Bertie Plays the Blues is a novel by Alexander McCall Smith, one of his 44 Scotland Street novels set in Edinburgh. I’m more familiar with The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, but with his usual charm and wit, this novel was a pure joy to read.

It is amazing to me how McCall Smith can create so many wonderful characters and write about them over and over in a way that doesn’t get boring. The novel is funny and insightful, and at the heart of it is 7 year old Bertie, who puts himself up for adoption on eBay, so he can quit going to Italian classes and psychotherapy, and just be a boy!

A wonderful read.