Part of Isabel Dalhousie, book 8
First published 2011
Isabel Dalhousie faces a puzzle that reaches back decades when Jane Cooper arrives in Edinburgh. The visiting Australian philosopher knows almost nothing about her origins. Adopted as an infant, Jane has only one clue about her biological father: he studied in Edinburgh years ago. She turns to Isabel for help with this nearly impossible search. Isabel agrees to take on the case while juggling her own busy life. Her young son Charlie grows more active each day, walking and talking. Her housekeeper Grace receives dubious financial advice from a spiritualist. Her niece Cat embarks on another romantic relationship. Most pressing of all, Isabel must decide when and how she and Jamie should finally marry. As Isabel investigates Jane's past, she uncovers connections between memory and identity. The search forces both women to consider whether some secrets from youth should stay buried or whether understanding the past can illuminate the present.
Genres: literary-fiction, family-life, mystery, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Edinburgh, Australia
Period: contemporary
261 pages · Hardcover · Pantheon