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Ellie Quicke #18
Murder for Nothing
No good deed goes unpunished, as Ellie Quicke finds out in this engaging and entertaining mystery.
Ellie Quicke believes in helping people in trouble. But it would appear that her latest good deed has returned to bite her when she takes in a weeping girl who needs somewhere to stay. Selfish, thoughtless and irresponsible, Angelica is by no means the easiest of house guests, confident that someone else will always pick up the bill. But when a dead body is found in the garden the morning after a riotous party she's organized, Angelica plunges Ellie's household into a situation too hot for any of them to handle.
Selfish and thoughtless her guest may be, but Ellie does not believe Angelica is capable of murder. However, when she attempts to uncover the truth about what happened that night, Ellie unearths a series of disturbing revelations.
Ellie Quicke believes in helping people in trouble. But it would appear that her latest good deed has returned to bite her when she takes in a weeping girl who needs somewhere to stay. Selfish, thoughtless and irresponsible, Angelica is by no means the easiest of house guests, confident that someone else will always pick up the bill. But when a dead body is found in the garden the morning after a riotous party she's organized, Angelica plunges Ellie's household into a situation too hot for any of them to handle.
Selfish and thoughtless her guest may be, but Ellie does not believe Angelica is capable of murder. However, when she attempts to uncover the truth about what happened that night, Ellie unearths a series of disturbing revelations.
- GenresMysteryMystery Thriller
218 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2017
193 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Heley
96 books130 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 8, 2017
This is the first Ellie Quicke book I have read. I was able to follow the story as there are several individuals introduced. I found it hard to rate and finally gave it to 5 stars. It is really only 4.5 stars as there are so many negative characters. I thought the ringing telephones and doorbell was overdone. It gave Ellie an appearance of dithering person and I didn't get that from Ellie other actions.
Lesley and her newly wedded husband, Andy's flat is trashed when a Rave party was held there while they were on their honeymoon. There is a question on who was responsible for the party and yes there is a dead girl there. Lesley is very ill and Andy has no concern about her, only worried about his cousin, Angelica and his damage that was done at the party. Enter a moneylender and a drug Lord demanding damages for a money loan and missing drugs and money. Ellie must cope alone as her husband is helping friends. Ellie must find the answer before all she cares about are gone. I recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Severn House through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
Lesley and her newly wedded husband, Andy's flat is trashed when a Rave party was held there while they were on their honeymoon. There is a question on who was responsible for the party and yes there is a dead girl there. Lesley is very ill and Andy has no concern about her, only worried about his cousin, Angelica and his damage that was done at the party. Enter a moneylender and a drug Lord demanding damages for a money loan and missing drugs and money. Ellie must cope alone as her husband is helping friends. Ellie must find the answer before all she cares about are gone. I recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Severn House through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
December 16, 2019
I have always enjoyed author Veronica Heley’s clever businesswoman Bea Abbott more than beleaguered widow Ellie Quicke. Ellie has come far in the series, considered how spineless she was in the debut Murder at the Altar; however, she’s still dominated by her selfish, amoral daughter and pushed around others as well. Reading novels from each series back to back reminded me how much I prefer Bea Abbott.
That said, I did enjoy Murder for Nothing. Softhearted Ellie Quicke opened her big home to the narcissistic beauty Angelica, despite her lack of consideration and pathological lying. Now Angelica has thrown a party at her cousin’s house while he was on his honeymoon and trashed the place. But that’s the least of it. A pretty redhead is dead in the backyard…. Ellie can’t rely on the prevaricating Angelica to find out what’s happened, so she, with the help of old friends and new, launch their own investigation.
The character Angelica verged on the sociopathic, and, despite being 21, had managed to basically never have to pay for single one of her selfish, destructive decisions. Even in class-conscious Britain, where the haves have an outsized sense of entitlement, this beggared the imagination. Angelica’s cousin, the newlywed Andy, also was a cartoon reenactment of a selfish man. A few other aspects that I won’t reveal for fear of spoiling the fun also didn’t ring true. Despite all that, the novel’s fine mystery and Ellie’s kindness made the read worthwhile., and I finished the book in little more than a day.
Caveat: Ellie Quicke is quite religious, although not judgmental. She has no problems with gays or abortion, but expect lot of prayers.
That said, I did enjoy Murder for Nothing. Softhearted Ellie Quicke opened her big home to the narcissistic beauty Angelica, despite her lack of consideration and pathological lying. Now Angelica has thrown a party at her cousin’s house while he was on his honeymoon and trashed the place. But that’s the least of it. A pretty redhead is dead in the backyard…. Ellie can’t rely on the prevaricating Angelica to find out what’s happened, so she, with the help of old friends and new, launch their own investigation.
