This is a serialised novel which was originally published over 110 episodes in "The Scotsman" newspaper in 2004. It revolves around the inhabitants of one house in Scotland Street, Edinburgh and follows through their daily trials and tribulations. It is written in the omniscient third person and McCall Smith has a marvellous ability to get into the heads of his characters giving the reader wonderful insights into how the various members of his cast think and relate to the others. His humour is always gentle and he is kind to his characters, deliberately avoiding poking fun at their numerous foibles. One of my favourite passages: "But did she have basil? Probably not, but then basil was not essential. There were some who lived entirely without basil, she reflected; some who had never heard of it." I found the ending vaguely dissatisfying as it left too many loose ends, too many issues unresolved, but then life is often like that too. A light and thoroughly enjoyable read.
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