The best-selling author of worldwide phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith also draws tremendous acclaim for his novels featuring plucky philosopher Isabel Dalhousie. In The Careful Use of Compliments, Isabel finds her family growing and her insatiable curiosity leading her down unexpected paths.
Ousted as editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, Isabel thankfully has her newborn son, Charlie, to keep her occupied. What’s more, Charlie’s adoring father, Jamie, has offered the most intriguing proposal of all—marriage. But before she can settle into a quiet, domestic existence, Isabel becomes entangled in an art world mystery. At an auction, two paintings attributed to a deceased artist hit the market at the same time, and both paintings have unusual elements—such as the appearance of a person the painter could only have known after his supposed date of death. Could the works be forgeries? Or for that matter, might the artist still be alive?
New and exciting worlds are opening to Isabel in this sharply written and meticulously constructed gem from one of the world’s most popular novelists.
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"I LOVE Alexander McCall Smith. His books are just plain delightful. They are my comfort zone. Like-able characters, fun plots. While his writing does make me think, he has a light handed touch at ethical dilemas and current events. I love the way the main characters often have a rambling train of thought that allows the author to weave around lots of life's little issues without hitting you over the head with it. Fleeting references to a world view. The books are like those old "Little House" type TV series - that always had a message and ended well. McCall's books make me feel good when I've been dealing with other heavy reading."
— Nancy (4 out of 5 stars)
“Enchanting…Delicious mental comfort food…The ‘intimate’ city of Edinburgh is an appealing character is its own right."
— Los Angeles Times“Completely absorbing…will captivate and enthrall.”
— Detroit Free Press“McCall Smith, a fine writer, paints his hometown of Edinburgh as indelibly as he captures the sunniness of Africa. We can almost feel the mists as we tread the cobblestones.”
— Dallas Morning News“Witty, ruminative, and wise.”
— Times-Picayune" I finally finished. Not because this is a difficult book, just the opposite. I kept finding other things that were more compelling. It's a pleasant enough book to have kept me coming back, even though the plot is mostly musings of the main character and descriptions of Scotland scenery. "
— Charlotte, 2/10/2014" Smith's books are read and enjoyed by many, but I can't really get into them. This was just okay for me. "
— Trudy, 1/15/2014" Compliments hooked me almost immediately and lost me shortly thereafter. I had expected a witty mystery story and instead found a rather pretentious tale with no intrigue at all. "
— Bria, 1/9/2014" This is the fourth of the Isabel Dalhousie series and I've enjoyed each a bit more than the one before. I think Smith has come into his characters in this one...I sensed more emotion in the book and the smart wit seemed smarter and wittier. I'm officially hooked. "
— Janet, 1/2/2014" I am listening to this book which I downloaded from Audible.com. I'll let you know how I like it. "
— Shaddi, 12/17/2013" I gave up on this a third of the way through. The atmosphere is far too cosy, the characters are boring, and the constant soul-searching eventually becomes rather tedious. "
— Anne, 12/17/2013" Davina Porter and Isabel Dalhousie - what could be more enjoyable! My idea of a perfect way to spend a cold rainy Sunday afternoon is to listen to Porter narrate this series while I sit by the fire knitting. "
— Sharron, 12/11/2013" Forgot I had read this book. I liked it. Isabel seems like the most unlikely person to have a child without having a husband. It's one of the unusual things about this series. "
— Kay, 11/25/2013" Isabel Dalhousie is a wonderful creation. I love the ethical dilemmas she finds herself in, but the series isn't all that compelling. I've only read two in the group...and that's because they've ended up on a book club list. "
— Nan, 11/17/2013" Fast read, but nothing much really happens. The "mystery" is sort of revealed halfway through, and then is resolved quite easily. The protagonist got annoying after awhile, and I wanted to tell her to shut up a few times. But it made a nice beach book. "
— Alasse, 11/9/2013" The struggles between Professor Dove, Professor Lettuce, and Isabel are delightfully catty and probably a fairly realistic problem of academia. Isabel's relationship between her and Jamie take backseat to the mystery and her relationships with the other characters. "
