In the ninth addition to Alexander McCall Smith's Isabel Dalhousie series Isabel, occasional sleuth, and owner and editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, is asked by a wealthy Scottish landowner to aid in the recovery of a stolen Nicolas Poussin painting. While rendering assistance, Isabel uncovers sibling conflict within the victim's family. Suspicions are cast. Further, Isabel considers such matters as whether or not to let one's child develop independently of additional tutelage, given his precocious mathematical proclivity. She encourages her husband Jamie's bassoon playing and lends a compassionate ear to her niece Cat's sorrowful employee. Filled with delightful characters, bits of philosophy, art, music, the poetry of W.A. Auden, and imbued with a rich sense of place, The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds might best be enjoyed with a strong cup of tea and a biscuit or two. ~ Reviewed by Amy Palmer