What do you think?
Rate this book
Ellie Quicke #3
Murder of Innocence
Ellie Quicke, fiftyish and recently widowed, is still trying to come to terms with her newly single state. She’s coping, just, but could do without everyone else making demands on her; Diana, her selfish daughter, who expects Ellie to drop everything to babysit, the builders working on her new conservatory and her elderly and irritable Aunt Drusilla. To cap it all, ten-year-old Tod, who lives next door, has gone missing.
Ellie is very fond of Tod, and his disappearance shocks her to the core. Before she knows it, Ellie is caught up in a police investigation that casts a horribly sinister shadow over her respectable, close-knit community…
Ellie is very fond of Tod, and his disappearance shocks her to the core. Before she knows it, Ellie is caught up in a police investigation that casts a horribly sinister shadow over her respectable, close-knit community…
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2003
451 people are currently reading
130 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 7, 2015
Murder of Innocence is darker than the first two novels in Veronica Heley’s series featuring widow Ellie Quicke, but — Pollyanna that I am — that’s not why I liked it better than Murder at the Altar. (Naturally, I liked it better than the mediocre Murder by Suicide.) It’s because longtime doormat Ellie is finally learning to stand up for herself — and with style!
Heretofore, Ellie’s greedy daughter Diana and her imperious Aunt Drusilla have taken terrible advantage of Ellie. But in Murder of Innocence Ellie foils the selfish Diana’s plot . But enough with the subplots, for the main mystery proves riveting; I was done with the book less than 24 hours after starting it, sneaking quick reads as often as I could.
Ellie’s 10-year-old neighbor and doting friend, Tod Coppola, goes missing in the first few pages of the novel. To reveal any more than that Ellie, herself devoted to the child, investigates would be to ruin this excellent cozy. Heley has managed to pen an excellent comeback from Murder by Suicide, and I hope it presages some wonderful mysteries to come. However, readers who begin with this volume will follow just fine, and I highly recommend skipping Murder by Suicide.
Heretofore, Ellie’s greedy daughter Diana and her imperious Aunt Drusilla have taken terrible advantage of Ellie. But in Murder of Innocence Ellie foils the selfish Diana’s plot . But enough with the subplots, for the main mystery proves riveting; I was done with the book less than 24 hours after starting it, sneaking quick reads as often as I could.
Ellie’s 10-year-old neighbor and doting friend, Tod Coppola, goes missing in the first few pages of the novel. To reveal any more than that Ellie, herself devoted to the child, investigates would be to ruin this excellent cozy. Heley has managed to pen an excellent comeback from Murder by Suicide, and I hope it presages some wonderful mysteries to come. However, readers who begin with this volume will follow just fine, and I highly recommend skipping Murder by Suicide.
November 28, 2017
In the 3rd book, Ellie is emerging from grief and beginning to create a new life for herself but letting her daughter, church, and the construction workers boss her around. It deals with two social problems, the homeless and pedophiles.
Ellie has befriended ten-year-old Todd and the boy disappears. When Ellie finds him, he his badly injured and the police think a homeless man is the perp. Ellie is not sure; she asked him a homeless to stay in her home. Her daughter, Diane and her neighbors are furious. Diane has left her husband and moved to real estate salesmen. Ellie will need to investigate Todd's disappearance before the perpetrator does it again. I highly recommend this book and series.
Ellie has befriended ten-year-old Todd and the boy disappears. When Ellie finds him, he his badly injured and the police think a homeless man is the perp. Ellie is not sure; she asked him a homeless to stay in her home. Her daughter, Diane and her neighbors are furious. Diane has left her husband and moved to real estate salesmen. Ellie will need to investigate Todd's disappearance before the perpetrator does it again. I highly recommend this book and series.
February 1, 2010
Timid and unsure widow Ellie is learning to think and act for herself and to handle her independence and money...and most importantly to stand up to her difficult daughter and feisty great aunt.
When her 10 year old neighbor Tod disappears, she can't let it go until she discovers him, beaten and abused in her shed. The police believe it's a drunken homeless man but she believes otherwise. Ellie persistently uncovers the truth in a scary denoument.
This is a good series to read, though reading them through all at once would probably stretch my patience a bit. Going back now and then to Ellie Quicke's gentleness is a good thing!
When her 10 year old neighbor Tod disappears, she can't let it go until she discovers him, beaten and abused in her shed. The police believe it's a drunken homeless man but she believes otherwise. Ellie persistently uncovers the truth in a scary denoument.
