Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Really good May 1, 2008
SB (Warwickshire, UK)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I'm not usually one for short stories - I usually like to get really stuck into a book. BUT... I love the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series and thought I'd give this a go.. and I really enjoyed it.
The stories are all good in their own way - some thought-provoking, some laugh-out-loud funny, some completely unexpected. I finished each one thinking, "I want to know what happens next" - which can only be a good sign.
If you're already a fan of Alexander McCall Smith's books, then give this a go. Don't expect anything like the Ladies' Detective series, and approach them with an open mind, and you might be pleasantly surprised. I found the stories very entertaining.
 Average March 15, 2008
Bookworm (England)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
One or two of the stories were entertaining and well written, but the majority of them left you wanting more. Not at the same standard as his later books.
Short Stories with flair August 16, 2007
Claire King (UK)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I bought this book on the off-chance, having begun to tire of the Ladies Detective agency series, and loved it. Each story has it's own set of characters facing their very different dilemmas. The short story genre seems to suit him as a writer - I don't miss the redbush tea, the little white van or indeed ladies being described as 'of a tradional build'. In fact, I'll go further - if you've begun to find the Mme R stories to be written in a patronising & formulaic style, do try these - each story will leave you thinking.
Dull, frustrating and a waste of time and money January 14, 2006
Mrs. S. V. Munsey (Bideford, North devon)
18 out of 21 found this review helpful
Like many others I have been working my way through the McCall Smith back catelogue whilst waiting for the next in the No.1 Ladies series to come out (and yippee, the next one 'Blue Shoes and Happiness' is expected on 9th March). I loved the characters his other books but I found the characters in this group of short stories disappointing and frustrating. Now I know its the nature of short stories to leave you wanting more or wanting to know 'what happens now?' but these stories were lack-lustre and flat and, to be honest, I had no empathy or sympathy with the characters and I found myself not caring about what happened to them either. The synopsis above says "In these hilarious stories of perverse meetings, casual dates and romantic encounters, we are enthralled, saddened, inspired and surprised by the encounters we witness." I was not enthralled or saddened or inspired or surprised. I was pretty bored by the stories actually. I also didnt find the subjects shocking instead I was left wondering why he bothered to write about such dull people. Ho hum I guess it bought him a new Rolls or house or whatever so save your £'s for Mme Ramotswe's next instalment.
 A complete waste of time April 1, 2005
I. Hanson (Edinburgh)
35 out of 39 found this review helpful
No matter how much you like Alexander McCall Smith, don't be tempted to buy this book. I don't know if the stories come from a time when he was just a novice writer but I thought they were awful. The so-called 'twists' at the end are such a let-down. It's as if the publishers just wanted to cobble together some old stuff to con people out of more money.I know people who have tried these short stories and been very disappointed by them and then not wanted to read any of his other stuff - if you are one of those people, don't worry, the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series and The Sunday Philosophy Club are great reads - don't be put off by this dismal collection.
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