Friends, Lovers, Chocolate

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Phyllis Logan

Winner of the British Book Awards, Author of the Year, 2004.
Winner of the CWA Dagger in the Library Award, 2004.

In this second novel in the Sunday Philosophy Club, Isabel Dalhousie's niece, Cat (she of the unsuitable boyfriends) is invited to a wedding in Italy. This means that Isabel is left in charge of Cat's delicatessen: a task to which the redoubtable moral philosopher proves more than equal. She is intrigued by the customers, of course, given her irrepressible tendency to take an interest in the business of others, and one man in particular attracts her attention. He is recovering from heart surgery - a heart transplant, in fact, and when Isabel gets to know him a bit better he reveals an extraordinary aspect of being the recipient of another's heart.

Isabel is drawn into an investigation of the facts behind the transplant, with disturbing results. Her enquiries take time, but not so much time as to prevent romantic entanglements, both for Isabel and her housekeeper, Grace. And as for chocolate: that proves to have some very interesting philosophical ramifications, at least in the mind of Isabel Dalhousie. Chocolate is a moral problem, invoking questions of temptation and, of course, human weakness. We are all weak when it comes to chocolate, Isabel decides. Should we just accept the fact and get on with it?

©2005 Alexander McCall Smith; (P)2005 Time Warner AudioBooks

Critic reviews

"Isabel Dalhousie's charm is undeniable." ( Sunday Times)
"The Sunday Philosophy Club is vintage McCall Smith, written with a characteristic twinkle in his eye and the graceful clarity of an aesthetically attuned lawyer....sets up Isabel Dalhousie as Edinburgh's latest, and most engaging investigator." ( The Herald)

A wealth of thoughtful entertainment.

The gentle inquisitions Isabelle applies to every aspect of her life make this entertaining tale a pleasure to listen to. Well read by Phyllis Logan: all the characters come to life and we feel for Isabelle as her developing friendship with James disturbs old wounds. My only complaint is that I cannot enjoy the entire series unabridged from Audible, as I am now intent on finding out what Isabelle and James will get up to next.

Friends, Lovers, Chocolate made me smile

I just loved this audiobook. Friends, Lovers, Chocolate is the 2nd in the series and it didn't disappoint. A lovely listening experience for those who love the gentler side of life with a mystery thrown in. The voice of the reader and the interspersed music were excellent and gave the story life. I'm looking forward to the next one.