'The former crime writer had avoided lapsing into the customary cliches, instead maintaining the pace and intrigue of a thriller with a complex exploration of adolescent yearning.' -- Scarborough Trader 'Joss writes with a vividness that captures exactly particular moods and atmospheres ... The darkness of her main themes, the sense of impending catastrophe that hangs over the story, is relieved by a lightness of touch - and the combined result is a very fine novel indeed' -- Sunday Herald 20050807 'The story of Lila's getting-of-wisdom is powerfully told, bristling with tension and horribly funny.' -- Kate Saunders, The Times 20050807 'A gripping and beautifully composed novel. It is both darkly hilarious and deeply moving' -- Herald 20050807 'Morag Joss's contribution to the coming-of-age genre is remarkable in its astuteness, humour and eloquence ... striking ... mesmerising' -- Katie Gould, Scotland on Sunday 20050807 'She is excellent at portraying a child's loss of innocence and the desperation of those who find themselves trapped in a small Scottish town. It will be very interesting to see what she does next.' -- Scotsman 20050807 'Written with insight and at times grim humour, this novel about conscience and consequence isa poignant journey into the dark heart of a family.' -- Reading Evening Post 20050807 'PUCCINI'S GHOSTS is refreshingly unique.' -- Marlborough & Pewsey Gazette 20050807 'Morag Joss's new novelPUCCINI'S GHOSTSis surely one of the discoveries of the year. It's set in west coast Scotland, and overhung with a sense of impending catastrophe that is relieved by an elegant lightness of touch. A truly magnificent novel.' -- Ron Butlin 20050807 'The story of Lila's getting-of-wisdom is powerfully told, bristling with tension and horribly funny.' -- Kate Saunders, The Times 'Morag Joss's contribution to the coming-of-age genre is remarkable in its astuteness, humour and eloquence ... mesmerising' -- Katie Gould, Scotland on Sunday 'She is excellent at portraying a child's loss of innocence and the desperation of those who find themselves trapped in a small Scottish town. It will be very interesting to see what she does next.' -- The Scotsman 'A very fine novel indeed' -- Sunday Herald 'A gripping and beautifully composed novel. It is both darkly hilarious and deeply moving' -- Herald 'Morag Joss's new novel PUCCINI'S GHOSTS is surely one of the discoveries of the year. It's set in west coast Scotland, and overhung with a sense of impending catastrophe that is relieved by an elegant lightness of touch. A truly magnificent novel.' -- Ron Butlin