Murder for Profit

Ellie Quicke #22

by Veronica Heley

The shocking death of a student in one of her charity's properties draws Ellie into another dark mystery.



Ellie Quicke returns from Canada to find her home in chaos and her housing charity tearing itself apart. A student has fallen to his death from the top of one of the charity's properties, let through a reputable local estate agency. Accused of corruption, the agency is the victim of a vicious social media campaign.

Was the student's death really an accident or something more sinister? Does someone have a grudge against the agency, or are they being set up to ensure the truth never comes out? As Ellie fights to save her charity's reputation, it seems her troubles are only just beginning . . .

Genres: Mystery

271 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2022

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

[Catherine Woodman]

I think I have read this author before, but not often and not recently. This is a cozy, to be sure, but it is on the violent side of the genre. Ellie has a number of things going wrong in her circle of influence, and no matter what she reports to the police, she really doesn't get much in the way of help or interest--so she and her colleagues take matters into their own hands, with some expected and unexpected suspects along the way. I wouldn't seek this series out, but if I saw one on the library shelves I would pick up another.

[Annarella]

Another good mystery featuring Ellie Quicke : a well plotted and entertaining mystery that kept me guessing.
I was glad to catch up with the relatable characters and the twists surprised me
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

[Kathleen Gray]

Ellie and her husband Thomas enjoyed their trip to Canada but now they are back and Ellie's concerned. A student fell from a balcony at an apartment sponsored by a charity she founded. Turns out there's more going on in the real estate market than she knew but, ever the intrepid- and often underestimated- sleuth,, she gets answers. I like this series, which I've dipped in and out of over the years, both for the mysteries and for the characters. I especially like that Ellie has aged gracefully. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

[Annie]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Murder for Profit is the 22nd crime novel by Veronica Heley featuring non-profit housing charity with an ensemble cast including director Ellie Quicke and her husband and colleagues. Released 1st Nov 2022 by Severn House, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a long running and well plotted crime series with an ensemble cast of characters. They're all self contained and can (more or less) be read in any order, although developing character relationships will potentially give small spoilers for earlier volumes. The author is good at providing the necessary backstory and readers won't find following the story difficult.

It's written in a very direct third person voice and I found the narrative expository rather than descriptive. It's doesn't necessarily detract from the story, but it is noticeable, and there's a lot of "telling" rather than "showing". That being said, however, it is a well constructed mystery and another good addition to this very long running series.

Four stars. Engaging and worthwhile. Fans of British crime by authors like Rebecca Tope and Jeanne Dams will likely enjoy this offering.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[PeggySue]

Murder for Profit by Veronica Heley book 22
I have read most of this series but I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with it. By that, I mean I love Ellie and Thomas and I hate Diana. Raphael was not very likable in this outing either. I missed the previous book and will have to go back and catch up.
Sometime I think I like the Bea Abbott series better. She also has a not very pleasant adult child but he is not as awful as the dreadful Diana. Also, Bea takes a lot less guff than Ellie.
The ending of this book was a bit abrupt and I hope the next book ties things up better.

[Sally Parker]

As promised, I read the successor to Murder In Law, and found this story less bogged down in domestic description and with a faster moving crime story. Ellie Quicke herself is the amateur detective in this one, her neighbour Susan having been relegated to childcare and housekeeping ! The story concerns a series of apparently petty crimes which appear to be focussed on destroying Ellie's charity, and her mission is to discover who is behind it.
Certainly an easier read than Murder In Law - I might even be tempted to read another should one come my way !

[Anne Herbison]

The last book in the series - Phew! But will there be more? The author is ingenious coming up with so many different crimes. This time, Ellie's charitable trust is threatened by an unknown antagonist.

[Ann]

Not as good as others I have read in the series too many characters that seemed shady.

[Cindy Neanen]

A solid read of mayhem resulting in murder, arson, and lies that tear apart family. Quick to closure, the heroine undersells herself but holds all to a grandmother's expectations.

[Caroline Ingvaldsen]

Another reliable cozy livened by conspiracy and violence

[Leiah Cortes]

a great read

A really good story with a satisfying end . I hope that more are to come. I felt an empathy with some of the secondary characters

[Sherry]

This is the last one so far. I really hope another one is in the works.

[Sandy Terry]

One of her best

Excellent a.real treat especially. If you are familiar with the.author s character s I hated to.finish the. Book. Very good

[Denise Bonham]

Brilliant

Loved this book what a fabulous read.
Great characters brilliant plot.
A real joy to read a wonderful cosy crime.

[Liisa]

Another really satisfying read from Veronica Heley!

[Susan Mattes]

Probably 3.5; the second half was better than the first half. This is the first book I’ve read in this long series.

[Val Plaistow]

good easy read

Love these books nice & relaxing read for cold winter days. I’ll be looking for more of them now .