In this warm, intelligently observed novella, Isabel Dalhousie, Alexander McCall Smith’s wonderful heroine, learns valuable lessons about inviting the past (and everyone in it) back into your life.

Isabel Dalhousie–philosopher, mother and friend–has generously agreed to host the opening dinner for her school reunion weekend. Twenty-five former classmates will descend upon her Edinburgh home, bringing with them new names new looks, and old reputations. While some see the reunion as an opportunity to forge new friendships and reaffirm old ones, others aren’t interested in changing their minds about the past. One particular classmate, Barbara Grant, was known as an especially mean girl who bullied the others relentlessly. As hostess, Isabel feels compelled to help her guests on the path toward reconciliation, but bitter feelings and long-held secrets threaten to derail her efforts entirely. With her trademark insight and compassion, Isabel Dalhousie may find a way to navigate the treacherous waters of mean “girls”, with mercy and forgiveness.