That Just Happened!

McCall Smith, Alexander. The Lost Art of Gratitude.  Alfred A. Knopf Canada. (2009).

Isabel’s son, Charlie, is now of an age—eighteen months—to have a social life, and so off they go to a birthday party, where, much to Isabel’s surprise, she encounters an old adversary, Minty Auchterlonie, now a high-flying financier. Minty had seemed to Isabel a woman of ruthless ambition, but the question of her integrity had never been answered. Now, when Minty takes Isabel into her confidence about a personal matter, Isabel finds herself going another round: Is Minty to be trusted? Or is she the perpetrator of an enormous financial fraud? And what should Isabel make of the rumors of shady financial transactions at Minty’s investment bank?

Not that this is the only dilemma facing Isabel: she also crosses swords again with her nemesis, Professor Dove, in an argument over plagiarism. Of course her niece, Cat, has a new, problematic man (a tightrope walker!) in her life. And there remains the open question of marriage to Jamie—doting father of Charlie.

As always, there is no end to the delight in accompanying Isabel as she makes her way toward the heart of every problem: philosophizing, sleuthing, and downright snooping in her inimitable—and inimitably charming—fashion.

From the Jacket

Let’s talk about how much I love  AMS.  So   much. Like really. I love his wit, his prose, his titles. I love how his picture on the jacket is of him wearing a kilt.  I love that he’s Scottish and that he has lived in Africa.  Really, I think I am just one obsessed   smitten fan.  He is one of my favourite authors. The Lost Art of Gratitude  was the latest in the Isabel Dalhousie series. It takes place in Scotland and it is so descriptive you feel like you are in her world.  By now even the smaller characters are well known to us and it seems as though I live in this village.

As AMS said himself at a book reading he gave, he is a “serial novelist”.  He starts off writing just one book, but he can never leave the story alone (my kind of guy!) and feels that there is so much more to tell.  So, one book turns into series of books. He has also written The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, and the 44 Scotland St series. Brilliant books and you shoudl definitely add them to your TBR list.

This installment in the Isabel  Dalhousie series was perhaps one of my favourites. Nothing very dramatic happens in this one, but the focus is on the relationships between the characters. I think it is interesting the direction he took with Isabel’s niece Cat. In the first books she was a great friend and confident to Isabel, but lately she’s just being silly and hurtful (doesn’t help that her aunt stole her ex-boyfriend).  AMS is not afraid to tell it how it is.  He exposes his character’s flaws without a second thought, but helps to make his characters unique.  It always feels like you are an interloper on someone else’s life because they seem so real and the situations so true.

I would recommend AMS to anyone at any age (well maybe not under 14. They probably just wouldn’t be interested. Unless they’re name is Bertie.  [AMS fans will get that reference]).  I absolutely love his books and he is just a true gentleman in person. The Lost Art of Gratitude is one of my favourite installments in the Isabel Dalhousie series; however, if you haven’t read any of his books, I would start with 44 Scotland St.  It is my co-favourite book of his. (The other is the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency.)

See more about AMS on his website www.alexandermccallsmith.com