A good introduction to the Isabelle Dalhousie series and sets the Highlander scene for the following books. An explosive beginning, lovable and despisable characters, questions of loyalty, moral inquisition all highlight the plot which comes to a rather abrupt end. Although several details go unanswered in this more or less "pilot" book, hopefully certain links will be revealed in the following books. A world apart from Mma Ramotswe, and certainly this series is not to be compared to the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. However, McCall Smith's sense of literary genius comes through once again but in a less vivid and lively setting, free of cooked pumpkin and bush tea but instead in the Spring of Edinburgh, narrow backstreets, Victorian townhouses, art galleries. Can't wait to start the next ones...