The Geometry of Holding Hands

Written by Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by Davina Porter

Isabel Dalhousie finds herself entangled in some tricky familial and financial situations that will require all
of her kindness, charm and philosophical expertise to navigate.
Just when Isabel and Jamie finally seem to have some time to connect and unwind, a wealthy Edinburgh resident

reaches out to Isabel with an unusual request—he would like her to become the executor of his large Highland
estate. Though Isabel initially demurs, he presses on. He has only a short time to live and, without any direct heirs, is
struggling to determine which of his three cousins would be the best caretaker. Should the estate go to the bohemian
artist, the savvy city property developer, or the quiet, unassuming bachelor?

And if this weren’t enough to keep Isabel occupied, she’s also spending more time helping her niece, Cat, at
the deli. Cat, perennially unlucky in love, appears to have finally found her match in the leonine Leo. But Isabel is
beginning to suspect that Leo might be interested in more than Cat’s charms—namely, her access to the family trust.
Isabel will need to rely upon her remarkable reserves of intelligence and compassion in order to give all parties exactly
what they want and deserve—no more and no less.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781980031918

Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the award-winning series The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and he now devotes his time to the writing of fiction, including the 44 Scotland Street and the Isabel Dalhousie series. He is the author of over eighty books on a wide array of subjects, and his work has been translated into forty-six languages. Before becoming a full-time writer he was for many years Professor of Medical Law at Edinburgh.

Reviews for The Geometry of Holding Hands

[ladyofthelodge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This novel continues the philosophical meanderings of Isabel Dalhousie as she attempts to use her skills to help others. Isabel contends with her niece's conniving husband, a man who wants her to serve as executor for his will, and a past jury duty participant. Along with these situations, Isabel is taking care of her husband Jamie and their two sons, as well as editing a professional journal and working at her niece's deli. All in all, Isabel has a lot on her plate! The novel gets off to a slow start, with some obscure references to literary works. There is not a lot of action in this novel either. Readers new to this series might find the philosophical sidebar thoughts to be confusing.I have read the other books in this series, and this one does not seem to be the best of the lot.I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[gypsysmom_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've read quite a few of this author's books that feature Mma Ramotswe and the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency but I had not delved into his other series. Partly that's because he is so very prolific that I couldn't even keep up with the one series let alone a whole host of others. But my wonderful husband saw this book in McNally Robinson when he was shopping for a birthday present for me and he thought I might enjoy it. I needed something light to read after ingesting a number of good but heavy reads so I plucked it off my TBR pile. It was a nice respite.Isabel Dalhousie is a philosopher who edits a philosophy and ethics magazine. She, her musician husband and their two children live in suburban Edinburgh. Isabel is the recipient of funds from a family trust which means that she doesn't have any money worries but the book opens with her pondering if it is ethical to go to a posh restaurant with her husband. That is indicative of Isabel's life; she brings her ethical stance to almost every decision she makes. She agrees to be the executor for the will of a man she doesn't know because he has a remote connection to her family. She worries about the man who works in her niece's deli when the niece gets engaged and she and her fiance decide to sell the deli in order to finance a boat to take out on charters in the North Sea. Even asking her housekeeper to babysit the children is a moral decision for her. Of course, she handles every decision neatly. She may encounter a few bumps along the way but those are soon smoothed over.Lovely little book that was just right for my mood.

[lostinalibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ethicist Isabelle Dalhousie is asked to act as executor for a terminally ill man's estate. She doesn't know him but they have many mutual friends, a fact that makes it impossible for her to refuse his request. At the same time, her niece, Cat, is in the process of making a decision that will affect the deli and its employee, Eddie. Isabel is convinced that Leo, Cat's fiance, is pushing Cat but is not sure how she can let her know her worries about him.The Geometry of Holding Hands is the 13th book in the Isabel Dalhousie series by Alexander McCall Smith but it is the first I have read. The story's charm and satisfying end to both Isabel's predicaments make for a very enjoyable read and I recommend it highly to anyone looking for a sweet comfort read to get them through these trying times. Thanks to Netgalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for the opportunity to read tis book in exchange for an honest review

[brianewilliams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a solid addition to the Isabel Dalhousie series. It's one of the best. Isabel agrees to act as executor of a terminally ill man's estate, someone she doesn't know. She quickly regrets the decision and must deal with this decision. Closer to home, her niece Cat makes a decision which will affect the future of Eddie, the sole employee of her deli business. The outcome of this situation creates a major change to the series' storyline .There is more suspense in this story than others and therefore makes for an entertaining read with a satisfying conclusion.

[clara53_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

McCall Smith brings such normalcy to the turmoil of our days, especially right now (note the date and the country I am writing from, two days before the election...).  It was such a respite to read his book this week. This new installment in Isabel Dalhousie series is one more example of the value of decency in our daily life. Being imperfect is OK, he seems to say, but decency and grace are of utmost importance. Plus the author reminds us yet again never to take any goodness for granted - just like Isabel, this thoughtful yet often so vulnerable philosopher by profession, continues to marvel how/why she deserves this love in her life...

[lhaines56 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this book to be much more engaging as it involved the personal lives of Isabela and Cat more--Cat's relationship and such. So much of the material in these books is outside of their family. I also kinda liked that Isabela got told off for being a busybody at one point. It was overdue.

[brangwinn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As readers know, Isabel Dalhousie is an ethicist and in the 13th book, she asks, “Where were the boundaries of your moral responsibility for others.” That is the center question of this book. She’s been asked to be the executor of a man’s estate. She hardly knows him, but deciding which of his cousin’s should get his extensive plot of open land is complicated when she discovers she has an unpleasant history with one of the cousins’ wives. Her niece, Cat, owner of the deli where Isabel often helps has become engaged to a man who appears to be after Cat’s trust money. Isabel ponders issues throughout the book and comes, to no surprise to readers, to an elegant and satisfying resolution of both problems.