Oh, this series... it just keeps finding ways of keeping the characters interesting, using subtle and gentle humor with a truly heartbreaking ending - yet an uplifting ending too. I don't know how McCall Smith manages to do both, but he is truly a master story teller.

3.5 stars. Love these.

After reading The Revolving Door of Life last year my heart was broken for poor sweet Bertie. Just as he was getting a taste of freedom and the life that most boys take for granted his mother swoops back in. And throughout this book that dear sweet boy once again brought me to tears a few times. Never has a fictional character in any series got under my skin as much as Bertie Pollock and I know I am not alone in that feeling. In this instalment Bertie struggles to adjust to having his mother back in his life again. Trying to deal with those dreaded yoga classes and psychotherapy sessions, while his poor brother continues to loose his breakfast lunch and dinner all over Irene. They now have a safe haven in weekly visits to their grandmother. Their father Stuart has found a new and surprising way to cope with Irene's return. Elsewhere Matthew and Elspeth face problems with the two Danish au pairs, Angus suffers a trauma that might change his outlook on life and narcissistic Bruce might have found true love and not with his own reflection. A bright young Aussie with a love of extreme sports and an interesting career history. Loved catching up with these characters. Always hope for the best for Bertie. With his grandmother Nicola now living nearby his life has certainly become more tolerable. The only part I still can't understand is the Scottish Nudists but they are not mentioned enough in this book to lower the rating for me. Always a fun slightly dramatic read, look forward to the next book in this series.

Arch bordering on waspish. While he may pretend to lampoon the self-seeking and pomposity of his characters, I think the author fails to check his own privilege and bias. No longer charming, I'm rather glad it is the last of this series.

I love his stuff.

This was a fun read, and there were some more complex plot points introduced than is typical of books in this series (although they were wrapped up by the end). Bertie remains to be the best child ever written.

I wasn't as overwhelmed by this book, but I still loved it. Long-suffering Stuart finds a glimmer of happiness, and Bruce meets with adventure. Bertie is not as front-and-center as usual in this series.

Oh, how I love Bertie! Another chapter in the lives of Scotland Street denizens - always good to visit them. I really enjoy this series with the ups and downs of a wide variety of characters. Will Big Lou find love? Will Irene learn she is a fascist? Will Olive and Patsy ever stop torturing Bertie and get their comeuppance? I love these characters. (Albeit, some more than others. And Irene not at all.)