Decluttering, murder, mystery and a whole host of kooky characters, what's not to like? Simon Brett has the knack of turning the everyday mundane into something fun and good to read. More please!

I really enjoyed the second installment of Simon Brett's new series. I was a little sceptical about it at first as I didn't instantly warm to the protagonist and her family as I did with the Fethering mysteries but this second book has clinched it. I still find the heroine's children and mother highly irritating and unbelievably self-absorbed. They don't gel with her background and rather jar. I'd be happier without them.

A Satisfying Whodunnit…
The second in the Decluttering Mystery series, from the talented pen of Simon Brett, finds our professional declutterer Ellen Curtis with a new case. A cluttered flat, however, soon turns deadly and Ellen digs deeper. A satisfying whodunnit with a well drawn cast, dry humour and often much empathy. A worthy follow up to the first in the series and a solid addition to the Brett canon although, for me, Fethering will always rule!

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is the second book in the Decluttering Mysteries series, about the adventures of a woman who has a decluttering business. In the course of decluttering homes, in both books, she finds dead bodies and winds up solving the mystery of their deaths. In this book, Ellen also finds herself in personal jeopardy.

It's an interesting mixed bag - mystery combined with Ellen's personal problems. She doesn't get along with her mother or her daughter, both of whom seem to enjoy ganging up on her. Her son is suffering from psychological problems, which is even more troubling because they seem to echo the problems that her deceased husband had. Meanwhile, she's trying to run her decluttering business, and solve the mysteries she stumbles upon. As you may imagine, running a business dealing with hoarders (who often have not personally sought her help, but were referred to her by concerned friends/family members) is far more emotionally complicated than a "regular" job.

I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series - a little less set up had to be done, and Brett has developed Ellen's character/personality more fully. I enjoyed reading it, but I have a feeling that future books in the series will be better, as he finds his way more deeply into Ellen's character, as well as developing the other characters.

I have always enjoyed Simon Brett's fethering series so was excited about a new series. I enjoyed the first book in the series and this book continues with many of the same characters. An easy light read. although not necessarily exciting or thought provoking!

Ellen Curtis is a professional de-clutterer and she often finds herself involved with her clients well-beyond the time she spends clearing out their homes. She has a busy, never dull life. That couldn’t be more true when she is approached by the daughter of a famous war correspondent and journalist. She’s concerned her mother’s apartment is becoming a fire hazard and it needs Ellen’s attention. After Ellen meets with the woman, who seems more than capable of taking care of herself, she realizes this won’t be a job she will agree to. Shortly thereafter, Ellen’s almost-client dies in a fire in her apartment and Ellen begins to wonder if it really was an accident.

An Untidy Death is a mystery laced with mental health issues, family relationships, and a variety emotion. The characters are interesting and some are dysfunctional as well. Many of them are not very likable and Ellen’s mother, in particular, is annoying and immature. Others are simply aggravating. The plot is well-executed and the outcome satisfying. Simon Brett’s second book in the Decluttering Mystery series is a quick read that should satisfy anyone’s urge for a cozy mystery.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

I loved this one – indeed, it’s on my Outstanding Reads of the Year list. Ellen is a lovely character, who is briskly efficient and clearly extremely intelligent. She also has dealt with a devastating tragedy in her life with fortitude and resilience. And yes… I know she’s fictional, but I finished this book full of warmth towards this wonderful, three-dimensional protagonist. Brett is an accomplished, experienced author whose main characters are often a bit larger than life, but Ellen isn’t one of those. Her thoughtful, quieter outlook drew me right into the story as she tries to unpick what appears to be an accidental death that she increasingly feels is something else.

Ellen is also surrounded by a strong supporting cast – I love her relationship with her ebullient mother, who is clearly dissatisfied with Ellen’s life choices and delights in emphasising her closeness with Ellen’s daughter. Unlike so many fictional families, they don’t get to hurl hurtful truths at each other that in real life would probably cause complete estrangement. And I also found Ellen’s relationship with her son, who suffers from clinical depression, achingly realistic.

I’m conscious that I’ve managed to make this one sound a rather fraught, dreary read – and it’s nothing of the sort. Set in my neck of the woods, I found myself spluttering with laughter at Brett’s pithy descriptions of local settings. Meanwhile, the murder mystery is beautifully plotted. The pacing is spot on, there are a satisfying number of potential suspects – and of course, I’d spotted the perpetrator. Until halfway through the denouement scene, when I realised it wasn’t who I thought it was… Nicely done! All in all, this is by far the best written murder mystery I’ve read this year and while I’d recommend that you grab the first book, just because it’s also a cracking read – it isn’t necessary to appreciate this gem. Very highly recommended. While I obtained an arc of An Untidy Death from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
10/10

“I always prefer the words ‘die’ and ‘death’ to any of the popular euphemisms. ‘Passed’,‘passed away’ are just attempts to sanitize the reality.” - Ellen Curtis.

