Two Irishmen in Purgatory discuss their own suicides; a book-snob on holiday reflects on the nature of addiction; a pair of thoroughly modern dog-lovers find breast issues impede perfect coupling; a 19th-century Parisian cat narrates his master's obsession with a favourite model; a young man's romance founders as he spends Christmas befriending new flatmate Steve, a fearless mouse; and fans of the irrepressible Marina McLoughlin will applaud her latest adventures in art and astral travel.
Susie Maguire is a writer best known for short stories. As well as publishing two collections - The Short Hello (2001) and Furthermore (2005) - more than thirty of her stories have been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and Radio Scotland. She is an experienced editor, having produced four anthologies to date (Little Black Dress (2007); Something Wicked: New Scottish Crime Fiction (2000); Scottish Love Stories (1995); and Hoots! An anthology of Scottish comic writing (2001)). An accomplished broadcaster and stage performer, with a background in acting, stand-up comedy and television presenting, she is a member of Equity, and of the Society of Authors. An Arvon tutor at Moniack Mhor and The Story House Ireland, she is also a mentor for WoMentoring.
I loved the first story Mae West Optional, French Lessons, a story of two teenage girls in France and the story about a man trapped in an editing suite with the microphone (sorry i dont have the book with me anymore, i lent it out) and there is a masterful one about a woman inviting a man back to her house after a first date...there were a couple of stories that didn't convince but overall i loved it, she is a very seductive storyteller.