What a great read from Veronica Heley. The story is intelligent and handles the civilian detective in a realistic manner. No great leaps that could not be followed by the reader. No magical feats of deduction that are unbelievable or fake. Ms. Heley has done a masterful job with this book.

Additionally, she presents characters in a secular fashion with a Christian faith. Specifically, the Christian beliefs of the characters - not all characters, only a handful - express their faith through prayer in a way that normal, average people will do in their daily lives. The religious aspects of the book are gentle, in no way excessive or preachy. Instead, they were true to the characters and a refreshing approach.

Well done!

An Ellie Quicke mystery from Veronica Heley. A cosy mystery with an edge and very much character driven. Ellie must intervene when things go a little too far with a certain group of ladies who have been dreaming up ways in which to bump off their respective husbands. Extremely enjoyable, well written and an engrossing read. I would thoroughly recommend the others in this very enjoyable series.

Murder by Suggestion

by Veronica Heley

A group of neglected wives at the country club joke around about ways to kill off their husbands. They find it amusing until deaths start occurring. Who really wants these men dead and why? And why do the men respond to the jokes so passionately? Author Veronica Heley weaves a fascinating story in Murder by Suggestion as Ellie Quicke again finds herself in the middle of a mystery that brings uninvited houseguests and more than a little danger into her quiet and comfortable home. Her daughter Diana is at the center of the chaos, and she is responding to her problems with no grace and even less charm. It is all Ellie can do to not attack her own daughter in response to her insulting and outrageous behavior. Diana, never an easy person, seems outside the realm of reason until she discloses the cause of her extreme behavior.

Heley writes in such a way that as you finish one chapter you really must start the next. I love it when a book is that engaging. Another interesting aspect of this book is that the setting is almost entirely in Ellie’s home. The action comes to her: she talks to people and sorts out the who’s, how’s and why’s. Although there are a lot of major characters, it was easy for me to keep them straight along with their marital partners. All in all, another successful mystery in this excellent series.

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

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: #19 in the Ellie Quicke Mystery Series, but works well as a standalone

Publication: October 1, 2018—Severn House

Memorable Lines:

Dear Lord above. What a mess. I know you are here as well as in church. I haven’t time to tell you all that’s been happening. Oh, how stupid I am. You know, anyway, don’t you? Any words of wisdom for me?

“It may be raining outside. You’ve had a bad time today and the future is uncertain, but you are all here, safe and sound. Take the time to rest and recover. Be thankful for the meal. Let tomorrow bring what it will. Tonight you are among friends.”

Somehow or other she had to get to the bottom of this tangled skein of motives, or someone else would die.

A clever premise for murder. A nice variety of characters, some to love, some to hate. I don't recall where this story takes place. It seems as if it was in the UK. Some things seemed to be Americanized English. In other words, not quite British, but not quite American either. It was interesting.

A very good cozy, I liked the unusual plot and the heroine.
This is a well written book, with an interesting and unusual cast of characters.
The book is well written, there's a sound plot and it keep you guessing till the end.
Some of the characters will grate your nerves at the beginning but if you resist and keep on reading they will grow on you and became likeable, you'll also start to root for them.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC

I can't imagine what I would have done if my daughter had, like Diana, turned up on my doorstep, AND Invited along her friends because one of their husbands had died and all of the husbands now think their wives are going to murder them. Well, Ellie, our intrepid amateur, takes matters into her own hands and untangles what's happened. She's a well done character, as are the women even if they are pretty unlikable. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this well written quick read. If you haven't read Heley before, know that she's an expert in the genre.

In this adventure of Ellie Quicke, we find Ellie in shock when her daughter, Diana turns up at her door with most of her belongings. She learned Diana's husband has evicted her and taken procession of everything including Ellie's grandson. Her husband accused Diana of plotting his death. Diana has invited 4 other women to stay at Ellie's house. The tale begins with a lot of twists and turns as Ellie seems to find answers. Did Diana plot to kill her husband? Why did she invite her friend to stay at Ellie's home? What are Diana plans for taking control of the trust? This story will keep you reading until you finished it. I have a lot of mysteries and this the only time I have this plot. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Severn for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

Has a joke gone too far?

Ellie Quicke is shocked when her daughter Diana and some of her friends turn up on Ellie’s doorstep wanting a sanctuary. Their husbands are either dead or have kicked them out after the men had discovered e-mails with suggestions on how to kill the husbands. When one husband turns up dead and then another, the men act. Ellie must play detective to get her home and sanity back.

This book is a sort of cosy mystery, beautifully written with characters you will love or hate; it is funny and very sad at times. Ellie is a lovely lady, with a good eye for intrigue and investigation, her daughter is a selfish cow and the rest of the ladies have their little quirks that make the book and characters interesting and real.

The concept of the plot is original, and that is always a good thing and so is the way the book makes you hate and then love the ladies in distress.

A thoroughly good book and I really recommend it for a quiet hot afternoon in the sun.

Chester

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review