Bertie's Theory of Ice Cream

A 44 Scotland Street Novel

Alexander McCall Smith

$39.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Polygon
01 December 2025

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

Series: 44 Scotland Street

'It's like ice cream, Mr Flynn,' Bertie continued. 'When you have ice cream, you need to eat it straight away, otherwise it melts. If there are people who haven't got any, you should share it, if you can.'

When despair for the world grows, Bertie's theory of ice cream reminds us that it's the simple pleasures in life that we should hold onto. And everyone's favourite seven-year-old has a lot to put up with: at home, Irene is planning lessons on Irish Culture for Bertie; at school, he is forced to join Olive and Pansy's book group, and during a day out with his best friend Ranald Braveheart Macpherson, the boys find themselves unexpectedly invited to a wedding.

Meanwhile, Bruce's latest property venture goes horribly wrong after trying to move a flat's front door to give it a more prestigious address. At Nine Mile Burn, Matthew and the triplets try to adopt an unwillingly-vegan dog. And Sister Maria-Fiori dei Fiore Montagna discovers the missing part of the Stone of Scone in Drummond Place Gardens.

Filled with Alexander McCall Smith's trademark warmth and humour, this latest book in the series is a must-read.

'a toast to the importance of the simple joys of life at a time of global despair'

Sally McDonald / Sunday Post

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Imprint: Polygon
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 138mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 392g
ISBN: 9781846977169
ISBN 10: 1846977169
Series: 44 Scotland Street
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 01 December 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Alexander McCall Smithis the author of the highly successfulNo. 1 Ladies' Detective Agencyseries, which has sold over twenty-five million copies. Since then he has devoted his time to the writing of fiction and has seen his various series of books translated into over forty-six languages and become bestsellers throughout the world. These include the44 Scotland Streetnovels, first published as a serial novel in theScotsman, theIsabel Dalhousienovels, theVon Igelfeldseries and theCorduroy Mansionsnovels.

Reviews for Bertie's Theory of Ice Cream: A 44 Scotland Street Novel

'Today there is hardly anyone who reads English at all who does not know and enjoy the doings of the denizens at that address and their friends and associates' -- Peter Costello * Irish Catholic * 'a toast to the importance of the simple joys of life at a time of global despair' -- Sally McDonald * Sunday Post *