A heart-warming stand alone novel about the life-affirming powers of music and company during a time of war, from the best-selling and beloved author of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency.
 
When Lavender, La to her friends, moves to the Suffolk countryside, it’s not just to escape the London Blitz but also to flee the wreckage of a disastrous marriage. But as she starts to become a part of the community, she detects a sense of isolation.  Her deep love of music and her desire to bring people together inspire her to start an orchestra.  Little did she know that through this orchestra she would not only give hope and courage to the people of the community, but also that she would meet a man, Feliks, a shy upright Pole, who would change her life forever.

"A metaphor for the transformative power of music.... crafted with the author's usual wit, wisdom and grace."
--Washington Post
  
"A big story about love, death, identity and music."
—The Lincoln Journal Star
 
"McCall Smith's characters are well-drawn and alive. . . . A satisfying work by a writer . . . who charms many readers."
--Providence Journal
 
“Beautifully precise and psychologically acute.”
—The Independent, London

"Delightful . . . McCall Smith once again creates unforgettable characters and a story that will resonate with readers across generations . . . A fresh and unforgettable story about the power of human kindness. Highly recommended."
—Booklist (starred review)

"The evocation of war-torn England, with its palpable mood of defiance, determination and survival, is beautifully caught . . . An excellent recreation of a woman of her time."
—The Scotsman

"Unlike anything else in McCall Smith's work."
—The Independent
 
"Alexander McCall Smith writes about the enduring, patient qualities of love . . . The novel pays heed to our national yearning for a story to chew on."
—The Times (London)
 
"A gentle and uplifting read."
—The Daily Mail