Two Irishmen in Purgatory discuss their own suicides; a book-snob on holiday reflects on the nature of addiction; a pair of thoroughly modern dog-lovers find breast issues impede perfect coupling; a 19th-century Parisian cat narrates his master's obsession with a favourite model; a young man's romance founders as he spends Christmas befriending new flatmate Steve, a fearless mouse; and fans of the irrepressible Marina McLoughlin will applaud her latest adventures in art and astral travel.