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Ellie Quicke #2
Murder by Poison Pen
Please note this book was originally published as Murder by Suicide.
Meet Ellie Quicke. Devoted cat lady, tea addict, recent widow — and now amateur sleuth!
These letters have the stamp . . . of murder!
It’s all anyone’s talking about when Ellie gets to choir practice. Reverend Gilbert and his scandalous secret tryst — with Nora the mousy organist! Someone slipped a poison-pen letter under the bishop’s door to tip him off to goings-on at the vicarage.
But Ellie can’t believe the spiteful rumours. She’s determined to get to the bottom of it all.
Even the attentions of a suspiciously smooth new widower won’t throw her off the scent . . .
But the poison-pen writer’s not finished with Nora yet. Threats continue to land in her letterbox — and they’re about to turn deadly!
What if the next letter is delivered to Ellie’s door?
Meet Ellie Quicke. Devoted cat lady, tea addict, recent widow — and now amateur sleuth!
These letters have the stamp . . . of murder!
It’s all anyone’s talking about when Ellie gets to choir practice. Reverend Gilbert and his scandalous secret tryst — with Nora the mousy organist! Someone slipped a poison-pen letter under the bishop’s door to tip him off to goings-on at the vicarage.
But Ellie can’t believe the spiteful rumours. She’s determined to get to the bottom of it all.
Even the attentions of a suspiciously smooth new widower won’t throw her off the scent . . .
But the poison-pen writer’s not finished with Nora yet. Threats continue to land in her letterbox — and they’re about to turn deadly!
What if the next letter is delivered to Ellie’s door?
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
532 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Heley
96 books131 followersVeronica Heley has published more than fifty books, including crime fiction, historical, and children's titles. She is currently involved in the Ellie Quicke series of crime stories and a variety of other projects. A full-time writer, she has been married to a London probation officer since 1964, and has one musician daughter.
AKA Veronica Thorne
AKA Veronica Thorne
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 26, 2023
Enjoyable, comfortable story about an English parish and how its parishioners are threatened by someone writing nasty threatening letters to and about certain church members. Thoroughly good and easy reading, especially relatable to those deeply invested in their church, but worth a read for everyone.
May 18, 2025
This is like a boring episode of Midsomer Murders. That about sums it up. And Ellie Quicke is not a riveting example of an amateur sleuth.
To have a storyline which involves a psychotic woman as a potential killer is fine. To have one that brings in three of them one after the other gets a bit, not repetitious, but silly. The plot idea is all right though a trifle scanty: someone is sending out poison pen letters which drive a fragile old lady to commit suicide, and the protagonist – Ellie – starts receiving letters as well. The perpetrator has to be found and brought to face justice. Because it is scanty the author had to bring in all sorts of side stories: Ellie recovering from the loss of her husband and being pursued by rival beaus; Ellie's deeply annoying daughter and her limp as a lettuce husband; Aunt Drusilla – she reminded me of characters played by the wonderful actress Joan Sanderson; Bill – one of the men after Ellie or Ellie's money who turns out to be Aunt Drusilla's long lost son; and there were quite a few others.
I kept wishing that the story would move along to the chase for the villain or villains, yet when it did there was only disappointment. Jealousy had driven three unstable people over the edge – and that was it. Apart from the final fight scene with a rather large soprano wielding a hypodermic syringe in the dark. That was just funny. Perhaps the book would have been better if it had been played for laughs. Sadly it hadn't.
To have a storyline which involves a psychotic woman as a potential killer is fine. To have one that brings in three of them one after the other gets a bit, not repetitious, but silly. The plot idea is all right though a trifle scanty: someone is sending out poison pen letters which drive a fragile old lady to commit suicide, and the protagonist – Ellie – starts receiving letters as well. The perpetrator has to be found and brought to face justice. Because it is scanty the author had to bring in all sorts of side stories: Ellie recovering from the loss of her husband and being pursued by rival beaus; Ellie's deeply annoying daughter and her limp as a lettuce husband; Aunt Drusilla – she reminded me of characters played by the wonderful actress Joan Sanderson; Bill – one of the men after Ellie or Ellie's money who turns out to be Aunt Drusilla's long lost son; and there were quite a few others.
