This is the 13th book in the "44 Scotland Street" series. It can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the series is a plus.
In these affable, humorous books Alexander McCall Smith follows the lives of a group of people who reside in Edinburgh's "New Town" neighborhood. Many of the characters live in apartments at 44 Scotland Street - and others are their friends and acquaintances.
*****
Bertie is a sweet, bright 7-year-old boy whose mother, Irene, is the most controlling parent in the world. Now Irene has taken herself off to Aberdeen to study for a Ph.D. and continue her affair with Bernie's former psychotherapist, Dr. Fairbairn. Irene's henpecked husband Stuart is happy to be free of his wife, and hoping to find new romance.
Bertie is also pleased to have mummy far away, as evidenced by the fact that Bertie suggests mummy visit every two years.....or maybe just make a phone call.
Bertie's grandmother Nicola, recently returned to Edinburgh, fills in for the absent Irene....and the lives of Bertie and his dad improve exponentially.
Unfortunately Bertie continues to be plagued by his classmate Olive, a pushy little girl who insists she and Bertie will marry when they're twenty.
On the upside, Bertie and his best friend Ranald Braveheart Macpherson have fun when they sneak off to the circus, and acquire something special on their way home.
*****
Art gallery owner Matthew......
.....and his wife Elspeth now have triplet toddler boys and live out in the country.
Matthew enjoys working at his art gallery but Elspeth feels confined and lonely in the boondocks. Still, Elspeth is happy to have the assistance of the au pair James, a 19-year-old boy preparing for university. James is wonderful with the children AND an excellent cook, which makes him a true gem.
Matthew is a little concerned about Pat, his part-time art gallery assistant who's studying for a Master's degree. Pat seems out of sorts, so Matthew invites her to dinner at his house, where things take an interesting turn.
*****
Domenica is an independent anthropologist......
.....who's married to portrait artist Angus.
Domenica feels Angus is too attached to his old worn-out clothes and takes stealthy steps to update his wardrobe.
Domenica also runs into her former neighbor Antonia and Antonia's housemate, a nun called Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna. The nun is known for her nosiness and original aphorisms, which she spouts non-stop, and Domenica finds the encounter vexatious.
In the meantime, Angus finds a dead cat in the local gardens, and has to tackle an uninformed bureaucracy to find out what to do with it. As always, Angus's empathetic dog Cyril goes everywhere with his master, and shows understanding and empathy to little Bertie.
*****
Bruce, a remarkably handsome surveyor who has to fight off women by the score, is nearing thirty, and afraid his looks might not last forever.
When Bruce hears an attractive heiress named Jenny is interested in him, the surveyor gets himself invited to Jenny's family home for dinner. Bruce borrows a fancy Morgan car for the excursion and tries to act sophisticated, but things go bad from the get-go.
*****
Big Lou, a congenial woman who owns the local coffee shop.....
.....is fostering a 7-year-old boy named Finlay, whom she plans to adopt. Finley shows an affinity for ballet, and Big Lou is anxious about the cost of a premier ballet school.
The books in this series are always enjoyable, and it's fun to catch up with favorite characters. Recommended for a little light reading.
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