Dolly and the Bird of Paradise

Dolly and the Bird of Paradise follows Rita Geddes, a Scottish woman working as a hotel manager in Morocco. After a chance encounter at her establishment, she becomes entangled in a complex situation involving international smuggling and deception. The narrative moves between Morocco and Scotland as Rita navigates relationships with an eclectic cast of characters, including the mysterious Johnson Johnson - a portrait painter who wears bifocals and may be more than he appears. The plot incorporates elements of espionage, romance, and high-stakes gambling across luxurious settings. Rita must determine whom to trust while maintaining her professional responsibilities at the hotel. The story combines intricate plotting with glimpses into the hospitality industry and the social dynamics of expatriate communities in 1960s Morocco. The novel explores themes of identity and perception, examining how people present themselves versus who they truly are. Through its international scope and cast of characters, it raises questions about cultural boundaries and the nature of belonging.

Not enough reader reviews exist online to provide a meaningful summary. This 1983 mystery novel receives little discussion on major book platforms. On Goodreads, it has only 23 ratings with an average of 3.52/5 stars, and most reviews are brief plot summaries rather than analysis. The few available reader comments mention: Liked: - The Malta setting details - Johnson Johnson's character development - Plot complexity Disliked: - Slower pacing than other Dunnett mysteries - Less engaging female protagonist compared to others in the series - Too many characters to track Review Sources: Goodreads: 3.52/5 (23 ratings) Amazon: No reviews available LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (4 ratings) Most discussion of Dorothy Dunnett's work focuses on her historical fiction rather than her Johnson Johnson mystery series, making this book relatively obscure in terms of reader feedback.

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer A Regency-era tale of a resourceful young woman who orchestrates matchmaking schemes while dealing with her own romantic entanglements.

The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer The story follows a marriage of convenience between a young noblewoman and an earl who navigate society intrigue and misunderstandings in Georgian England.

The Shadow of the Moon by M.M. Kaye A romance set against the backdrop of colonial India follows a British officer's wife through political intrigue and dangerous adventures.

These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer A tale of revenge and romance unfolds as a duke adopts a mysterious girl from the Paris streets and introduces her to high society.

The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer A brother and sister swap genders to hide from political persecution while becoming entangled in romance and adventure in Georgian England.

🏛️ The book is the sixth and final installment in Dorothy Dunnett's "Johnson Johnson" series, featuring a portrait painter/British secret agent who wears bifocals. 🎨 While most spy novels of the era featured male protagonists, Dunnett uniquely paired Johnson with different female leads in each book, making the series groundbreaking for its time. 🌺 The story takes place in Hawaii, and the title references both a character named Dolly and the Bird of Paradise flower (Strelitzia), which is native to South Africa but widely cultivated in Hawaiian gardens. ✍️ Dorothy Dunnett wrote this book in 1983, the same year she was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for her services to literature. 🔍 The novel was published under different titles in various countries - in the US it was known as "Dolly and the Singing Bird," while UK readers knew it as "Dolly and the Bird of Paradise."