1950s
A01=Sue McCormick
Author_Sue McCormick
Category=FF
Christmas.
Crime Cymru
eq_bestseller
eq_crime
eq_fiction
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_nobargain
forthcoming
Murder mystery
Theatrical
Wales
Women's Fiction
Product details
- ISBN 9781916821538
- Dimensions: 130 x 200mm
- Publication Date: 17 Sep 2026
- Publisher: Honno Welsh Women's Press
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Paperback
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1951 - Dame Elspeth 'Holly' Hollanby and her no-nonsense dresser, Ivy, drive to west Wales to join a star-studded Christmas concert, a favour for a friend. At only their first rehearsal, they hear a young singer has died, one of a group of talented students nicknamed the Four Canaries. It is soon found to be poison and hers will not be the last murder... Holly and Ivy are equally at home with the stars at the ghostly Nanteos Mansion and the students in their seafront digs. Despite warnings from the dashing Inspector Lloyd, they know how to read between the lines with performers and can't help asking questions. They soon find themselves in a life-or-death race for the truth.
Sue McCormick was an actor for 40 years, and wrote four professionally produced plays. She studied at Aberystwyth University, then completed an MA in Creative Writing at Lancaster. She was a finalist in the Scottish Arts Club Competition 2020, and her debut novel, Small Acts of Courage, was shortlisted for The Retreat West Novel Prize. She now lives in a small village in Dumfries and Galloway. Her first Holly and Ivy mystery, Red As Any Blood, was published by Honno, September 2025