The character Angelica verged on the sociopathic, and, despite being 21, had managed to basically never have to pay for single one of her selfish, destructive decisions. Even in class-conscious Britain, where the haves have an outsized sense of entitlement, this beggared the imagination. Angelica’s cousin, the newlywed Andy, also was a cartoon reenactment of a selfish man. A few other aspects that I won’t reveal for fear of spoiling the fun also didn’t ring true. Despite all that, the novel’s fine mystery and Ellie’s kindness made the read worthwhile., and I finished the book in little more than a day.
Caveat: Ellie Quicke is quite religious, although not judgmental. She has no problems with gays or abortion, but expect lot of prayers.
October 31, 2017
Thank you Netgalley and Severn House for the eARC.
Unfortunately, I didn't much like this book. It was way too hectic with many unpleasant characters. Ellie Quick is bullied by her nasty daughter, who is never happy with the way Ellie looks after her grandson, yet constantly dropping him off for babysitting. A girl she's helping out by letting her stay is absolutely obnoxious. She is a spoilt, lying, manipulating user and I couldn't understand why she wasn't kicked out the very first day she showed up. Too bad, I was looking forward to reading the book, but couldn't get into it, it irritated me.
Unfortunately, I didn't much like this book. It was way too hectic with many unpleasant characters. Ellie Quick is bullied by her nasty daughter, who is never happy with the way Ellie looks after her grandson, yet constantly dropping him off for babysitting. A girl she's helping out by letting her stay is absolutely obnoxious. She is a spoilt, lying, manipulating user and I couldn't understand why she wasn't kicked out the very first day she showed up. Too bad, I was looking forward to reading the book, but couldn't get into it, it irritated me.
November 17, 2019
I love following Ellie Quicke solving murders but helping a "friend" who threw a party that got out of hand resulting in a discovery of a dead body was so incredulous. The "friend" imposing on Ellie was a "piece of work," yet Ellie let herself be taken advantage of. And, Ellie acting stupidly on page 181: "She bent over, licked her finger and rubbed at the dark stain. And tasted it." Really jumped the shark here. Hard to believe Ellie or anyone would do that, taste something unknown or what could be someone's blood. Bad enough the author keeps populating the story with irritating and self-centered characters. Who would put up with people like Andy or Angelica. Treat Ellie better.
July 8, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.
Ellie Quicke finds that good deeds sometimes come back to bite you. She offered Angelica a temporary home when the weeping girl turned up on her doorstep but she soon finds that Angelica is very far from being the ideal house guest. Angelica hosts a party which results in a dead body being found in the garden, plunging Ellie and her household into a situation that is likely to prove more dangerous than any of them can handle.
This well written mystery is fast paced and intriguing. What really happened at the party? Could Angelica really be responsible for a death? Then there's the intriguing Rafael - who I must admit I rather liked and I hope he will reappear in later books in the series. Ellie's obnoxious daughter Diana doesn't feature in this story but she is still very good at dumping her responsibilities on Ellie whenever she can.
I really enjoy this cosy mystery series and like the way Ellie has developed during the series. The books really need to be read in the order in which they were published so that the relationships between the series characters and the development of the characters themselves can be followed and understood.
Ellie Quicke finds that good deeds sometimes come back to bite you. She offered Angelica a temporary home when the weeping girl turned up on her doorstep but she soon finds that Angelica is very far from being the ideal house guest. Angelica hosts a party which results in a dead body being found in the garden, plunging Ellie and her household into a situation that is likely to prove more dangerous than any of them can handle.
This well written mystery is fast paced and intriguing. What really happened at the party? Could Angelica really be responsible for a death? Then there's the intriguing Rafael - who I must admit I rather liked and I hope he will reappear in later books in the series. Ellie's obnoxious daughter Diana doesn't feature in this story but she is still very good at dumping her responsibilities on Ellie whenever she can.
I really enjoy this cosy mystery series and like the way Ellie has developed during the series. The books really need to be read in the order in which they were published so that the relationships between the series characters and the development of the characters themselves can be followed and understood.
June 2, 2022
The Ellie Quick series has always been a go to series for me when I want a light read and enjoyment. I have now read 18 books over the years and it might be time that I leave it.
This book was a chore to read. There was so much drama. I thought Diana (the daughter) was bad in previous books but it seems all the books have to have a very unlikable character in them. They are almost unbelievable. This book had Angelica as the very unlikable character. Andy was a close second.