I kept wishing that the story would move along to the chase for the villain or villains, yet when it did there was only disappointment. Jealousy had driven three unstable people over the edge – and that was it. Apart from the final fight scene with a rather large soprano wielding a hypodermic syringe in the dark. That was just funny. Perhaps the book would have been better if it had been played for laughs. Sadly it hadn't.
July 1, 2013
The third book I have read in the Ellie Quick series ... and my last. So tired of her! In her mid-50's and acts like some housewife from the 1950's and let's people walk all over her too much. I just do not relate to these type of women!
November 21, 2017
My allergies are acting up making it difficult to do much of anything. So I had book-a-thone this last weekend. I read the 2nd book in the Ellie Quicke series and the characters caught my attention. Ellie's husband died about a year ago. She is used doing chores for everyone. She is unable to tell anyone no. Ellie is slowly moving from grief to rebuild her life. Her daughter Diane leaves her grandson off at her home without asking. Her church is always asking for help.I
In this book members of the church are getting poison letters accusing them of wrongdoings. Ellie and a Mrs. Dawes watch in horror as Nora, the organist leaps to her death. The police are aware of the letters but are unable to spend the time to locate the writer. Ellie sets out to identify the letter writer, does she succeed? I highly recommend this book and series.
In this book members of the church are getting poison letters accusing them of wrongdoings. Ellie and a Mrs. Dawes watch in horror as Nora, the organist leaps to her death. The police are aware of the letters but are unable to spend the time to locate the writer. Ellie sets out to identify the letter writer, does she succeed? I highly recommend this book and series.
July 30, 2011
The heroine of this book Ellie Quicke is very annoying and I wanted to slap her all the way through this book, she is annoying down trodden and nothing like anyother woman in their early fifties that I know, the plot and story were ok, but if she mentions Frank again I may have to boot her up the bum !!!!
December 24, 2009
In this second installment, Ellie Quicke is coming to terms with her sudden widowhood and has captured the attention of two men. A series of poison pen letters start appearing in the neighborhood; the letters are sent to the person and then to others escalating in intensity, numbers, and threats. A friend of Ellie's is driven to suicide with Ellie present and Ellie begins to ask questions.
And then Ellie starts receiving letters too.
In this book, Ellie goes about her ordinary life asking questions and making connections. The strained relationship with her husband's great aunt changes and begins to reveal warmth and respect on both sides. Ellie's overbearing daughter steamrolls into town and threatens to upset Ellie's newfound independence and active life.
A wonderful cozy with great characters. The mystery this time was perhaps a little disconnected but the life of Ellie and her inter-relationships with others is very interesting and embracing.
And then Ellie starts receiving letters too.
In this book, Ellie goes about her ordinary life asking questions and making connections. The strained relationship with her husband's great aunt changes and begins to reveal warmth and respect on both sides. Ellie's overbearing daughter steamrolls into town and threatens to upset Ellie's newfound independence and active life.
A wonderful cozy with great characters. The mystery this time was perhaps a little disconnected but the life of Ellie and her inter-relationships with others is very interesting and embracing.
October 30, 2010
Ellie is a bit of a doormat. I will probably try one or two more, but if she doesn't grow a spine soon, I'm done with her.
August 18, 2024
Ellie Quicke: my new BFF
This series is such fun! I find myself looking forward to bedtime and being able to catch up with my friend Ellie. Second book was much better than the first. The first book’s mystery was a little unbelievable and felt like the author threw in a few last minute facts and characters. Not the case with this one at all! I’m glad I bought the third one with the second and don’t have to wait to start it.
This series is such fun! I find myself looking forward to bedtime and being able to catch up with my friend Ellie. Second book was much better than the first. The first book’s mystery was a little unbelievable and felt like the author threw in a few last minute facts and characters. Not the case with this one at all! I’m glad I bought the third one with the second and don’t have to wait to start it.
