Joan A. K. (Jak) reviewed Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 2) on + 82 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Second enjoyable book of the Isable Dalhousie series. Like a visit to Edinburgh.
Janet H. (tranquility) -
Helpful Score: 2
Good book in the series, it should be read in order with the others, I liked the main character and her life in a Scottish village and how she lives her life.
Elizabeth B. (Cattriona) -
Helpful Score: 1
A light and lovely story about a "May - December" friendship, between an older woman and a young graduate student.
Donald V. (dvitz) reviewed Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 2) on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the second book in this series. It is a light mystery, i.e. no murders or bad stuff. Similar to the Ladies #1 Detective series, it mysterious dilemmas in a life. Fairly intellectual with discussions on W.H.Auden and the Scottish poets in between the story line. Very good writing as is typical of AM Smith.
Jennifer H. (Jenjane) reviewed Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 2) on + 41 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was the first of his mystery books I have read - it is not a "typical" mystery book but a quick and easy and delightful read
Shirley P. (booknookchick) reviewed Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 2) on + 117 more book reviews
This is my first read by Smith and listened to the audiobook. Davina Porter's Scottish accent was delightful(although she was born in Britain).
It took six chapters to finally get involved in the story. The author does meander off on tangents (often musing some philosophical notion).
This story vaguely reminded me of The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg. If you enjoyed her book, you might enjoy Friends, Lovers, Chocolate too.
It took six chapters to finally get involved in the story. The author does meander off on tangents (often musing some philosophical notion).
This story vaguely reminded me of The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg. If you enjoyed her book, you might enjoy Friends, Lovers, Chocolate too.
When Isabel is asked to cover for vacationing Cat at her deli, she meets a man with a most interesting problem. He recently had a heart transplant and is haunted by memories of events that never happened to him, The situation piques her insatiable curiosity: Could the memories be connected with the donor's demise? â That makes for particularly tricky problems -- both practical and philosophical -- for Isabel to unravel in this enormously engaging and highly unusual mystery.
Darilee P. (cozysleuth) reviewed Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 2) on + 153 more book reviews
A very good book in the Isabel Dalhousie #2 series with great compassion and unexpected events. Memories and a heart transplant recipient are central to the story. An exciting and unusual mystery while Isabel covers for Cat in the pub.
Karen K. (kkowert) -
Cozy mystery, fun read
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Isabel Dalhousie series and am glad to see the characters from the Sunday Philosophy Club are still just as entertaining. The main character Isabel, a part time philosopher and self appointed amateur detective is an intellectual who doesnt take herself too seriously, with a good sense of humor and a genuine interest in her fellow human beings. I find her interesting and definitely want to hear what her next witty comment will be.
While Isabels niece (Cat) is away on vacation, Isabel is running the deli and meets a man with a heart transplant. She discusses philosophy and psychology with him, and is drawn into solving a mystery for him. This is not a mystery with extreme suspense or violence, just a fun, entertaining look at life in Edinburgh Scotland with a little philosophy thrown in. This book is a lighthearted, pleasant read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Isabel Dalhousie series and am glad to see the characters from the Sunday Philosophy Club are still just as entertaining. The main character Isabel, a part time philosopher and self appointed amateur detective is an intellectual who doesnt take herself too seriously, with a good sense of humor and a genuine interest in her fellow human beings. I find her interesting and definitely want to hear what her next witty comment will be.
While Isabels niece (Cat) is away on vacation, Isabel is running the deli and meets a man with a heart transplant. She discusses philosophy and psychology with him, and is drawn into solving a mystery for him. This is not a mystery with extreme suspense or violence, just a fun, entertaining look at life in Edinburgh Scotland with a little philosophy thrown in. This book is a lighthearted, pleasant read.
I am addicted to this series. Keep them coming Alexander McCall Smith.
This series provides personal insight and time for reflection. This is the second of three in the Isabel Dalhousie saga, each gets better.
Nicole K. (n1cole) reviewed Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 2) on + 11 more book reviews
Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (as expected) has a better title than story line. While it was interesting enough for me to finish, it is not overly exciting or thick with plot. The story is based in Europe and follows a heart transplant receiver through the path to an anonymous donor.
a bit different than what I expected, but I still enjoyed it.
Second book in Isabel Dalhouise series... I must admit did not get quite into as much as the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series. Still, a good read!
The second in the Isabel Dalhousie series is an easy , interesting mysterious read.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 2) on + 1453 more book reviews
Isabel Dalhousie likes to help others and find solutions to problems. Some might say she is a busy body. Perhaps she is. In this drawn out novel we find her opinion about many matters which often do not pertain to the problems that need solving. I found this read tedious even though I liked the opinionated Isabel. The problems she encounters are these: 1) helping a young male friend cope with the loss of a girlfriend, 2) working with a man who has had a heart transplant and believes that he is seeing the image of someone who ran over the donor with his car, and 3) resolving which of the concerns she has are real and which are not. I think others must read this novel and judge for themselves whether or not they like it. I found it just ok.
Really loved this book, but then there is more than just a little bit of the lady philosopher in me. And there is the aura in her relationship with her friend Jamie of the Edwardian lover who keeps her own good council and yet hopes for more. Jane Austin would be proud of her and think her a proper lady. But she does smolder doesn't she?
If you like Alexander McCall Smith's style of writing, this is right on par. I enjoyed it as an easy reading, not have to think too much, nice rainy day to read kind of book.
Dorothy E. (islandflower) reviewed Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 2) on + 28 more book reviews
light, fun reading... no blood and gore here. Setting: modern day Scotland. The first book in the series was :The Sunday Philosophy Club, and the author also wrote the series that began with the book, The #1 Ladies Detective Agency.
Sallianne D. (traveller) reviewed Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 2) on + 80 more book reviews
I liked this book, although I think those of us not familiar with Scottish history may find some parts difficult to understand. However, it does hold one's interest as there are several mysteries going on at the same time. For anyone who knows the city of Edinburgh, it is a "must read"...
John N. (dannixon) reviewed Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 2) on + 9 more book reviews
Fun to read.
Jen P. (quixotictea) reviewed Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 2) on + 38 more book reviews
In this follow-up to The Sunday Philosophy Club, Isabel Dalhousie, editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, finds herself at the heart of a most interesting situation. When asked to cover at the delicatessen for her vacationing niece, Cat, Isabelmeets a man who has recently had a heart transplant and is haunted by enevts that never happened to him. The situation piques her insatiable curiosity: Could the memories be connected with the donor's demise?
MARY B. (marykb) reviewed Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 2) on + 21 more book reviews
An Isabel Dalhousie mystery
Susan D. (soozie321) reviewed Friends, Lovers, Chocolate (Isabel Dalhousie, Bk 2) on + 25 more book reviews
An Isabel Dalhousie mystery by the author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. "When Isabel is asked to cover for vacationing Cat at her deli, she meets a man with a most interesting problem. He recently had a heart transplant and is haunted by memories of events that never happened to him. The situation piques her insatiable curiousity: Could the memories be connected with the donor's demise? That makes for some particularly tricky problems - both practical and philosophical - for Isabel to unravel in this enormously engaging and highly unusual mystery."
