The Unbearable Lightness of Scones: The New 44 Scotland Street Novel    by Alexander McCall Smith Order:  USA  Can Anchor, 2010 (2008) Softcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Alexander McCall Smith never fails to deliver delightful and extremely readable novels. His No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series are true hits. I've read every one and find it hard to wait for the next. The World According to Bertie in the 44 Scotland Street series was a national bestseller and The Unbearable Lightness of Scones promises to be another. Older than his years, six-year-old Bertie finds that the older she gets, the harder it is to handle his overbearing mother Irene (who named his baby brother Ulysseus!) Now she doesn't want him to join the Cub Scouts and encourages Olive, the child who swears she and Bertie are engaged to be married, to come for play dates. Olive is a control freak and is certainly no friend of poor Bertie. He's already contemplating the time when he will be eighteen and can leave home. I get a real kick out of Cyril, the dog with a gold tooth. His thoughts seem to center around Matthew's ankles. He gives little or no thought to the six puppies he fathered, who now live with him and his owner Angus Lordie. Newly-weds Matthew and Elspeth are slowly finding their place in their new roles. Domenica and Antonia are still embroiled in tea cup ownership. As usual, I am struck by how Smith can make me feel lacking in word power. His delicate use of language is an art. What a fun book. Charming characters, simple plot, and the wonderful background of Edinburgh. What more could one ask. Don't miss The Unbearable Lightness of Scones, the latest from a master storyteller. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Contemporary books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews