The Careful Use of Compliments: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel (4) (Isabel Dalhousie Mysteries) [Paperback]

Alexander Mccall Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 26, 2008 | Series: Isabel Dalhousie Mysteries

In the fourth installment of this enchanting, beloved series, Isabel Dalhousie, who is now a mother, returns to investigate an irresistible puzzle in the art world.Isabel Dalhousie—the nosiest and most sympathetic philosopher you are likely to meet—now has a son, Charlie, whose doting father Jamie has an intriguing idea to pose to Isabel: marriage. But Isabel wonders if Jamie is too young to be serious? And how would Cat respond? On top of these matters, the ambitious Professor Dove has seized Isabel's position as editor of the Review of Applied Ethics. However, nothing it seems can diminish Isabel's innate curiosity. And when she recognizes that two paintings attributed to a deceased artist have simultaneously appeared on the market, she can't help but think that they're forgeries. So Isabel begins an investigation and soon finds herself diverted from her musings about parenthood and onto a path of inquiry into the soul of an artist.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A Message from Author Alexander McCall Smith

Three great places to visit in Scotland:

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh
This gallery, housed in an extraordinary red sandstone building topped with spikes and twirls, contains a pictorial record of Scots over the ages--the handsome, the deluded, the unfortunate, the inventive--they’re all there.

Falkland Palace
A lovely little palace in lush countryside, where the father of Mary Queen of Scots turned his face to the wall and predicted the end of the Stuart dynasty.

The Isle of Muck
You reach this charming little island on a tiny boat. There is nothing to do on the island but to contemplate its beauty--and its name.

Note to readers:
I would like to thank you for all your support. If it weren’t for the encouragement this has given me, my long conversation with Mma Ramotswe would have ended far earlier. As it is, I feel that we still have quite a bit to hear from her – as we do, too, from Isabel Dalhousie, heroine of my Edinburgh novels, and all the denizens of 44 Scotland Street. Each of these series will have a new novel written this year, and I am also planning to revisit the three German professors of the Portuguese Irregular verbs series. I was in the United States in the spring this year and will return in the Fall. These visits give me the chance to meet many readers of these books, so if we have not yet met, perhaps we shall do so before too long. And if we do, please do not hesitate to give me your views on what should happen to the characters in the future: all (reasonable) suggestions gratefully accepted!

--Alexander McCall Smith

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--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Smith's No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series is a love letter for Botswana that has apparently enhanced tourism; in this novel, he tries to do the same for Edinburgh and the Hebrides isle of Jura. Porter does such a stunning job of bringing Jura's stark landscape to life that her dramatic reading might encourage listeners to book a Scottish sojourn. Philosopher/sleuth and new mother Isabel Dalhousie is still trying to forge a relationship with her son's father, Jamie. Porter also works wonders with Edinburgh dialect, at times stringing out Jamie's pronunciation of the word No into five syllables. She makes Isabel sound urbane, thoughtful, and sweetly hesitant to harm anyone else. To her credit, Porter refrains from adding some baby noises for three month-old Charlie. The only flaw in Porter's performance is that Isabel's voice makes her sound a decade or more older than her 40 years. Like McCall Smith's Edinburgh, this audio is exciting but not overly so, and like the city, it is certainly worth a visit.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 247 pages
• Publisher: Anchor; Reprint edition (August 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400077125
• ISBN-13: 978-1400077120
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,731 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alexander McCall Smith was born in what is now Zimbabwe and taught law at the University of Botswana. He is now Professor of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh. He has written more than fifty books, including a number of specialist titles, but is best known for The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, which has achieved bestseller status on four continents. In 2004 he was awarded British Book Awards Author of the Year and Booksellers Association Author of the Year. He lives in Scotland, where in his spare time he is a bassoonist in the RTO (Really Terrible Orchestra).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

101 of 103 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Deeply felt and enchanting, August 7, 2007

By 

Kimberly Roeder (Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Careful Use of Compliments: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel (Isabel Dalhousie Mysteries) (Hardcover)

The moment I finished this book I wanted to share my enjoyment in it. I've never felt inclined to write a review before despite my constant reading. There are many other impassioned readers and I trust that they will write about those books they find deeply moving. Reading this book has been that way for me. I read the earlier Dalhousie books because I trusted the author, and was waiting to see where he would take me. I found them quietly enjoyable, with interesting themes, but the heroine sometimes felt restricted and thin. I now feel rewarded for my patience.

