shopping cart
Save up to 30% on our Staff Picks
Call us:  800-878-7323 HELP
McAfee SECURE helps keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams.
Powell's Q&A, Q&A | December 10, 2009

Sam Stephenson: IMG Powell's Q&A: Sam Stephenson



Describe your latest book/project/work. I've been studying the life and work of photographer W. Eugene Smith for 13 years. My first book (Dream... Continue »
  1. $28.00 Sale Hardcover add to wish list

The Careful Use of Compliments (An Isabel Dalhousie Novel)

by Alexander McCall Smith

The Careful Use of Compliments (An Isabel Dalhousie Novel) Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Isabel Dalhousie is back, in the latest installment of this enchanting, already beloved, best-selling series.

In addition to being the nosiest and most sypathetic philosopher you are likely to meet, Isabel is now a mother. Charlies, her newborn son, presents her with a myriad wonders of a new life, and doting father Jamie presents her with an intriguing proposal: marriage. In the midst of all this, she receives a disturbing letter announcing that she has been ousted as editor of the Review of Applied Ethics by the ambitious Professor Dove.

None of these things, however, in any way diminshes Isabel's curiosity. And when she attends an art auction, she finds an irresistible puzzle: two paintings attributed to a now-deceased artist appear on the market at the same time, and both of them exhibit some unusual characteristics. Are these paintings forgeries? This proves to be sufficient fodder for Isabel's inquisitiveness. So she begins an investigation... and soon finds herself diverging from her philosophical musings about fatherhood onto a path that leads her into the mysteries of the art world and the soul of an artist.

Review:

"Best known for the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, bestseller Smith shows he's just as adept at exploring mysteries of the heart in his fourth book to feature Edinburgh philosopher-sleuth Isabel Dalhousie (after The Right Attitude to Rain). Isabel has recently become a mother, but she has an ambiguous relationship with her son's father, Jamie, whose attempts to formalize their connection have been unsuccessful. Their ties are further strained by Jamie's ex-girlfriend, Cat, who not only still harbors strong feelings for him but is Isabel's niece. Isabel must also deal with petty academic politics aimed at depriving her of her position as editor of the Review of Applied Ethics. Smith throws in a mystery subplot — did an obscure but talented Scottish painter drown, commit suicide or fall victim to foul play? — but the resolution of that plot thread is more noteworthy for its insights into Isabel's humanistic and optimistic philosophy than for any surprise twists. Once again, Smith displays his skill at illustrating subtle nuances of human nature." Publishers Wekely (Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"'Best known for the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, bestseller Smith shows he's just as adept at exploring mysteries of the heart in his fourth book to feature Edinburgh philosopher-sleuth Isabel Dalhousie (after The Right Attitude to Rain). Isabel has recently become a mother, but she has an ambiguous relationship with her son's father, Jamie, whose attempts to formalize their connection have been unsuccessful. Their ties are further strained by Jamie's ex-girlfriend, Cat, who not only still harbors strong feelings for him but is Isabel's niece. Isabel must also deal with petty academic politics aimed at depriving her of her position as editor of the Review of Applied Ethics. Smith throws in a mystery subplot — did an obscure but talented Scottish painter drown, commit suicide or fall victim to foul play? — but the resolution of that plot thread is more noteworthy for its insights into Isabel's humanistic and optimistic philosophy than for any surprise twists. Once again, Smith displays his skill at illustrating subtle nuances of human nature.' Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"With his trademark wisdom and gentle wit, McCall Smith explores the flaws and foibles of humankind and the powerful bond between mother and child." Booklist

About the Author

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the huge international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics.

What Our Readers Are Saying

Add a comment for a chance to win!
Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
Carol Hasenberg, August 31, 2007 (view all comments by Carol Hasenberg)
What I enjoy most about this series is the moral dilemmas encountered by the protagonist and her solutions of them. I was a bit disappointed in the author's solution to the academic backstabbing situation presented in this book -- it could be categorized in the proverbial Gordian knot (brute force) realm. However, his portrayal of the academic environment and its all too human strife is right on the money.

Another characteristic of AMS's books I really like is the character development, and there is plenty of this to be found in this series. I am finding his portrayal of the niece and her continued antagonism to the protagonist to be a bit overplayed, although this does set the stage for some continuous dilemmas for the author to resolve.

Overall, I think the book is a worthy continuation of the series and I look forward to reading more.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(4 of 5 readers found this comment helpful)

Product Details

ISBN:
9780375423017
Subtitle:
An Isabel Dalhousie Novel
Author:
McCall Smith, Alexander
Author:
Smith, Alexander McCall
Author:
Smith, Alexander McCall
Publisher:
Pantheon Books
Subject:
Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths
Subject:
Art
Subject:
Art dealers
Subject:
Mystery fiction
Edition Description:
Hardcover
Series:
Isabel Dalhousie Mysteries
Publication Date:
August 2007
Binding:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Pages:
256
Dimensions:
8.12x5.76x.98 in. .87 lbs.

Other books you might like

  1. $6.95 Used Trade Paper add to wish list

    The Kalahari Typing School for Men

    Alexander McCall Smith
  2. $7.25 Used Hardcover add to wish list
  3. $15.95 Used Hardcover add to wish list
  4. $2.95 Used Mass Market add to wish list

    Playing for Pizza

    John Grisham
  5. $13.95 Used Hardcover add to wish list
  6. $7.50 Used Trade Paper add to wish list

    Love Over Scotland

    Alexander Mcc Smith

Related Aisles

  • back to top

Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.