The 13th in the delightfully charming series featuring philosopher, mother, and wife Isabel Dalhouise, delves into quite a few interesting topics for careful debate ranging from boys in dresses to Scottish country dancing. Isabel is kept quite busy as a mother of two young children and her job as the publisher and editor of the quarterly "Review of Applied Ethics." However true to form, her self-absorbed niece Cat, once again takes advantage of her giving nature and requests Isabel's help, often at very short notice, at her delicatessen. Isabel is present and growing more concerned as Cat makes some important life decisions with serious implications for Isabel, her co-worker Eddie and the family trust, Isabel is thrown into another moral dilemma revolving around how much help is too much? When does it cross the line into meddling? Isabel is also asked to serve as the executor to a dying man's trust and estate, which quickly becomes much more complex than she originally anticipated. Luckily Isabel has the support and help of her husband Jamie, who once again helps Isabel find the right balance and make sound ethical decisions with a pleasing outcome to all parties involved.
If you have not had the pleasure of reading any of the novels featuring Isabel Dalhouise, you are missing out. Isabel's deep musings on various ethical and moral dilemmas add a depth and weight as well as an interesting direction that loosely guides the narrative into some strange, yet fascinating topics of debate. Isabel's own moral predicaments will often leave readers with the strong desire to ponder their own life choices in the most satisfying of ways. The characters are charming and quirky and Isabel and Jamie make a nice team, balancing the other out in a supporting and loving manner. I highly recommend The Geometry of Holding Hands as well as the others in the series for those looking for a light, satisfying, and highly entertaining story to serve as an escape from the current realities.

Refreshing to read about a heroine dedicated to doing what's right, not expedient😌

4.5🌟stars
I love Isabel Dalhousie's goodness, commitment to living (rather than just talking) the ethical life, and her love for her husband Jamie. Even with perfect strangers she is thoughtful about doing what's ethical and kind rather than focusing on her own self interest or the expedient solution. Yes, thanks to her privileged. upbringing, education and occupation she is heavily invested in intellectual conversation and her daydreaming takes her way off topic, but that's why she is a singular heroine who defies tropes.

This story throws Isabel's ethical behavior in sharp contrast to that of her moody niece Cat and Leo, Cat's significant other. A complete stranger also asks for her assistance and, despite an overload of other commitments, she feels her conscience won't let her refuse. No matter which thread of the plot, Isabel's compassion, grace and devotion to her husband. come through.

Alexander McCall Smith is a go-to author for me and I loved the surreal zaniness of his Irregular Portuguese Verbs series which pokes fun at ivory tower intellectuals. The Dalhousie series deals with highly educated, cultured characters in a more realistic way and replaces humor with heart. I can't wait for the next chapter In Isabel and Jamie's Edinburgh life.

Thanks to publishers Pantheon/Knopf Doubleday and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

I confess I’ve read only a handful of books from McCall Smith’s oeuvre and this was my first in the Isabel Dalhousie series. I thought it was a murder mystery. The very long backstory mystified me. Nearly three-quarters of the way through, Eddie claims he wants to kill Leo (totally understandable), but that’s the closest thing to a murder. I was actually relieved.

Instead of a mystery, it’s a glimpse into the personal, emotional, and intellectual life of Isabel—a journey well worth taking. In addition to editing a journal, raising two young children, and helping out at her niece, Cat’s, deli, Isabel is drawn in to many other aspects of life in Edinburgh. With the support and love of Jamie—and the help of the indomitable Grace—Isabel tries to extricate herself from too many commitments.

It’s easy to see why McCall Smith is such a popular writer. Nothing “big” ever happens—no murders, no chase scenes, no sex scenes—but people live their lives quietly, with grace and intellectual curiosity. I appreciated the welcome respite from the anti-intellectualism and brash, unapologetic selfishness that is rampant in the U.S. right now. #TheGeometryofHoldingHands #NetGalley

A new book by Alexander McCall Smith is always a treat and the Isabel Dalhousie series is one of my favorites. Who can't help loving Jamie and Isabel and their idyllic life? As usual AMS's observations of human nature are spot-on and often, laugh-out-loud funny. In this novel, among other stories, Isabel's niece Cat is dating a leonine man aptly named "Leo". He seems to be something of a gold digger and convinces Cat to sell her deli, but I dare say that will come with consequences down the road...you just know it will. I guess I'll just have to wait another year or so to find out...sigh...