— Caitlin, 10/1/2013" This Isabel Dalhousie ties with 'The Right Attitude to Rain' to be my favourite of the series so far. This is McCall Smith at his (comparative) best. Isabel has never been more alluring, and maddening, in equal measure...and a bit of Brother Fox in the world makes everything better. <3 "
— Shivanee, 7/24/2013" Philosophy, Scotland, a mysterious painting, and a terrifying whirlpool are brought together in a sweet gentle story. My good luck is to listen to the story voiced by the excellent Davina Porter. "
— Nicole, 7/20/2013" Pleasant light book. Makes me want to go to the start of the series. "
— Pito, 4/7/2013" A pleasant novel, comforting. A bit long. "
— Johnvano, 3/9/2013" I love the Isabel Dalhousie series. These books always make me smile. "
— Jeannette, 1/13/2013" Always nice to spend a little time with Isabel, who spends even more time in her head than I do. "
— Lynn, 12/23/2012" This series gets better and better. I find that I like a bit of intellegent intrigue and the idea of an older woman getting a bit of sweet in her life. "
— Lauren, 9/19/2012" An Isabel Dalhousie Novel, a very nice Scottish mystery. "
— Pamela, 9/11/2012" I'm continuously flummoxed by why this series is classified as "mystery." Epic fail on the part of Library of Congress cataloging-in-publication data? "
— Melanie, 8/6/2012" An enjoyable read, though not nearly as clever or well-written as his Mma Ramotswe books. It is nice reading a mystery/puzzle that doesn't involve murder though. "
— Lisa, 3/21/2012" this was the best of the Dalhousie/SUnday Philosophy club in my book.... "
— Terri, 8/9/2011" Just starting it. Wow, he just jumped 12 months in time forward. Will be interesting to see how the time-lapse is handled. "
— Genevieve, 5/19/2011" This series is a wonderfully easy read with a little mystery thrown in for interest, but really, the visualisation is the big things in these books. The author creates a delightful world of imagery that I enjoy re-visiting over and over. Nothing too confronting in this series. "
— Celia, 5/9/2011" Isabel Dalhousie's character & surroundings continue to develop in a way interesting enough that you almost forget there's a mystery happening - which turns out to be interesting, too. "
— Brett, 4/11/2011" Another enjoyable read. Surprised at the complex thoughts about love and relationships. Surprising end to the mystery. (Book 4 of this sweet series of Isabel Dalhousie, set in Edinburgh, Scotland.) "
— Jennifer, 3/30/2011" While not as hilarious as the 44 Scotland Street series, Alexander McCall Smith spins a good yarn. I listened to this on CD in the car, and it was perfect for the short trips I take now that I ride the bus and train. "
— Jennifer, 3/17/2011" Forgot I had read this book. I liked it. Isabel seems like the most unlikely person to have a child without having a husband. It's one of the unusual things about this series. "
— Kay, 3/17/2011" I though this was slow moving and a little to philosophical for me. I did get somewhat caught up in the back story. Liked his other books better. "
— Carol, 3/5/2011" Nothing ever happens in this series, but somehow I really enjoy it anyway. "
— Christine, 3/2/2011" What a great little book to take my mind off the pain of being home with strep throat. I finished it in one day. I am fully invested in all the characters of this series now. This author really does have a talent for creating such endearing characters. "
— Natalie, 2/21/2011" A good book, fourth in the series. A lot of thinking goes along with reading this book, moral issues, good judgement, the proper thing to do, etc. Thought provoking! "
— Anne, 2/1/2011" I liked this even more than the Ladies Detective Agency books. This author writes so upliftingly about the goodness of people while at the same time being honest about their weaknesses. "
— Jenna, 1/5/2011" Another light read by Smith. Takes place in Edinburgh and follows Isabel, a philosopher who tends to get involved in solving other people's problems. She often gets lost in her musings of philosophy, so it's not for everyone, but I really enjoyed it! "
— Misty, 1/3/2011" This character is just dull and so is the story. "
— Kelly, 12/14/2010" I love the Isabel Dalhousie series. These books always make me smile. "
— Jeannette, 12/12/2010Alexander 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.
Davina Porter has been enthralling listeners for over twenty-five years with her ability to mine the psychological depths of the characters she reads and bring them convincingly to life. In 2006, she won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Female Narration and in 2004 for Best Inspirational Literature Narration. She has been honored as an AudioFile Golden Voice and has won nineteen AudioFile Earphones Awards. As an actress, she has appeared on stage at the Vineyard Playhouse and the Square One Theater, among others.