Colm Cantwell's life is in a sorry state. His wife won't sleep with him, despite all his efforts at persuasion. His stepdaughter hates him with a quite terrifying passion. His once grand literary ambitions founder in the shallows of bitty journalism and tatty gossip columns. Into his life totters Sally, a character close to the edge, and Colm spies an opportunity for change.

But Colm is a prisoner of Dublin, a place where talk is an addiction and word of mouth is still a weapon. Accustomed to being the spider spinning webs of gossip, Colm eventually finds himself the fly.

'Hayes shows a fine ear for the beat of everyday conversation . . . She once again meticulously observes the frailties of her bruised characters — without losing a fondness for them'
IRISH TIMHS

'Sharp, funny and astute, Hayes is more than a match for any of her male peers on the subject of men trying to grow up'
SCOTSMAN