A Distant View of Everything Book Review

I was getting caught up with a series that I stopped reading and this was the next book in the series.  A Distant View of Everything: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel (11) (Isabel Dalhousie Series) by Alexander McCall Smith was the 11th book in the series.  I was interested to see what trouble Isabel got herself involved in this time.

In this installment of the beloved Isabel Dalhousie series, Isabel is called upon to navigate complex social situations both at home and in her community.  A new baby brings an abundance of joy to Isabel and her husband, Jamie—but almost-four-year-old Charlie refuses to acknowledge Magnus, and Isabel struggles to impress upon her older son the patience and understanding that have guided her throughout her own life.

These are the very qualities that bring Bea Shandon, an old acquaintance, to seek Isabel’s help. Something of a matchmaker, Bea has introduced a wealthy female friend to a cosmetic surgeon, but soon uncovers information leading her to doubt his motives. Isabel agrees to find out more, but as her enquiries take an unexpected turn, she starts to wonder whom exactly she should be investigating. As ever, Isabel’s intelligence, wit, and empathy come to her aid as she grapples with issues like friendship and its duties, the obligation of truthfulness, and the importance of perspective.

I am still not sure that these later books in the series but I really liked the beginning so I am committed to trying to finish the series and see what is going on.  This one had the new addition to the family with the new baby Magnus.  They were dealing with all the changes to the family including the fact that Charlie doesn't like Magnus.  Then she is quickly drawn into helping Bea Shandon who feels that she might have done a bad match at her latest dinner party.  The rest of the story is her attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery.  Isabel works hard to complete all of the things that aren't her job that it makes you wonder how she is actually going to get her real job done but luckily it takes her less time to do her own job so that she always has time to help others.  It is a strange thing that most people don't have extra time to go off to investigate other people's problems but Isabel has time every book.  I hope that you check out the series and see for yourself.