Snakes' elbows - Deirdre Madden

Extraordinary things happen in Woodford when kind and timid pianist, Barney Barrington, and his enemy, Jasper Jellit, both want to buy the same painting...
An extraordinary tale...on toast!

Deirdre Madden was born in Toome, Co. Antrim. She studied English Literature at Trinity College Dublin and then completed an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. Deirdre quickly became an adult novelist and since 1985 has published six books, including The Birds of Innocent Wood for which she was awarded the Somerset Maugham Prize. One by One in the Darkness won the Kerry Book of the Year and was shortlisted for the Orange Prize. In 1997 Deirdre was Writer Fellow at Trinity College Dublin and over the years, in between her writing, she has taught university courses in creative writing. Deirdre has travelled extensively and has lived both in France and Italy. She is currently living in Dublin, working on two new adult novels and her second children's book. She is also teaching the MA in Creative Writing course at the Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing at Trinity College Dublin.

Deirdre is married to the Irish poet Harry Clifton.

With its unlikely mix of illegal arms dealing, art auctions, telepathic pets and magic fudge, this is a morality tale with a difference and a thoroughly entertaining read.
The Scotsman

A wry and mocking take on contemporary culture (not least the fickleness of tabloid journalism), this book evokes a whole community with a marvellous subtlety of tone and lightness of touch. The writing is constantly distinguished and supple.
INIS

There's no need to summarise this story. Just read it. From its intriguing title to its triumphant end, it's a slice of wise and playful brilliance.
INIS

Told with narrator intrusions, this is a delightful and funny tale with just a touch of Dahl.
The Bookseller

Rarely has such a seemingly loopy tale so moved me. Quite simply marvellous.
The Guardian Children's Book Supplement

Quirky and delightfully humourous story of some strange goings-on in a small town.
Irish Times