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The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday (Isabel…
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The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday (Isabel Dalhousie Mysteries) (edition 2008)

by Alexander McCall Smith (Author)

Series: Isabel Dalhousie (5)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
1,1503617,286 (3.68)38
Isabel Dalhousie is asked to help a doctor who has been disgraced by allegations of scientific fraud concerning a newly marketed drug.
Member:dihiba
Title:The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday (Isabel Dalhousie Mysteries)
Authors:Alexander McCall Smith (Author)
Info:Pantheon Books (2008), 256 pages
Collections:Read but unowned
Rating:***
Tags:BritNovel

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The Comfort of Saturdays by Alexander McCall Smith

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» See also 38 mentions

English (35)  Italian (1)  All languages (36)
Showing 1-5 of 35 (next | show all)
9A non-taxing relaxing read. Not as much in it as others in the series. For interest I've borrowed the Collected Poems of W H Auden from the local library. (He wrote on an amazing number of subjects in a great number of styles.) Anyway in the story Isabelle goes to a lecture by Edward Mendelson on Auden's work. He later come to dinner at her place. A nice touch of reality in a novel. ( )
  GeoffSC | Aug 20, 2023 |
Yeah, I need to take a break from Alexander McCall Smith books. It's not that I don't like them, but I've read too many in too short a time and if don't stop I'll probably end up hating them. But this was the last I had, so maybe I'm good for a while.

This one kinda promised a mystery but didn't really deliver. I shouldn't be surprised, it's very well in keeping with the tone of the rest of the series, but the blurb on the bac sold it as more of a mystery, so that annoyed me.

Also, Cat is becoming less and less likeable with each book and I'm starting to think the author doesn't like her and is deliberately making her worse. I wish we could see things from her perspective once in a while. ( )
  upontheforemostship | Feb 22, 2023 |
This book was just what I hoped for. I will accordingly give it 4 stars but feel that I should dampen any wild expectations. I've gotten used to the very reserved yet very nosy Isabel. I love her fox in the garden. ( )
  Je9 | Aug 10, 2021 |
not really a mystery, but Isobel involved in case of dr. disgraced by experiment results on drug
  ritaer | Jul 24, 2021 |
Isabel Dalhousie is a sleuth, no two ways about it. Simply put, she is another version of Botswana's Mma Ramotswe of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Why didn't I notice this sooner?

Being a philosopher helps inform her sleuthing. She makes human errors but always ends up giving people the benefit of the doubt, along with clear and substantially good guidance. Like Mma Ramotswe she helps people move on with mended lives. Isabel is caring, and feels compelled to help when its needed.

But most importantly despite being wealthy and able to afford a good life, she treats virtually everyone fairly and respectfully. Because she is intuitively intelligent and introspective she recognizes her weaknesses (which cause those human errors mentioned above) and always works on improving herself.

Confident, warm and friendly Isabel acknowledges how fortunate she is in life and love. And just how important civility and kindness are.

Very good read.
  Bookish59 | Dec 21, 2020 |
Showing 1-5 of 35 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (1 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Alexander McCall Smithprimary authorall editionscalculated
Porter, DavinaNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Skopan, MartineTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Isabel Dalhousie is asked to help a doctor who has been disgraced by allegations of scientific fraud concerning a newly marketed drug.

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In the fabulous new installment in the best-selling adventures of Isabel Dalhousie, Isabel is asked to help a doctor who has been disgraced by allegations of scientific fraud concerning a newly marketed drug. Our ever-curious moral philosopher finds her interest piqued. Would a doctor with a stellar reputation make such a simple but grave mistake? If not, what explains the tragic accident that resulted in the death of a patient? Clearly, an investigation is in order, especially since a man's reputation is in jeopardy. Could he be the victim of someone else's mistake? Or perhaps he has been willfully deceived by a pharmaceutical company with a great deal to gain.

Not every problem prompts an investigation (take, for example, her ongoing struggle with her housekeeper, Grace, over the care of Isabel's infant son, Charlie), but, as we've seen, whatever the case, whatever the solution, Isabel's combination of spirit, smarts, empathy, and unabashed nosiness guarantees a delightful adventure.
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