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read an ARC of this novel.

Alexander McCall Smith's books are full of such wit and wisdom and really are a slow enjoyable jaunt. This is the first book that I have read in the series and it is a great stand alone. You get a good feel for the characters without having to start at book one. I adore and own every book in the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency and the Scotland Street series and while I don't love this book like I do those ones it's still a lovely read. All his books make me wish I could be friends with these wonderful insightful characters. Thank you so much Knopf Canada and NetGalley for this ARC.

The Geometry of Holding Hands is a very gentle book. Not a lot happens and it happens beautifully. Isabel Dalhousie is a philosopher, married to Jamie, a musician. Following an encounter in a restaurant, a stranger, Iain Melrose, asks her to be executor of his estate when he dies. Isabel worries about how she will find the time to do this, along with all the other tasks she should be doing. She also frets that her niece Cat, has fallen for a man who wants to spend all her money. Cat may close her little deli, thus making Eddie, a vulnerable young man who works there, unemployed – Isabel worries about that too.

That’s it, really. I did say that not a lot happens. The first pleasure in reading AMS’s books comes from his ability to adopt just the right narrative voice. His Department Of Sensitive Crimes sounded Scandinavian. This Isabel Dalhousie book sounds like it was written by a Dunediner. The second pleasure comes from the realistic unfolding of events. In real life, we have stuff that gets in the way of what we intend to do, such as going round to help a friend; finding a babysitter; trying to find a parking space. This is reflected in the pace of The Geometry of Holding Hands. Stuff happens slowly with Isabel’s philosophical musings also getting in the way. I felt my pace of life slowing down as I read it – and felt much better for it.

#TheGeometryofHoldingHands #NetGalley

Stories by this prolific author are a good bet. I haven't read any of the others in this series, but this was pretty good. I enjoyed Isabel and watching her navigate in her world. Recommended for Smith and mystery fans.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

Thirteen isn't usually a lucky number, but it comes through for Isabel Dalhousie. We're so used to Isabel always doing the right thing, but it's been feeling like she's been more and more put upon in the last few installments, and she's needed to lean out. It was so refreshing to see what happens in this book!

Although I am a fan of and have read all of McCall Smith’s The No. 1 Ladies’Detective Agency series, this is my first Isabel Dalhousie novel. A rather privileged woman as the result of a family trust with a loving husband and two small children as well as full time help, Isabel is a philosopher who edits the quarterly “Review of Applied Ethics” and helps out in her niece’s delicatessen when needed. In this installment we are invited to observe a slice of her life as she deals with this niece as well as a stranger who asks her to be executor of his will.

This is a quick, charming read. Isabel is wise and kind, but a somewhat insecure woman. I did enjoy her observations of life and how her mind wandered from one thought to another when encountering other people.

I loved the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and its sequels — until I didn’t. However, I still adore another of Alexander McCall Smith’s series, this one set in Edinburgh. I still anticipate my annual meeting with philosopher Isabel Dalhousie — that’s literal, not metaphorical, as she is the editor of the Review of Applied Ethics. Does the charitable Isabel overthink things? Of course she does. But she’s so fair, so generous that I cannot help trying to emulate her.

In this, the 13th novel in the series, Isabel faces several dilemmas arising from the same moral quandary: What do we owe strangers? How much do we meddle in the lives of those we love?

Meeting again Isabel’s much-younger husband Jamie, Isabel’s self-absorbed niece Cat, beloved housekeeper Grace and Isabel’s two young children, year after year, proved as delightful as always. Isabel’s moral predicaments are ordinary ones, which is why they’re such an invitation for us to examine our own lives. Dr. McCall Smith, I’ll read you again at same time next year!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group and Pantheon in exchange for an honest review.

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the fine details of the plot (plenty of reviews like that out there if that's what you are looking for - personally I don't find that kind of review helpful - after all, why bother to read the book when someone has told you what happens?)

This is apparently the 13th "Isabel Dalhousie" novel - though I have only read two others in the series. They can be read as standalone books (there is some detail about the background of the main characters), though obviously some familiarity with the characters is helpful and adds to the enjoyment.

Reading this type of novel is best accompanied by tea and cake - it's not a rip-roaring, fast moving plot, but meanders steadily along, enlivened by additional encounters and events that feed into the main stream.