This novel succeeded in bringing to life thoughts and ideas more engagingly and profoundly for me than any of the previous volumes in this series. I've read all of Alexander McCall Smith's other books, and enjoyed them as gentle and sweet tales. I laughed out loud at his German professors and smiled when his African detective came to her elegant understanding of human nature. I've enjoyed all the stories about Scotland, precisely because the author demonstrates such an understanding of human foibles, while showing affection for his characters. This volume is the first one that touched me on a deeper level. I still enjoyed the discussion of philosophy, but finally believe that Isobel is experiencing life, and through her I felt joy.

This latest book of Mr. McCall Smith's, "The Careful Use of Compliments" combines some of my favorite themes from his other series. The machinations of the intellectually insecure professor, the wonderful observations of human nature in all of its glory, and the posing of a mystery to be solved are all done cleverly. But it is the added depth of feeling, between mother and child, between Isobel and Jamie, and the development of Isobel as a more thoughtful, forgiving and appealing character that brings the book to life. Her sweetness shines forth, altering subtly the dry, more scholarly existence she'd previously chosen and I found the process deeply convincing and wonderful. I'm so glad I bought it, and will be giving it to friends and family to read. I don't recommend books lightly, but this one will engage members of my circle from 21 to 78, provoking discussion and hopefully a measure of enlightenment.

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Purchase the Audio CD and hear the Scottish Voice, October 17, 2007

By 

Marco Antonio Abarca (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Careful Use of Compliments: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel (Isabel Dalhousie Mysteries) (Hardcover)

This is the fourth book in the Isabel Dalhousie series. Large sections of the novels, consist of Isabel's internal dialogue. As readers, we get the opportunity to experience the world as seen through the lens of the moral philosopher. Isabel's inner world is as at the very heart of the novels.

However, in this fourth novel, Isabel's world has radically changed. She now has a son and a new lover. She is no longer the middle aged philosopher who lives alone in a large house. Yet, the novel continues to be centered on Isabel's internal life. There are now two new people who are integral to her daily life. Yet, there is only the slightest interaction between Isabel, Charlie and Jamie. They are almost completely absent from her internal life. This lack of day to day emotional and physical interaction, makes this story less believable to me.

Finally, I would recommend the Audio CD to anyone with an interest in this book. As an American, we rarely get the chance to hear the full range of Scottish accents. When I think of Scottish accents, the stereotypical Scottie from Star Trek immediately pops into mind. Davina Porter is such a talented narrator that she is able to recreate the many different dialects that one finds in Scotland. The rich differences between county and city and educated and working class accents are a real pleasure to hear. Davina Porter's fine narration alone, adds another star to the book.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Motherhood and philosophy..., August 31, 2007

By 

Darci G. Brown "darsee42" (OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Careful Use of Compliments: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel (Isabel Dalhousie Mysteries) (Hardcover)

This book is quite the page-turner. The story focuses on a few main points: Isabel as a mother, Cat and Isabel's strained relationship, a painting which appears a fraud, and Isabel's editorial position which has always seemed a certainty and now suddenly disappears. Everything seems finely meshed together in this story--with change being the overall theme. How we react to and recover from major changes in our lives...this is what Isabel does--react and recover. The relationship that Isabel has with Jamie seems perfectly portrayed here as one in which neither person says exactly what they mean or truly trusts the other fully enough to be honest in a situation where there is a question as to why one remains. Their conversations go from seemingly flowing to almost painful, especially when their discussion involves Cat. This book is fascinating and the author really does a fine job of fleshing out this character. She questions everything...herself, the life she has chosen, big debates and little moments of pondering...Isabel is ever the philosopher and just when I think I fully understand her she does something that amazes me and explains it all away until I see all sides to every issue brought up. That's the wonder of these books. There is never a clear cut black and white issue. We may be on one side or another but everything is weighed and weighted...it's really extraordinary and as always a fascinating read!