Not Quite a Geisha is a delightful tale involving two long-time stars of stage and screen Evangeline Sinclair and Trixe Dolan. When their friend Dame Cecile Savoy’s much loved Pekinese cat dies, of course they must stand by her, especially since Dame Cecile is planning to have Fleur-de-Lys stuffed by a taxidermist. However, not everything goes as planned. They arrive at Stuff Yours to find the place going up in flames and the owner dead. Trixe also manages to rescue a live beautiful rare pedigree Japanese Bobtail cat called Cho-Cho-San who has amazingly been brought there to be put down and stuffed. Soon they find themselves involved in a plot of murder and larceny that has not only family implications but also culinary and theatrical ones as well.
Not Quite a Geisha contains sub-plots galore including some extraordinarily
brilliant recipes. The backstage gossip gives you the reader a wonderful insight
into the stage and screen. We are also led through a wide range of emotions.
This is an amusing and engaging novel with first-rate plotting and deft touches
of humour. The author’s love of cats, the theatre and cooking are all put to
good use here without it being overpowering. Evangeline and Trixe may not be
your typical sleuths but they are no slouches. Not Quite a Geisha is the type
of book that conjures up lazy evenings with cream teas and classic whodunits.
Certainly a winner and worth reading.
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Ayo Onatade