This was definitely one of my 2013 books that ended up in the
good pile. It is a wonderful book, but then most of what Alexander McCall Smith writes
is wonderful. There is a vibrant optimism that runs like a red thread
through all of his books, and makes the reader believe that the world is
not so bad after all, that everything will work out eventually and that
people are actually quite nice. In this book - the second in a series -
there is a beautiful collection of characters (including, of course,
the dog, Freddie de la Hay). The story progresses, dipping first into
one story and then into the next, pulling out small connecting threads
and tying small knots. The humour is delightful, the observations - both
of people and their surroundings - exceptionally accurate. Definitely a
book to recommend. Photo source:
en.wikipedia.org