December 24, 2014
In the second novel featuring the doormat widow Ellie Quicke, someone is circulating poison-pen letters at Ellie’s church, St. Saviour. The wicked letters actually drive the church’s meek organist, Nora, to take her own life!
As in the first novel, Murder at the Altar, Ellie finds herself reluctantly drawn in to investigate. Meanwhile, Ellie’s daughter Diana and Aunt Drusilla — selfish, bullying harridans both — take terrible advantage of Ellie. She’s finally learning to stand up to them, but she still kowtows to them much too much.
The mystery turns out to be pretty unbelievable, while Diana and Aunt Drusilla treat Ellie so badly and presume upon her so much that anyone else would have laid down the law — especially when, as in Ellie’s case, she holds the purse strings and all of the advantage! I just couldn’t enjoy this novel with Ellie suffering so needlessly.
Murder by Suicide was an OK read, but the next one, Murder of Innocence, will be coming from the library.
As in the first novel, Murder at the Altar, Ellie finds herself reluctantly drawn in to investigate. Meanwhile, Ellie’s daughter Diana and Aunt Drusilla — selfish, bullying harridans both — take terrible advantage of Ellie. She’s finally learning to stand up to them, but she still kowtows to them much too much.
The mystery turns out to be pretty unbelievable, while Diana and Aunt Drusilla treat Ellie so badly and presume upon her so much that anyone else would have laid down the law — especially when, as in Ellie’s case, she holds the purse strings and all of the advantage! I just couldn’t enjoy this novel with Ellie suffering so needlessly.
Murder by Suicide was an OK read, but the next one, Murder of Innocence, will be coming from the library.
June 12, 2024
I enjoyed the first book in this series and celebrated the liberating of this very docile, subservient-ok, let's call a spade a spade: wimpy-main character. Unfortunately, she has taken a huge step back in this second book and I find it sickening. The constant drum beat of her worry about what others will think about her for the stupidest reasons is enough to make me throw this book across the room (ok, it's not really a book-smile) And the thread of Christian references to excuse or explain the doormat behaviors is just sad...I want to shout "Get a d*** backbone, woman!" I'll give the next one a go in hopes that this is just a slide backwards on her way to becoming strong and confident, but I can only tolerate so much mamby-pamby writing before I say adious...
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February 14, 2017Ellie is adjusting to her husband's death. She seems relatively clueless about most things - which I find tiresome and may drive me away from reading more in this series. But I like the slow paced story line - anonymous letters in a relatively small community - and Ellie is beginning to develop a backbone...time will tell if she can keep it up or not. I've grown fond of her Aunt Drusilla and a cat named Midge. Midge is just a cat - he does not talk, solve crimes, or any other non-feline activity. He does usurp the best places to sleep and demands his food when he wants it... I'll probably read the next one or two in the series
December 31, 2022
audiobook
September 24, 2023
The 2nd book in this mystery series set in Ealing, with Ellie Quicke, a weathy widow as its main character.
When a member of the church's congregation falls to their death after receiving poison pen letters, Ellie is shocked. When she herself gets them, she's dismayed. Who could be doing this? As she unravels who is involved, she soon finds out she's not safe at all.
Aunt Drusilla gets Ellie to clear out the flat the dead person lived in, then tries to get Ellie to take on managing her properties. Ellie is finding it hard to say no, but she's learning!
Diana, Ellie's spoilt daughter and grandson come to stay, bringing another lot of trouble with them. Diana thinks she can pull the wool over Ellie and Aunt Drusilla's eyes. She soon finds out she can't. Will Ellie and Aunt Drusilla be on the way to respecting each other; maybe even developing a friendship, rather than Ellie resenting her demanding husband's aunt?
I enjoyed reading this book and will definitely read the other books in the series. However, Ellie needs to learn how to stick up for herself, especially with Diana.
