Meet the Sleuths

An exclusive biography of Sophie Grammar by Lettice Brown, journalist for Village Matters; new assistant secretary of The Watermill Players (and now starring in Little Men, a locally written play inspired by Louisa M. Alcott’s famous novels).

You can also read a mini bio about Juno, canine super-sleuth, by her owner, Edwina Stoker (fellow detective, tea-leaf reader and director).

So pull up a chair, arm yourself with your favourite brew, and read what inspired Sophie to leave London, settle in Holberry Down and become an accidental super-sleuth.

Meet Sophie Grammar …

Romance author and Head of Holberry Down’s first team of Private Investigators: The Sensory Detectives Agency

Place where we met: Over a spiced pumpkin latte at the Watermill Café

Sophie’s mood: Nervous. When I asked her why she left London, she said she’d needed a break. But her book reviews speak for themselves, and when I tackled her on the subject, she admitted she’d just come from a break-up with her partner, Phil ‒ also a DI! After a slice or two of carrot cake, she admitted she’d met him on a crime writing course. So it seems she’d always had an interest in solving mysteries!

Day job(s): Murder mystery author and Private Investigator.

Love interest: Sophie admits that she’s hugely relieved to be off the ‘romance’ hook. Though she knows how to write happy endings, it seems her own love life is off script (or off-piste, to coin a phrase from her Love on the Slops). Though I have heard rumours of a certain Detective Sergeant’s interest … not to mention DI Jack Raven, not an easy man to impress. When I gave her the hint, however, she went right off her carrot cake, so I don’t think she’s ready for love just yet.

Special skills: Sophie has lived all her life with a sensory processing disorder that magnifies sound and scents. So bright lights and supermarkets are murder, she tells me, and discos are an absolute torture. She’s also sensitive to textures, so no scratchy material near the skin. But her super senses certainly give her the edge when it comes to following a sensory trail …

Residence: Flat 1A, The Marina, Little Holberry ‒ above the old chandler shop. Here, Sophie runs her agency and pens her novels, overlooking the river. She still has her flat in London, which she’s currently renting out to a Detective Sergeant on her Ex’s team, but has no plans to return.

Close friends and family: Sophie’s Aunt Edwina, her only family and closest friend; Nyla Kumar (fellow sleuth); Brian Colesfoot (Stage Manager), and of course, Juno the dog, whom she adores.

Nemesis: DI Jack Raven, who still thinks he is the only one with a brain in Holberry Down, and is already on the warpath about her new Agency. But the real thorn in her side is her Ex, DI Phil Warrington, who still blames her for their break-up.

Future challenges: Getting her Private Investigator business off the ground and publishing a bestseller!

And lastly … meet Juno, canine supersleuth and dearest friend

Hello, all! Edwina here. I’ve been asked to give a little claw-nail sketch of our darling Juno ‒ whose super sense of smell is second to none (although Sophie comes in a strong second!).

I adopted Juno a year ago, when her owner sadly died. Bertha was a dear friend of mine who first saw Juno at a rescue centre. The poor lamb (Juno) had been badly treated from puppyhood (mind you, Bertha wasn’t in a much happier state). But the two of them helped each other, and were inseparable until Bertha became too ill to cope. Juno wouldn’t leave her, though, so I went to stay until Bertha … well, that’s another story. At first, I thought Juno would pine away for her old mistress. I did my best with love and cuddles by the ton, but she never was her old self until Sophie came to stay. They sort of helped each other, to be honest. Sophie had been such a lonely child, locked in her own world, allowed no pets. I think (well, I know) that’s why she escaped into her books.

But now, what an understanding there is, between them! Juno can’t wait to get up to the marina each morning, to see her ‒ and very often stays the night, if she feels Sophie is lonely. Juno senses moods so easily (and Sophie, for that matter). They’re a perfect pair.

All my love, Edwina x