Another reviewer wrote that a drinking game could be made of the times that Susan's magnificent bosom was mentioned. I agree. I never noticed references of this type in her other books.
Meanwhile there is a body in the garden who seems to be forgotten in scheme of things: door bells ringing-drugs men calling -people taking advantage of Ellie and Thomas away from home again. I don't think I will continue this series. However, I have had much enjoyment from it in previous books-esp the early ones.
This book was a chore to read. There was so much drama. I thought Diana (the daughter) was bad in previous books but it seems all the books have to have a very unlikable character in them. They are almost unbelievable. This book had Angelica as the very unlikable character. Andy was a close second.
Another reviewer wrote that a drinking game could be made of the times that Susan's magnificent bosom was mentioned. I agree. I never noticed references of this type in her other books.
Meanwhile there is a body in the garden who seems to be forgotten in scheme of things: door bells ringing-drugs men calling -people taking advantage of Ellie and Thomas away from home again. I don't think I will continue this series. However, I have had much enjoyment from it in previous books-esp the early ones.
January 7, 2024
I usually love books about murder so when I stumbled across this series at my local library, I had to pick it up. There were so many to pick from so I grabbed the five with the most interesting titles. I assumed any book series with 20 parts had to be good. It was a short read so I figured I would give it a try.
I found the main characters unbearable. The story line was weird. The whole cousin attraction threw me off. The way the girl renting the space was treated was awful. It was a nice twist at the end. When all the secrets were revealed, I did have a moment of surprise. This is why I won’t give it one star. Buuut… the characters were so bad that I could not stand the thought of going through another one. Decided to return the other books I picked up from this series unread.
I found the main characters unbearable. The story line was weird. The whole cousin attraction threw me off. The way the girl renting the space was treated was awful. It was a nice twist at the end. When all the secrets were revealed, I did have a moment of surprise. This is why I won’t give it one star. Buuut… the characters were so bad that I could not stand the thought of going through another one. Decided to return the other books I picked up from this series unread.
August 28, 2017
For some reason I just could not get into this book. I absolutely hated Angelica and that might have been why I had such trouble. To me this book how so much going on with it that it was hard to know who was what.
Thank you NetGalley and Veronica Heley for allowing me to read and give an honest review of this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Veronica Heley for allowing me to read and give an honest review of this book.
February 13, 2018
I have been reading this series for years and years. I put this one down after I started it because it was too intense. Diana's bratty child's tantrum opens the book. I finally picked the book up again and read the last 50 pages and the kid was still as awful as ever. A little of Diana and the brat is enough. I probably won't pick up another Ellie Quicke.
November 18, 2017
This is the second book for me to read in Veronica Heley’s Ellie Quicke Mysteries, and I am sold on the series. Perhaps it is a reflection of my own age, but I like that Ellie Quicke, the main character, is a grandmother and she solves crimes using her brain rather than a lot of running around. I like that she is unabashedly a woman of faith, but does not see herself as perfect, nor is she a prude. She displays courage and insight.
The other characters in the book are what I would call a mixed bag. Some are extremely evil, some are really nice, and a number are common folk just trying to do the best they can given their circumstances.
Ellie is caught in the middle of a number of conflicts, all of which seem to center on a spoiled young lady, Angelique, who has gotten herself in trouble with her ambitions to marry a rich man and live a lifestyle she can not currently afford. Running free and easy through the money of others, Angelique can turn on charming tears at the drop of a hat. She finds herself in over her head, however, when she hosts a rave party at her cousin’s flat while he is on his honeymoon.
I enjoyed Murder for Nothing from start to finish and found myself not wanting to put it down, not because it was so suspenseful but because I wanted to watch the mystery and its solution unfold. Although there are many differences, Heley’s choice of heroine and her focus on detection through conversation and thought calls to mind the unparalleled Agatha Christie.
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.
The other characters in the book are what I would call a mixed bag. Some are extremely evil, some are really nice, and a number are common folk just trying to do the best they can given their circumstances.
Ellie is caught in the middle of a number of conflicts, all of which seem to center on a spoiled young lady, Angelique, who has gotten herself in trouble with her ambitions to marry a rich man and live a lifestyle she can not currently afford. Running free and easy through the money of others, Angelique can turn on charming tears at the drop of a hat. She finds herself in over her head, however, when she hosts a rave party at her cousin’s flat while he is on his honeymoon.