In this novel, Isabel faces a number of dilemmas. Ever thoughtful and always trying to do the right thing, she tries to find solutions that will give the best outcome; Cat - as usual - provides some of the bumps in the road. Looking forward to finding out what happens next!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

The Geometry Of Holding Hands is the 13th novel in the Isabel Dalhousie series by Alexander McCall Smith. If you have read the others, you will have a better knowledge of the background of the characters, but you can read and enjoy this book as a stand-alone even if you haven’t read the others in the series. The main character, Isabel, is a wife, mother, philosopher and part-time volunteer at her niece’s delicatessen. As always, Isabel comes across several small mysteries, or thorny problems, which she tries to solve. The book imitates life in that while many things are satisfactorily resolved, there are always some threads that will continue to unwind. The prose verges in the poetic and is soothing and calming.

Note: I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley.

I see that many people really enjoy this series. This is my first attempt at reading this series and I am afraid that it is really not for me. The main character, Isabel, is so long winded and so over the top with her 'inner reflections' that I found her too irritating to get past chapter one.

For example, page two was about a decision to go to a nice restaurant for dinner. This led to an exposition on the classics with mentions of Petronius, Ovid, Caesar, Aristotle, Plato, Horace, Ovid, Molliere, Ovid and Auden, with few Latin and Greek quotes thrown in for good measure.

The rest of the chapter continues on this vein with the main characters Jamie and Isabelle overthinking everything. They go to the restaurant and she looked at her hand during the antipasti course and of course that triggers her reflection on the hand that had pressed the button to bomb Hiroshima... It was at this point that I decided this was not for me.

Thank NetGallery for providing an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free digital advance review copy of this book from Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group via NetGalley and am providing my honest feedback.

The Geometry of Holding Hands, the 13th installment in Alexander McCall Smith's series, is a welcome return to the world of Isabel Dalhousie, the Edinburgh moral philosopher with a propensity to become involved in sorting out the daily troubles of friends and strangers alike. Happily for her fans, Isabel's "resolve not to get involved lasted until the next time an appeal was made for her help, and that was the point at which it faltered."

The series is character-driven and best enjoyed by reading the books in order, to appreciate the growth of the characters and their relationships with each other over time. In this book, the reader is reacquainted with the charms of all the familiar characters from earlier installments, including Isabel's handsome, younger, bassoonist husband, Jaime; Grace, her faithful, seance-believing housekeeper; Cat, her impetuous, delicatessen-owning niece; and Eddie, Cat's loyal, staid employee. Smith provides glimpses of Isabel and Jaime's young boys Charlie and Magnus along with mentions of the elusive Brother Fox and the troublesome Professor Lettuce and Christopher Dove, reassuring long-time readers that all the well-known figures in the series remain alive, well, and up to their usual hijinks. We also are introduced to Hamish MacGeorge and Gordon MacGregor, the endearing duo of lawyers who oversee Isabel's family trust, whose laughter is "redolent of deed boxes and red document tape and the dust of ancient agreements."

Compared to previous books in the series, this book is even more focused on character development, with subtle plot lines involving a request from a near stranger for Isabel to act as his executor, the matter of whether an admittedly less than talented student of Jaime's should receive an orchestra solo, and the fallout from yet another apparently ill-advised romantic relationship of Cat's, which creates uncertainty about the future ownership of the delicatessen and the stability of Eddie's employment. Isabel deftly navigates these issues, as always with her actions guided by her observation that "At the end of the day, the issue became one of simple compassion."

Perhaps now more than ever, the world needs more of Isabel Dalhousie, with her thoughtful commitment to determining what we owe to other people and our shared world, when we are obligated to take action to help, and when we ought to step back, whether out of respect for others' autonomy or the need for self-preservation, and her continuing reminder of the importance of seeing events from others' perspectives as well as our own. "'Put yourself in their shoes' was a familiar piece of advice, but it might be particularized into 'Imagine looking like her.' That brought it home, because that was often the issue with how the world treated people."

The book takes its title from a woodcut depicting a Celtic circle of three figures holding hands, arms interwoven, which Jaime remarks "says everything there is to be said about helping one another and loving one another and being part of. . . well, I suppose being part of something bigger than oneself." And, as Isabel notes earlier in the book, "Surely this was at the heart - the very heart - of how we treated the world. We minded what happened after us."

Quiet, comfortable, kind, and hopeful, the story begs to be enjoyed while curled up with a cup of tea.

