June folds socks. She comments on Dallas she shops in the supermarket. She sits in the pub. Frank sees her, but he doesn't know why; nobody else does.
Set in Airdrie, Scotland in the 1980s, Frank is a touching, bittersweet and gently humorous novel that explores how a father and daughter cope in grief.
For Frank, holding on for longer is the least painful way to let go. For Jackie, it means losing herself in the music of the decade and seeking out a family of her own.
But who is holding onto whom?
Author Biography:
Real name: Julie Patricia Hamill
Birth place/date: Baillieston, December 13th 1971
Birthsign: Sagittarius
Siblings: Rose Ann, Louise, James. All older
Height: virtually and arguably 5 ft 2
Weight: 7 1/2 stone
Eyes: blue
Hair: brown
Previous occupations: advertising
Previous bands: Mr Birch and Mr Morris school band (backing singer)
Favourite colour: yellow
Favourite food: artichoke hearts
Favourite drink: ginger beer, lots of ice
Hobbies: Mozarmy. Music, books, jukeboxes, quizzes, dancing, hula hooping
Pets: one schnoodle, Dolly
Ambition in life: to make an album with Louise: Songs from the dogs
Self description: an over-flowing cup of fluff
High points of career: meeting Penny Reeves in Cardiff
Favourite book: 15 Minutes With You by Julie Hamill
Favourite film: Billy Liar, The Lost Boys, Sid and Nancy
Favourite TV programme: Coronation Street, Mad Men, Sopranos
TV personality: Terry Wogan
Favourite actors: Tom Hardy, Alison Steadman, James Gandolfini
Person you would most like to meet: Morrissey
Most important possession: gumption
Most hated record: Midnight Oil: Beds Are Burning
Favourite bands: The Smiths, The Specials, The Cult, Depeche Mode
Favourite singer: Morrissey, Kate Bush, Carole King
Favourite LPs: World Peace Is None Of Your Business, Please, Kill Uncle
Favourite singles: Velocity Girl, The Rattler, Promised Land, William, Hit
First record you ever bought: The Tide Is High
First live gig: The Smiths, Glasgow, 1985
Likes: reminiscing with Gillian, Elaine, Jack, Sharn, Babs & Caroline
Dislikes: itchy labels, meat, cruelty
Favourite animal: dogs
Favourite person: Pat n Jimmy
Heroes: Gerard, Sadie, Archie, my sisters,
Julie Hes, Neil Wood
Villains: Bernard Matthews
Greatest embarrassment: having to hold my nose under water
Self confession: I turn the music up when you're not looking
First romance: Morrissey
Favourite fun thing to do: Visit the Ramada crazy carpet in West Hollywood