The Novel Habits of Happiness Book Review

I decided to grab the books in this series that I hadn't read because I stopped reading it.  The Novel Habits of Happiness (Isabel Dalhousie Series) by Alexander McCall Smith was the next in the series that I needed to read.  After starting this book, I realized why I stopped read it.  It is a very verbose style of storytelling that includes a lot of flowery language which often detracts from the story.  Although I realized that early on, I hung on through the story and I was happy that I finished it.

Isabel Dalhousie, the insatiably curious Edinburgh sleuth and philosopher, takes on a case unlike any she’s had before: a six-year-old boy has been experiencing vivid recollections of a past life. His visions include a perfect description of a Scottish island and a house where he claims to have lived. The boy’s mother asks Isabel to investigate, but her findings continue to perplex as her efforts to seek rational explanations are thwarted by the unusual mystery unfolding before her.

Isabel is presented with further challenges as she begins to prepare an important issue of the Review of Applied Ethics. Two visiting academics, Lettuce and Dove, arrive in Edinburgh with plans that may upset the harmonious balance of her life. These trials will require all of Isabel’s wit and understanding—but happily, in her blissful home life with her husband and young son by her side, Isabel is always reminded of her blessings. 

I enjoy the characters in the book and Isabel used to be my favorite.  Isabel is married to Jamie with their son Charlie.  They are living their live in the city while Isabel is editing the philosophy journal and Jamie is playing music.  They have a very free lifestyle because I think that Isabel has enough family money to support them.  Isabel is well known in the area for tracking things down and basically being a little detective.  This book has her chasing down the story of a small child who is sayin that he was reincarnated and wants to go back to his other family.  It is a start idea but they are working to find out if there is really a place that he describes and any of the details might be true.  The whole family is in on this sleuthing and they travel to visit the area they think might be the most likely.  The series has gotten far away from the beginning of the series but I still think that it was worth reading.  I hope that you check out this book and the rest of the series and see for yourself if you like it.  I am trying to decide whether I am going to return the next book in the series or start reading it.  Once I start, I know that I won't stop so it is the commitment for the book.  I guess you will just have to stay tuned and find out.  What would you do??