Unusual Uses for Olive Oil: A Professor Dr von Igelfeld Entertainment Novel    by Alexander McCall Smith Order:  USA  Can Anchor, 2013 (2013) Softcover, e-Book Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Author Alexander McCall Smith has written a number of series. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is the first one I read and watched on a DVD. I fell in love with the series and the author. Each and every one of his series is different from the others. Unusual Uses for Olive Oil features Professor Dr Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld of the Institute of Romance. It's been a while since we've spent any time with the good doctor. He is definitely welcome back. Dr Igelfeld feels he never receives the respect which he thinks he is due. He is the author of Portuguese Irregular Verbs. After all, his crowning achievement sold 200 copies! The poor man tries but just can't fit into society, which can lead to pretty funny occurrences. For example, cutting a pair of trousers off at the knees does not make a suitable pair of shorts to wear to a social gathering. Dr Igelfeld meets and is interested in a wealthy widow. But he makes an unforgivable faux pas that ends the relationship before it gets started. His solution to a happening with a dog that walks with three wheels probably ends his social life with a bang. When this series debuted, the New York Times called it 'a comedic jewel'. It gives us a delightful rendering of a personality who would be hard to deal with but is such fun to read about. I certainly can't say which of the author's series I like the most. But I am always happy to have another of McCall's books land on my desk as I know it's good reading ahead. 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