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Espresso Tales Audiobook
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(3.01) - 4,729 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Back are all our favorite denizens of a Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh. Bertie the immensely talented six year old is now enrolled in kindergarten, and much to his dismay, has been clad in pink overalls for his first day of class. Bruce has lost his job as a surveyor, and between admiring glances in the mirror, is contemplating becoming a wine merchant. Pat is embarking on a new life at Edinburgh University and perhaps on a new relationship, courtesy of Domenica, her witty and worldly-wise neighbor. McCall Smith has much in store for them as the brief spell of glorious summer sunshine gives way to fall a season cursed with more traditionally Scottish weather.
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"Very enjoyable second of the series wherein poor Bertie finds some small bits of happiness and his inept psychotherapist comes to blows with the object of his faux success. Dominique and Angus Lordie are quite wonderful, I hope to hear more of them both in the next edition as well as Pat, Matthew and Bruce the narcissist, not to mention Big Lou. I'm rooting for Stuart and his newly found courage, perhaps he will be able to best the domineering Irene. I have heard all I ever wanted to and more about Ramsay Dunbarton, the bore. Hopefully no more of his memoirs will be shared in the next addition, which I will be read asap."
— Jo (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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Irresistible … Smith has rendered another winner, packed with the charming characters, piercing perceptions and shrewd yet generous humour that have become his cachet.
— Chicago Sun-Times on 44 Scotland Street
Espresso Tales Listener Reviews
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" Another look into the trials and tribulations of the residents (and their connections) at 44 Scotland Street. I was kind of bored with the chapters about Ramsey Dunbarton (thus the 4 stars instead of 5 stars) but I enjoyed the chapters about Bertie, Stuart, Matthew, and Pat. I'm still waiting for karma to visit Irene and Bruce so I'm looking forward to the third installment of the series. "
— Mirah, 2/17/2014 -
" stories of lives of people, worth of reading because of Bertie, a six-year-old boy "
— Terje, 1/30/2014 -
" A charming continuation of the lives of these wonderful characters: Bruce, Pat, Bertie, etc. They all seem so real. I love these books! "
— Mairi, 1/22/2014 -
" I love this series! Bertie is my favorite because he has to deal with a crazy, helicopter mother. All of the characters are very real (but not always very likeable). Can't wait to see what happens next! "
— Andrea, 1/8/2014 -
" A light, pleasant, and enjoyable series, with likeable characters. A perfect read for a rainy evening. "
— Hope, 12/28/2013 -
" First part of the book was a two but the last part ended up as a three. This book was not as good as the "Ladies Detective Series" which I would give a four. So! After all is said I was disapointed in the book. His books are not page turners but they are fun to read. So if you want to read McCall Smith read the "Ladies Detective Series" first, because if you read "Espresso Tales" first you might never read another of his books. "
— James, 12/21/2013 -
" I like this series better than the #1 Dectective Agency. McCall Smith has a way of bringing ordinary characters to life. "
— Elaine, 12/18/2013 -
" This series is about absolutely nothing but it's charming and great fun. "
— Fritzov, 12/1/2013 -
" Some parts laugh out loud funny. Other parts pretty dry. Worth reading just for little Bertie's story. Overall this series not quite as good as Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency series,. I'm listening to it so its good for my daily commute. "
— Leslie, 11/21/2013 -
" Love these quirky characters. Especially Bertie!!! "
— Sepi, 11/10/2013 -
" This was OK - easy to read, interesting characters. I would probably have enjoyed it more if I'd read an episode a day in the paper (as it was written) rather than all in one book. There's something about the flow of it I found a bit irritating. "
— Alison, 11/3/2013 -
" Another good one (maybe not his best, but still a pleasant read). Makes me want to be one of the neighbors! "
— Vinita, 10/1/2013 -
" Alexander McCall Smith writes lovely books, and this is no exception. "
— Beth, 9/10/2013 -
