Untidy Death, An

by Simon Brett

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Pub Date 7 Sep 2021 | Archive Date 31 Aug 2021

Canongate Books | Severn House

Mystery & Thrillers

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Description

When the body of a prospective client is discovered in her burned-out home, declutterer Ellen Curtis is drawn into a baffling investigation where nothing is as it first appears.

“My mother’s going to kill herself . . . That is, if I don’t kill her first.”

When Alexandra Richards approaches professional declutterer Ellen Curtis to ask her to help sort out her mother’s chaotic flat, Ellen gets the impression Alexandra doesn’t like her mother very much. But when Ingrid Richards’ body is discovered in her burned-out home, Alexandra’s exasperated words don’t seem such a joke.

Due to the hazardous state of the victim’s over-cluttered residence, the police are inclined to dismiss her death as an unfortunate accident. Ellen’s not so sure. Could Alexandra’s resentment towards her mother have escalated into outright violence? The more she discovers about the dead woman’s remarkable past, the more convinced Ellen becomes that there’s something decidedly suspicious about her death.

At least she can console herself that clearing out widower Edward Finch’s bungalow will be a straightforward job in comparison. But in this assumption, Ellen couldn’t be more wrong . . .

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Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9781780291284
PRICE	US$28.99 (USD)
PAGES	192

Additional Information

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Featured Reviews

Cristina M, Reviewer

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.

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Antoinette G, Reviewer

This is 2nd in a new series, Decluttering Mysteresi by Simon Brett. I am a long time fan of this author, especially his Fethering series..His British mysteries have a large following.
Ellen has recently started a new business called SpaceWoman to help hoarders declutter and organize. She often deals with the psychological component of hoarding when called up by her clients.
I enjoyed the book very much but differently than the first. The murder happened about a third of the way in which seemed long to me. Half of the book dealt with various mental health issues of her two adult children as well as her deceased husband.,all who I met in the 1st book. I found it interesting but it was a large part of the book not having to do with the murder mystery itself. All that being said the mystery itself was very good and I look forward to a third in the series.
I'd like to thank NetGalley, Severn House and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. It published on 9/7/21