Bertie gets to travel to Glasgow, Angus and Cyril may or may not have discovered a Neanderthal skull in city park, Stuart tries and fails at dating, and Cyril yields to temptation of bare ankles in a blackout.

I read this as it was published, one chapter per day, in The Scotsman newspaper. I think I like reading these novels in book format better, as the pace is so slow that stretching it out over months makes it feel... well, glacial. But it was an interesting experience, and my first time reading something serialized in a newspaper. ( )

The latest, delectably witty installment of Alexander McCall Smith's sumptuous 44 Scotland Street series.
For the residents of 44 Scotland street, life in Edinburgh's intriguing New Town is a thing to be relished. After all, there are new faces to excite Domenica's anthropological imagination, precious moments with his triplets for Matthew to savor, and the prospect of a trip to the promised land of Glasgow for young Bertie.

But there are mysteries that need solving too. Could Angus Lordie's dog, Cyril—the only dog in Scotland with a gold tooth—have unearthed a Neanderthal skull? Does the long-suffering Stuart have any hope of kindling a new relationship when Bruce, ever the navel gazer and consummate seducer, effortlessly steps into his pas de deux? And how will the patrons of Big Lou's cafe react to the menu's imminent culinary transformation?

The stories of this wonderfully vibrant cast may take...

The latest in AMS’s 44 Scotland Street series, and this one has way too much of Dominica and the eternally irritating Sister Maria Fiori di Fiori in it with a very long shaggy dog plotline about Angus Lordie’s dog, Cyril, finding a skull in a local park hat Domenica is sure is evidence of Neanderthal’s having lived in Scotland.

Meanwhile Matthew is involved with a mystery involving the Duke of Johannesburg as well as setting up Big Lou’s coffee shop (of which hi now owns 51%) with an expanded line of offerings to improve business.

Stewart has FINALLY told Irene hat he’s not interested in being married to him, but his romance with Katie hits a snag when Bruce the narcissist enters into the picture. And FINALLY Bertie gets the opportunity to go to school in the place he regards as heaven – Glasgow.

I love this series but I hope the next book has less of Domenica, and more of Bertie (who, by the way, needs to become eight) ( )

Bertie is as adorable as ever - the 44 Scotland Street residents go through their ups and downs, and you can't help but want to bond with them all. Love this series. ( )