Fizz has always been a magnet for weird folk of all kinds but Mrs Sullivan really takes the biscuit. The old dear is – or claims to be – convinced that she is guilty of a brutal murder, one for which a man has already been convicted. She may be delusional, she may be lying, she may actually be guilty, but at least she is wealthy and able to pay generously for someone to settle the matter one way or another. Fizz, newly fledged as a solicitor, has too much on her plate to get involved but she does know someone who has plenty of time on his hands and who badly needs the money. Buchanan is currently finding his feet as an advocate: briefs are thin on the ground and he is, for the first time in his life, feeling the pinch. The idea of taking money from a nutty old lady does not appeal to him but, as Fizz points out, someone is doing time for the murder and they guy might be totally innocent. If Mrs Sullivan – who does appear totally rational – really did cave in someone's head with a hammer somebody ought to be able to find evidence to prove the fact. Was the murdered woman really the respectable Scottish landowner she appeared to be or the scruffy little slut that Mrs Sullivan alleges? Was low-life brothel keeper, Terence Lamb, framed for the murder? Will Fizz and Buchanan get together at last or will he throw her to the ground and jump on her? Anything is possible.
Praise for Joyce Holms writing.
VAL McDERMID: Engaging and entertaining, it builds to a spectacular climax. Deft, daft and definitely delicious. Holms is a magician. - the reader is so busy laughing, the clues slip by unnoticed. (Manchester Evening News)
IAN RANKIN. : Delightfully quirky. For Joyce’s stories you don’t need a strong stomach, though you may find your sides aching with laughter. Her humour is sharp without being nasty, her characters well-drawn and her Edinburgh a place you’ll want to spend time in.
SUNDAY TIMES: The writing is deft and smooth, the characters well-drawn and Fizz and Tam are a couple worth keeping an eye on.
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: A cleverly plotted story. The characters are well-drawn and the story moves along at an enjoyably brisk pace.
SHERLOCK HOLMES MAGAZINE: Diverting humour and nifty characterization. Go on – go out, get it, gasp and giggle.
BIRMINGHAM POST: a good story, light-hearted, full of fascinating characters .
SHOTS MAGAZINE:
SCENES OF CRIME REVIEWS: Holms has a gift for writing light, pacey mysteries with an engaging pair of central characters in Fizz and Tam.
THE SCOTSMAN: delightfully quirky.
Praise for Joyce Holms writing.
VAL McDERMID: Engaging and entertaining, it builds to a spectacular climax. Deft, daft and definitely delicious. Holms is a magician. - the reader is so busy laughing, the clues slip by unnoticed. (Manchester Evening News)
IAN RANKIN. : Delightfully quirky. For Joyce’s stories you don’t need a strong stomach, though you may find your sides aching with laughter. Her humour is sharp without being nasty, her characters well-drawn and her Edinburgh a place you’ll want to spend time in.
SUNDAY TIMES: The writing is deft and smooth, the characters well-drawn and Fizz and Tam are a couple worth keeping an eye on.
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: A cleverly plotted story. The characters are well-drawn and the story moves along at an enjoyably brisk pace.
SHERLOCK HOLMES MAGAZINE: Diverting humour and nifty characterization. Go on – go out, get it, gasp and giggle.
BIRMINGHAM POST: a good story, light-hearted, full of fascinating characters .
SHOTS MAGAZINE:
SCENES OF CRIME REVIEWS: Holms has a gift for writing light, pacey mysteries with an engaging pair of central characters in Fizz and Tam.
THE SCOTSMAN: delightfully quirky.