My thanks to Canongate Books Severn House for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘An Untidy Death’ by Simon Brett in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second in Brett’s series of semi-cosy ‘Decluttering Mysteries’, featuring professional declutterer and amateur sleuth, Ellen Curtis.

SpaceWoman, Ellen’s business, is keeping her busy and in this second book she undertakes a few cases helping people to declutter their homes for various reasons. It seems that part of her work is to also function as an informal psychotherapist. There’s also a few family issues going on, especially concerning her son, Ben, who is suffering from depression.

I have enjoyed all of the novels that I have read to date by Simon Brett. Here he effortlessly moves between a number of Ellen’s current cases while developing his central and supporting characters.

I consider it a semi-cosy as alongside its lighter aspects and quirky characters there are more serious themes. These include mental illness, suicidal thoughts, domestic violence, loneliness, death and bereavement. I felt that Brett addressed all with sensitivity. It takes skill to balance drama with more comedic themes.

Of course, there is also the suspicious death of a potential client in a fire that Ellen decides to investigate.

Aside from being an engaging mystery both this and the previous book, ‘The Clutter Corpse’, also contain a few tips on decluttering! Overall, a great combination and I hope for more decluttering mysteries in the future.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

I don't know if this book can be classified as cozy mystery but i don't care to be honest. It's poignant, emotionally charged and heartbreaking at times.
I'm used to think of Simon Brett's book as humorous but this one is totally different as it deals with depression, women abuse, gaslighting, dysfunctional families.
It's the second in a new series and I loved it even if it was quite unexpected.
Ellen is a great characters, she's the one telling the story and her voice is always matter of fact and there's no pietism or sentimentalism in this story.
There are some lighter moments and there's a mystery even if it often takes the backseat.
It's an excellent book and I loved the empathy of the author toward the victims and how he deals with the social issues.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

TThis is the second book featuring de-clutterer Ellen Curtis aka Spacewoman. The author has the brilliant Charles Paris series as well as two other excellent series.
Ellen is inolved with trying to help a variety of people on the south coast deal with their hoarding problems. One in particular is intriguing. She is contacted by Alexandra Richards who is the daughter of the famous news journalist Ingrid, who was badly injured in a middle eastern bomb blast.
Ellen's personal life in Chichester is a challenge. She is a widow. Her husband Oliver committed suicide. Her son Ben is showing signs of similar depression. She finds her relationship with her daughter Juliet aka Jools is difficult. This is not helped by the selfish antics of her mother. A one time actress Fleur Bonnier, is still playing a role with her daughter in a minor supporting role!
As if this is not enough to challenge most people, there is a suspicious death of one of Ellen's clients. Ellen is determined to investigate.
This is developing into another very good series for the author. Very much recommended. A cozy mystery with a darker side. .

Ellen helps people get rid of what they need anymore. Some are hoarders, some have grown old and don't need all they have. Whatever the reason, she'll help them.
Severn House and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It will be published September 7th.

She goes to meet with a woman whose daughter hired her. She has an orderly mess and says she's fine with it. Ellen stays and visits because she was a journalist and has lots of tales to tell.

Ellen is stricken when she hears the lady died in a fire. But it's no accident...

As Ellen digs into the past, she meets all kinds of people. Even the man that became a father but didn't know it for years.

I was surprised by the killer. Will you be?

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great storyline with excellent characters. I would highly recommend this book as it was a great read.

Simon Brett bang up to date with a de-clutterer who runs into murders. Brilliant premise, and I found myself bringing this book up in conversation with several people when talk turned to de-cluttering!

An Untidy Death is the second book in the Decluttering Mysteries series by British author, Simon Brett. It’s not unusual for decluttering expert, Ellen Curtis to be contacted by someone concerned about a family member’s safety, although she does wonder about the sincerity of Alexandra Richards’ concern for her mother: there is clearly not a lost of love lost between them. Alexandra describes Irene as a chain-smoking, whiskey-drinking hoarder of papers.

But when Ellen visits Irene, she finds the former war correspondent in an organised mess, but with all her faculties intact and, after an in-depth chat, is reassured that Irene presents no danger to herself, and has no need of Ellen’s services. “Untidiness does not always indicate lack of control.” When Irene’s flat, with her in it, goes up in flames mere days later, Ellen is not convinced that it is accidental.

Remarks that Alexandra made when she engaged Ellen’s services, and her reaction to her mother’s death, have Ellen wondering if she was set up to corroborate claims of an unsafe environment to cover a murder.

Then she is contacted by the man who, through a brief liaison with Irene ended up being Alexandra’s father. Niall Connor was also a war correspondent, and Ellen recalls Irene’s vitriol towards Niall and his wife, that she was in the process of writing a warts-and-all memoir that was bound to upset some in the business, and it crosses her mind that this could be a motive for murder.

