Ellie Haskell is loyal, tender-hearted, and downright hilarious. The devotion to family and friends was especially evident in 'The Spring Cleaning Murders'. The mystery is expertly crafted and kept me guessing until the surprising end. I will admit I wept in many places in this very touching. Everyone should get to know Ellie. It will be a constant gift to them. I highly recommend the entire series.

The Spring Cleaning Murders was a fun cozy mystery. I enjoyed it.

Ellie Haskell is at her home, Merlin's Court, with her twins, her husband Ben, her cousin Freddie and her handyman Jonas. She decides to undertake a big spring clean and clear out the entire house. Ellie has a housekeeper, Mrs. Malloy, but she has to go to London to take care of her granddaughter. The other housekeepers Ellie hires all start dropping dead, and Ellie gets involved in solving the murders.

The plot was a little thin, but I enjoyed the descriptions of life in a small English town. The characters were well written with all their eccentricities and foibles. I especially liked the sisters Vienna and Madrid and their dog obsession, and the Brigadier.

The murder mystery part of book didn't start until halfway through, but it was interesting and I enjoyed it. I recommend this book for an fun cozy mystery read.

My thanks to Penguin Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

Someone is killing the char women of Chittering Falls. Luckily, Mrs. Malloy is off taking care of her granddaughter Rose. Lucky for me too since I'm not as fond of Mrs. Malloy as Ellie.

This was a timely read for late March because Ellie has been bit by the spring cleaning bug hence the title. She meets the other local char women because of Mrs. Malloy's leaving so she cares and gets involved when they start popping off. The mystery was fine and I like how her husband Ben actually gets some page time and helps with the investigation a little in this one. Freddy, the kids (who are a tad, just a tad, obnoxious) and especially Jonas get some page time. This book serves as a transition piece in the series, several important events happen outside of the murders. So, if you like the series, you shouldn't miss this book for that reason.

As I mentioned in a recent review of another book in this series, the lack of police involvement/interest seems really strange. Anything to do with police is off page.

I'm sure I read this when it was first published in the late 90's, but I read a copy of the new Alibi reissue from Netgalley in exchange for this honest review.

Ellie Haskell, busy mother of twins, is forced to find another cleaning person (charwoman) for Merlin's Court when the ever-caustic Mrs. Malloy gives notice and goes off to London to look after her granddaughter. But when Mrs. Malloy's replacement dies from a tragic accident and yet another member of the Chitteron Fells Charwomen's Association bites the dust, Ellie decides to go on a brief stint cleaning her neighbours' houses to find out what dark secrets have led to these murders. Ellie is aided by some wacky characters including her husband Bentley, her feckless cousin Freddy and the returning Mrs. Malloy. Meanwhile, Bentley has to deal with vengeful vegetarian picketers at his restaurant in this fun-filled madcap mystery.

I obtained an eARC of this book from Netgalley and Random House.

Ellie Haskell is a mother of twins and is soon to become involved in solving the crime of murder! Yes, she has hired a new cleaning lady that is later found murdered. Soon other murders occur and Ellie gets involved. I enjoyed the spring cleaning theme and the bumbles and misadventures of Ellie and others. Find out if she can solve these murders. I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading others in this series.

This is only the second book I have read in the series but I enjoyed it.
The characters have grown on me and the whodunit was well written.
I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.