Reading a 44 Scotland Street novel, in this case THE ENIGMA OF GARLIC, is the next best thing to having Alexander McCall Smith stop by for a glass of sherry on an April afternoon. He arrives a few minutes before 4:00 with an armful of white daffodils, knotted with a blue cord, and we fuss for just a few minutes in the kitchen to find a delicate, cut glass vase. He centers the bouquet on the ornate walnut coffee table, sighs a bit as he sits down in one of our gray armchairs, and pours each of us a glass of fruity sherry. It's the most anticipated event of the decade—Big Lou and Fat Bob's wedding—and everyone is invited! But the relative peace and tranquillity of 44 Scotland Street is about to be disrupted. Domineering Irene is set to return for a two-month stay, consigning young Bertie to a summer camp. Not content with that, she somehow manages to come between the enigmatic nun, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna, and her friend, the hagiographer, Antonia Collie. The relative peace and tranquillity of 44 Scotland Street is about to be disrupted. Irene is to return for a two-month stay, consigning Bertie to a summer camp. Not satisfied with that, she somehow manages to come between the enigmatic nun, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna, and her friend, the hagiographer, Antonia Collie.

The story begins with a celebration of the wedding of Big Lou and Fat Bob. She is too busy running her restaurant and cooking her famous bacon rolls to consider a honeymoon. Fat Bob is frequently absent. Rumours are that he is having an affair and is sighted with another woman. We learn that the busybody Italian nun, Sister Marie Fiore dei Flori de Montegna was a member of the Vatican's secret spy organization. She is determined to discover the truth about Big Bob being unfaithful and may stir up more heartache for Big Lou.How was that working out?” Smith wondered aloud. It was a great opportunity for Borthy, it seems, and his fortunes improved almost immediately. More on Bruce later. THE ENIGMA OF GARLIC reads as delightfully and richly as a conversation with Alexander McCall Smith himself. Since sadly that possibility seems slim, my recommendation is to enjoy the book and a glass of your best sherry on your own." I really hope Big Lou’s marriage holds up — she certainly deserves some happiness — although I have my doubts about her new husband. And I want to scream at Stuart “What the hell are you doing?” Bertie was composed of goodness, and sometimes goodness means that you take the blame for things you haven’t done. You accept it. You bear it. And he had borne so much in his brief seven years that a little more would not make much difference.”

Some of the storylines in this particular instalment were a little jarring. Still, at least there was no Nudist association or Duke of Johannesburg storyline. Can we really believe that both Bruce and Irene have reformed into more humble, reasonable human beings? At least Olive is still as odious as ever! But poor Bertie. I hope he stands up to her before too long. At least he has his friend Ranald and the prospect of Glasgow to look forward to. We also talk about the children of 44 Scotland Street who are growing ever more precocious and daring. Now seven, Bertie cannot break off the marriage plans that Olive (who is also seven) has settled upon him. Olive’s best friend, Pansy, is equally enamored of Ranald, Bertie’s best friend. The boys’ summer plans are now focused on avoiding the girls, steering clear of parent-chosen camps and emancipating themselves to Glasgow. Can it be done? As for Bruce, I am left wondering how long this new persona will last. Not to be too much of a pessimist, and I do believe people can change, but … really??Bertie and Ranald are dismayed to find they can’t even escape Olive and Pansy at summer camp: “He felt that there was some cosmic plan that meant that he would never be completely free of Olive’s influence. Perhaps she was right when she said that he would, in due course, have to marry her; perhaps that was his unavoidable destiny, decreed by some indifferent Fate somewhere, perhaps even by the planets in their unchangeable rotations. If that was the case, his only hope, he had decided, was to make good his escape to Glasgow.” Poor Bertie! As always, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna is her hilariously helpful self by way of being nosy, but in doing so, resolves a huge concern for Big Lou following her wedding. Bruce’s visit to the monastery changes his life even more. Irene is a changed woman. Wait, really? We shall see, I suppose. I only wish we’d had more interaction with Bertie in this novel. The eternal seven-year-old is largely absent here, with only a few peeps into his camping (mis)adventures. What there is of Bertie, though, shows his patience and kindness, and is endearing and makes one love him even more. Home> Fiction from Scotland> The Enigma of Garlic The Enigma of Garlic By (author) Alexander McCall Smith It’s the most anticipated event of the decade—Big Lou and Fat Bob’s wedding—and everyone is invited! But the relative peace and tranquillity of 44 Scotland Street is about to be disrupted. Domineering Irene is set to return for a two-month stay, consigning young Bertie to a summer camp. Not content with that, she somehow manages to come between the enigmatic nun, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna, and her friend, the hagiographer, Antonia Collie. The conversation starts with our health and a nod to the pressing news of the world, but we waste little time bemoaning the things outside our street. We then turn to the center of our chat: our friends. We have years’ worth of stories about friends, incidents and relationships, and he reminds me that our warm reminiscences are grounded in our love of the people of 44 Scotland Street and its environs, as well as our love for the familiarity and recognition of old events. Today, of course, there are additions to the stories.

Smith then turns the conversation a bit inward; this is the time in our afternoon of sherry and friendship that I have come to expect. We both have a gentle bewilderment at the quandary of growing old. At 20, we thought we’d do it in our 30s; at 30, we thought we’d do it when we had the wisdom and insight of our 40s. But, of course, the 40s are a busy time in the lives of most, and the great projects are put off until the 50s --- and beyond --- into the vague lists of injury time. And then, at some stage, the whistle blows and it’s too late.The Enigma Of Garlic is the sixteenth book in the popular 44 Scotland Street Series by Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith. The reader is, once again, brought up to date on the lives of our favourite Edinburgh residents. This sixteenth (!!) volume of the 44 Scotland St series is as full of kindness, gratitude, humbling observations, and humor as the others. We meet most of the same characters in many of the same situations as usual and catch up with what they have been doing. Home> Fiction from Scotland> The Enigma of Garlic: A 44 Scotland Street Novel The Enigma of Garlic: A 44 Scotland Street Novel By (author) Alexander McCall Smith Ok. AMcS. I need a little word with you. I love these books and I have become increasingly fond of several of the characters and three of them Bertie , Big Lou and Cyril the dog aren’t particularly well served in this instalment. And frankly I felt was all a bit rushed. Big Lou and Fat Bob’s wedding was earlier this spring, and the rumors of Fat Bob’s infidelity began to circulate quietly but steadily, starting at the reception itself. How juicy. But how sad, as Big Lou had every right to marital happiness at long last, and having these suspicions whirl about her (unbeknownst to her, of course) was unsettling. Roger and Angus, stalwarts of the 44 Scotland Street clan, investigated the rumors. Without invitation or consideration, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna join them one afternoon at a café. The three observe Fat Bob and make assumptions about his marriage and his faithfulness.