Reading a new Isabel Dalhousie novel is like sitting down for a long and cosy chat with a dear friend over a perfect cup of tea and a plate of rich buttery Scottish shortbread. Isabel's philosopher's brain is always going off on a tangent pondering fascinating angles to everyday topics.

Since her two children arrived, Isabel's life has got somewhat busy. As editor of the quarterly 'Review of Applied Ethics', she must find reviewers for books and articles and correspond with the authors and publishers. Then she is often called upon by her niece Cat to help out in her delicatessen at short notice and her willingness to help people also means she often agrees to undertake tasks she doesn't have time for.

In this installment she is grappling with a request to be the executor of an estate for someone she doesn't know and worrying about Cat's latest love interest in a string of unsuitable men. Fortunately, she has her lovely husband Jamie to share her burdens and offer her comfort and advice. This is another delightful chapter in Isabel's life with the promise of more to come as changes are in the air.

I never know how to categorize the Isabel Dalhousie novels, but always enjoy reading them. Isabel is the editor of Review of Applied Ethics with an unquenchable interest in the people around her. The most unlikely of amateur sleuths--a Scottish philosopher, wife, and mother--Isabel keeps finding herself drawn into puzzles to be solved. A comfort read and just right for the summer.

This book brings readers back to the congenial lives of Isabel, her husband Jamie, and their two young boys. Isabel is a philosopher, academic journal editor, and known problem-solver among the fine folks of Edinburgh. As is the hallmark of this series, the morally hyper-vigilant Isabel becomes involved in personal circumstances that require her to carefully consider how to act and how her actions may influence others. There is no shortage of everyday humor, delightful philosophical musings and ethics deliberations.

Isabel’s niece, Cat, owns a local deli and in this book of the series, we see that Cat’s most recent boyfriend, Leo, is still in the picture. However, a dilemma is afoot. Is Leo a gold-digger after Cat’s trust money or not?

After a public display of humanity in response to bad behavior of patrons at a restaurant, Isabel is sought out by a witness who also happens to be dying. At his request, Isabel finds herself agreeing to become the executor of his estate. She is tasked with the delicate job of helping this stranger (who by Edinburgh standards is not really a stranger) decide who among his family is best suited to receive his inheritance.

Usually, Alexander McCall Smith provides a wonderfully delightful treat to the reader with several distinct plot lines. However, I felt that such richness was a bit thin in this latest book of the series, although It is still a very enjoyable peek into Isabel’s life. Most disappointing was the superficial portrayal of Cat’s recent life choices and the almost non-existent interactions between Isabel and Cat. Given all that these two characters have endured to test their relationship, major changes in Cat’s life deserved more attention regarding their impact on the intricacies of this relationship.

This unbiased review is based on an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

This is one of my favorite series by Alexander McCall Smith. The Geometry of Holding Hands is the thirteen book in the Isabel Dalhousie series. Readers get a quick update on all of the key players. Isabel and her family: her husband, Jamie, and her young sons, Charlie and Magnus, her nice, Cat and housekeeper, Grace.

In this book, Isabel is already busy with her family and as publisher and editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, but she finds herself pulled in even more directions when a distant acquaintance asks her to be the executor of his estate and Cat asks her to work at the deli more. But the real issue presents itself when Cat makes some life changes that affect Isabel, co-worker Eddie, and the family trust. Isabel struggles to come to terms with Cat's engagement to Leo, whom she considers an unsuitable man and how that choice directly effects her and her family. In keeping with this delightful character, McCall Smith provides plenty of ethical questions for Isabel to ponder and after serious consideration, she and Jamie resolve the dilemma with honest, ethical decisions that satisfy everyone.

Verdict: Definitely would purchase this book and include it in the school library for staff and to introduce high school readers to this author.

Thank you NetGalley, Alexander McCall Smith, and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Pantheon Books, for the e-ARC.

3.5 stars

Alexander McCall Smith is probably best known for his 'Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency' series, but he's a prolific author who pens other series as well.

In this 13th book in the 'Isabel Dalhousie' series, ethicist Isabel tackles problems related to her niece's engagement, and deals with a dying man's unusual request. The book can be read as a standalone but familiarity with the characters is a plus.

*****

Isabel Dalhousie and her younger husband Jamie live in Edinburgh and have two little boys, Charlie and Magnus. Isabel is a philosopher who publishes and edits The Journal of Applied Ethics, .and Jamie is an elite musician who gives concerts, teaches music, and assists with a high school band.

