Part of the series, this novel presents a story which revolves around the characters that come and go at the fictional No 44 Scotland Street in Edinburgh's New Town. Its characters include the stalwart Tory chartered surveyor, the pushy mother, and, most importantly, the beleaguered Italian-speaking prodigy, Bertie.

"The World According to Bertie" is the fourth in the series and revolves around the many colourful characters that come and go at No. 44 Scotland Street. McCall Smith handles the characters with his customary charm and deftness - the stalwart Tory chartered surveyor, the pushy mother, and, most importantly in this novel, the beleaguered Italian-speaking prodigy, Bertie. This is classic McCall Smith - clever, witty and entertaining - and beautifully illustrated. A chance encounter with Armistead Maupin in San Francisco inspired Alexander McCall Smith to write this series of novels based around the fictional No. 44 Scotland Street in Edinburgh's New Town.