Philosopher turns detective

The Sunday Philosophy Club -- Alexander McCall Smith

A self-sufficient lady philosopher witnesses a young man's death and decides that something isn't right and that she needs to investigate.

Isabel Dalhousie takes advantage of the tight-knit nature of the Edinburgh arts scene to find out more -- everyone knows someone you know so it's possible to dig around like this. I keep expecting the residents of 44 Scotland Street to pitch up.

She justifies her nosiness by claiming that it helps her recover from the trauma of witnessing someone dying.

I like McCall Smith's precise, correct language. It suits Isabel's side of the story. I find it harder to keep up with her neice Cat -- the head voice is slightly too old (although she's a very engaging character, and I, like Isabel, care about her.