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The Quiet Side of Passion cover art

The Quiet Side of Passion

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Narrated by: Karlyn Stephen
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Summary

Isabel becomes involved in a delicate paternity case in the 12th instalment of the beloved Isabel Dalhousie Series.  

It is summer in Edinburgh, and Isabel Dalhousie is once again caught between ‘gossip’ and significant rumour. It is none of her business that Patricia, the mother of her son Charlie’s little friend Basil, is estranged from Basil’s father or that the woman has a somewhat brazen attitude to childcare. And yet, it is curious.  

Isabel, however, has much else on her mind as editor of the Review of Applied Ethics. Along with the work involved for its impending next issue, she really needs to get her house in order and tend to the demands of her niece, Cat. Thankfully, the arrival of Antonia, the exuberant Italian au pair, will take care of urgent chores. And hiring Claire, a diligent if unsettlingly beautiful new assistant at the Review, surely means that Isabel can breathe, at least a little.  

But her sharp observation and assured role as confidante soon have Isabel doubting all her recent decisions. What’s more, her instinct to help others may have put her in real danger. In her desire to run both a smooth household and working life, has she simply created more chaos? 

Perhaps the quiet side of passion is, after all, the best side on which to be?

©2018 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2018 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

What listeners say about The Quiet Side of Passion

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A typical Isabel Dalhousie story, warm and gentle

Loved it, beautifully read. A few unexpected turns and a small twist in the tail. The only small annoyance is the (as always) dreadfully inauthentic South African accent of one of the characters.

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The reader spoiled it for me

I'm really sorry, but did not like the reader at all. I love Alexander McCall Smith, but this book was a challenge to get through...

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1 person found this helpful

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Disappointed

The narrator was great but Isabel's saintly attitude slightly nauseating. She's just a little too good to be true.

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Brilliant

A gentle complex story - with the troubles that Isabel always gets involved with resolved in the end.

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Enjoyable and relaxing

I enjoy listening to the Isabel Dalhousie books at night, they do not require much concentration as the plots and characters are uncomplicated and there is little tension. The philosophical analysis of personalities and behaviour can sometimes be overdone, stating the obvious, but in this book was about right and it's uplifting to see a strong moral code of decency, honesty and kindness being applied in everyday situations. This narrator speaks clearly, gets the intonation and pace right and differentiates the characters well.

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Another classic Isabel Dalhousie novel

I have become very find of the characters created by Mr Mcall Smith in the Philosophers series and this book was another reason to get to know them better.
Well written and flowing as always and with great use of language. A pleasure to read

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Excellent continuation of the Isobel Dalhousie series.

I enjoyed this excellent continuation of the Isobel Dalhousie series by Alexander McCall Smith. I would recommend reading the books in order.

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One of the best yet on this series

Great storyline and I love the narrator's voice, she is just perfect for this gentle Scottish novel.

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