Alexander McCall Smith is probably best known for his 'Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency' series, but he's a prolific author who pens other series as well. In this 6th book in the 'Isabel Dalhousie' series, ethicist Isabel - who's the owner and editor of the 'Review of Applied Ethics' - agrees to help a sketchy acquaintance, meets her niece's uncongenial fiancé, deals with two vexed men who want to displace her from the 'Review', and helps an injured fox. The book can be read as a standalone but familiarity with the characters is a plus.
*****
Isabel Dalhousie and her younger boyfriend Jamie live in Edinburgh and have a little boy, eighteen-month-old Charlie. Isabel is a philosopher who always feels compelled to look at every side of an issue - to tease out all the ethical implications - so she's often distracted from the matter at hand.
And Jamie, who was once the boyfriend of Isabel's niece Cat, is an elite musician who writes songs, gives concerts, and teaches music.
Isabel's niece Cat owns an artisanal deli......
…..and tends to pick 'wrong-uns' to date.
Early in the book, Isabel takes Charlie to a birthday party where she's cornered by an old acquaintance, the highly successful investment banker Minty Aucterlonie.
Isabel is wary of Minty, whom she suspects of unethical financial shenanigans. Nevertheless, when Minty asks Isabel for assistance with a personal problem, Isabel feels compelled to help. As it turns out, not is all as it seems in Minty's world, and Minty is still a master manipulator. Isabel weighs all the ethical considerations of Minty's actions before she decides on final measures.
Meanwhile, Isabel and Jamie get engaged to be married, but are wary of telling Cat, who resents their being together. As it turns out Cat claims to be engaged as well, to a tightrope walker called Bruno.
Bruno turns out to be a condescending and conceited fellow who works as a stuntman in the movies, none of which Isabel and Jamie have seen. Isabel despairs of Cat ever picking an appropriate boyfriend, but the philosopher is determined to TRY to like Bruno, because it's the right thing to do.
When Isabel bought the 'Review of Applied Ethics' she displaced two difficult board members, Professor Dove and Professor Lettuce.
The men have been gunning for Isabel ever since, and think a current plagiarism issue may be just the ticket to force her resignation. The men should know better, however, than to underestimate Isabel.
Isabel's garden is regularly raided by 'Brother Fox', for whom Isabel has a soft spot. In fact Isabel even leaves out chicken for the predator.
When Brother Fox becomes injured, Isabel takes steps to assist the suffering critter.
While dealing with all this, Isabel also has personal time with Jamie - who's a great cook on top of his other talents. In addition, both Isabel and Jamie dote on their little boy Charlie, as does the housekeeper Grace, who loves to take the toddler to visit her eccentric friends.
The author, Alexander McCall Smith is a respected expert on medical law and bioethics, and he infuses his character Isabel Dalhousie with informative philosophical and ethical dilemmas. It's always interesting to observe where Isabel comes down in various situations, and the series is educational as well as entertaining.
Rating: 3.5 stars
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