Murder by Suggestion

Ellie Quicke #19

by Veronica Heley

Murder is no joke, as Ellie Quicke is only too aware in this absorbing and entertaining mystery.


Ellie Quicke is shocked when her daughter, Diana, turns up at her door with a suitcase in tow. Bunny Brewster has died of an overdose, and Diana’s husband, Evan, is convinced that she is responsible for his friend’s death. It seems that Diana and four other neglected, bored wives of Evan’s friends recently joked about ways to kill their husbands. Diana’s suggested method of murder involved muddling up pills – could this be how Bunny died, or was it just a tragic accident?


All five women are soon causing havoc at Ellie’s house, but a further distressing development confirms Ellie’s instinct that there’s more to this than meets the eye. With the safety of her nearest and dearest at risk, can Ellie work out who is responsible, and why?

Genres: Mystery

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 10, 2018

About the author

Veronica 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

Reviews

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, nicely paced, with some very unlikeable characters. My rating is 3.5 instead of a solid 4 due to the shabby treatment of the women by their husbands without any repercussions to 3 of the men. I know that I'm being picky and I must admit that I did enjoy the book. Aww, okay it's a solid 4 rating.

[Lghiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jolie Estes · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this rather wild mystery, which was so unbelievably ridiculous, was fun. I have read many of Heley's novels, and they are often nice little cozies. Of course, I loved and hated the various characters, but Heley portrays them all so well, especially the spoiled brat, Diana. There was a sense of redemption for the various scorned wives because of their relationship with Ellie, a perpetual problem solver. And, isn't it just like real life when you are better at helping others than your own petulant family member?

One reviewer didn't like the "horrible" people -- but I think that points to Heley's skill with characterization. This was one of her best.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Cindy Ladensack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, fast-paced cozy—but I nearly couldn’t finish it because of the idiot characters. The daughter was a grade-A A-hole, the husbands were huge jerks, and the other wives, while they improved their behavior over the course of the book, veered into annoying territory as well. Just way too over the top, and it’s a shame, because the mystery was an interesting premise. (And I’m still irritated by the handling of the abusive couple’s situation.)

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear I read these because my mother would have thought I was Diana -- at least in temperament. I'm not. Most start with Diana at Ellie's door, and it's always trouble. I love this series and Heley's other series. Both are fast and gun to read.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful quirky and fast paced mystery from Heley. Wanted to devour it in one gulp.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever premise for murder. A nice variety of characters, some to love, some to hate. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storyline is great I just can’t bear all the martyrs !!

[John Sargent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good characters

[Liisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie Quicke, the main character of "Murder by Suggestion," makes a fascinating read.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The other wives were a bit too caricaturish for me.

[Caroline Ingvaldsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 19th in the Ellie Quick series is another appealing cozy replete with domestic detail and family friction.

[Sarah Glaze · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good plot with some good twists and turns. A bit too obviated times though.

[Hastings75 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good cozy mystery.

Only disappointment was the identity of the murderer. Won’t provide spoilers for anyone who hasn’t read it.

[Elliemae · Rating 2 out of 5]

audiobook

So tired of such a WEAK character, is she ever going to get a backbone?!!

[Anne Herbison · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining story in which the author juggles admirably the five women who have taken refuge with Ellie after each is accused of plotting her husband's death (not Ellie's husband - their own).

[Elite Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Sandybear76]

British. Ellie finds at home with her angry daughter Dianne whose husband has tossed her out of their house. Just as Dianne fills Ellie's small house with her stuff, she leaves for a bit. But more women come to Ellie's house saying that Dianne told them to come. Kat, Russet, Barbie, Trish