Espresso Tales

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Robert Ian Mackenzie

New York Times best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith, creator of the beloved No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels, crafts the second irresistible installment in his Scotland Street series. Espresso Tales follows the charming and immensely popular 44 Scotland Street as all the favorite residents of that Edinburgh address return.

Between glances in the mirror, vain Bruce contemplates a new career as a wine merchant. His troubled flatmate, Pat, finds himself looking for true love at a nudist picnic. Precocious Bertie, now six years old, prepares for kindergarten despite the horror of being forced to wear pink overalls. Meanwhile, his domineering mother, Irene, and his psychologist, Dr. Fairbarn, struggle with dark secrets as Bertie plots his rebellion against them.

It's business as usual in the Georgian townhouse at 44 Scotland Street, and McCall Smith's innumerable fans wouldn't have it any other way.

Check out the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels and 44 Scotland Street (Unabridged).©2005 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2006 Record Books LLC

Critic reviews

"McCall Smith's pacing is impeccable." (Publishers Weekly)
"Robert Ian Mackenzie's impeccable take on the characters reveals their trials, tribulations, blind spots, and charms." (AudioFile)

Meet more of McAall''s Quirky Characters

Uneven charater s. Usually author has ALL people, however minor interesting. But here only 2 stand out , but those make it worth the read. You find yourself rooting for the smothered 6 yr old genius . The portrayals of the narcissistic roommate, and the psychciatrist are hilarious & right on. Worth the read just for those .

Great book!

Great narrator and excellent story! Captivating simple story. Reading it you feel like you are part of this word. Victoria

love this book

If you could sum up Espresso Tales in three words, what would they be?

Absolutely charming characters!

Which scene was your favorite?

Bertie visits the psychologist and identifies Mummy as person who keeps him from enjoying his little boy life

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Could have done

Any additional comments?

I had read previously, but enjoy the narrator's voice and style. I let him read me to sleep every night. I love this book.

Mrs Doubtfire

Wonderful story but sometimes I can't help thinking the narrator sounds like mrs doubtfire when ever he reads the women's parts.

Another great AMS story

I’m a big Smith fan. Great story. However, the quality of the audio is disappointing. Don’t let that deter you; just keep that in mind.

Scotland St Series

I enjoyed the book but I wish the author written more in detail about the main characters and left out the boring characters. Also, the performance suffered, because the reader went right from the end of one chapter without pausing, and stating the number of the next Chapter. This wasn’t the case after every chapter but enough to be disconcerting as there was no definite, ending to a chapter. You found yourself trying to listen very hard for the end.

Great Stories-Lovable Characters

Depth of character thoughts and emotions in these people, except for Bruce. Angus is my favorite. I’d like to be more like him.

Please fix the editing of this book.

What made the experience of listening to Espresso Tales the most enjoyable?

Narrator is fantastic. Stories continue to be fabulous. When only 12 minutes were left in the book, I had to go get the next one because I can't bear not to know what's going to happen to these people next! This one has some top-notch cliffhangers.

What did you like best about this story?

The story? Absolutely nothing. I'm sure people wondered why I would suddenly laugh out loud for seemingly no reason. Other parts of the story made me express epithets. All in all, this series should not be missed.

Have you listened to any of Robert Ian Mackenzie’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't think so, but I'll definitely be more inclined to buy a book if I see he's the narrator.

If you could take any character from Espresso Tales out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Cyril. I guess Angus Lordie (sp.?) would have to come along, too. Or Dominica. Everyone's just so interesting, it's hard to choose.

Any additional comments?

My main reason for this review is the terrible editing problem, which I note another reviewer mentioned. The way the book is put together, some chapters start even before Mackenzie has finished uttering the last word of the previous chapter. In some cases, the number of the chapter fits the final word of the previous chapter so well that it's very confusing (the start of chapter 99 comes to mind). This happens with about half the chapters. In other cases, a suitable pause is taken between the end of a chapter and the beginning of the next.

This is the only thing marring a truly enjoyable experience with a truly stellar book.

Super! I'm in for the whole series now

Delightful social commentary with just believable characters that you come to care about. I'm back looking for Number 3 and I just can't picture listening to anything else right now.

I enjoyed most of it!

In these stories, I’m particularly fond of Bertie’s plot line. And watching karma haunt Bruce. However, in making the point that Ramsey’s memoirs are boring….it is indeed boring. In my humble opinion.