I enjoyed Murder for Nothing from start to finish and found myself not wanting to put it down, not because it was so suspenseful but because I wanted to watch the mystery and its solution unfold. Although there are many differences, Heley’s choice of heroine and her focus on detection through conversation and thought calls to mind the unparalleled Agatha Christie.
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.
August 3, 2017
This is the first Ellie Quicke mystery I have read. My initial impression was not favourable. It seemed slow moving with too much dialogue, not enough action, and some really unpleasant characters. There was the bullying, boorish husband of a recent bride who was suffering a miscarriage; a manipulative, deceitful, opportunistic girl; a spoilt daughter taking her mother for granted; even the toddler seemed a brat. In the middle of these, Ellie appeared put-upon and lacking in backbone.
It was only when Ellie stopped dithering so much and began to demonstrate that she was capable of independent thought and action, together with the introduction of some more sympathetic characters that the story began to progress and it became more entertaining.
Ellie displays a genteel, old world charm and I would have preferred the story without the initial unpleasant chapters. The behaviour of the drug lord in ringing Ellie regularly seems unlikely and although the story overall appeared a little lacking in credibility, together with deaths that were more accidental than murderous, l still enjoyed it and I think I would try some more books in the series.
It was only when Ellie stopped dithering so much and began to demonstrate that she was capable of independent thought and action, together with the introduction of some more sympathetic characters that the story began to progress and it became more entertaining.
Ellie displays a genteel, old world charm and I would have preferred the story without the initial unpleasant chapters. The behaviour of the drug lord in ringing Ellie regularly seems unlikely and although the story overall appeared a little lacking in credibility, together with deaths that were more accidental than murderous, l still enjoyed it and I think I would try some more books in the series.
October 23, 2024
Fun
I did find the main character a bit "wet" as my British friends would say.
She has not the courage of her convictions and she dithers.
I know, she is older. So what!
Not all old people dither!
This is a comedy of errors.
Well meaning people unwilling to face that a Very pretty and manipulative little minx is actually quite evil and deserves to face the consequences of her actions.
The results are extremely entertaining, the end, quite satisfying.
Except for the rude uncaring daughter, and the friends new husband, who hopefully will soon be an ex husband.
I did find the main character a bit "wet" as my British friends would say.
She has not the courage of her convictions and she dithers.
I know, she is older. So what!
Not all old people dither!
This is a comedy of errors.
Well meaning people unwilling to face that a Very pretty and manipulative little minx is actually quite evil and deserves to face the consequences of her actions.
The results are extremely entertaining, the end, quite satisfying.
Except for the rude uncaring daughter, and the friends new husband, who hopefully will soon be an ex husband.
November 3, 2017
Looking for something new to read and searched Veronica Heley. Wow, she had a new Ellie Quicke mystery coming out in a day or two. Downloaded it on Nov. I and this morning I'm done. There's always a lot going on in Ellie's life and I always enjoy how Ellie handles the situated and the people. I highly recommend these cozies.
October 29, 2023
I will finish out the series [maybe] but I find Ellie Quicke so frustrating, how can a woman let people just trample all over her? When is she ever going to grow/get a backbone/spine??? Women do NOT have to be helpless to still be a lady.
July 31, 2025
Endings
I will say this again this lady sure knows how to write a ending. Half of this series I’ve read made me laugh so hard at the endings..you will just have to read them and find out.
I will say this again this lady sure knows how to write a ending. Half of this series I’ve read made me laugh so hard at the endings..you will just have to read them and find out.
September 18, 2017
Another excellent read from Veronica Helen. I can't read her books fast enough.
June 20, 2018
A humorous “who done it” with an older motherly type woman as the sleuth. Enjoyable read.
August 21, 2019
Fully satisfying....
August 29, 2019
The eighteenth Elle Quicke mystery is another enjoyable frothy yet substantial crime cozy.
February 1, 2023
This is the first Ellie Quicke book I have read. I enjoyed the characters. They came alive with the descriptions but I struggled a bit with the believability of the story.
April 26, 2024
Can't get enough of Ellie Quicke. She attracts that most unusual characters and has delightful plot twists. Hoping she can keep writing them as fast as I am reading.
October 3, 2024
The author does bad behaviour well. In this case it is beautiful, lying, scheming Angelica and selfish Andy. Ellie somehow manages them both with impressive diplomacy.
June 5, 2025
I am loving this series of mrs quicke but her daughter Diane I want to slap and I have to tell myself she’s not real just a book I can’t help getting annoyed at her must be a sign of a good writer when it’s hard to forget they not real
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews