The Spring Cleaning Murders

I read this series years ago and loved it! After becoming a librarian in the public school system, my reading had to change to young adult mainly. Some of my favorite authors to read on a lazy day have been put away in my quest to know as many books as I can to help my students become happy readers. When I received this ARC, I didn't get to read it until the last few days. I'm glad I was able to finally read it, because it was a delight!

We are once again with Ellie and Ben. I quickly returned to their world--no cell phones (remember the days?), a cute English village with memorable characters, and Ellie's home--Merlin's Court. Ben still runs Abigail's -- a restaurant. Freddy and Jonas are there to help as well. I was frankly shocked at show more how everything and everyone returned to my memory. In this novel, Ellie is spring cleaning Merlin's Court and giving us hints as to home products for cleaning. Mrs. Malloy--her friend/helper/housekeeper must take a leave to go tend to her granddaughter, leaving Ellie with others from the Chitterton Falls Charwoman's Association to take her place.

Elli quickly discovers that all is not well in the cleaning world when Mrs. Large is the first to die. It appears to be an accident, but others soon follow. Ellie is able to put the pieces together and clean up the business of murder.

I so enjoyed the return to this world and these characters. If you like the "cozy mysteries" as they are called and want a respite from the world, give these a go. show less

The Spring Cleaning Murders
Author: Dorothy Cannell
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Alibi

Ellie Haskell has spring cleaning fever. She is besieged with problems like her housekeeper, Mrs. Malloy, giving notice and moving to London to take care of her infant granddaughter. Ellie searches for someone who can take Mrs. Malloy’s place, something that is not easy as everyone she hires ends up dead. Ellie is left with no alternative; she must investigate the murders and help make sure the last members of the Chitterton Fells Charwomen’s Association (C.F.C.W.A.) stay alive.

--
Ellie is a great character who happens to be suffering from spring fever and gets involved in a crazy murder investigation. Someone is killing the local show more cleaning ladies after Ellie hires them to work for her. The fact that the main character is a stay at home mother who cares deeply for those around her and her family make the story relatable to many women in today’s world.

Jonas and Freddy are the best characters beside the wonderful Mrs. Malloy. They bring the situations to life while giving the reader something to laugh about. There is charm in the way Ms. Cannell describe the people and the issues, without making the story unbearably annoying.

Although this book is a reprint of the original published in 1998, it is not dated and is still fresh and entertaining. The story is not fast-paced but does not ramble, and there is just enough detail to keep the reader interested in the location and the characters. The ending is a bit predictable but not to the point of the reader being disappointed. This book and series of books are recommended for anyone who wants their mysteries without a lot of violence, or sexual content and who like wholesome, good characters. show less

This is a reprint of a book originally published in 1998. It is a good read of a cozy mystery that takes place in a small town outside of London England. This is the seventh book in this series.

Ellie Haskell found a book containing recipes for making your own cleaning products that was written by one of her ancestors. She decides to make and try some of the products and this begins a thorough Spring Cleaning. Ellie is also the mother of young twins and never seems to be able to finish anything. When Mrs. Malloy, her cleaning woman quits to go to London to take care of her grandchild, Ellie hires one of her associates to take over the cleaning. When Ellie goes to a meeting at someone else's house, she stumbles upon her replacement show more cleaning lady dead after a fall off a ladder. Was the death an accident or was it murder? Ellie has a feeling it was foul play, and she sets out to prove it. When another death occurs, she is sure there is something going on.

There are many things happening in this story. Her husband's restaurant is being picketed, her gardener/handyman is getting older and his health is declining. The twins are clambering for attention and Mrs. Malloy is acting strange, not answering any calls. One of her friends is trying to get her husband back and is involved with a married man and every time she hires someone to clean, something seems to happen to them. With all this going on, will Ellie figure out who the killer is and the motive? Will she be able to find out who the killer is before anyone else dies?

The characters in this story are what you would expect from an English mystery. They are quirky, especially the group of cleaning women, and fun. The list of suspects includes just about everyone except Ellie and her family. The plot moved slowly in some spots and quickly in others. I had suspects in mind along the way and changed my mind as often as Ellie did. The ending was a bit of a surprise, but fit in nicely. Each chapter began with a cleaning tip from the past and it was fun to read them. I am glad I live now though. A cute mystery for cozy mystery lovers. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. show less

Someone is killing the charwomen of Chitterton Falls and Roxie Malloy enlists Ellie Haskell's help in finding who. One of the better later entries in this series.

Ellie haskel takes on the CFCWA after housecleaners start turning up dead.