Customer Reviews

The Dog Who Came in from the Cold, Abridged Edition

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Alexander McCall Smith is one of those men with whom I'd love to sit down to dinner. Clearly he's an articulate (at least in prose) raconteur; a cultured, well-educated man with a keen eye for the vagaries and foibles of human nature.

I am a rabid fan of his "44 Scotland Street" series with its quirky characters and intensely humorous plot twists but, sadly, I cannot say the same for his new endeavor, the "Corduroy Mansions" series of which "The Dog Who Came In From The Cold" is the second volume. Something of his old stylistic sparkle is missing, and I actually found myself skimming through both books because the plot was dragging and I was not as invested in this cast of characters as I am with the eccentrics of "44."

True, the author has reprised the apartment house setting of "44", but this time he's set his stories in London. Since he himself is a Scot from Edinburgh, the "44" books -- set as they are in his own back yard -- seem the livelier for it. The Londoners are quite unremarkable by comparison.

If you have not read the "44" series, I urge you to do so. It's money better spent than on the "Corduroy Mansions" books, although it grieves me to say it. I, for one, fervently hope Mr. McCall Smith will resurrect the "44" characters, among whom is Bruce the Narcissist. Angus Laurie also has much potential for quirky mis-adventures, along with his ankle-biting dog who far outshines Freddy de la Hay, the title subject of this "Dog Who..." book.

I'd also like to know the reason for the lag in release of Mr. McCall Smith's books in America. We are always a year, at least, behind Britain's releases and we are not allowed to order them through Amazon.co.uk. If I'm willing to pay the price and the shipping, I should be able to get the book from Britain. There's some faulty logic at play in this situation.

This is the second book in McCall Smith's Corduroy Mansions series.

It has many of the same characters as the first book and is just as funny. It leaves you waiting for book #3.

We are solid fans of this writer and will read literally anything and everything he writes, because he writes so very well. This book is a worthy sequel to Corduroy Mansions. If you have read Alexander McCall Smith, you know you'll enjoy this. If you haven't read A. M. Smith, poor you, and get started ASAP!

The Dog Who Came In From The Cold is the second in the Corduroy Mansions series by Alexander McCall Smith. Once again we join the people of Corduroy Mansions and their friends. An acquaintance who works for MI6 visits wine merchant William French, and his Pimlico terrier, Freddie de la Hay, is drafted to serve his country. Berthea Snark's brother Terence Moongrove finds his new Porsche makes him feel amorous and is excited about water memory and morphic resonance. Caroline tries to decide whether she wants a relationship with comfortable James or exciting Tim. Barbara Ragg goes on vacation to Scotland with her new fiancé Hugh Macpherson and meets her future in-laws. Berthea Snark has to take action against a pair of charlatans out to fleece Terence. Dee lies and steals and tries to market her goods in a new way. Barbara's partner at the Ragg Porter Literary Agency betrays a trust and is caught out. Aussie flatmate Jo gives Caroline some very sound advice. There is a delightful piece on homeopathy and risotto gets a few mentions. William's feckless son Eddie berates him, with justification. And William effects a dramatic rescue. And throughout the happenings, we are treated to McCall Smith's gentle philosophy and wry humour. I found myself constantly smiling, chuckling, giggling and many occasions, laughing out loud. McCall Smith manages to examine issues in everyday life and still leave the reader feeling good and wanting more. I loved this book.

This book made me laugh out loud many times! Not only is it funny, it wrestles with the ethical dilemmas of daily life as do all his other works. True mind candy!!