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Bertie’s Theory of Ice Cream (paperback)

Bertie’s Theory of Ice Cream (paperback)

Bertie’s Theory of Ice Cream (paperback)

ISBN: 9780349147925
Publisher: Abacus
Publication Date: 2 July 2026

Bertie’s Theory of Ice Cream – the EIGHTEENTH volume of the 44 Scotland Street novels.

“It’s like ice cream, Mr Flynn,” Bertie continued. “When you have ice cream, you need to eat it straight away, otherwise it melts. If there are people who haven’t got any, you should share it, if you can.”

When despair for the world grows, Bertie’s theory of ice cream reminds us that it’s the simple pleasures in life that we should celebrate whenever we can. And everyone’s favourite seven-year-old has a lot to put up with: at home, Irene is planning lessons on Irish Culture for Bertie; at school, he is forced to join Olive and Pansy’s book group, and during a day out with his best friend Ranald Braveheart Macpherson, the boys find themselves unexpectedly invited to a wedding.

Meanwhile, Bruce’s latest property venture goes horribly wrong after trying to move a flat’s front door to give it a more prestigious address. At Nine Mile Burn, Matthew and the triplets try to adopt an unwillingly-vegan dog. And Sister Maria-Fiori dei Fiore Montagna discovers the missing part of the Stone of Scone in Drummond Place Gardens.

Filled with Alexander McCall Smith’s trademark warmth and humour, this latest book in the series is a must-read.

This is the longest running serial novel in the world and runs in The Scotsman newspaper, daily for three months of every year – but you can just as easily jump right in and enjoy any volume. You will laugh from the first page to the last.

Reviews

‘Charming, humorous, and relevant, 44 Scotland Street portrays everyday life in Edinburgh’s New Town as it exists today, complete with cameos of popular real-life Edinburgh figures, among them Ian Rankin and Malcolm Rifkind’ 
- Britannica, 10 Captivating Novels Set in the British Isles, June 2026
‘A toast to the importance of the simply joys of life at a time of global despair’
Sally McDonald, Sunday Post