To celebrate the launch of my forthcoming new book COOKING THE DETECTIVES I am hosting a worldwide Lollipop Lickathon throughout July 2025.

Inspired by a 1970s advertising campaign for Tootsie Roll lollipops

how many licks will it take you to get to the centre of a lollipop?

Rules of the game

• Record how many licks it takes you to get to the centre of a lollipop – one of these little gadgets might be useful – or pen and paper, as it’s easy to lose count!

• For the sake of simplicity, the total lick count should be recorded when your lollipop stick is totally bare.

• Email me your lick count via the Contact Page before August 1st to be in with a chance to win one of the prizes OR come to the online watch party and lickathon I am organising on the 27th July.  Details will be over on the Dinner and a Movie Substack nearer the time.

Prizes

First prize is a signed copy of Cooking The Detectives and a special badge of honour

Runners-up each get a Lickathon mug.  Drink from it with pride!

Lickathon Player Roster – sign up with your player name in the comments

Miss Marbles – Jenny H
Brianside – JTR
Corky Box – Mike N
Shirley Brisket – Tracey S
Giant Gaystacks – Simon N
Quincey MD – Lawrence N
Wayne E. Forecast – Brian T
Lick Flair – Nathan C
Foppish Bob – Heather T
Brian the Flirty Gladiator – Brian D
Cagney Floss – Kelly T
The Professional – Graham S
Maud West Private Detective – Julie G
Hard Licker – Nick B
A.M. Pannek – VTD
Lucy ‘The Blaze’ Brookes – Lucy B
G J Bullet Brookes – Greg B
Angie Lickinson – Becky J
Punchy Licks – Jodie B
Dipstick and Makelove – Jan and Diana M
Starsky and Licks – Cathy S
Cherry Bruisalot – Nessa C
Brandy Slivovitz – Sanja A
Sherbet Holmes – Kate S
Jim Lickford – Lucy S
Rockfish and Lacey – Matt & Jo
Buddy Bags and Sheena DeCrime – Columbo Ben and his belle
Randall & Hot Cake (degreased) – Jim and Charlotte
Col Cannon – Debbie
Angela Lickbury – Trixie
Prime Suckspect – Alastair H
Miss Marple Syrup – Carolyn
Chicken Licken – Erica S
Cagney & Licksy – David and Katy

Why not invite some chums round, get a bunch of lollipops and have a Lickathon Party?  Whoever is master of ceremonies could get themselves one of these!

If you fancy cooking something appropriate, the recipe for a spinach pie favoured by Telly Savalas can be found here.

Have fun my friends and I trust you not to bite or gouge your lollipop, licks only!

Be aware that…