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Bertie Plays The Blues

44 Scotland Street, Book 7

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Bertie Plays The Blues

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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About this listen

Even down to its well-set Georgian townhouses, Edinburgh is a hymn to measure and harmony. But on Scotland Street, domestic accord is in short supply. Matthew and Elspeth welcome three new arrivals, though the joys of multiple parenthood are somewhat lost due to sleep deprivation and the difficulties of telling their brood apart. Angus and Domenica are to marry, and Domenica has ambitious and disturbing plans for their living arrangements, especially when it appears that Antonia, in Italy recuperating from Stendhal Syndrome, may not return. And little Bertie, feeling blue, puts himself up for adoption on eBay. Can Edinburgh's most deliciously dysfunctional residents forsake discord and learn to dance to the same happy tune?

©2011 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2011 Hachette Digital Contemporary Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Scotland
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Another delightful update about the residents of 44 Scotland Street (and their near neighbours in Moray Place, India Street and other areas of Edinburgh's New Town). Mature love for Domenica and Angus, young love for Matthew and Elspeth (and their triplets), questionable love for Pat and the horrible Bruce, married love (?) for Irene and Stuart and the possibility of new love for Big Lou form the background to the continued story of Bertie. He is still struggling to make his mother understand that there is more to life than psychotherapy, clarinet lessons and Italian conversation whilst he makes drastic plans with his new friend "Braveheart" (with the spindly legs) and battles on against the repellent Olive. Is Bertie's sweetness, innocence and perpetual optimism to be rewarded by light at the end of the tunnel - listen to the wonderful reading by David Rintoul and find out!

The continued tales from 44 Scotland Street

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I've always been a huge fan of Alexander McCalls books and wondered how they would be on Audible. I'm not disappointed..I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this and the narrator has done a fantastic job.

Brilliant!

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I believe this is book 7 or 8 now out of the series, and as usual it didn't disappoint. Bertie's storyline is the one that gives me the most happiness, along with Bruce who we didn't see much of in recent books. Such a fantastic series. A real comfort blanket

Witty. Homely. Like seeing old friends

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Another highly entertaining, witty and observant book from Alexander McCall Smith. For those of you that have already read the previous novels in the Scotland Street series you will not be disappointed with this latest edition. However this can be listened to as a stand alone, without listening to the others first. This is my first audio book and I was uncertain that I would enjoy listening to an entire novel, however the wonderful narration by David Rintoul greatly added to the enjoyment of the story. I'm now hooked on audio books!

Great Listening

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The Scotland Street series is my favourite set of Alexander McCall Smith characters and this is another enjoyable instalment. I would strongly recommend it to other listeners. I think it works for those that haven't read earlier books in the series but you may enjoy it more if you already know the characters, especially Bertie.

Brilliant!

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