The Conditions of Unconditional Love - Alexander McCall Smith

The Conditions of Unconditional Love - Alexander McCall Smith

Pub. Date: July 16, 2024

She read 

This is the 15th in the Isabel Dalhousie novels by Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith.  Married to a musician and having two children, Isabel, a philosopher, is the editor of a publication in her field.  Like so many women, Isabel feels the pressure of being overextended with house, husband, children, job, and offering help to others. This time, the Dalhousie’s have invited someone needing a place to stay to use one of their spare rooms.  Noises coming from her room and her propensity to hide away and lock her room raise a lot of questions. Isabel is approached by a colleague she doesn’t like very much to participate in a scheme whose finances seem a bit shady. A book club moderator approaches her to help solve problems the club is having and her niece, Cat, once again is having romantic and delicatessen problems.  

Visiting with Isabel is always so very pleasant and soothing.  McCall Smith creates such wonderful characters and the story is full of poignant observations and enjoyable humor. These novels are not action packed, but they impart wisdom of a philosophical and practical nature.  

Fans of this series will enjoy this latest installment. For readers who are new to these books, it is not necessary to have read the prior ones to appreciate this one. 

BTW - the  cover has sheep on it.  Except for one reference to sheep, there are no sheep in the novel. It takes place in Edinburgh. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @ssKnopf for the DRC.

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