This is a good series to read, though reading them through all at once would probably stretch my patience a bit. Going back now and then to Ellie Quicke's gentleness is a good thing!
October 12, 2020
I would really enjoy finishing this series except that it makes me so anxious. The Author has used the overbearing relatives to create tension in the plot. In all fairness, she has been developing the heroines backbone, but not quite fast enough. This is a grown woman admittedly very suppressed by the late husband, but she is still quite bright. Smart enough to know people don't change over night, and that waiting and being patient isn't going to work on her daughter. There continues to be crowd scenes where everyone is being an ass, and all of them run off before she will stand up for herself. I simple can't sit through another let's all jump on Ellie. After three books I think I've been very patient. Just not worth the effort. Sad really, because the writing was very good and the setting was interesting.
October 22, 2010
Liked the protagonist Ellie Quicke, but I am sick, sick, sick of paedophiles and child sexual abuse as a topic for mystery and detective fiction.
February 4, 2024
I’ve started a new cozy series with Book #3 - the library doesn’t have Boo#1 orBook #2 ?? I’m ambivalent, but will continue with it. Pedophilia is the theme. This is the second cozy I have read recently with this un-cozy theme. Yuck!! Its title and cover are rather misleading.
Ellie Quicke is a door mat who allows everyone to walk all over her - friends, enemies and relatives. Her daughter, Diana is a vicious shrew that should have her mother taped shut. Baby Frank is the kid from hell, I won’t say what I’d like to do to him. Then we have Aunt Drusilla who is a crotchety old women. The males are just as bad.
My biggest complaint is the plot. Right from the start we know whodunnit. The incompetent police should have figured it out immediately. But……….we finally get to the conclusion and still don’t know who the actual abuser is???
This sensitive subject was handled very poorly, almost just pushed under the rug. It is a serious problem. Sarasota arrests these men constantly, but they seem to multiply like rabbits. Pornography and pedophilia are terrible crimes and this book should have dealt with it in a more responsible manner.
I hope the next installment is a murder and not a crime against children.
Oh, but I love Midge the cat.❤️
Ellie Quicke is a door mat who allows everyone to walk all over her - friends, enemies and relatives. Her daughter, Diana is a vicious shrew that should have her mother taped shut. Baby Frank is the kid from hell, I won’t say what I’d like to do to him. Then we have Aunt Drusilla who is a crotchety old women. The males are just as bad.
My biggest complaint is the plot. Right from the start we know whodunnit. The incompetent police should have figured it out immediately. But……….we finally get to the conclusion and still don’t know who the actual abuser is???
This sensitive subject was handled very poorly, almost just pushed under the rug. It is a serious problem. Sarasota arrests these men constantly, but they seem to multiply like rabbits. Pornography and pedophilia are terrible crimes and this book should have dealt with it in a more responsible manner.
I hope the next installment is a murder and not a crime against children.
Oh, but I love Midge the cat.❤️
September 25, 2025
Didn’t know Christian mystery was a genre. Hope to never accidentally read one again.
July 23, 2014
Murder of Innocence is the 3rd book in the Ellie Quicke series. Ellie is a recent widow who lives in a London suburb. She is finding her way as a single woman after being married for many years.
I read books one and two several months ago so I was looking forward to reading book 3. Murder Of Innocence is a darker book than the first two for me. It deals with a pedophilia act on a reoccurring character. Therefore the title of Murder Of Innocence. The Ellie Quick series is a cozy mystery series so the plot surprised me. That being said the book held my attention and it was a fast read for me. The ending of the book was abrupt, I thought. Ellie and another person were in extreme peril. Then Ellie finds something that might help. Then the scene goes to a party. I thought at first maybe the whole book wasn't downloaded. It did go on to explain what happened.
Even though this book was not my favorite of the three I have read, I felt it was much better than 3 stars. It was written well and had good subplots that involved the other characters of the book. As usual, the mystery had twist and turns. Veronica Heley is good at plot development. I will continue on with the series as I do like it.
I read books one and two several months ago so I was looking forward to reading book 3. Murder Of Innocence is a darker book than the first two for me. It deals with a pedophilia act on a reoccurring character. Therefore the title of Murder Of Innocence. The Ellie Quick series is a cozy mystery series so the plot surprised me. That being said the book held my attention and it was a fast read for me. The ending of the book was abrupt, I thought. Ellie and another person were in extreme peril. Then Ellie finds something that might help. Then the scene goes to a party. I thought at first maybe the whole book wasn't downloaded. It did go on to explain what happened.
