GET ready for another charming, gentle escapade through the surprisingly eventful lives of an eclectic, eccentric group of folk from Edinburgh.
McCall Smith is the prolific, commercially successful author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, The Sunday Philosophy Club series and the 44 Scotland Street series, of which this novel is one.
- The Unbearable Lightness of Scones, by Alexander McCall Smith. Abacus, rrp $22.99
The Scotland Street set takes its name from the address where a range of McCall Smith's regular characters live, in a period apartment block in the heart of historic, proud and beautiful Edinburgh.
But don't fret if you haven't come across the series before; each book stands alone and is a delight waiting to be devoured.
This time, long-suffering six-year-old Bertie and his domineering mother come to terms with the fact that Bertie's psychotherapist has moved away and, in his place, an Australian doctor has come to treat the perfectly normal child.
In the meantime, Bertie's harassed father makes a stand against his neurotic wife and signs up his son for boy scouts.
Art gallery owner Matthew, full of anxiety and a search for meaning in his life, is newly married to sweet Elspeth and has a near-death experience on honeymoon in Western Australia.
Eccentric Angus and his equally eccentric dog, Cyril, are preoccupied with more than one possible crime in their midst, one involving an agreeable, old-world crim and a valuable, long-lost work of art, while wise, endearing cafe owner, Big Lou, continues to have trouble with men.
The synopsis may all sound rather pedestrian, but in McCall Smith's hands, this is lovely writing, full of wit and wisdom.
The chapters are short and snappy, dealing with friendship, death, relationships and loyalty.
This is one of those rare novels you wish would last twice as long.
