The Novel Habits of Happiness: Isabel Dalhousie, Book 10

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Karlyn Stephen

From a small town outside Edinburgh comes the news that a young boy has been recounting vivid recollections of a past life: a perfect description of an island off the coast of Scotland which he couldn't possibly know and a house there where he claims to have spent his former life.

When the boy's mother asks Isabel to investigate his claims, she feels she must - of course! - help them learn the truth, and she and her husband, Jamie, set off for the island.

But finding the house the boy described only leads to more complicated questions. And when she learns about the unusual story of the family who lived there, Isabel is suddenly faced with a situation of extraordinary delicacy that will require all of her skills as both sleuth and philosopher.

©2015 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2015 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"Every bit as charming as his No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency." ( Globe and Mail)

"Alexander McCall Smith novels never fail to delight." ( The Guardian)

Okay

Boring "mystery". Mostly, nothing happens (which does however make it easy to listen to and follow). Author is a bit sexist, which comes through sometimes. Great narrator.

I was on the verge of liking it...

I honestly was just about to like this book about 50 times throughout. However, the main character is such a whatever-"holier than thou"-in-phylosopher-terms is, that instead I was on the verge of abandoning the book altogether. I don't want to use the trope that all plyosophers are unpleasant ppl, but she sure was and everyone around her kindly pointed to it, instead she proceeded to pretend she knows better and tell ppl what they should be doing with their lives... No thank you!
Disappointed, cause other McCall Smith book I read before had none of this nonsense.