A Distant View of Everything

Alexander McCall Smith

$19.99

Paperback

In stock
Ready to ship

QTY:

English

Little Brown
10 April 2018

Fiction & Literature; Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945)

Series: Isabel Dalhousie Novels

Recently distracted by the arrival of her and Jamie's second son, Magnus, Isabel Dalhousie - philanthropic editor of the Review of Applied Ethics - is anxious. The next issue of the Review is far from ready, her eldest, Charlie, is jealous, and their housekeeper, Grace, has an officious approach to childcare. With some relief, Isabel returns to helping out at her niece Cat's delicatessen, where surely the most taxing duty is the preparation of sandwiches.

It's not long before Isabel's helpful, philosophical nature draws her into customers' problems, specifically that of ambitious, self-proclaimed matchmaker, Bea Shandon. Bea has staged a potentially dangerous liaison involving enigmatic plastic surgeon, Tony MacUspaig, who may not be quite who he claims to be - and Isabel's help is required in getting to the truth of the matter.

Good-hearted Isabel proceeds with her usual thorough attention to task, and on Bea's advice talks to her friend Rob, a trustworthy regular on Bea's dinner party circuit, and known to have deep suspicions about MacUspaig. It becomes clear, however, that Rob has an agenda of his own and Isabel is now contending with that, along with a mysterious medical condition of Jamie's and some frustrating dead ends when it comes to Bea's predicament.

When the truth finally reveals itself, Isabel must conclude that along with MacUspaig, Bea, Jamie - and even Cat - she herself is not immune to misunderstandings, or the neurotic fantasies that arise from keeping secrets . . .

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Imprint: Little Brown
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 201mm, Width: 137mm, Spine: 15mm
Weight: 194g
ISBN: 9780349142692
ISBN 10: 0349142696
Series: Isabel Dalhousie Novels
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 10 April 2018
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of over eighty books on a wide array of subjects, including the award-winning The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. He is also the author of the Isabel Dalhousie novels and the world's longest-running serial novel, 44 Scotland Street. His books have been translated into forty-six languages. Alexander McCall Smith is Professor Emeritus of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh and holds honorary doctorates from thirteen universities.

Reviews for A Distant View of Everything

A delightful read * Mature Times * McCall Smith's distinctively charming writing style makes this book a very easy summer read * Scottish Field * In ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH'S delightful new Isabel Dalhousie novel A DISTANT VIEW OF EVERYTHING, Isabel risks antagonising husband Jamie, as she investigates a suspiciously amorous surgeon * Good Housekeeping * McCall Smith's greatest gift as a writer - and God knows this is just one of many - is that he can write likeable characters * New Statesman * Delightful * Sunday Telegraph * Isabel Dalhousie's charm is undeniable * Sunday Times * Brimming with discreet charm * Mail on Sunday * Like [Barbara] Pym, McCall Smith believes that the small stuff in life matters * Scotsman *