LEAD:
Alexander McCall Smith is best known for his "Number One Ladies' Detective Agency" series but he has now added a second character to his repertoire.  Isabel Dalhousie  (dal-HOW-zee) is a Scottish philosopher with a habit of sticking her nose in other people's business, all with the best of intentions of course! The Right Attitude to Rain presents her with moral dilemmas both large and small and also gives her an unexpected second chance for love.

RUNS:  6:08

END CUE:  "...published by Knopf Canada."