McCall Smith's Isabel Dalhousie series stars an entirely lucky woman. Isabel is a woman of independent means who edits a philosophical journal and lives in a lovely townhouse in Edinburgh with her handsome musician husband, Jamie, and their two small children. From time to time, Isabel's friends ask her to investigate a crime or suspected ethical breach. Fans of the series will welcome the return of McCall Smith's charmingly appreciative approach to life, delivered through Isabel's and Jamie's thoughts and dialogue. The evocatively described Edinburgh setting and the reappearance of various comic supporting characters will also be most welcome. However, old and new readers alike may be baffled by the lack of plot in this fourteenth Dalhousie episode. There are promising beginnings: a woman on a committee for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery asks Isabel to sort out the family fallout from an estranged son, and Jamie fears his chamber orchestra's conductor may be guilty of sexual favoritism. But not much happens after that, except for Isabel and Jamie agonizing over what to do. A mixed blessing for McCall Smith devotees.

In this 14th installment in McCall Smith's Isabel Dalhousie series (after The Geometry of Holding Hands) moral philosopher Isabel has agreed to sit on an advisory boardfor the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. She is approached by Laura, a fellow board member, who asks her to broker a reconciliation between her husband and adult son. Meanwhile, Isabel's husband Jamie has thorny issues of his own as he suspects a love affair in his chamber orchestra might be unduly influencing the conductor. In an unexpected twist, Jamie and Isabel agree to investigate each other's cases and soon even their steadfast housekeeper, Grace, gets in on the action. Celebrated author McCall Smith delves into the inner machinations of a modern-day philosopher whose nuanced approach stands in stark contrast to the fiery rhetoric of the day. While touching on a variety of topics, the tone is never preachy or pedantic but instead is an open examination of how to lead a moral life. VERDICT Hand this title to those looking for a more contemplative approach to their mysteries, without any violence or gore.--Amy Nolan