My Review (5 stars out of 5)
This is Joy Mutter’s third collection of short stories and once again it demonstrates her ability to mix light-hearted topics with more sinister themes. Having read most of her books, I’m more than familiar with her writing style and this one is stamped with all her usual hallmarks. One of the interesting features of the book is that some characters appear in more than one story, which is a nice touch. Some of my favourites include the title story, which concerns a girl desperate to have a new mobile phone, but when the desired gift eventually arrives, a mysterious caller alerts her to a threat. ‘Betty Boo-Boo’ tells of a woman whose career as an online influencer includes a daily update on her pregnancy, but the new baby throws the parents into a tizz when the child doesn’t meet their high expectations. ’Too Much to Bear’ is about a woman whose ‘OnlyFans’ passion spells trouble when she discovers one of her followers is a little too close to home.
As with much of this author’s work, some of the stories in this collection are a bit near the knuckle. ‘Cuckoos’ for instance, concerns a group of immigrants who take advantage of a trusting old man in a bid to add a little spice to their lives. This isn’t the only story influenced by recent events in the UK, and some readers may be offended by the opinions expressed by some of the characters.
An enjoyable collection that surely has something for everyone – so long as you’re not easily offended!
Colin Garrow 
Now I am so curious I have to read this book.
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