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Holistic Guidance - The Careful Use of Compliments: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel
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List Price: $21.95
Our Price: $14.93
Your Save: $ 7.02 ( 32% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Pantheon
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.914
EAN: 9780375423017
ISBN: 037542301X
Label: Pantheon
Manufacturer: Pantheon
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 256
Publication Date: 2007-08-07
Publisher: Pantheon
Release Date: 2007-08-07
Studio: Pantheon
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Editorial Reviews:
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Isabel Dalhousie is back, in the latest installment of this enchanting, already beloeved, best-selling series.
In addition to being the nosiest and most sypathetic philosopher you are likely to meet, Isabel is now a mother. Charlies, her newborn son, presents her with a myriad wonders of a new life, and doting father Jamie presents her with an intriguing proposal: marriage. In the midst of all this, she receives a disturbing letter announcing that she has been ousted as editor of the Review of Applied Ethics by the ambitious Professor Dove.
None of these things, however, in any way diminshes Isabel's curiosity. And when she attends an art auction, she finds an irresistable puzzle: two paintings attributed to a now-deceased artist appear on the market at the same time, and both of them exhibit some unusual characteristics. Are these paintings forgeries? This proves to be sufficient fodder for Isabel's inquisitiveness. So she begins an investigation... and soon finds herself diverging from her philosophical musings about fatherhood onto a path that leads her into the mysteries of the art world and the soul of an artist.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: still delightful
Comment: I was excited to read the next book in Isabel's series, and was far from disappointed. It was everything that previous books have led me to expect, and was a very pleasurable and quick read. I only wish it had picked up earlier in the story - it would have been interesting to hear more about Isabel's pregnancy and Charlie's birth. I did find it interesting that Smith decided to not have Isabel breastfeed, which I think was mainly to free her up for her normal activities - after all, having to be home so often to nurse the baby would prevent the housekeeper from being able to look after him - unless she pumped or something - and that just seems like more complicated details for the storyline. (I am nursing right now, and so I am a little more aware of all those details than I might otherwise be.)
But all in all, a wonderful book, and I am looking forward to the next entry to this great series!
Customer Rating:
Summary: 2 DAY BOOK - VERY GOOD
Comment: I LOVED IT. A 2 day book. I am planning to read everything Smith now. Very Scottish. He does dialogue really well. Can not wait to read his Bertie books as am hoping he has his PG Woodhouse on. Bertie Wooster in a kilt. What the world needs now is more light Scottish romantic comedy.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Never fails to please
Comment: Alexander McCall Smith is always a pleasure. I love best his Botswana detective lady, but Isabel Dalhousie is entertaining also.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Tale of Two Paintings
Comment: The Careful Use of Compliments (2007) is the fourth mystery novel in the Isabel Dalhousie series, following The Right Attitude to Rain. In the previous volume, Isabel Dalhousie found a lover and broke up an engagement. She also became pregnant.
In this novel, Andrew McInnes was a painter who lived and died on the island of Jura. Isabel has a McInnes painting along her stairway. Then she sees an offering of a larger piece on the same subject and goes to view it at the auction house.
Guy Peploe is a friend of Isabel and the co-owner of an art gallery. She had seen him at the auction and later he calls her with news of another McInnes painting that he has recently acquired. Isabel goes to view it and believes it to be a McInnes work.
Professor Lettuce -- chairman of editorial board for the Review of Applied Ethics -- writes a letter to Isabel stating that she is being replaced by Christopher Dove at the end of the year. He first mentions the increase in subscriptions under her purview as the editor of the Review and finishes with a hand-written note about the recent death of a reviewer. Isabel decides Lettuce is feeling rather guilty about his contributions to this putsch.
Christopher Dove comes to visit Isabel to discuss the transition. While he is there, her niece Cat comes to return the sweater that Isabel had left at her flat. Dove and Cat have a very friendly conversation and Dove stays over the weekend.
In this story, Isabel decides to bid on the first painting, but something about it puzzles her. She allows herself to be outbid by a neighbor, Walter Buie. She also has some questions about the second painting.
Isabel travels to Jura -- where McInnes had died eight years before -- and visits Barnhill, the house where George Orwell wrote 1984. There she finds something that convinces her that the paintings were done by someone other than McInnes. She passes her findings on to Guy and he agrees to check on the matter.
Cat is having problems with jealousy about Isabel and Jamie. She insists that Isabel stole Jamie from her, but Isabel knows that Cat had already rejected Jamie despite his efforts to return to her good graces. Isabel cannot seem to talk to Cat without fanning the flames.
This tale is mostly about personal relationships and the moral obligations that those incur. Isabel wonders about moral impartialism; could anyone be completely even-handed in their actions and should they be? She firmly believes in social justice, but is also uncertain whether the government can provide it.
Everything she does seemingly provokes her moral senses. Isabel has been told often that she thinks too much. Enjoy!
Highly recommended for McCall Smith fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of Scottish society, ethical problems, and a middle-aged mother.
-Bill Jordin
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good read from the title to the end
Comment: As a mystery reader, you may have discovered that some authors drop you squarely into their plot from paragraph one on their very first page with an adrenalin-pumping, fast-paced chase or dilemma. The characters, their motivation, focus and flaws are then revealed at key points in the story.
That being said, Alexander McCall Smith first earns your trust as he introduces you up front to each of his colorful and appealing characters. You discover all of their virtues, flaws and beguiling ways; then the author gently surrounds you in the mystery like a warm cozy blanket.
For Isabel Dalhousie fans, you're in for a treat. In this mystery she is compelled to investigate an art world puzzle when the work of a well-known, but deceased artist, suddenly appears for auction. She follows her instincts to discover the truth behind the recent appearance of the rare art treasure, and who is surprisingly behind the move to sell the work.
The author completes the story by inviting you into Isabel's personal life. Her life is a colorful combination of optimism, curiosity, and straight-forward dialog. Isabel has a healthy awareness of her fallacies, and deep love for her baby, Charlie. The baby's father, Jamie, proposes marriage. However, Isabel cannot say yes as she is engaged in the web of intrigue, mystery and motherhood. There is no doubt she is in love with Jamie. The author provides a glimpse into their caring relationship to assure readers that Isabel and Jamie are doting parents and hold each other in high esteem. The vivid and charming dialog between the characters draws you more intimately into their story.
This easy-paced, captivating story is set in Edinburgh, Scotland; a mystery actually written for the faint-at-heart. The author gives you time to linger in the culture, absorb the beauty, and take in the breathtaking scenery as the mystery unfolds.
Does the art world puzzle consume Isabel? Yes, to a worthy and satisfactory outcome.
Armchair Interviews says: Enjoy this comfortable fireside read.
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