I didn't really enjoy this book. It was boring and forgetable.

Delightful addition to the Ellie Haskell series by Dorothy Cannell. Ellie is lost without Mrs. Malloy, but Mrs. Large steps in to fill the gap. Unfortunately that doesn't last long when she falls from a stepladder and dies. Was it an accident or on purpose? Do the two following deaths have a connection? Read this book and find out and fall in love with Merlin Court's crazy, lovable inhabitants.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

The Spring Cleaning Murders

by Dorothy Cannell

The Spring Cleaning Murders carves out its own niche in the world of cozy mysteries. Ellie Haskell is the moderately well-off wife of a restaurant owner and the mother of twin three year olds. The book is indeed a mystery with multiple murders and Ellie playing the part of a sleuth. Unlike the typical cozy mystery, there is no relationship with a law enforcement officer. A lot of the story is centered around family ties and the various levels of society found in a small English town. Another strong emphasis of the book s a group of of cleaning ladies and a journal containing cleaning formulas collected by Abigail Grantham, the mistress of Ellie’s home during the first of the twentieth century. Each chapter begins with one of these tips, and making and marketing the products provides a cover story for Ellie and the cleaning ladies as they search for clues.

There are many quirky characters who strengthen the plot. The Epilogue provides closure for the familial tale after the mysteries have been solved satisfactorily. I enjoyed reading this book and anticipate reading more from the series.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Random House (Alibi) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: part of the 13 book Ellie Haskell Series, but works as a standalone

Publication: May 9, 2017—Random House (Alibi)

Memorable Lines:

Feeling like a nun forsaking the convent, I went with my little girl and boy into a world painted with rainbow color for a picnic where dock leaves served for luncheon plates.

On the following Sunday, skies hung low, like soggy woolen blankets abandoned on a clothesline. The wind gurgled and moaned and rain drizzled drearily down the windowpanes.

Then I put the kettle on so I wouldn’t be the only thing steaming.

Freddy ambled over to the refrigerator to stand with the door open, peering inside with all the intensity of an anthropologist studying culture as evinced by an igloo.

Vanessa had a master’s degree in self-absorption.

“If I was a fairy godfather, do you know what I’d wish for her, Ellie girl?” “Tell me.” “That she’ll grow up to be loving and loved. That’s enough for anyone in my book.”

I enjoy a cozy mystery from time to time. This book started a little slowly for me. It could be that it was 7th in a series and I had no prior relationship with any of the characters, but it took a while to get interesting. Even the first death was rather bland as far as plot devices go, but once we were about halfway through, the pace picked up and things got interesting. If you like a cozy mystery, you'll enjoy this one (and presumably others in the series.)

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 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.

I've read all the Ellie Haskell books, which I think actually helps because there's a fairly large cast with lots of quirks. These books sometimes get a little too madcap but Cannell generally reins it in with the strength of her characters. Ellie is a gem and someone I think we can all identify with. This time around we get a lot of cleaning tips, which some might appreciate more than others. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is light cozy reading with a well established character in the lead.

My first thought was "oh English humor " I'm not a huge fan. But the book was interesting, funny, and had some priceless quips. If I had one of those books like Jaime in A Walk to Remember for favorite quotes or sayings, it would have gotten some serious pages filled. As the book progressed, I was more enthralled with the murders and The Who done it. Most books I'm happy with it if when I'm done I feel a part of the characters and/or the town. I was a part of a family when I finished. I found myself with the biggest smile, tears rolling down my face and the warmest feeling. I was left truly happy! What an amazing first read by this author! Book provided by NetGalley.

This is a cute cozy mystery. I have read another in this series and they are quite good. They are entertaining and somewhat complicated without being confusing. I really like the main characters. I listened to this as text to speech on my kindle on my way to New Jersey from New Hampshire and was so engaged that I continued to read it once I arrived. I had started it earlier in the week, but I got to that point where you just have to know how it all wraps up. I definitely didn't predict the ending, which always speaks highly of a good mystery. If you like to be entertained with a fun mystery, I definitely recommend this.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Ellie Haskell has discovered a book about cleaning, including recipes for DYI cleaning products  in her attic. It was written by one of her ancestors, and she is so excited about the find she decides to do a thorough spring cleaning. Now she is in a pickle. Ellie’s cleaning lady, Mrs. Malloy, quit because her newborn granddaughter needs a nanny. Mrs. Malloy hasn’t always been the most efficient employee, and now the situation has become awkward because Ellie’s cousin Vanessa married Mrs. Malloy’s son. Being related wasn’t the most comfortable situation, but Ellie really counted on the extra help around the house. The replacement cleaning lady is not exactly what Ellie was hoping for, especially after she turns up dead.  

Was the death an accident or was it murder? Ellie has a feeling it was foul play, and she sets out to prove it.  Unfortunately, there are lots of obstacles along the way. First of all her husband has been a bit distracted because some activists have targeted his restaurant. Her gardener/handyman is not feeling well, and she is concerned that his age is finally slowing him down. Her twins are in a half day play school, but afternoons can be a hectic with them home, no help in the house and quite possibly a murderer on the loose.

