The insatiably curious Edinburgh philosopher and amateur sleuth Isabel Dalhousie returns taking on a case unlike any shersquos had beforemdashthis one with paranormal implicationsmdashin the eagerly anticipated new installment of Alexander McCall Smithrsquos beloved and best-selling series Through a mutual acquaintance Isabel is introduced to a six-year-old boy who has been experiencing vivid recollections of a past life which include a perfect description of an island off the coast of Scotland and a house on the island where he claims to have lived When the boyrsquos mother asks Isabel to investigate Isabel naturally feels inclined to help and so she her husband Jamie and their son Charlie set off for the island To their great surprise they actually locate the house that the boy described which leads to more complicated questions as Isabelrsquos desire to find rational explanations comes up against the uncanny mystery unfolding before her Itrsquos an extraordinarily delicate situation that will require all of her skills as both sleuth and philosopher to solve Back home as she begins to prepare the next issue of the Review of Applied Ethics Isabel confronts a threat to her professional well-being in the form of two visiting academicsmdashLettuce and Dovemdashwho she fears will be a destabilizing influence on her cozy perch in enlightened Edinburgh But no matter the trials she faces Isabel is blissfully content in her personal life which is centered on her young son and devoted husband Readers will be filled with happiness as they once again spend time with their beloved heroine and the people she holds dear.
