Kirkcudbright Crime Writing

Exciting news from local author Sue McCormick, whose latest novel will be launched at Chapters bookshop in Thornhill at 11am on Thursday September 17.

As Sharp as any Thorn is the second title in Sue’s Holly and Ivy Mysteries.. It is 1951 and 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 her’s 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 has had a varied career. She worked as an actor, director and playwright for 40 years and has had several plays produced professionally.

She has a BA Hons Drama from Aberystwyth University and an MA Creative Writing from Lancaster University.

Born and raised in Lancashire, she now lives in Dumfries and Galloway where she writes The Holly and Ivy Mysteries, published by Honno Press. The first book was Red As Any Blood,  published in September 2025.