How can a book by someone called Sparkle fail toglint and glitter in the mind firefly-like? Well, does it? Sort of. Robin Hudson could be a first cousin of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum. She's 37, has one failed marriage behind her, is a candidate for intensive therapy and can't get a date with a decent man. Or any man, for that matter. Then her gynaecologist is murdered, someone begins taking pot-shots at her male colleagues in the All News Network where she works, her nerdy boss sends her to investigate the S&M sex-club underworld, and the latest addition to her personal defence system - a hot-glue gun - begins to malfunction. What can a girl do except kick up her heels and go for it? The "it" in this case being a mad Aunt Mo, religious fervour, insanity and Louis Levin's monkey. See for yourselves.
Nice Girls Finish Last, by Sparkle Hayter (No Exit Press, £6.99 in UK)
How can a book by someone called Sparkle fail toglint and glitter in the mind firefly-like? Well, does it? Sort of
Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter
