Lynne J. (Doughgirl) reviewed on 8/10/2009 + 138 more book reviews

Isabell Dalhousie is a middle-aged single woman of independent means living in Edinburgh, Scotland. She's highly educated, and is currently the editor of the Review of Applied Ethics. At the beginning of the story, Isabel is attending the opera with a friend, when she just happens to see a man fall from the gods (the gods are the uppermost tier of seats at a Scottish auditorium). Although the authorities determine that the fall is an accident, Isabel isn't quite sure of that, and she determines to try to find out what might have really happened.

The first half of the book was a frustratingly slow read for me, as there was very little movement forward on the mystery. Instead, it was full of what some might call character building - learning about Isabel's niece Cat, Cat's current boyfriend (whom Isabel doesn't like), Cat's old boyfriend Jaime (who is still one of Isabel's best friends), and Isabel's frequent - really frequent - musings on philosophy, art and literature. If you are going to read this book, it helps to keep a dictionary or encyclopedia handy, so you can look up the many philosophers, artists and authors.

The story, action and mystery did pick up in the second half of the book, thankfully. And I did appreciate the twist in the ending.

The Sunday Plhilosophy Club is probably the coziest mystery that I've ever read. Lots of thinking - little action, little suspense. The mystery is weak, and I would say this book is more about the characters. However, I would only give the character development in this book a C. Mma Ramotswe of the #1 Detective Agency Books is a character that I find it much easier to warm up to than Isabel Dalhousie. So personally I'll be sticking with Mma Ramotswe's books

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