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The Sunday Philosophy Club Audiobook
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(3.00) - 9,493 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
From internationally best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith, creator of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, comes a new mystery series brimming with the same wit and charm. Isabel Dalhousie is a philosopher by training, and an amateur sleuth by choice. When a young man falls from a balcony to his death, Isabel does not believe it was an accident. Plunging deep into the shady business community of Edinburgh, she is determined to root out the truth.
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"This isn't exactly a mystery novel as I'd expected but how fun to hangout in Isabel's head! Her musings on society, ethics, and observing others were so interesting to read. I definitely want to join the Sunday Club. The plot is pretty abrupt, almost strange, but I definitely want to read more of this series."
— Sara (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“This book is a clear demonstration of Mr. McCall Smith’s own philosophy: that there is wisdom in inviting readers into a world of kindness and gentility and creature comforts. Offer the literary equivalent of herbal tea and a cozy fire. They’ll come back for more.”
— New York Times -
“Glows like a rare jewel.”
— Entertainment Weekly -
“A plucky new series by a master of local color.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review -
“Murder and moral obligation mingle in this whimsical new series…Scotland’s climate may be misty and cool, but McCall Smith’s charming prose warms every page of this winning series debut.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Davina Porter creates a wonderful range of Scottish accents and delivers a fine-tuned narration…Porter’s varying tone and pacing keep the listener involved, and her interpretation of well-born but broadminded Isabel is adroit.”
— AudioFile
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
The Sunday Philosophy Club Listener Reviews
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" This really was an interesting book - a little odd as it strove to have a very high society and intellectual main character. You can't help but like her, though. While she is very introspective, she's pretty bold! Maybe someday the club will actually meet, but for the time being it's good to follow just one member. "
— Jennifer, 2/13/2014 -
" Not quite as magical as the Ladies detective agency but still very enjoyable! "
— Marianne, 2/7/2014 -
" Didn't draw me in like the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books do. Disappointingly bland. "
— Fay, 1/31/2014 -
" Tried very hard not to make comparisons between Isabel and Mma. Ramotswe, but it was difficult. Isabel is not a terribly engaging character and I was surprised to find myself struggling to finish this book. I'm used to the McCall Smith style mystery but without the strength of the characters, it's difficult to be drawn into. "
— Caitlin, 1/12/2014 -
" The main character in this series is such a thoughtful person, and she works to always do the right thing. McCall Smith's books can be slow-moving at times, but the characters are excellent and definitely human, flaws and all. "
— Regina, 12/12/2013 -
" Have I mentioned I love this series? Alas, I have no roots in Scotland that justify a move to Edinburgh to edit a small journal of history and performance. "
— Barbwebb1, 12/11/2013 -
" Why is it even called the Sunday Philosophy Club when they only mention said club three times the entire book? And then, it has nothing to do whatsoever with the plot which is essentially NON-EXISTENT. "
— Amber, 12/10/2013 -
" Loved this first book in this series. I couldn't stop reading until 3 books later! I really enjoy Isabel's philosophizing and the setting in Edinburgh. I also enjoy all the characters and the author's love of music and the arts in general. "
— Louise, 11/21/2013 -
" I have al of the Dalhousie series....really entertaining and fun to read "
— Mary, 10/23/2013 -
" Fun, gentle story (minus the guy who fell from the balcony, not so gentle for him...) "
— Megan, 10/13/2013 -
" By no means a terrible book, just did not grab my attention! "
— Emily, 9/25/2013 -
" I really liked McCall smiths series on the #1 Ladies Detective Agency. This book was fair........not his best work but I finished it. "
— Barb, 9/14/2013 -
" Read for Mystery Book Club 1/2007 "
— Debbie, 6/10/2013 -
" Soooo disappointing, after the thoroughly enjoyable No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books. My complete review is here. "
— ColleenPA, 5/27/2013 -
" I like this author, but I found this book to be bit heavy on the philosophy. An interesting character, though, and I've heard the later books in the series are better. "
— Tiffany, 3/7/2013 -
" Didn't enjoy the style of this book. Very wordy, and I never warmed to the main protagonist "
— Lisa, 12/25/2012 -
" Had high hopes for this but it's not as good as 44 Scotland Street. "
— J, 10/26/2012 -
" A Miss Marble for the modern woman. "
— Psirene, 8/29/2012 -
" Not quite what I expected. (For example, there are no meetings of any club!). The end also seemed a little "rushed". Nonetheless, very diverting, enjoyable and a good read. "
— John, 8/18/2012 -
" Annoying and boring. Reading this book, on Sunday or any other day, is an exercise in nihilism. "
— Marigold, 8/9/2012 -
" I had a hard time with this book, as it was very stuffy and a bit TOO philosophical for my taste. I found myself skipping whole sections of philosophical fluff. I did not get attached to Isabel and found her character to be a bit boring. "
— Blakelyn, 6/27/2012 -
" This book was a big disappointment. I loved the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency books by the same author, but I found this book to be tedious and a chore to finish. "
— Bev, 4/24/2012 -
" I am coming to this series late, but like them very much....such a delightful protagonist! "
— Judi, 11/13/2011 -
" Just gave up. DId not find this book enjoyable or interesting. I felt like I was forcing myself to read this book. "
— Eli, 7/26/2011 -
" <br/>Different from his Mma Ramotswe series, but just as charming. "
— Genine, 6/29/2011 -
" Well written, but I don't like the heroine of the series much, and won't bother to read any more books in the series. I love this author's "No 1 Ladies Detective Agency" but not this series. I ended up speed-reading the last 2/3 of it just to find out "who done it." "
— Julie, 6/23/2011 -
" This was kind of slow are hard for me to get through. "
— Marlene, 6/16/2011 -
" I just couldn't find myself interested enough in the busy body protagonist. "
— Marcus, 6/14/2011 -
" Got better as it went on. Not as good as No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. "
— Terry, 6/8/2011 -
" Very wordy. Slow slow read for me. "
— Pam, 6/3/2011 -
" I enjoy the Ladies #1 Detective Agency more. Still, this is a pleasant read about someone who may philosophize a bit too much but who gets into interesting situations by being nosy. "
— Rrshively, 6/1/2011 -
" A big disappointment after the #l Ladies Detective series. Lacking the charm. Hard to get into. "
— Leslie, 5/29/2011 -
" lame mystery with a dumb ending and philosophical discussions with which I disagreed amid loose morals.<br/>This was a big surprise after reading the #1 womens detective book which I enjoyed. "
— Winona, 5/21/2011 -
" I almost put this book down so many times because I was just bored, but I perservered and finished. "
— Jessica, 5/14/2011
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 Davina Porter
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.