About this item
"[A] murder mystery about an Irish caregiver and her client, a cantankerous, widowed hoarder . . . [a] darkly comic sensibility [and] plenty of twists." - Publishers Weekly. Finalist, Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award. Maud Drennan is a dedicated caregiver whose sunny disposition masks a deep sadness. A tragic childhood event left her haunted, in the company of a cast of prattling saints who pop in and out of her life like tourists. Other than visiting her agoraphobic neighbor, Maud keeps to herself, finding solace in her work and in her humble existence - until she meets Mr. Flood.. Cathal Flood is a menace by all accounts. The lone occupant of a Gothic mansion crawling with feral cats, he has been waging war against his sons attempts to put him into an old-age home and sent his last caretaker running for the madhouse. But Maud is this impossible mans last chance: If she can help him get the house in order, he just might be able to stay. So the unlikely pair begins to cooperate, bonding over their shared love of Irish folktales and mutual dislike of Mr. Floods overbearing son.. Examining the space between sin and sainthood, Mr. Floods Last Resort "perfectly balances tragedy with dark comedy. . . . the dialogue crackles and every detail enchants" (Shelf Awareness) .. "Will appeal to fans of Tana French and Sophie Hannah, as it charms and unsettles in equal measure." - BookPage. "The author of Himself has prepared a fine Irish feast for the literary crowd; she simultaneously delights and appalls with her odd and troubled characters, never resorting to formula." - Library Journal. "[A] charming mix of magic and mystery . . . wrapped around a tale of family love and dysfunction . . . The action-packed climax leaves us with the whiff of a sequel. We can only hope it will come soon." - Minneapolis Star Tribune. Published in the UK under the title The Hoarder
About the Author
I was brought up in London as part of a large family from County Mayo and started writing in the cupboard under the stairs. Being a shy child among great storytellers it seemed like a good plan to share my stories by writing them down. I haven't stopped since. I'm currently Writer in Residence at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College where I returned to education as an adult learner.My latest book is a Victorian detective mystery called Things in Jars (Canongate, U.K. out now. Atria, U.S. out Feb 2020) . I'm busy working on Novel Four now and also developing original TV projects - watch this space!I love to hear from readers, so do get in touch viajesskidd.comTwitter @JessKiddHerself HimselfA BBC Radio 2 Book Club ChoiceShortlisted for the Irish Book Awards 2016Shortlisted for the Authors' Club Best First Novel Award 2017Longlisted for the John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger 2017The HoarderA BBC Radio 2 Book Club ChoiceShortlisted Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year 2019'Dirty Little Fishes'Costa Short Story Award 2016
