Although nowhere near as entrancing as his "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" books, I have been enjoying McCall Smith's literary outings in Scotland, both with Isabel Dalhousie's "Sunday Philosopher's Club" and these "44 Scotland Street" novels. However I have to say this one was a disappointment and not as good as his previous in the series. It read rather like a few different novellas: involving respectively Bertie, Matthew, Bruce, Angus and Domenica, all shuffled together to make a book. The themes were repetitive from previous novels with nothing new to engage the interest. Even the eponymous Bertie had little that was memorable to say about the world. A number of the characters are becoming stereotypical to an unbelievable degree and are just very, very irritating. Taken as a whole the book seemed somewhat lackluster and bland. Oh well, there's always the next "No.1 Ladies'..." to look forward to. ( )

The latest installment of McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street series is as delightful as its predecessors. Bertie's mom continues to be obnoxious and oblivious, but Bertie and his dad both seem to be growing backbones. Bruce is back, also oblivious and obnoxious, but he may have met his feminine match! We have the usual philosophical digressions that make the author's books so enjoyable, and of course Edinburgh is again as much a character as any of the humans (or dogs).

There better be more, because we have some new people introduced about whom I was instantly curious, and some relationships (of love and friendship) look to be starting or ending. I want more!

funny, interesting, allways glued to book, never boring, characters with layers and looking forward to more ( )

Poor Bertie. Irene is getting more and more awful. Olive is a nasty piece of work as well. ( )

A joy, as always, a pick-me up. ( )