The Sunday Philosophy Club

An Isabel Dalhousie Mystery

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith, winner of the first-ever Saga Award for Wit, has entertained millions with his beloved No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency mysteries. Now this phenomenally popular author introduces a fresh series, brimming with the charm and humor his stable of dedicated fans can't get enough of.

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's curiosity is aroused. She does not believe the fall was an accident, and she is determined to root out the truth. With a little help from some friends (her housekeeper, her niece, and her niece's rather attractive ex-boyfriend), Isabel plunges into the shady business community of Edinburgh to find some answers.

With its distinctive characters and captivating suspense, The Sunday Philosophy Club further cements McCall Smith's status as one of today's most imaginative and enjoyable authors.

©2004 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"A world of kindness, gentility and creature comforts...the literary equivalent of herbal tea and a cozy fire." (The New York Times)
"Utterly enchanting....It is impossible to come away from an Alexander McCall Smith 'mystery' novel without a smile on the lips and warm fuzzies in the heart." (Chicago Sun-Times)

Great audiobook

This is the first book in Smith's latest series, and I enjoyed the narration as much as I did with the Mma Ramotswe audiobooks. The Mma Ramotswe stories are such a universal success because they are universally accessible and warm, but Smith's previous characters have, like this one, been more academic in their musings. While the Ladies Detective Agency series is surely his masterpiece, this new series is wonderful literature to look forward to as well.

Narration and performance were good

The story ended on a flat note.
Too simple after listening to all the curves and corners of the storyline. The performances were well done and characters believable.

Narration is superb. Story is very interesting but…

The ending is highly disappointing and left far too many things undone—especially the sideplots. Felt like the author developed a really interesting story and then realized they had a deadline and just wrote something quickly.

Sequencing

There’s something about the way the book is set up that made it difficult to return when I left it for a while—to find the place I left off or to even find the right chapter.

Tj

I love this author and all of his series. His style is my favorite!^

Surprised that I was not awed...

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would not recommend this to a friend, I felt this book was mediocre at best. Was not really dazzled by the story or characters.

Would you be willing to try another book from Alexander McCall Smith? Why or why not?

Maybe- I would be willing to give a different book a shot. But I was just not awed by this book.

Do you think The Sunday Philosophy Club needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I can't imagine why you would want to read another mediocre story. There was no hanging treads, this was not really a who done it that captured your imagination. No need for a follow up, in my opinion.

Any additional comments?

So this book was read by my book club and the consensus was it was mediocre, it was definitely miss leading and luke-warm reading at best... the characters were so/so interesting and it was kinda perceptible. I do love Devina Porter as a narrator- but did not love this book.

Compelling

Smith is channeling a woman's voice and a wonderful one at that: intelligent and warm. More please.

Think and Feel Good

I just finished listening to The Sunday Philosophy Club: An Isabel Dalhousie Mystery by Alexander McCall Smith, and I really liked it. Smith writes gracefully, which is a pleasure in itself to experience. If you want to think and feel good at the same time, the book and the subsequent series are perfect. Isabel is a 40-something philosopher who lives according to her own elegant sense of practical ethics. As I listen, I feel blessed to swim around in her thoughts with her while she solves mysteries that she feels a duty to involve herself in. That's how she thinks of life, as a series of graceful duties. She reminds me of what I want to be.

Interesting use of philosophy to unravel a mystery

I enjoyed this light mystery, the use of philosophy, and the narration, though it can be a bit haughty.

excellent read!

I very much enjoyed becoming acquainted with Isabel Dalhousie and the mystery was interesting. I have purchased book 2 of the series.