The Spring Cleaning Murders is a cute cozy mystery.  Ellie and her family have been the stars of this and twelve others in the series. It has all the elements of a perfect cozy. The quirky characters are endearing, the group of cleaning ladies is eclectic and interesting and the list of possible suspects includes almost everyone Ellie encounters.  Will she be able to find out who the killer is before anyone else dies?

I loved the characters in this book. It was fun to try and figure out “who done it” with Ellie and her sidekicks. The bits of cleaning tips at the beginning of each chapter were a throwback to the past and fun to read. The end was cute with an unexpected twist.

There are thirteen books in the Ellie Haskell Mystery Series. this book is #8.

Copyright © 2017 Laura Hartman

I could not get into this book. I did not care about the characters. After restarting this three separate times, I had to give up. I will be passing on this series.

This is my cuppa tea! The story was brilliant and the character, Ellie was stupendous. I was blown away by her charm and humorous lines. She was a delight to read. Though it was the seventh book in the Ellie's adventures it read as though it was a stand alone, I didn't feel like I was missing any background information.

I love that though it is an older mystery, it has been given a breath of fresh air in 2017. Enjoy Ellie's adventure in Spring cleaning!

Although I received a copy of this eBook from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I didn't love this book but it was a great whodunnit. I found myself getting lost in the details and not remembering what was going on. There were some really great parts to it, but they got lost in way too many details that didn't really matter.

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 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.

The book starts out with Ellie trying to clean her house from top to bottom in a spring cleaning. Mrs Malloy leave her to go be with her son and his newborn. So Ellie is forced to find someone else to do cleaning. In the long run the ladies that replace her end up murdered and everyone is trying to figure out who did it. The story goes through many of the towns people and their quirky habits. Ellie ends up being the one who solves the murders.
I have read some of the other books in this series. I have actually been reading it backwards. I am looking forward to reading more from the beginning and the end of the series.
I received this book for free from netgalley to read in exchange for my honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.

I like this series. A quaint English cozy series that is now on its 7th book in the Ellie Haskell mysteries. Ellie has decided it's time to do the house top to bottom when her maid, Mrs. Mallory quits to go babysit her new granddaughter. She recommends a friend who is soon dead due to a fall. When several of Mrs. Mallory's fellow cleaner die it is more than coincidence. Ellie investigates and as she narrows the suspect list, Mrs. Mallory returns with the baby who isn't really her granddaughter. Reading previous books will help explain the relationships with the cleaning ladies and Ellie's cousins

Spring Cleaning by Dorothy Cannell. Why are so many house cleaning helpers being killed? Ellie, attending a meeting at the home of a friend finds the body of Mrs. Large. It looked like an accident, but as more questions arise and two more deaths occur The members of the house cleaning group join forces with Ellie, her husband Ben, and cousin Freddy to figure out just what has happened. From many suspects the mystery comes to head, when Ellie gets caught snooping by the murderer. Catchy ending, pleasantly surprised that I did not know who done it till the end.

When Ellie Haskell describes the bliss of house cleaning, she's not being sarcastic. She really loves cleaning. Such a theme is to be expected with a novel titled "The Spring Cleaning Murders," by Dorothy Cannel. What is less expected is housekeepers unexpectedly in peril. The Charwomen's Association, a group of locally housekeepers, are losing members faster than you can shake out a rug.

Ellie is just as eager to turn out the murderer' as she is her cupboards. With the help of her former housekeeper, Roxie Malloy, the two snoop their way through their neighbors' homes and belongings looking for something more incriminating than hidden dirt, which of course, then puts them in peril.

Unfortunately. this is more cleaning manual than murder mystery. Chapters start off with cleaning tips, which annoyingly, pulls the reader right out of the novel and into boring reality. Sometimes nonsensical advice (i.e., dust the floor, then the ceiling) takes one further away from the story, leading to head scratching rather than page turning. Natural cleaning formulas and more tips are detailed excruciatingly throughout. Despite the title, those aren't the reasons one picks out a murder mystery to read. The book is further bogged down by insipid dialogue, tedious daily activities and absurd plotting. It's enough to make those that hate cleaning pick up a duster instead of this tale.

The voice of this novel didn't move me nor did the plot. The murders, though central to the plot, were rather mundane to me. I'm sure many readers will love this genteel mystery it just didn't speak to me

The Spring Cleaning Murders by Dorothy Cannell is book seven in the Ellie Haskell Mystery series. I have read several books in this series. While it is not necessary, I think it does help to appreciate the characters. Ellie's longtime housekeeper, Ms. Malloy, leaves, and she must find a replacement. The problems begin when the housekeepers start dying. Ellie suspects any of her neighbors could have killed to keep their secrets. While not a super suspenseful cozy, I enjoyed the book. It was a relaxing read.

3 death bodies! All revolving around the Chitterton Fells Charwomen’s Association. What did the housecleaner’s find in order to be the target of a murder. Ellie Haskell finds herself becoming part of the housecleaner’s group in order to figure out who did it. Hopefully she won’t be victim number 4!

It was an okay cozy mystery. It took a while for the story to draw me in. Maybe all the spring cleaning talk just wasn’t for me.