Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Alexander McCall Smith


Cover art for THE DOG WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD
FICTION
Released: June 21, 2011

"Like Henry James, Smith clearly believes that relations stop nowhere; unlike James, he seems determined to trace every single one of them to its vanishing point."
Seventy-eight more slices of low-key comedy, originally serialized in the Daily Telegraph, concerning the denizens of Pimlico's Corduroy Mansions and their lovers, friends and unavoidable relatives. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE CHARMING QUIRKS OF OTHERS
FICTION
Released: Oct. 12, 2010

"A powerful demonstration of Smith's ability to dramatize the ways everyday situations spawn the ethical dilemmas that keep philosophers in business."
Edinburgh moral philosopher Isabel Dalhousie's seventh round of adventures among ethical conundrums (The Lost Art of Gratitude, 2009, etc.) marks her finest hour to date. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF SCONES
FICTION
Released: Jan. 5, 2010

Life goes on, and on in this fifth helping of luminously understated adventures for the denizens of 44 Scotland Street and environs. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE LOST ART OF GRATITUDE
FICTION
Released: Sept. 22, 2009

Inspired and encouraged by verses from W.H. Auden, Edinburgh philosopher Isabel Dalhousie again confronts wickedness masquerading as mere crime. Read full book review >
Cover art for ESPRESSO TALES
FICTION
Released: July 11, 2006

"Vintage Smith, of a body and bouquet that even Bruce would appreciate."
Further adventures of the inhabitants of the Edinburgh townhouse that provided the primary setting for this novel's beguiling predecessor, 44 Scotland Street (2005). Read full book review >
Cover art for BLUE SHOES AND HAPPINESS
FICTION
Released: April 18, 2006

"The dénouement, which brings Mma Ramotswe face to face with evil, is the perfect climax to a tale as refreshing as a month in the country--the country of Botswana."
A seventh bulging file of cases for Mma Precious Ramotswe and the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, most of them offering no hope of profit except to lucky readers. Read full book review >