I am a big fan of the Ellie Haskell books and have been reading them since book one. As one might expect, some of them are better than others. I found this to be a very weak addition to the series. Ellie has been called back to her former school in order to find out who has stolen the sports trophy. As is usual, nothing goes smoothly, or according to plan. I found this book to be overly complicated with way too many characters, and a rushed ending that was highly unsatisfying. if you’re a diehard fan then you’ll want to read this one. If not, skip it.

This is the 12th book in a series and they all tie into each other, so if you get this book solo, as I was given, there will be missing parts where characters may seem underdeveloped or storylines lacking. I have since gone back and read the series, in order, and must say this is a really great series. I especially like the school setting in this book. The students and teachers who inhabit it come alive in a very real, natural way that I connected with immediately. There is so much going on in this story and the characters and places are explained in such rich detail, I was totally immersed in it.
Although this was the first Ellie Haskell mystery I had read, I did find it easy to come into the series at this point without being lost. Enough information was given on continuing characters to understand the relationship without being overly detailed so that the new reader was not lost. That being said, after reading the entire series, I recommend starting at the beginning and working your way through, this creates a much more intense connection with richer immersion into the plots.

I have tried reading this book on and off for over a year and have found that it is not to my liking. I have endeavored to finish it as I do not like to leave books unfinished once I have started but this would definitely count as one. I don't know what it is about the book that does not appeal to me, but it has to do with the pacing and description of everything and everyone. There are so many characters that I found it hard to follow who is who and how they are related. Ellie Haskell is a sleuth who lives at home with her husband, children and partner. She is asked to investigate the disappearance of a trophy cup at her old school. There was not much investigating going on and the cup was found at the end.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publishers. All opinions are my own and not meant to influence anyone.

A mystery about a trophy and a girls boarding school. It was a bit slow moving along. I had not read previous mysteries so I’m not sure what Ellie Haskell was like in previous adventures.

What can I say about author Dorothy Cannell’s Ellie Haskell series that hasn’t been said before. Jump in anywhere, and then go back to the beginning and read them all.

Goodbye, Ms. Chips is the twelfth book in the series, and every bit as outrageous and entertaining as the first. Although Ellie has come a long way from her insecure, pudgy young self, hearing, “The headmistress wants to see you,” still strikes terror in her heart. Of course there is a mystery and a murder and any number of outlandish things that will happen to Ellie and those around her. And there’s also her sweet husband Ben and the twins and little Rose. You’ll laugh out loud, you’ll fear for Ellie’s safety and you’ll be confounded trying to solve the mystery but most of all you’ll be thoroughly satisfied when you’re done reading.

I’ve been a huge fan of this series since The Thin Woman, the first in this delightful series. Should be required reading.

The story line was of interest to me but when I started to read the book, I found it was set in England with all the English words and inflections of that country. Many times, I am able to follow such writing but this one was one that I just couldn’t follow.

I did get that there was a stolen object from a school that Ellie had attended, a school she hated. I also understood that the head mistress wanted Ellie to find the object before it was necessary to pass it on to another school.

Beyond that, the book just didn’t hold my interest.

When I asked for it I didn't realize it was book #12 in a series and I like to read my books in order.

Not my favorite genre, but the book was well written. If you are a lover of cozy mysteries you'll more then likey love this book.

Book Review: Goodbye Ms. Chips by Dorothy Cannell
Review by Dawn Thomas

316 Pages
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Alibi

Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Women Sleuths, Boarding School, England

Ellie Haskell is a private investigator in a small English village. She has concerns after her friend Dorcas Chitterly asks Ellie investigate the disappearance of the Loverly lacrosse championship cup from St. Roberta’s girls’ boarding school. The years Ellie attended St. Roberta’s were not the best in her life. She still feels guilty for not standing up for a girl accused of breaking the rules and leaving the grounds with a boy. Ellie was the only witness to the event but since she was not where she was supposed to be, she would be getting herself in trouble. This action, or inaction, has haunted her for all of these years.

Ellie agrees to return with Dorcas and stay until the Loverly cup is found. As soon as she and Dorcas get on campus, they meet a few former professors and a few students. She feels empathy for Gillian, a young girl almost run down by a motorcycle. When she finally arrives at the Chaplin house, a place of refuge for former girls, she finds her old nemesis Rosemary. Immediately Ellie regrets her decision to take this case. Before the day is over, she comes face to face with Philippa Boswell. Now the guilt she has suffered all these years comes to a head when she stands face-to-face with Philippa.

It is taking her longer than she expected to solve the mystery of the disappearance of the Loverly Cup. All she wants to do is go home to her family but things do not go according her plan. Now there is a murder to be solved before someone else targeted.