Book Extract: Sharp as any Thorn by Sue McCormick

Published November 9, 2026 | By Laura

Please join me in welcoming Sue McCormick to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Sharp as any Thorn.

1951 — Dame Elspeth ‘Holly’ Hollanby and her no-nonsense dresser, Ivy, drive to west Wales to join a star-studded Christmas concert. At only their first rehearsal, they hear a young singer has died, one of a group of talented students nicknamed the Four Canaries. Hers will not be the last murder…

Equally at home with the stars at the ghostly Nanteos Mansion and the students in their seafront digs, Holly and Ivy soon find themselves in a life-or-death race for the truth.

Sue has shared an extract from Sharp as any Thorn with us today. We hope you enjoy.

*****beginning of extract*****

Dame Elspeth ‘Holly’ Hollanby and her no-nonsense dresser, Ivy, have arrived in Aberystwyth to join a star-studded Christmas concert. Here, they’re settling in after their arrived at the ghostly Nanteos Mansion.

Taking his lead, the party broke up and said its goodnights. As we crossed the high entrance hall to the stairs, Ivy took my arm.

‘I want to see the Cup before I go to bed. Come with me?’

I indulged her and led the way to the library, a fine old room with heavy plaster mouldings, shelves of bound books and two long sash windows in the front wall. On a table between them, a locked glass cabinet held a piece of curved wood, dark with age and small enough to fit in the palm of a hand.

‘It looks ancient enough,’ I said.

‘The story is it was rescued from a local abbey during the Reformation.’ Ivy was studying it with interest. ‘Brought from the Holy Land by Joseph of Arimathea and somehow found its way to Wales. Word spread that it could work miracles and people came to drink from it, hoping for a cure.’

‘We might have need of it ourselves with gastroenteritis about. I hope they have a key for that lock.’

‘Behave.’

‘Such a shame that Dr Khurana’s niece is ill.’

‘Presumably she’ll miss the concert now.’

‘That seems likely. We must visit her in hospital.’

‘We can do that.’

‘Have you seen enough?’ I asked her. ‘Can I go to bed now?’

We were the last to go up and someone had switched off the downstairs lights, leaving the hall in darkness, except for a faint shimmer from the tinsel on the Christmas tree as it caught the moonlight through the tall windows. The old house was suddenly a place of strange shapes and dark shadows and, out of nowhere, I felt a shiver down my spine.

‘Spooky,’ said Ivy, echoing my feelings.

In the same moment, there was a movement on the dim landing above us, a pale blur that disappeared in an instant.

‘Did you see that?’ I asked.

‘What?’

‘I thought I saw something upstairs.’

Ivy looked upwards, then back at me. ‘I can’t see anything.’

‘It’s gone now.’

‘What was it?’

‘I’m not sure.’ I felt ridiculous. ‘Something in the shadows.

Something white.’

‘Have you brought us to a haunted house?’ Ivy laughed.

‘What next?’

‘You don’t believe in ghosts.’

‘Neither do you.’

‘Quite right. Thank you for reminding me of that.’

I flicked a switch on the wall and the hall was flooded with light. Our surroundings were familiar and comfortable once again and we were quite alone. I felt foolish. It was a trick of the light. A trick of the mind.

‘Imagination,’ I said, ‘is both a blessing and a curse.’

I took her arm and we climbed the great curving staircase together.

‘Sweet dreams, dearest.’ I gave her a kiss on the cheek as she left me at my door.

‘I’ll turn off the lights when you’re safe inside,’ she grinned.

‘Who said mockery shows a poverty of wit?’

‘I believe that was Jean de la Bruyere,’ Ivy said airily. ‘A French philosopher, known for his insightful observations on human behaviour.’

‘Nobody likes a show-off,’ I retorted.

‘Goodnight, Holly.’

‘Goodnight, darling.’

She was still chuckling when I closed my bedroom door behind me.

*****end of extract*****

About Sue McCormick –

Sue McCormick was an actor for 40 years, and wrote four professionally produced plays.

She studied at Aberystwyth University, then completed an MA in Creative Writing at Lancaster. She was a finalist in the Scottish Arts Club Competition 2020, and her debut novel, Small Acts of Courage, was shortlisted for The Retreat West Novel Prize.

She now lives in a small village in Dumfries and Galloway. Her first Holly and Ivy mystery, Red As Any Blood, was published by Honno, September 2025.

Say hello to Sue on Facebook and Instagram.

You can also follow Honno Press on Facebook and Instagram.

Sharp as any Thorn was released by Honno Press in September 2026. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US, ffolio, Barnes & Noble and Waterstones.

Praise for Red As Any Blood, Holly and Ivy’s first mystery:

‘With writing so rich, dramatic and powerful, it’s a must read.’ Lucy Beaumont, comedian.

‘Will leave you smiling, gasping and eagerly anticipating the next instalment.’ Sally Carmen, actress, Coronation Street

‘Meet your new favourite cosy crime detective duo.’ Joanne Owen, LoveReading