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The Novel Habits of Happiness: Isabel Dalhousie, Book 10 cover art

The Novel Habits of Happiness: Isabel Dalhousie, Book 10

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Narrated by: Karlyn Stephen
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Summary

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.

But finding the house the boy described only leads to more complicated questions. And when she learns about the unusual story of the family who lived there, Isabel is suddenly faced with a situation of extraordinary delicacy that will require all of her skills as both sleuth and philosopher.

©2015 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2015 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"Every bit as charming as his No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency." ( Globe and Mail)
"Alexander McCall Smith novels never fail to delight." ( The Guardian)

What listeners say about The Novel Habits of Happiness: Isabel Dalhousie, Book 10

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Poor quaility recording!

What did you like best about The Novel Habits of Happiness: Isabel Dalhousie, Book 10? What did you like least?

I liked the scottish theme and family life of Isabel but as I have the volume up loud because I am deaf the recording was poor and crackly!

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting story.

Alexander McCall Smith is a much loved author.
This story keeps you guessing.
Clever plot. Isobel Dalhousie is a developing character





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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Gentle and witty

Not to everyone’s taste - but I really enjoy this series with Isobel the flawed moral philosopher.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Solid Isabel Dalhousie with OK narration

Enjoyable, gentle and thought provoking story. The narration was OK but the American accents were just awful. Better not to try than to mangle a drawl.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Tosh!

The narrator was the only reason I listened to the end. A load of rambling rubbish! If you have a huge interest in philosophy then you might enjoy it. The 'story' as described in the blurb (&the reason I purchased this audio book) could have been told in half an hour and was very banal. Any stars I gave this was for the narrator!

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Boring zzzzz

It was one of the most boring books I stumble upon on Audible. Characters had no depth and the whole story seems bit pointless.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gentle delight

Alexander McCall Smith’s Isabel Dalhousie books are my favourites. I enjoy Isabel’s philosophical musings, the unravelling of local mysteries, the complications of relationships and the characters we meet. Karlyn Stephen’s voice suits the material well and her pace is perfect. Listening is like having a relaxing Scottish holiday.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

BORING BORING BORING

could not get through it, though tried hard. The too-perfect heroine, continually analyzes from every possible angle every moment and happening in her too-perfect life. Even forwarding 1 or 2 minutes we rarely get back to the action, which may even be interesting, but which takes too long to arrive. Pity, because the writing is decent and the story may actually be interesting.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

middle class drivvle

tried as hard as i could to get into this book and be open minded, but it was so pretentious and just not at all up my street. sorry

Alexander McCall Smith, just not for me

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Dull story

I don’t need everything saying twice - I don’t need to hear what a character thinks then for them to say it out loud... if they say it aloud then I know that they thought it too.
And narrators, if you can’t do accents then don’t try! The Irish/American/Australian character made me laugh every time they spoke

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