Even though this book was not my favorite of the three I have read, I felt it was much better than 3 stars. It was written well and had good subplots that involved the other characters of the book. As usual, the mystery had twist and turns. Veronica Heley is good at plot development. I will continue on with the series as I do like it.
January 19, 2016
I did not like the content of the story......I found myself reading it in hopes it would get better.....it didn't.
May 10, 2025
Quintessential Cozy Mysteries
These Ellie Quick mysteries are the quintessential cozy mysteries. They take place in a small village outside London (from what I can gather), everyone knows everyone else, and their business, much of the social life is based around the church, which just happens to be just beyond Ellie’s back yard and all the shops and such seem to be in walking distance. There is not a murder in every book, but someone is harmed in some way, and Ellie must get to the bottom of it.
I can’t tell hoe contemporary the stories are, if they are current, then Ellie has certainly lived a very sheltered life. She has no idea how to use a computer, couldn’t even turn it on, nor a cell phone, and can’t drive because her late husband told she couldn’t because she wasn’t bright enough and would never figure it out, and the entire town is scandalized by her having male friends so soon after her husband died. Almost everyone she knows, especially the church busy bodies, of course, has to visit her to share all the gossip that’s flying around town and how disappointed and scandalized they are, themselves. That all gets very frustrating without any indications that the stories are taking place in the 1930’s or 50’s. Tbh, there being computers and cell phones directly point to a contemporary time, don’t they? Do these women really still exist?
These Ellie Quick mysteries are the quintessential cozy mysteries. They take place in a small village outside London (from what I can gather), everyone knows everyone else, and their business, much of the social life is based around the church, which just happens to be just beyond Ellie’s back yard and all the shops and such seem to be in walking distance. There is not a murder in every book, but someone is harmed in some way, and Ellie must get to the bottom of it.
I can’t tell hoe contemporary the stories are, if they are current, then Ellie has certainly lived a very sheltered life. She has no idea how to use a computer, couldn’t even turn it on, nor a cell phone, and can’t drive because her late husband told she couldn’t because she wasn’t bright enough and would never figure it out, and the entire town is scandalized by her having male friends so soon after her husband died. Almost everyone she knows, especially the church busy bodies, of course, has to visit her to share all the gossip that’s flying around town and how disappointed and scandalized they are, themselves. That all gets very frustrating without any indications that the stories are taking place in the 1930’s or 50’s. Tbh, there being computers and cell phones directly point to a contemporary time, don’t they? Do these women really still exist?
October 3, 2023
Enjoyed this one very much.
Ellie Quicke is shaping up nicely after the death of her husband. She is finding her feet and her chutzpah. Learning to stand up for herself and others she has befriended. Showing her daughter and others she is no
longer a pushover.
To be truthful, although there are elements of wrong doing in the stories, they really are not under the 'crime' banner.
I have bought and read 4 of this series. Enjoyed them, seeing Ellie blossom as she finds her way. I may at some further point, but more, but meantime I will pass from Ellie's life to take up a more criminal story.
Ellie Quicke is shaping up nicely after the death of her husband. She is finding her feet and her chutzpah. Learning to stand up for herself and others she has befriended. Showing her daughter and others she is no
longer a pushover.
To be truthful, although there are elements of wrong doing in the stories, they really are not under the 'crime' banner.
I have bought and read 4 of this series. Enjoyed them, seeing Ellie blossom as she finds her way. I may at some further point, but more, but meantime I will pass from Ellie's life to take up a more criminal story.
June 13, 2024
I really enjoyed the first book of this series. Then the second one was quite a disappointment. I continued onto the third hoping things would improve. Sadly they got worse. I choose murder mysteries that are in between silly/saccharine and hard boiled/gory. Incredibly this author has managed to combine the two. From the ratings, these seem well regarded and popular but, frankly I'm surprised. Those who like the hard boiled variety will find these ridiculous and those who like the pure cozy will be sickened by some of the content. There must be a sizeable group of readers who enjoy them both. I'm not one...
October 25, 2023
Wonderful author!
I just love the series; actually I cannot put the book down until I finish it. It's been a while since I enjoyed a series like that. Congratulations to Mrs V Heley, Wonderful writer who by her picture looks pretty much like Ellie...or so I like to think!!!! Everyone: it will be a sheer delight to read the Ellie Quicke Mysteries , just go for it! Actually I intend to buy everything written by Mrs Heley, it's just that wonderful.