When a member of the church's congregation falls to their death after receiving poison pen letters, Ellie is shocked. When she herself gets them, she's dismayed. Who could be doing this? As she unravels who is involved, she soon finds out she's not safe at all.
Aunt Drusilla gets Ellie to clear out the flat the dead person lived in, then tries to get Ellie to take on managing her properties. Ellie is finding it hard to say no, but she's learning!
Diana, Ellie's spoilt daughter and grandson come to stay, bringing another lot of trouble with them. Diana thinks she can pull the wool over Ellie and Aunt Drusilla's eyes. She soon finds out she can't. Will Ellie and Aunt Drusilla be on the way to respecting each other; maybe even developing a friendship, rather than Ellie resenting her demanding husband's aunt?
I enjoyed reading this book and will definitely read the other books in the series. However, Ellie needs to learn how to stick up for herself, especially with Diana.
May 5, 2019
I’d actually give this 3.5. I did get rather tired of daughter Diane tromping all over everyone, and Ellie accepting it. Plus Ellie going into known dangerous situations without assistance! ( Taking a grandson in a stroller is NOT assistance!)
A local woman whose husband has passed away evidently commits suicide while poison pen letters are appearing around the town. Then Ellie becomes a poison pen target, as a divorced newcomer takes her out to lunch. Of course, her husband’s aunt and Diane are making irrational demands, as well as folk at the church demanding assistance in various projects.
I found the solution rather dubious.
A local woman whose husband has passed away evidently commits suicide while poison pen letters are appearing around the town. Then Ellie becomes a poison pen target, as a divorced newcomer takes her out to lunch. Of course, her husband’s aunt and Diane are making irrational demands, as well as folk at the church demanding assistance in various projects.
I found the solution rather dubious.
December 13, 2017
In the first book Ellie Quicke had just lost her husband, and was managing on her own for the first time, so the dithering was understandable and forgivable, but she's worse in this one!
I couldn't even finish it, because I kept wanting to slap some sense in to Ellie. She's not even a nice person, she's just weak, with hardly a kind thought for anyone, even her toddler grandson.
She blows up at her solicitor, who is one of the few seemingly decent people in this book, for no good reason, and lets everyone else walk all over her. I got about 2/3 way through the book before I rage quit.
I couldn't even finish it, because I kept wanting to slap some sense in to Ellie. She's not even a nice person, she's just weak, with hardly a kind thought for anyone, even her toddler grandson.
She blows up at her solicitor, who is one of the few seemingly decent people in this book, for no good reason, and lets everyone else walk all over her. I got about 2/3 way through the book before I rage quit.
January 12, 2024
If you like English, small village cozy mysteries, you'll like this one. Things move pretty slowly until the last third of the book. Ellie showed flashes of independence in the first book, but has not progressed much in this book, in my opinion. Her daughter is one of the most thoroughly unlikeable, irritating, awful characters I have come across in a very long time. She needs to go away altogether. If she is as prominent in the third book, I will probably be done with the series - she is that bad.
January 14, 2024
Victorian, or worse, attitudes....In the first book of the series, one of the characters batters his wife and manhandles the main character. The wife's response is, "It was my own fault" and stays with the wife-beater. The main character doesn't know how to use a computer or drive a car because her husband said she couldn't learn or she would be a menace on the roads. In this book, "poison pen" letters are sent to people accusing them of things no one would even care about nowadays. Aunt Drusilla, at 70, is "too old" to question a suspect.
Very out-of-touch for a book written in 2003.
Very out-of-touch for a book written in 2003.
December 5, 2022
Overall the mysteries and characters are super fun. The portrayal of the heroine as a scatter brained post menopausal henpecked mother is a bit difficult for me. Why do women have to be portrayed as scatter brained, unfocused, easily dominated nitwits? Isn't it possible to have a woman in her sixties as clear thinking and progressive? Must we fall to the old cultural dispositions when writing a murder mystery...?
I love Rafael and Susan. Very nicely spicy.
I love Rafael and Susan. Very nicely spicy.
