‘Mr Big’ by Joyce Holms

Published by Headline,
October 2000.
ISBN: 978-0-7472-7400-2 (HB)

 When Freddie McAuslan, an ex-client of Tam Buchanan's father, is arrested for the murder of drug baron Chuck Mathieson, Tam finds himself drawn into the City's seedy underworld, as he seeks to prove Freddie's innocence. As Buchanan senior says 'Freddie's nothing but a daft laddie'

Sounds on the face of it a simple case of detection, but no, there are as ever complications. Despite an agreement between Tam and his father 'to keep Fizz out of it' within no time Fizz is on the case. A meeting with the non-grieving widow Catriona produces the name 'Greenfield House', a sheltered housing complex, for aged thespians, and within days Fizz has Grandpa, who is in Edinburgh for an operation on his famous 'clicking knees' installed, while he recuperates.

As on previous occasions, Fizz has moved fast, and Tam has been our- manoeuvred. However, while investigating the inmates of Glenfield House, Buchanan encounters the delectable Lizzie, daughter of one of the inmates Nigel Hayes. Tam has gradually become aware that when Fizz learns of his girlfriend's they seem to, without exception, come to a sticky end, so he is determined to keep this liaison to himself.

Between investigating the killing of Chuck Mathieson and protecting his private life, Tam had his work cut-out. Fizz is as usual, working to her own agenda, one which leads her to a terrifying experience.

Joyce weaves a fascinating tale of murder, and deception. Can any of these retired show-biz geriatrics be involved with drugs? The more Buchanan delves the more he becomes aware that no one is what they seem. Running along side the investigation is the tussle between Fizz and Buchanan, sometimes complex, always humourous and constantly challenging. The dialogue just sparkles, and Joyce has a gift for characterisation, in a few sentences she brings her personalities to life. Even the cat Selina who first appeared in Foreign Body, and now has her paws well under Buchanan's table, plays an active part.

This is the fifth in the Fizz and Buchanan series and they just get better. Joyce's turn of phrase and tight plotting is a joy to the decerning crime reader. If you haven't yet sampled the Fizz and Buchanan series, then don't delay.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Hayes
Other books in the series are Payment Deferred, Foreign Body, Bad Vibes, Thin Ice, Mr Big, Bitter End Hot Potato and Hidden Depths.

Joyce Holms was born and educated in Glasgow. The victim of a low boredom threshold, she has held a variety of jobs, from teaching window dressing and managing a hotel on the Isle of Arran to working for an Edinburgh detective agency and running a B&B in the Highlands. Married with two grown up children, she lives in Edinburgh and her interests include hill-walking and garden design.