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Friday, May 15, 2015

Come to Harm & The Pink Squirrel (yes, it's a drink)




Award-winning author, Catriona McPherson, joins us today for Drinks with Reads matching her new book, Come to Harm, with a drink called Craig McKendrick's Pink Squirrel. You have to be nutty not to want to try this one. And you also have to be nutty not to comment on this post, because Catriona is giving away a copy of her new book to one lucky US resident who comments. Just mention why you want to read Come to Harm. 


About halfway through COME TO HARM, Keiko Nishisato hosts Sunday dinner for butcher Malcolm Poole – who wants to show off one of his specialities, her BFF Fancy Clarke – who’s on dessert duty, and Fancy’s is-he-isn’t-he Craig McKendrick – who chips in with a cocktail.

Craig McKendrick’s Pink Squirrel
One part Crème de Noyaux (nut liqueur)
One part Crème de Cacao (chocolate liqueur)
One part double cream (US = heavy cream)
Combine all three with ice in a shaker, then strain into glasses leaving the ice behind. 
Decorate with pink sugar and enjoy!

The next morning, Keiko totters round to Fancy’s house for help . . .

‘Bloody Craig McKendrick!’ Fancy said. ‘Right, what are we looking at here? You’re up and walking and you’re dressed ’
‘Not really,’ said Keiko leaning back in her chair, ‘I’ve still got my nightie on underneath.’
‘Well, near as damn it.  So . . . I think port and brandy.  I’m serious, trust me.’  
Keiko swirled the resinous mixture around in the bottom of the glass, breathing through her mouth so that she couldn’t smell it.  She couldn’t remember ever tasting port or brandy before.
‘Honest,’ said Fancy.  ‘Down in one, trust me.’  Keiko glanced at the sink; it was piled with dishes so if this didn’t work she would need to make the bathroom.  She pulled her chair back from the table in readiness, swigged, gasped, then swallowed hard with her hand clamped over her mouth.
‘Hold on, hold on,’ said Fancy and, as the fumes cleared and the good taste of toothpaste flooded back, Keiko felt a kind of calm settle over her insides like a thick blanket, like an x-ray blanket, and she breathed, ‘Thank you.’


One pink squirrel won’t necessitate the port and brandy cure, but it’s a good one to have up your sleeve, just in case!

This isn't Catriona's first time guesting on Drinks with Reads, in fact she was our very first guest blogger in the series where she matched Dorothy L. Sayers, Murder Most Advertised with the perfect cup of tea. She followed it up a year later with The Day She Died with The Bloody Girder. And because we didn't want her Dandy Gilver series to be left out, Kerry Hammond wrote about Dandy Gilver and the Proper Treatment of Blood Stains with The Blood Orange Negroni

Don't forget to comment below to get a chance to win Come To Harm. 



11 comments:

  1. This novel sounds intriguing and enthralling. What a delightful post, feature and giveaway and a special drink. Thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. I love Catriona's work, and am a big fan of Dandy Gilver. I can't wait to read this!

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  3. Dandy Gilver is unique. So is this great book which would be memorable and special. Many thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  4. This is a new author to me but sounds like a great book and of course drink.

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  5. I'm sure if I drank a few of these I'd be seeing Pink Squirrels. lol! It sure sounds like a great new read. Thanks so much for the giveaway. robeader53@yahoo.com

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  6. I think I'd like this book

    kaye dot killgore at comcast dot net

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  7. Pink Squirrel sounds yummy. The book looks intriguing. Bobbipad at gmail dot com

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  8. This sounds fabulous.......the book too!

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  9. I would like to read this book so I can try a Pink Squirrel. They both sound great.

    gibsonbk at hiwaay dot net

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  10. This giveaway has it all - a recipe for a delicious drink and a story to enjoy while you sip a Pink Squirrel. Thank you for the chance to win this intriguing book. - ruthmazur46@gmail.com - Ruth Lyons Mazur

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  11. Our winner is Bobbie T. Congratulations! Look for an e-mail shortly.

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