Download Audio Books from Audible.

Customer reviews

5 star		61%
4 star		30%
3 star		5%
2 star		3%
1 star		1%

How are ratings calculated?

Review this product

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Antoinette Klein

The Second Entertaining Entry in Corduroy Mansions Series

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2011

Verified Purchase

The story first begun in CORDUROY MANSIONS continues with all the light-hearted humor and introspective analyzing of the human condition that has made Alexander McCall Smith a much-beloved writer.

The author returns us to the now familiar building of London flats and follows its fictional residents as they each search for "home"---that sometimes elusive euphemism for the place and people one feels they truly belong with. The most endearing character of all is Freddie de la Hay, the former bomb-sniffing dog from Heathrow now residing with wine merchant William. More than others, Freddie realizes the importance of home and being where you are happy and with the person who makes you happiest. Unfortunately, Freddie is conscripted into service for the Crown and must shed his blood for England as he takes up with a band of Russian spies. Will Freddie ever know the comfort of Corduroy Mansions again? Will Berthea Snark's comic plot to save the home of her life-challenged brother Terence be successful? Will Rupert's eternal quest for the home he feels he rightfully deserves be realized? Will Caroline convince James to be her lover and not her friend? Will Barbara find happiness with Hugh if it means leaving England? These and many other questions will be answered as the residents of Corduroy Mansions search for love and happiness.

There are the inevitable loose ends that readers have come to expect in a series. Will we find out what happened to Hugh in South America? Will Dee's great scheme be revealed as marketing fraud? The story is set to continue and I eagerly anticipate the next installment. My only suggestion to the author would be more Freddie de la Hay and less of Dee and her passionate pronouncements on colonic irrigation.

Every Bit as Good as the Scotland Street Series

Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2011

Verified Purchase

I must say I have enjoyed the two books of the Corduroy Mansions series every bit as much as I loved the Scotland Street Series. McCall Smith has a wonderful way of writing insightful and witty novels. This one I must say is even better than the first one in this series.

Freddie de la Hay, Pimlico Terrier, owned by William French, becomes an MI6 recruit in order to infilitrate a group of Russian spies. It puts Freddie in perilous danger and causes William to realize he has made a big mistake in letting Freddie work for the MI6. We get great insight into their relationship because of Freddie's recruitment. For a while it looks as if it might all be over for poor Freddie, but you'll have to read to see what happens.

Meanwhile the neighbors downstairs are having their own crisis. Caroline and James's relationship isn't turning out to be what either one of them wanted. Dee comes with a brilliant idea for her vitamin store which could pay millions. Jo goes for a weekend with Caroline to her parents' home.

Barbara Ragg and Rupert Porter of literary agent fame are having their own problems. Rupert is having a hard time believing in the Yeti and more importantly in his author. In fact, there is a quite amusing scene in the book where Rupert thinks he has spotted the Yeti and chases him all over London. Meanwhile Barbara goes with her very handsome finance to meet his family in Scotland.

Another lovely and warm story from Alexander McCall Smith. He is truly the premier storyteller of our age.

love to read

Held my attention

Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2018

Verified Purchase

This is the second in a series of 3 books and I thoroughly enjoyed it. By now I'm hooked on these rather quaint characters and plan to read the 3rd in the series. I like the technique Mr. $Smith uses to leave the reader hanging while he moves on to another character. He does a great job of keeping the reader absorbed in the story.

Avid Mystery Reader

A Fun Read

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2011

Verified Purchase

I enjoyed the first book in this series, but have to say that this one was better. The things that were brought up and told were simply farcical. I think I must be dense but it took me a while to make the connection about the title of the book and the story. I had forgotten about that old movie, "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold." When I was reading about how crazy MI6 functioned, the tongue-in-cheek nonsense, I laughed and laughed and then it all just came into focus for me.
All the lovable characters from the first book are here and their stories just keep evolving. Even if you did not read the first book, Smith does a good job of "filling you in on the most important parts" so you still enjoy the story in this second book in the series. However, I think reading the first one helped me to enjoy this second one better. I really cannot wait for the next installment. I know that Smith became popular with his series about the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency; however, of all of his series I think I am enjoying this one the best. If you want something that will take you away from the seriousness of your everyday world, this book will do it!

