Part of Isabel Dalhousie, book 12
First published 2018
Isabel Dalhousie finds herself drawn into the complicated life of Patricia, a single mother whose son Basil attends school with Isabel's own child. Patricia reveals that young Basil's father is a prominent Edinburgh organist who shares the boy's name. The older Basil provides financial support but wants a closer relationship with his son, while Patricia blocks his involvement yet continues accepting his money. Isabel's concern deepens when she spots Patricia with a suspicious man who might be a criminal. She brings her worries to the organist, discovering the painful reality of his situation. Meanwhile, Isabel faces her own family drama as her niece Cat begins dating a muscular, outspoken tattoo artist. Isabel prides herself on tolerance, but Cat's choice tests her limits. Caught between helping people who resist assistance and managing her own prejudices, Isabel must navigate these ethical puzzles with her characteristic blend of compassion and sharp reasoning. The twelfth Isabel Dalhousie mystery explores the boundaries of responsibility and the complex ways people help or harm each other.
Genres: literary-fiction, mystery, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Edinburgh
304 pages · Hardcover · Knopf Canada