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The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds
- Narrated by: Lesley Mackie
- Series: Isabel Dalhousie Series, Book 9
- Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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The Novel Habits of Happiness: Isabel Dalhousie, Book 10
- By: Alexander McCall Smith
- Narrated by: Karlyn Stephen
- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
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From a small town outside Edinburgh comes the news that a young boy has been recounting vivid recollections of a past life: a perfect description of an island off the coast of Scotland which he couldn't possibly know and a house there where he claims to have spent his former life. When the boy's mother asks Isabel to investigate his claims, she feels she must - of course! - help them learn the truth, and she and her husband, Jamie, set off for the island.
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The Forgotten Affairs of Youth
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The continuing adventures from Isabel Dalhousie, Edinburgh philosopher and curious observer of the behaviour of her fellow man.
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Interesting story set in Scotland
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The Lost Art of Gratitude
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Isabel Dalhousie, philosopher and amateur solver of other people's problems, meets an old foe, Minty Auchterlonie, at a birthday party attended by their young children. Ambitious Minty, now the head of a small investment bank, is in trouble with her shareholders. Isabel becomes involved, and is drawn into a murky world of financial concealment.
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The Charming Quirks of Others
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Isabel Dalhousie, Edinburgh philosopher and curious observer of the behaviour of her fellow man, is approached by a friend at a local boarding school that is planning to appoint a new headmaster; an anonymous letter has arrived suggesting that one of the shortlisted candidates has a compromising past. But which one is it? Isabel is once again drawn into an investigation, and finds herself exploring dilemmas of human weakness and forgiveness.
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At the Reunion Buffet
- By: Alexander McCall Smith
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- Length: 1 hr and 57 mins
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Isabel Dalhousie - philosopher, mother and friend - is taking on the mammoth task of hosting her school reunion. In the hours before 25 former classmates descend on her home and the caterers arrive to set up a buffet, Isabel has time to reflect. She is mindful of the fact that reunions can bring up all sorts of uncomfortable feelings. Later that night, with the party in full swing, Isabel realises that the pull of the past remains as strong as ever.
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The Right Attitude to Rain
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Isabel's niece Cat is still worshipped by the young musician, Jamie, but Cat has a new and unsuitable love-interest. Meanwhile Isabel's Texan cousins have arrived in Edinburgh and are provoking a quite separate set of dilemmas. In between these events and complications, Edinburgh life continues, calmly sailed through by Isabel, her housekeeper, Grace, and, of course, that cautious resident of Isabel's garden, brother Fox. His alone is the uncomplicated existence.
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The Novel Habits of Happiness: Isabel Dalhousie, Book 10
- By: Alexander McCall Smith
- Narrated by: Karlyn Stephen
- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From a small town outside Edinburgh comes the news that a young boy has been recounting vivid recollections of a past life: a perfect description of an island off the coast of Scotland which he couldn't possibly know and a house there where he claims to have spent his former life. When the boy's mother asks Isabel to investigate his claims, she feels she must - of course! - help them learn the truth, and she and her husband, Jamie, set off for the island.
-
The Forgotten Affairs of Youth
- An Isabel Dalhousie Novel
- By: Alexander McCall Smith
- Narrated by: Lesley Mackie
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The continuing adventures from Isabel Dalhousie, Edinburgh philosopher and curious observer of the behaviour of her fellow man.
-
-
Interesting story set in Scotland
- By Paddington on 05-12-2016
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The Lost Art of Gratitude
- Sunday Philosophy Club, Book 6
- By: Alexander McCall Smith
- Narrated by: Hilary Neville
- Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Isabel Dalhousie, philosopher and amateur solver of other people's problems, meets an old foe, Minty Auchterlonie, at a birthday party attended by their young children. Ambitious Minty, now the head of a small investment bank, is in trouble with her shareholders. Isabel becomes involved, and is drawn into a murky world of financial concealment.
-
The Charming Quirks of Others
- Sunday Philosophy Club, Book 7
- By: Alexander McCall Smith
- Narrated by: Hilary Neville
- Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Isabel Dalhousie, Edinburgh philosopher and curious observer of the behaviour of her fellow man, is approached by a friend at a local boarding school that is planning to appoint a new headmaster; an anonymous letter has arrived suggesting that one of the shortlisted candidates has a compromising past. But which one is it? Isabel is once again drawn into an investigation, and finds herself exploring dilemmas of human weakness and forgiveness.
-
At the Reunion Buffet
- By: Alexander McCall Smith
- Narrated by: Karlyn Stephen
- Length: 1 hr and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Isabel Dalhousie - philosopher, mother and friend - is taking on the mammoth task of hosting her school reunion. In the hours before 25 former classmates descend on her home and the caterers arrive to set up a buffet, Isabel has time to reflect. She is mindful of the fact that reunions can bring up all sorts of uncomfortable feelings. Later that night, with the party in full swing, Isabel realises that the pull of the past remains as strong as ever.
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The Right Attitude to Rain
- By: Alexander McCall Smith
- Narrated by: Hilary Neville
- Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Isabel's niece Cat is still worshipped by the young musician, Jamie, but Cat has a new and unsuitable love-interest. Meanwhile Isabel's Texan cousins have arrived in Edinburgh and are provoking a quite separate set of dilemmas. In between these events and complications, Edinburgh life continues, calmly sailed through by Isabel, her housekeeper, Grace, and, of course, that cautious resident of Isabel's garden, brother Fox. His alone is the uncomplicated existence.