Isabel is the prime beneficiary of a well-funded family trust, but is nevertheless reluctant to splurge on 'fripperies' like expensive restaurants, though she and Jamie do treat themselves on occasion.

Isabel's niece Cat owns an artisanal deli, and has a single employee, a vulnerable young man named Eddie who was rescued from difficult circumstances. Cat doesn't hesitate to call Isabel when the deli needs an extra pair of hands, and Isabel is always happy to help. Nevertheless the two women have a tricky relationship because Isabel's husband Jamie was once Cat's boyfriend - the only 'nice one.' Cat has a habit of taking up with bad boys, and her current fiancé Leo is a loutish 'hot body' with an eye on Cat's assets, including Cat's small share of the family trust.

Isabel is uncertain what to do about this because, on one hand she doesn't want to see Cat taken advantage of, and on the other hand she thinks people should be allowed to learn from their mistakes.

This kind of thinking is typical of Isabel, who always feels compelled to look at every side of an issue.....to tease out all the ethical implications. Moreover, Isabel's mind constantly wanders down tangents. For example, when Isabel is talking to Cat about the trustees of the family assets, MacGeorge and MacGregor, who travel to other countries to participate in Scottish folk dancing exhibitions, she starts to think about the men "playing golf together and having tea in the clubhouse, sharing a Dundee cake."

Then Isabel thinks about the trustees "sitting at a shared desk, counting Greek government bonds, a Greek dictionary at their side. She sees them doing a Zorba-like dance on the beach of a Greek Island, still wearing their identical glasses, the sun on their pallid Scottish skin, with, in the background, a chorus of local fisherman and their wives clapping their hands to the music."

Isabel's mind is frequently distracted with random thoughts like this.

In addition to being concerned about Cat, Isabel is thinking about a 68-year-old man named Iain Melrose, who has terminal cancer. Melrose approaches Isabel in a café, mentions acquaintances they have in common, and asks her to be the executor of his will. Melrose is impressed with Isabel's moral philosophy and wants her to choose which of his relatives will inherit his estate - which is close to his heart, and which he wants to be well-managed. The candidates are artist Jack and his wife Hillary; developer Sarah; and accountant John. As it happens Isabel knows something compromising about one of these people, which complicates the situation.

Isabel's chats with Melrose drift into side issues like films as works of art; irresponsible capitalism; morality in countries that committed genocide like Germany, Cambodia, and Japan; unfulfilled good intentions; the pharmaceutical industry; and so on....all of which have ethical implications. Isabel indulges in this type of chitchat at every opportunity, including with her husband Jamie.

The various ethical issues Isabel tackles in this book come to affect her niece Cat; deli employee Eddie; Jamie's music student Mark; Melrose's heirs; Isabel's philosopher colleagues; and more. On a personal level, Isabel gets help from her housekeeper/nanny Grace and takes care of little Magnus and Charlie. Charlie is a biter, and Isabel agonizes over her remedy for this behavior.

Isabel also has unpleasant interactions with Cat's crude boyfriend Leo, and works on The Journal of Applied Ethics (which I'd like to read if it was real 😊).

The plot is slight but engaging, and the book lends itself to a cozy read with a beverage and a snack. I'm curious to see what happens with Cat and Leo, so I look forward to the next entry in the series.

I think fans of Alexander McCall Smith's quiet musings would like the book.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Alexander McCall Smith) and the publisher (Pantheon Books) for a copy of the book.

This is the 13th book in Alexander McCall Smith's Isabel Dalhousie series, and it sure was a treat to read. Isabel is a philosopher, editor, mother to 2 young boys, wife of a dashing and thoughtful younger man, and aunt to a rather trying delicatessen owner. She also has a talent for getting involved in solving other people's moral dilemmas, and manages to get into (and out of) a few delicate situations herself. I am amazed that after so many books she continues to surprise me with uniquely loving and moral solutions, even while her mind floats into most interesting and humorous tangents.

I've read and enjoyed all the books in this series but this one was especially witty and heartwarming. I found myself laughing out loud over the predicaments Isabel and her friends and family get into, and then having to explain them to my kids.. I didn't think they would get them but even my 13 year old daughter thought they were hilarious, which is quite a feat! I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs a gentle and humorous look at the trials of life.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, I already had it in my library hold list so it was a great honour to get to read it early!