Not a hint of politics, at least not American politics. McCall Smith is a master of the gentle storytelling genre, with characters who grow along with the books and those you would like (and despise) in real life! I always enjoy books that feature children, like 7-year-old Bertie and his mates, but there are plenty of adult conversations and experiences here, too. The story is enhanced by the lovely Scottish accent of the narrator. If you are looking for a good, escapist read, start at the beginning of the 44 Scotland Street series.