If you have been with this series from the beginning, and this is the 11th, you will be familiar with the characters who live around Scotland Street in Edinburgh. Mr McCall Smith is a natural storyteller who manages to subtly fill in the background so newcomers will soon learn about the personalities and foibles of the inhabitants and they are a fascinating collection of people. Bertie of the title is only seven but has the wisdom of Solomon and the mother from hell. The ‘Project’ of the title refers to his mother, Irene’s plan for his intense upbringing. Yoga, psychotherapy, Italian lessons are in; fun, Swiss army knives, junk food are not in! Bertie’s father, Stuart, is a kind, lovely man but completely overruled by his wife. When Stuart’s mother suspects Stuart is having an affair she is delighted, hoping he will rid himself of her truly awful daughter-in-law. As always, new characters are introduced. In this book it is Clare, a very typical, outdoor-loving, extreme-sports enthusiastic Australian. She and the narcissistic Bruce of earlier books join forces and Clare replaces the two Scandinavian au pairs of familiar Matthew and Elspeth to help with their now walking boy triplets. This is the expected delightful read and leaves one eagerly anticipating the next in the series. ~ Sarah Broadhurst
| Primary Genre | Romance / Relationship Stories |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
