‘Susie Maguire's is a voice that doesn't resemble anyone else's, and her vision of the world is clear, stringent, and generous' – Philip Pullman
‘exquisitely humane, shockingly beautiful, and utterly essential' – Samantha Boyce
‘Maguire is a deft, unfussy writer with a finely-tuned instinct for economy and balance . . . She intuitively mines a rich seam of common fears, illuminating the nuances of lust, loss, jealousy and regret with a beautifully understated style that is engagingly poetic’ – The Sunday Herald
‘Maguire writes with a rich vein of dark humour . . . imaginative insight and an intriguingly eccentric creativity. Her throwaway wit makes for compulsive reading’ – Scotland on Sunday
Former comedy actor and TV presenter Susie Maguire’s second story collection is instantly engaging, with its seductive, dark and witty explorations of the human condition.
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.
Edinburgh-born Susie Maguire’s working life has involved a myriad of professional incarnations, including acting, TV presenting, a cappella singing and comedy. In the 1980s she did stand-up, appearing in London comedy clubs and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, during which time she created her ‘alter ego’, Marina McLoughlin. As Marina she co-presented six Arts programmes with Anthony H. Wilson for STV. Marina has since featured in a number of short stories, including The Day I Met Sean Connery, which was later adapted for radio and television. Susie’s other acting roles include seducing John Hannah (Brond, C4) and berating Alan Cumming for his taste in dressing gowns (Terry Neason Show, STV).
She now writes fiction and her first collection of short stories, The Short Hello, was published by Polygon in 2000. She has also edited several anthologies: Scottish Love Stories (1995); Hoots:Scottish Comic Writing (1997) and Something Wicked: Scottish Crime Fiction (1999). The fourth – Little Black Dress – was published by Polygon in 2006. On the theme of the iconic frock, the book contains 16 commissioned stories by women writers, including Kate Mosse, Stella Duffy, Manda Scott, Muriel Gray and Candia McWilliam.
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