The Winds from Further West

Smith (the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series) spins an entertaining tale about the vagaries of relationships. Public health researcher Dr. Neil Anderson finds himself in a minor imbroglio at the Edinburgh university where he teaches when one of his students misconstrues his remarks about a lower-working-class neighborhood as “disgusting” (he meant the conditions, not the inhabitants). Making matters worse, a blossoming new romance with colleague Chrissie Thomson turns sour several months after they move in together. Fed up by the drama, Neil retreats to the Scottish Highlands, where his medical school friend James puts him up in his farmhouse on the secluded island of Mull. He finds kindred spirits in the house’s closest neighbors: Stuart, a fisherman and oyster rancher; Maddy, a website designer; and Jill, the attractive local vet known for breaking men’s hearts, whom he supports through a professional crisis of her own. In their earthy company, Neil enjoys university-grade philosophical discussions along with freedom from the stultifying campus, where “the democratic traditions of collegiate governance were consigned to history.” Smith’s character work is top-notch, and he’s unflinching with his barbs about the morass of higher education. The author’s fans will love this. Agent: Robin Straus, Robin Straus Agency. (July)