Super---too short!
January 11, 2022
Isabel Dalhousie is a philosopher and editor of the "Review of Applied Ethics." As a philosopher, she constantly thinks and overthinks just about everything. And this can often create problems for her and others. In this short novella, Isabel is caught in a conundrum between two friends, one of whom she made a promise to and another who will be hurt by that promise. The result is a good one.
I always enjoy reading Alexander McCall Smith's books. His gentle style and interesting situations are always enjoyable to me. This is a very short but interesting story.
I always enjoy reading Alexander McCall Smith's books. His gentle style and interesting situations are always enjoyable to me. This is a very short but interesting story.
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