April 27, 2025
Very dated story
The main character is so helpless and incompetent that the story is hard to read. She is a widow of 50ish and the story must have been written in the 1990s. After the death of her husband she is stereotypically clueless; can’t drive, never worked, and naive about life. I tried to read these books but just can’t relate with the outdated main character. Perhaps other readers will be able to overlook her faults.
The main character is so helpless and incompetent that the story is hard to read. She is a widow of 50ish and the story must have been written in the 1990s. After the death of her husband she is stereotypically clueless; can’t drive, never worked, and naive about life. I tried to read these books but just can’t relate with the outdated main character. Perhaps other readers will be able to overlook her faults.
October 20, 2025
Second in series
Ellie continues in adjusting to life as a widow. Much to her surprise, she makes an ally of Aunt Drusilla. Diana moves in with her mother to manage Drusilla's real estate. Poison pen letters become a problem. Nora, the church organist, is driven to suicide. Ellie becomes the next victim. Diana is the most boring of the characters. Bc she features prominently in this book, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first one.
Ellie continues in adjusting to life as a widow. Much to her surprise, she makes an ally of Aunt Drusilla. Diana moves in with her mother to manage Drusilla's real estate. Poison pen letters become a problem. Nora, the church organist, is driven to suicide. Ellie becomes the next victim. Diana is the most boring of the characters. Bc she features prominently in this book, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first one.
May 18, 2020
Great read
I love this amateur sleuth. I will tell you it’s a hard read as the book is not formatted for a digital read. Fast paced and a twist at every turn, I slogged through the bad editing to get the story!
I love this amateur sleuth. I will tell you it’s a hard read as the book is not formatted for a digital read. Fast paced and a twist at every turn, I slogged through the bad editing to get the story!
November 22, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyable
A very good read, enjoyable and engaging with very likeable, or deliberately irritating characters, making you smile. No chance of guessing whodunit either. Thoroughly recommend.
A very good read, enjoyable and engaging with very likeable, or deliberately irritating characters, making you smile. No chance of guessing whodunit either. Thoroughly recommend.
March 5, 2024
Cozy
Soap opera , cliché, parody. Are all words that spring to mind when reading this . Old fashioned, annoying over powering daughter, evil Aunt turned good . Church going older lady sort of solves crimes .But funnily enough a really addictive read!
Soap opera , cliché, parody. Are all words that spring to mind when reading this . Old fashioned, annoying over powering daughter, evil Aunt turned good . Church going older lady sort of solves crimes .But funnily enough a really addictive read!
March 28, 2024
Another page turner
Fast moving, easy going read but perfect bedtime reading. The characters are a little stereotypical but engaging, and the storyline was fanciful but we'll written. I really enjoy Veronica Heley's books.
Fast moving, easy going read but perfect bedtime reading. The characters are a little stereotypical but engaging, and the storyline was fanciful but we'll written. I really enjoy Veronica Heley's books.
October 3, 2024
Poison pen letters and wax effigies seem a little dated, but there is the diverting and convoluted action of the various characters and their intersecting aspirations in the mix to hold your attention.
June 22, 2025
ending
Spoiler alert if you’re like me you didn’t like the ending I think it’s to get you to read the next book which I was going to anyways. The book keep you reading to the end. Then it’s like this is it
Spoiler alert if you’re like me you didn’t like the ending I think it’s to get you to read the next book which I was going to anyways. The book keep you reading to the end. Then it’s like this is it
November 1, 2025
An enjoyable read. I like the fact that it is a cozy. No gore. Ellie is a sweet lady for which the reader is constantly rooting. I wish she would not let her daughter run all over her. Love the fact that the books are set in metro London.
December 25, 2025
Murder by Poison Pen was a fun and exciting read. I love how Ellie, who is no fool, gets out of situations. I do believe that her daughter, who is a manilupative self-centered little witch, needs a wake up call.
December 19, 2018
This story carried me along with Ellie Quick's thoughts, which I really enjoy.
January 21, 2019
A fun book to read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews