Tale of Irene's kidnap is bound to captivate

THE Importance of Being Seven by Alexander McCall Smith, is published by Polygon, priced £16.99. It will be available to buy from Thursday.f

As he contemplates a significant seventh birthday, will wunderkind Bertie Pollock ever get away from his overbearing mother Irene?

It seems the fates have intervened when it appears that Irene has been forcibly separated from her son.

However, Bertie's friend Tofu points out that if she had been kidnapped, why hasn't her ear appeared in the post?

The Importance of Being Seven is the sixth in the series of the 44 Scotland Street novels, by author Alexander McCall Smith, 61, who lives in Merchiston.

The 44 Scotland Street novels were first published as a serial novel in The Scotsman.

The story of Bertie and his dysfunctional family continues alongside the familiar cast of favourites, including Big Lou, Domenica, Angus Lordie and Cyril.

Meanwhile, other absentees from 44 Scotland Street include Angus Lordie and his golf-toothed dog Cyril.

Both are enjoying a break in the beautiful Tuscan hills, but could they possibly be contemplating a permanent move?

Before 'for sale' signs start popping up on the street, Smith has many more witty tales of life in Edinburgh to tell in the popular series.