annieb123's Review of The Geometry of Holding Hands (Isabel Dalhousie, #13)

by Alexander McCall Smith

THE THIRTEENTH INSTALLMENT OF THE MUCH-LOVED ISABEL DALHOUSIE SERIES

When Isabel Dalhousie and her husband Jamie book a table at an expensive Edinburgh restaurant, she finds herself battling with her conscience. Lately, there has been a lull in work for the Review of Applied Ethics, and the care of their young sons, Charlie and Magnus, is often undertaken by their housekeeper Grace. Is Isabel deserving of such a luxurious dinner?

But Isabel holds herself to impossible moral standards. Not so, the parents of one of Jamie's students, who have no qualms about ensuring their son's place in the school orchestra, despite his mediocre talent. In the restaurant, Isabel witnesses a row between local businessmen; another reminder that thoughtless ambition is too often second nature to others.

Compelled to intervene in the aftermath, Isabel's sense of integrity is observed by a fellow diner, Iain Melrose, who seeks out her help. He must decide which of his remaining relatives should one day inherit his estate. Isabel, he believes, would make a just executor of his will.

While she deliberates, another troubling situation arises with her niece, Cat, whose relationship with the unlikeable Leo is causing her to behave recklessly, putting Isabel in a very difficult position.

Faced with such weighty decisions, can Isabel balance compassion and integrity to make the right choice for all, and to protect those she holds dear to her heart?

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Geometry of Holding Hands is the 13th Isabel Dalhousie novel by Alexander McCall Smith. Due out 28th July 2020 from Knopf Doubleday on their Pantheon imprint, it's 240 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is such a gently written, slow, introspective series. The main character is a philosopher and the books more or less revolve around her life and experiences and the lives of the people in her orbit: her husband Jamie, her sons Magnus & Charlie, her niece Cat, her housekeeper/factotum/nanny Grace and others who live in the village and/or academic colleagues. The narrative moves along quite slowly and the overall effect is of a long and unhurried chat with an old friend.

It's not necessary to have read the books in order, however, the large changes which occur (marriage, children, etc) will be obvious if they're read out of order.

Especially with the desperate struggles, illnesses, upheavals, and sadness which seem universal in the world right now, this series and these characters are a balm to the soul. It's full of music, food, and Scottish sensibility. Wonderful.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Geometry of Holding Hands (Isabel Dalhousie, #13)

by Alexander McCall Smith

Reviewed by annieb123 on Jul 27, 2020

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