Queen Tambourine Brilliant Sunday Times

Excellently done . . . Manic delusions have never been so persuasive . . . Very moving when it is not being exceedingly funny Anita BrooknerAn ingenious, funny, satirical, sad story . . . Vivid and poignant Independent on SundayWickedly comic . . . masterly and hugely enjoyable Daily MailEliza Peabody is one of those dangerously blameless women who believe they have God in their pocket. She is a modernday Florence Nightingale, always up at the Hospice or the Wives club she is too enthusiastic she talks too much. Her concern for the welfare of her wealthy south London neighbours even extends to ingenuous, wellmeaning notes of unsolicited advice under the door. It is just such a onesided correspondence that heralds Elizas undoing. Did her letter have something to do with Joans abrupt disappearance from number fortyone? What to make of the long absences of her husband and Joans, and of the two mens new, inseparable friendship? And why will no one else on Rathbone Road speak of Joan? As Elizas own life seems to disintegrate, she finds that, despite the pity and embarrassment with which her neighbours greet her, she is at last being drawn into their lives although not in the way she had once fantasised about. This is a sharp, poignant and wickedly funny tale of love, heartache and disillusionment. | Jane Gardam The Queen Of The Tambourine : 'Brilliant' The Sunday Times