Bad Influence

The heartwarming tale of an 89-year-old with a very shady history seeking treasure but finding redemption. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Jennie Godfrey.

Jinx Sullivan should be enjoying a peaceful retirement in the Cotswolds -but peace has never really been her style. As a child internee in Japanese-occupied Singapore, Jinx witnessed unspeakable horrors, then faced poverty as a refugee in post-war Britain. Then life took an unexpected turn under the questionable mentorship of Penny Williamson-social worker and WW2 spy. Jinx and Penny teamed up for a series of dangerous adventures, which saw them dodging the CIA in 50s Italy and plotting heists in swinging London. Their partnership went up in smoke in the 60s but Penny's bad influence lingered on.

Now 89, Jinx craves one last escapade. She's determined to return to Florence in search of hidden treasure. The problem? Incapacitated by a fall, she can only get there on a coach trip, with the village gossips and her angry teenage helper Thea in tow. What's more, Jinx must navigate not only Italy, but a tangle of loose ends she'd rather ignore. She must deal with old grievances and long-hidden secrets (not to mention bodies). But perhaps there's a final chance at redemption too (if the carabinieri don't get to her first).

Bad Influence is a story of friendship, betrayal, and the power of facing the past-no matter how much it wants to stay buried.