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The Perils of Morning Coffee
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Summer in Edinburgh is a season of delicate sunshine and showers, picnics with loved ones in blossoming gardens and genteel celebrations of art and music. But Isabel Dalhousie's peaceful idyll is broken when a single meeting over coffee with fellow philosopher Dr George McLeod brings an irate phone call from his wife, Roz, who implacably accuses Isabel of conducting an affair with her husband.
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For philosophically-minded Isabel Dalhousie, editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, getting through life with a clear conscience requires careful thought. And whilst juggling the arrival of baby Charlie, a passionate relationship with his father Jamie, a truce with her furious niece Cat, and struggles for authority over her son with her formidable housekeeper Grace, Isabel finds herself drawn into the story of a painter's mysterious death off the island of Jura.
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Isabel Dalhousie is a new mother and a connoisseur of philosophy; she'd rather not be a sleuth. But when a chance conversation at a dinner party draws Isabel into the case of a doctor whose career has been ruined, she cannot ignore what may be a miscarriage of justice. Because for Isabel ethics are not theoretical at all, but an everyday matter of life and death.
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The latest novel in Alexander McCall Smith's much-loved Isabel Dalhousie series. Recently distracted by the arrival of her and Jamie's second son, Magnus, Isabel Dalhousie - philanthropic editor of the Review of Applied Ethics - is anxious. The next issue of the Review is far from ready, her eldest, Charlie, is jealous, and their housekeeper, Grace, has an officious approach to childcare. With some relief, Isabel returns to helping out at her niece Cat's delicatessen, where surely the most taxing duty is the preparation of sandwiches.
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The Geometry of Holding Hands
- Isabel Dalhousie, Book 13
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- Narrated by: Stephanie Moore
- Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins
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Isabel Dalhousie applies her moral philosopher's mind to wrongdoings in Edinburgh and will have to call upon her powers of deduction and her unflappable moral code to unravel another social mystery in the new novel from the best-selling author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. In Edinburgh, rumours and gossip abound. But Isabel knows very well that such things can't be taken at face value. Still, the latest whispers hint at mysterious goings-on and who but Isabel can be trusted to get to the bottom of it?
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Modern story telling and morality
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The Quiet Side of Passion
- Isabel Dalhousie, Book 12
- By: Alexander McCall Smith
- Narrated by: Karlyn Stephen
- Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
It is summer in Edinburgh, and Isabel Dalhousie is once again caught between ‘gossip’ and significant rumour. It is none of her business that Patricia, the mother of her son Charlie’s little friend Basil, is estranged from Basil’s father or that the woman has a somewhat brazen attitude to childcare. And yet, it is curious. Isabel, however, has much else on her mind as editor of the Review of Applied Ethics. Along with the work involved for its impending next issue, she really needs to get her house in order and tend to the demands of her niece, Cat.
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Too much time for a thoughtful mind
- By Amazon Customer on 07-10-2021
Publisher's Summary
As a mother, wife, employer and editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, Isabel Dalhousie is aware that to be human is to be responsible. So when a neighbour brings her a new and potentially dangerous puzzle to solve, once again Isabel feels she has no option but to shoulder the burden.
A masterpiece painting has been stolen from Duncan Munrowe, old-fashioned philanthropist, father to two discontented children, and a very wealthy man. As Isabel enters into negotiations with the shadowy figures who are in search of a ransom, a case where heroes and villains should be clearly defined turns murky: the list of those who desire the painting - or the money - lengthens, and hasty judgement must be avoided at all cost.
Morals, it turns out, are like Scottish clouds: complex, changeable and tricky to get a firm grip on; they require a sharp observational eye, a philosophical mindset, and the habit of kindness. Fortunately for those around her, Isabel Dalhousie is in possession of all three.
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What listeners say about The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall

- Self-help junkie
- 24-12-2012
Delightful
A lovely gentle book - as with all of McCall Smith's writing - that reminds you of the importance of considering the meaning of life. Isabel Dalhousie is an excellent character, and McCall Smith uses her as a mouthpiece for much of his own musings on life. From the acceptance of difference in others to the appreciation of small blessings, he covers it all beautifully. And although there is no sex as such - his suggestion of intimacy between Isabel and Jamie is wonderful. Lesley Mackie's narration is excellent too. Enjoy!
2 people found this helpful
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Overall
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Performance
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- Colin McIntosh
- 28-05-2017
Love Isobel Dalhousie but hate the narrator
I've listened to every one of these and the last two changed narrator and it really throws you out of sync. Lesley Mackie isn't a good audio reader. Very difficult to follow and I really hope Hillary Neville is brought back for the next one that's been up
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Overall

- the typist
- 18-01-2013
Nevermind Dalhousie, this is DULLhousie!
What a dreary book. I'm clearly far too dumb to grasp all the existential angst within its long, boring pages. I just felt like shouting at the main characters "stop bleating about absolutely nothing!" Ugh. Never again.
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