I’ve struggled with the superlatives I need to describe this novel… one, I must confess, I went into without great enthusiasm. But almost immediately I was drawn into the eccentric world of reclusive author Mimi, her son Frank and their interloper, Alice.

As it happens, the promo material says it all: captivating, infectious and irresistible. So the only word I can think to add (and one which most certainly comes to mind when considering this novel) is ‘delightful’.