Dickens & Rumi

book

The Quiet Side of Passion

Alexander McCall Smith · 2019

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The Quiet Side of Passion by Alexander McCall Smith. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Romance, Alcohol or drugs; positive qualities include Positive messages, Creativity & curiosity.

Book 12 · Isabel Dalhousie / The Sunday Philosophy Club SeriesSource checked

Where to get it

Find in a libraryBuy on Bookshop.orgBuy on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org affiliate, Dickens & Rumi may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 2/5 · Romance 2/5 · Alcohol or drugs 1/5
Strongest positivesPositive messages 4/5 · Creativity & curiosity 3/5
Series positionBook 12 · Isabel Dalhousie / The Sunday Philosophy Club Series
Recommendation3.3/5

Positive messages; strongest caution: death of a character.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Positive messages; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Death of a character 2/5
Recommendation 3.3/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
16Scored categories
16Evidence notes
2Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 6, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth16 scored categories16 evidence notes
Show Wikipedia summary

Open to load a short Wikipedia summary.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character2/5
  • Romance2/5
  • Alcohol or drugs1/5

Strongest positives

  • Positive messages4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Good role models3/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 13 · The Geometry of Holding HandsStrongest cautions: Romance 3/5 · Religious themes 2/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · Sunday Philosophy Club, The
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes2/5Romance2/5Violence2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · Friends, Lovers, Chocolate
    Romance3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Death of a character2/5Religious themes2/5Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    About the same
  3. Book 3 · The Right Attitude to Rain
    Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Alcohol or drugs1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    Gets gentler
  4. Book 4 · The Careful Use of Compliments
    Death of a character2/5Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5Violence1/5
    Gets gentler
  5. Book 5 · The comforts of a muddy Saturday
    Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Frightening scenes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Violence1/5
    Gets more intense
  6. Book 6 · The Lost Art of Gratitude
    Romance3/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  7. Book 7 · The charming quirks of others
    Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Frightening scenes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    About the same
  8. Book 8 · The Forgotten Affairs of Youth
    Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Frightening scenes1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  9. Book 9 · The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds
    Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    Gets more intense
  10. Book 10 · The Novel Habits of Happiness
    Religious themes2/5Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Death of a character1/5Frightening scenes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    Gets gentler
  11. Book 11 · A Distant View of Everything
    Alcohol or drugs2/5Religious themes2/5Romance2/5Death of a character1/5Frightening scenes1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    Gets more intense
  12. Book 12 · The Quiet Side of Passion
    Death of a character2/5Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    About the same
  13. Book 13 · The Geometry of Holding Hands
    Romance3/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Death of a character1/5Frightening scenes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets gentler

Keep going

What should you do next?

One review should lead naturally to the next useful choice.

Keep browsingSearch for another bookUse age, interests, vibe, or content preferences.Search →

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mentions of everyday brands consistent with setting the scene in Edinburgh.

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

Death matters to a mystery and prompts moral reflection, but it is not a central or graphic focus.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Very mild language, consistent with the author's refined and gentle style.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Religion is not a focus of the plot.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Features adult domestic relationships and discussions about romantic complexities.

Frightening scenes1/5
Why this rating?

The story is calm and devoid of frightening elements.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Social consumption of alcohol is briefly depicted in adult settings.

Checked and not flagged

No concern recorded in these categories

These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.

Sexual content & nudity · 0/5Violence · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience2/5
Why this rating?

Displays courage through social integrity and facing difficult interpersonal situations.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages critical thinking, observational skills, and reflective inquiry.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Diverse backgrounds are represented primarily through the context of life in a modern, cosmopolitan city.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Explores philosophical concepts and moral reasoning throughout the narrative.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Kindness and community care are central to the characters' motivations.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong themes of ethics, intellectual curiosity, and kindness in social interactions.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Isabel Dalhousie is a thoughtful, ethical, and responsible role model.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What message do you think the story most wants you to remember?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in The Quiet Side of Passion would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Quiet Side of Passion, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

Community signal

Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

Add your perspective

Sign in from the homepage to rate this title.

These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

Something wrong with this guide? Report age, caution, series, cover, or title issues.