PS I adored Midge...wish he was more present!
I just love the series; actually I cannot put the book down until I finish it. It's been a while since I enjoyed a series like that. Congratulations to Mrs V Heley, Wonderful writer who by her picture looks pretty much like Ellie...or so I like to think!!!! Everyone: it will be a sheer delight to read the Ellie Quicke Mysteries , just go for it! Actually I intend to buy everything written by Mrs Heley, it's just that wonderful.
PS I adored Midge...wish he was more present!
March 30, 2024
Darker subject in this cosy mystery
Veronica Heley tackles a much more serious crime in this third Ellie Quicke mystery. The reader is given enough information to understand what happens to Tod without being too graphic. The characters are interesting and, much like the Bea Abbbot series, are developing and becoming more familiar. Another great read and a real page turner.
Veronica Heley tackles a much more serious crime in this third Ellie Quicke mystery. The reader is given enough information to understand what happens to Tod without being too graphic. The characters are interesting and, much like the Bea Abbbot series, are developing and becoming more familiar. Another great read and a real page turner.
April 27, 2024
Better Plot
This is the third book about Ellie Quicker and I enjoyed it better than the first two. As I wrote the first time, she had to much drama with her daughter and didn't seem to be able to stand up for herself. I understand about family drama, but she needs to have more backbone.
This is the third book about Ellie Quicker and I enjoyed it better than the first two. As I wrote the first time, she had to much drama with her daughter and didn't seem to be able to stand up for herself. I understand about family drama, but she needs to have more backbone.
February 13, 2024
Author not afraid to address
a heartbreaking crime that tears at our families and communities. Her protagonist and heroine proves her mettle, finally. And we can move to Ellie's next challenge in book four . . .
a heartbreaking crime that tears at our families and communities. Her protagonist and heroine proves her mettle, finally. And we can move to Ellie's next challenge in book four . . .
April 19, 2018
In the third in an endearing cozy series, starring a likeable widow and a cast of interesting characters, the sweetness is leavened by the protagonist's commonsense and clarity.
October 13, 2020
Will continue the series
February 16, 2024
I love Ellie Quicke but this book should have had content warnings, I skipped this book because I found it too upsetting
March 9, 2024
Ok
Ok , unpleasant topic. Perhaps a bit over the top in places . But still more like a soap opera at times than a lot of cosy mysteries .
Ok , unpleasant topic. Perhaps a bit over the top in places . But still more like a soap opera at times than a lot of cosy mysteries .
October 3, 2024
With threats to a young boy in Ellie's neighbourhood, this story skates over the edge of 'cosy' crime.
October 21, 2024
I couldn't put the book down. Excellent read.
February 7, 2025
Loving this crime series . Great characters.
June 8, 2025
fav of this series so far
August 9, 2025
Engaging but the nature of the crime made it a less than cozy mystery. On to the next in the series.
November 18, 2025
I enjoy Ellie and following her journey from grief to running her own life. This book has content that is hard to read. Hopefully, the next book in the series will be better and not so depressing.
January 1, 2023
audiobook
November 28, 2017
I first read this book several years ago and decided to re-read it as I'd just finished the latest book in the series 'Murder in Time' and reminded myself how good the series is. 'Murder of Innocence' has lost none of its impact. The main theme is paedophilia - not the subject matter you might expect from a cosy mystery series. As might be expected the issue is sensitively handled and the villains are suitably chilling in their excuses for their crimes.
Ellie's young friend, Tod, is attacked and refuses to talk about in spite of Ellie's best efforts to help and comfort him. As Ellie starts to investigate she soon finds herself under threat not just from the criminals concerned but also from Tod's mother who resents his relationship with Ellie. This is a well written and thought provoking mystery with several sub plots which shed uncomfortable light on mob behaviour as well as on family relationships.
A well written mystery which can be read as a standalone story or as part of a series.
Ellie's young friend, Tod, is attacked and refuses to talk about in spite of Ellie's best efforts to help and comfort him. As Ellie starts to investigate she soon finds herself under threat not just from the criminals concerned but also from Tod's mother who resents his relationship with Ellie. This is a well written and thought provoking mystery with several sub plots which shed uncomfortable light on mob behaviour as well as on family relationships.
A well written mystery which can be read as a standalone story or as part of a series.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews