This series is usually a pleasant diversion but it is difficult to enjoy when unlikable characters are a major part of the story. ( )

McCall Smith doesn't disappoint in this, the 13th book, of his Isabel Dalhousie series.

Series fortunately is about good characters going about their lives choosing to do the right thing. A few characters choose to do things that benefit only themselves often taking advantage of others.

Isabel is often asked to get involved helping folks resolve complicated situations. Because of her curiousity, wisdom and ethics she feels both motivated and obliged to assist. She is well-suited because she is kind, open-minded, thoughtful and educated. In this book, a wealthy but dying Iain Melrose asks her to determine to which of his 3 cousins should he leave his estate. But, for the first time in this series, Isabel feels she is neglecting her sons, husband and her responsibilty of reading, choosing and editing submitted books for the Review of Applied Ethics. She and Jamie visit Melrose to advise him that Isabel changed her mind and cannot undertake the requested task. But... surprising Isabel, af the last minute Jamie provides clear and logical advice to Melrose regarding which cousin to bequeath his estate.

Niece Cat marries Leo and sells her deli so they can purchase a house boat. Isabel is stunned at Cat's decision, and concerned for Eddie, Cat's young employee. Isabel comes up with a smart solution that saves the day.

Good, fun and intelligent read but... it is clear that McCall Smith and... Isabel are way more cultured and educated than I am. I am familiar with many of the literary, musical or artistic references strewn throughout the book. I know I am missing out on some important and cool stuff.

Isabel Dalhousie is approached by a man whom she has never met, who nonetheless asks her to take on the role of executor of his will. It turns out that he had witnessed an incident in a restaurant, where one group of people ostentatiously left the room when another party entered; the second party included a man reviled for buying businesses and firing all the employees in order to put up expensive housing. Isabel was at the same scene and while she deplores the man’s actions, she finds the first party’s behaviour to be obnoxious, and she tells the injured party that. Because of this incident, the man approaching her knows that Isabel will do the right thing with respect to his will. But the job is more complex than it seems and in the meantime, Isabel has her own family problems to resolve…. This is the 13th book in the Sunday Philosophy Club series, and the most recent; as with all these books, not a great deal happens, but much attention is paid to how an individual should behave in complex social situations, and what is, or is not, the Right Thing to Do. Some readers might find this series old-fashioned or slow-moving, but I find the books soothing and like visiting an old friend for a quiet afternoon of chatting and drinking tea; recommended. ( )

Isabel finds her life further complicated when Cat announces her engagement to the leonine Leo. At the same time, Isabel is approached to be the executor of an estate. The complications that ensue are typical and require much reflection.

Another series of problems for philosopher Isabel Dalhousie. A relative stranger wants her help in deciding who should inherit his estate, her niece is engaged to a man who is after her money and whose plans may leave Eddie, the delicatessen worker, jobless. All is nicely resolved, though Isabel makes some errors in judgement.