It’s almost a relief to take a call from retired teacher and widower of ten months, Edward Finch. Edward admits that his hoarding has worsened since the death of his wife, but the state of his house doesn’t gel with that of a typical hoarder: untidy but way too clean. Edward confesses that a friend from his teaching days helps with cleaning and cooking. And then he confesses something else…

Filling Ellen’s time between cases is her worry over her sensitive son, distraction by her disparaging mother and dismay at her disconnect from her daughter. What amounts to social work also keeps her busy: “Some of my clients, particularly the elderly ones, need a lot of aftercare, and I have to watch it that I don’t spend too much unpaid time looking after them” and it’s in the aftermath of one of these visits that her friend and avid recycler, Dodge is attacked.

Ellen’s inner monologue is enjoyable and sentiments like “The jeans had splits at the knees which made me feel my age. I know, it’s a generational thing, but I will never understand a fashion which actually makes people look shabby” will certainly resonate with readers of a certain vintage.

Some reviewers have noted a depressing undercurrent to this instalment; it’s true that depression does feature, as does PTSD and coercive control. And while this might be classified as cosy mystery, the resolutions tend towards realistic rather than happy-ever-after. Brett does throw in a few twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing, and more of Ellen Curtis will be welcome.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Canongate Books/Severn House

I absolutely love Simon Brett's characters and he has added another successful one in Ellen Curtis, she is down to earth and has the same tangled relationships with her family as the rest of us do. Her business of decluttetering people's houses and lives is a great premise for a murder to take place, such an ingenious plot too.I really enjoyed this book and can't wait from more from the great Mr Brett!!!

I found An Untidy Death by Simon Brett to be an oddly written book. I don't mean this as a criticism as I enjoyed reading it. but the writing had one emotional level. Although the were moments of high drama in the plot, the first-person narrator, Ellen, recounted them very matter-of-factly. I liked the characters and I am assuming that some of them might be developed as the series unfolds. I'm not sure I believed in some of their actions but that didn't affect my pleasure in reading about them.

Ellen is more than a decluttered- she's someone who helps hoarders at least pare down what they've got. When Alexandra dies in a fire, the police are certain that it's yet another tragic case of careless smoking in a paper filled home but Ellen, who was hired by the victim's daughter, isn't so sure. Then she's asked to work with a wudower and..... Know that Brett has created a protagonist in Ellen who is coping with a variety of challenges and that she's sensitive to mental health issues as a result of depression in her own family. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC, She's not the light heroine we usually see in cozies but that's what distinguishes this series (this is only the second one so it's fine as a standalone).

You can usually count on Simon Brett for a cozy British mystery with enough humor and wit to keep you turning pages. This is the second in a series about decluttering expert Ellen Curtis, and it was a little darker and more serious. Ellen seems to be an unofficial a social worker as she helps her clients find a way to clear out their homes and resist their hoarding tendencies. An interesting story, full of quirky characters.

I found this mystery to be a little dull and depressing. I did like how the end ties everything up. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

I thoroughly enjoyed An Untidy Death. You normally know pretty much what you’re going to get with Simon Brett; a witty, very readable cosy mystery with some amusing characters and a decent, plot which makes for a light, diverting read. This offered rather more.

It is the second in the Decluttering Mysteries series, whose central character is Ellen who is based in Chichester and works helping people declutter and overcome hoarding behaviour. In the course of this work she becomes involved in solving a suspicious death of a potential client. It’s an ingenious device and sounds like a typical Brett set-up, which in a way it is. However, he offers much more than usual in the way of psychological insight and compassionate understanding into the origins of hoarding behaviour and approaches to helping. In addition, Ellen’s personal circumstances include a depressive husband who eventually killed himself and a son who has inherited some of his father’s depression. This, too, is handled with both insight and understanding so that I found it a genuinely interesting, thoughtful facet of the book, rather than just the sort of standard, unconvincing bit of Complicated Personal Life which crops up too often in crime novels.

I see that some reviewers found this too miserable, but I certainly didn’t. For me it elevated a frothy bit of light fiction to a much more rewarding read without ever getting bogged down in gloom. Brett’s prose is excellent in that it carries you along completely naturally in Ellen’s narrative voice, he gives us some terrific, neatly painted portraits of minor characters and, on a personal note, I am delighted to find a character who says, “I always prefer the words ‘die’ and ‘death’ to any of the popular euphemisms. ‘Passed’ and ‘passed away’ are just attempts to sanitize the reality.” Amen to that.

I’m surprised to find myself giving a Simon Brett book five stars; they’re normally a solid four for me, but this deserves more. I can warmly recommend it, and I’ll be catching up on the first in the series very soon.

(My thanks to Canongate Books for an ARC via NetGalley.)