Ethel E. Todd

McCall Smith - a dear companion

Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2017

Verified Purchase

This was the funniest book I have ever read, but I am very susceptible to McCall Smith.
Where others may not be so amused, I just laugh out loud. I LOVE THIS AUTHOR.
His observations of the human condition are so sweet and insightful, and always an exaggerated TWIST.
My husband gets a kick out of my snickering, ESPECIALLY on this one, but always!
I wish McCall Smith finished a book every two weeks. I have read every last word he has written.

looselinks

alexander McCall smith does it again

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2012

Verified Purchase

Best kown for his stories and series, Alexander McCll Smith creataed an engaging new set of characters in his Corduroy Mansions series. THe #1 Ladies Detective Agency of Botswana is delightful series. In the same vein. We meet the new characters who live in Corduroy mansions who are just as unique and diverse as the people in the dective agency. Set in Scotland, the flavor of the neighbothood comes though as unique as its inhabitants. From th Psycholanalyst mom who hates her son to the wine merchant who feels he is a failure in life, you cn find something to connect with in each one. SO faar, there are only 3 books in the series, please give us more!

Top reviews from other countries

Lucy

Pleasant, repeats the premise of Scotland St series

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 30, 2020

Verified Purchase

Enjoyable, really it's very similar to the Scotland St series with characters repeated but with different names. After reading vast numbers of his books, the most enjoyable bits are those featuring unpleasant characters . As his stories and characters are generally cosy, whimsical and philosophical in outlook, I could do with more bite. But reading any of his books is a pleasant interlude.

ruralbuyer

whimsical wonder

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 18, 2012

Verified Purchase

This is the second book in the series of Corduroy mansions and I can't wait to get my hands on the third. Some critics have said that the Corduroy Mansions series is not up to the standard of the Scotland Street books, but not having read any of those, I can only say that the Corduroy Mansion stories have me hooked. The mix of characters and storylines that are sometimes downright bizzare are a refreshing change from mainstream comedy and very well written. One small complaint though, the liberal smattering of French and Latin can be a bit over the top, especially when it is not always clear what is meant. Not everyone has had the benefit of learning these languages. But set against the antics of Terence Moongrove, William French, Freddie de la Hay and the others, the matter of a few words of French and Latin pale into insigificance.
I thouroughly enjoy these tales and hope that Mr McCall Smith will continue with the series.

Mrs A

Freddie de la Hay v Bertie

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 9, 2012

Verified Purchase

I had been feeling somewhat disloyal to Precious Ramotswe and the other characters in the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series as they had been replaced as my McCall Smith favourites by Bertie in the 44 Scotland Street series. Now I have a further dilemma as the "hero" of The Dog Who Came in from the Cold is Freddie de la Hay a Pimlico Terrier who has all the innocent charm of Bertie. Both get into hysterical situations without being aware of it. This book is the second in the Corduroy Mansions series. The first book was enjoyable but did not seem to be addictive. The second left me wondering when I could get my hands on the next in the series. As mentioned in other reviews there can be a lot of chuckling out loud involved so bear that in mind before reading in public.

Amazon Customer

Freddie deserves a mention in the title

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2011

Verified Purchase

I read the first book in this series on line as it developed. An interesting concept but not one I would like to repeat too often. But I have enjoyed reading the second book - having the whole thing to hand rather than waiting for the next instalment (very Charles Dickens). It is like the others in that it is a gentle, feel good read focusing on what is good in human nature rather than what is bad. Given the images and grittiness of the news we see every day we need a bit of a reminder that people are basically good and kind. I do love Freddie though and glad to see him on the front cover if not mentioned in the title - but we all of course know who "the dog" refers to.

Ms B. Peters

The Dog Who Came in from the Cold

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2010

Verified Purchase

The second in the series about the characters we met in Corduroy Mansions As we read and share in their lives the usual " can't put the book down yet!" comes into play Love the poetic and descriptive and gripping uses of language
The Adventures bring us to the edge of our seats and laughing out loud at the descriptions of the characters
Like the Book Festival Conversations with the Author a big smile comes to the readers faces
Oh and the heroic dog... the story woven with gentle sensitivity
Book finished too quickly as usual and looking for the next instalment

See all reviews