Friends, Lovers, Chocolate

If you've got the key to literary success, it is a risky business indeed to make an abrupt change of subject that may lose you some readers. Has Alexander McCall Smith done this with Friends, Lovers, Chocolate? After all, his much-loved No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series has won him a legion of admirers, with its vividly evoked African settings, quirky plotting and (most of all) his likeable, 'generously proportioned' sleuth Precious Ramotswe. These gentle, indulgently enjoyable books were quite unlike anything else being published today, and found a ready audience. But McCall Smith, not content to rest on his laurels, produced The Sunday Philosophy Club, with a new female detective, the philosopher Isabel Dalhousie. This was a very different kettle of fish, with an Edinburgh setting replacing sultry Botswana, and more philosophical concerns replacing the homely adages. The book was a success, without seducing readers in quite the numbers that the previous series had done. And now we have the second outing for Isabel Dalhousie -- and Friends, Lovers, Chocolate bids fair to cement McCall Smith's new heroine in readers' affections - though she'll never replace Precious. Isabel is trying to deal with her uncertain feelings for an attractive young man, Jamie, who is planning to marry her niece, Cat. Things become even more complicated when Cat takes an Italian vacation and asks Isabel to look after her delicatessen. Isabel finds out that one of the customers has had a heart transplant, and seems to be accessing memories that he is convinced belong to another person. As Isabel digs deeper, things suddenly become dangerous. The appeal of the new book is (like its predecessor) more to the mind than the emotions, but it's none the worse for that. McCall Smith's brittle dialogue and situations are as entertainingly off-kilter as ever, and even fans of the ample Precious should put this on their lists. --Barry Forshaw

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Entertaining, charming, interesting - Rated
I had missed out on this delightful Isabel Dalhousie series until recently as I hadn't liked my sampling of the No 1 Ladies Detective agency books. I was introduced to Isabel's world by reading the fourth book in the series (The Careful Use of Compliments) and was so charmed by her character and the conundrums of her life that I wanted to find out more about her past and so bought the three earlier books, of which "Friends, Lovers, Chocolate" is the second. I was not disappointed. This is an intriguing and unusual story with philosophical ramifications. I'm not usually a fan of philosophical writing, but find that McCall Smith manages to weave the discussion of ethical/moral issues into the narrative in such a way that it does seem relevant and interesting.

An added bonus is that the stories take place in a part of Edinburgh in which I lived, worked and shopped and so it's all pleasingly familiar. I have also enjoyed Ian Rankin's Rebus series of novels, also based in Edinburgh, but Isabel's amateur detective work couldn't be more different from the harsh reality of Rebus's world.

Won't bother again - Rated
Very disappointing as nothing actually happens and felt extremely letdown by the ending. Not sure why this was put in the library under crime???

First of his books that I have tried and I think will be the last.

disappointing - Rated
I love the Ladies Detective Agency books so I bought this. It was a huge disappointment. The story is risible and the characters one-dimensional and unbelievable. The main character is supposed to be a 40-something divorcee but comes across as a prissy old spinster - just one of many false touches. It may have some attraction for those interested in genteel Edinburgh society but I do not believe anyone actually lives like this.

disappointing - Rated
I loved the lady detective books so thought I'd try this. I was deeply disappointed. The lead character is unbelievable and comes across like an elderly spinster rather than the 40-something divorcee she's supposed to be. The plot is both far-fetched and unsatisfying though if you want a description of genteel Edinburgh society I suppose you may like it.

Believable characters and a great story - Rated
This is a great read!

My reaction to the first book in this series was luke warm, partly because I did not feel that the lead characters had been particularly well developed and partly because the mystery was not sufficiently mysterious! However, this second instalment is a huge improvement and I enjoyed it very much. Isabel was presented as very likeable, honest and intelligent. The way she handles her feelings for Jamie make her seem very real.

There remains a philosophical thread to the story but it was subtle and interesting, as opposed to the rather name-dropping and slightly pretentious style of the first book. The storyline in "Friends, Lovers and Chocolate" is original and reflects recent scientific study into the unexpected effects of transplantation on the recipient. You get a real sense of excitement as the mystery unfolds.

The story moves along quickly enough to satisfy your need to know what happens next yet does not rush along like a cheap crime thriller. It shows intelligence but not affectation. If you are a fan of Mr McCall Smith I recommend that you read this book, regardless of whether you enjoyed "The Sunday Philosophy Club".