The latest novel in Alexander McCall Smith's much-loved Isabel Dalhousie series, which have sold over 1.7m copies

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 friend Basil, is estranged from Basil's father, or that the woman's attitude to childcare is somewhat brazen.


Isabel, however, has much else on her mind, including the next issue of the Review of Applied Ethics. Thankfully, the arrival of Antonia, the exuberant Italian au pair, surely means Isabel can breathe a little.


But her role as confidante soon has Isabel doubting all recent decisions, and her instinct to help others may have put her in real danger. In her desire to run a smooth household and working life, has Isabel simply created more chaos? Perhaps the quiet side of passion is, after all, the best side on which to be.

THE TWELFTH INSTALLMENT OF THE MUCH-LOVED 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 the hiring of 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?

The Quiet Side of Passion is the twelfth book in the series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.