" I love his stories and characters. I listened to the first in this series and read this one. Either way is great. You have to laugh at the foibles of these very human people whom you also grow to like very much. I hope he keeps going with this one. "
— Bonnie, 7/20/2013 -
" Something you would want to read over a weekend. Light and easy. "
— Maria, 2/20/2013 -
" I enjoyed this, but I liked the first one better. Enjoying all the characters. "
— LaSchelle, 1/20/2013 -
" I think this book was easier to get into than the first because we already knew all of the characters. I was definitely happy with how some things worked out, and I'm interested to see what Alexander McCall Smith has in store next. "
— Chelsea, 11/24/2012 -
" Light fiction first published in The Scotsman newspaper as a series. "
— Evelyn, 10/10/2012 -
" I enjoy his books so much and this one was no different! I can't wait to read more. "
— Kim, 6/5/2012 -
" This second in the trilogy was just as quick a read as 44 Scotlan Street. Continues to look into the lives of people occupying a small apartment complex. Tracking teir lives may seem slow and bothersome but McCall does it nicely. "
— Dorothy, 5/9/2012 -
" I love his humor and his bits of philosophy on life he throws in through each character. You'd probably enjoy it more if you're familiar with Edinburgh, Scotland, but it's still witty and clever. "
— Kristen, 3/20/2012 -
" Expresso Tales picks up on the lives of the characters in 44 Scotland St. "
— Catie, 2/6/2012 -
" Wonderful ongoing story of endearing characters. I just re-read it and there are some parts, especially in the first half that are absolutely hilarious. Skip over the guy writing his memoirs after you have read it once. Very entertaining. "
— Brittney, 1/10/2012 -
" Better than the first, very pleasant characters. Interesting insights in to Edinburgh culture. "
— Melody, 11/26/2011 -
" I already read The World According to Bertie which follows this book, so this one is boring. "
— Janet, 10/28/2011 -
" The sequel to 44 Scotland Street. "
— Alex, 7/8/2011 -
" I already read The World According to Bertie which follows this book, so this one is boring. "
— Janet, 6/28/2011 -
" Book 1 was more about Pat, book 2 is more about Bertie. "
— Nic, 6/12/2011 -
" I listened to this book. The reader is terrific and makes McCall Smith's dry wit all the more delightful. "
— Eloise, 6/8/2011 -
" Very enjoyable light reading. The short chapters work well for listening to in the car. "
— Ellen, 5/25/2011 -
" I adored this book. Most people know Alexander McCall Smith for his #1 Ladies Detective Agency series, but the Scotland Street books are a riot. "
— Julie, 5/20/2011 -
" Alexander McCall Smith writes lovely books, and this is no exception. "
— Beth, 4/25/2011 -
" I'm glad Bertie is getting liberated a bit. I wonder if Bruce will be in the third installment, now that he's moving to London. "
— Kirsten, 4/14/2011 -
" I love the number one ladies dectective agency series but this one just didn't keep my interest. I like the Bertie Story line but a couple of the others seemed to have no purpose. I almost quit in the middle which is not like me. "
— Rose, 4/9/2011 -
" Not earthshaking but I enjoyed it "
— Mary, 4/6/2011 -
" Absolutely delightful. Your heart breaks and soars along with that of a five year old boy named Bertie. "
— Kathryn, 4/3/2011 -
" second Serialized novel in series published first in Scotsman newspaper about tenants in an apartment building in Edinburgh. Resembled Tales of the City by Maupin written about similar building in San Francisco in 80s.<br/><br/> "
— Mom, 3/31/2011 -
" Bertie Pollock rides again. Laugh out loud funny. "
— Deborah, 3/9/2011 -
" Another delightful read from the Scotland Street series. "
— Barbara, 3/8/2011 -
" Lightly amusing. Nostalgia trip: mention of Crieff Hydro "
— Jenny, 2/14/2011
About Alexander McCall Smith
Alexander McCall Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie series, 44 Scotland Street novels, Corduroy Mansions series, the Perfect Passion Company novels, and more. He has also written stand-alone novels, books for children, and nonfiction works. In 2004 he was named the British Book Awards Author of the Year and Booksellers Association Author of the Year. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served with many national and international organizations concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and taught law at the University of Botswana.
About Robert Ian Mackenzie
Robert Ian Mackenzie, Earphones Award–winning narrator, became an actor after holding a wide variety of other jobs, including everything from London policeman to water ski instructor in Greece. Since then, his acting career has encompassed straight theater, musicals, opera, films, television, voice-overs, commercials, and recorded books.