Today’s book beginning is from a short story by Alexander McCall Smith called “The perils of morning coffee”.

Isabel Dalhousie saw Brother Fox that morning at eleven minutes past four. She was not one to take much notice of such details – she felt it was usually a matter of little importance to know exactly what time it was, unless, of course, one was a railway company, or an airline, for whom concern about punctuality was entirely understandable and, on the whole, to be encouraged.

I really like this beginning. I don’t wear a watch and felt connected to Isabel from the start. A good sign!

What is YOUR book beginning today? To see more book beginnings go to A few more pages!