Mrs. Malory's Shortest Journey

Mrs. Malory Mysteries #3

by Hazel Holt

Sheila Malory enjoys her visits to the West Lodge Nursing Home, where resident Mrs. Jankiewicz offers lively company and interesting gossip about their friends. Since the latest news has the wealthy widow Edith Rossiter's scheming daughter, Thelma, pressuring her to sign over a substantial inheritance against her wishes, Sheila suspects the worst when Mrs. Rossiter disappears after a shopping trip. A search of her room reveals that her sleeping pills are missing, and reports circulate of a mysterious man and woman seen speaking to Mrs. Rossiter. But investigations of possible suicide or kidnapping reach a dead end, and only when Sheila's son, Michael, makes a chance discovery while researching in a library does the mystery unravel, revealing a truth more surprising than Sheila could ever have imagined.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, British Literature

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Hazel Holt is a British novelist. She studied at King Edward VI High School for Girls in Birmingham, England, and then Newnham College, Cambridge. She went on to work at the International African Institute in London, where she became acquainted with the novelist Barbara Pym, whose biography she later wrote. She also finished one of Pym's novels after Pym died.

Holt wrote her first novel in her sixties, and is a leading crime novelist. She is best known for her "Sheila Malory" series. Her son is the novelist Tom Holt.

Reviews

[Julie Durnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this "mystery" if you can label it as such, for there was no murder, but a very light and enjoyable read in the Sheila Mallory series.

[Pamela Mclaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheila Malory enjoys visiting friends at West Lodge Nursing Home and often finds herself reflecting on how she met them. One of the residents, Mrs. Jankiewicz is lively and gossipy — she misses nothing about her fellow residents or their families. Then there is Edith Rossiter, who has spent a lifetime placating her father, her husband and her children. Now apparently, her daughter is scheming to get her hands on Mrs. Rossiter's inheritance.

Then Mrs. Rossiter disappears. One day she takes a taxi into town but doesn't return to West Lodge. What could have happened to her? Why? The police are looking, but soon, Mrs. Malory is the one finding the few clues out there.

My first thoughts on this was "this is a true cozy." There is no violence, no car chases, no international travel. But what there is, is human nature and reflections on the choices we humans make. This is a sweet story of love, friendship and obligations. Its better than I imagined it would be.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nearly a 3 Star read but it turned to 4 stars towards the end as a surprising twist occurred and made for a clever close. Mrs. Malory’s friends of her late mother are in a nursing home and one of them disappears. This irks the woman’s money-hungry daughter to no end. Slower story than others but the ending made up the pace.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this languorous read and love spending time with Sheila Malory. She's simply lovely and feels so real.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this some time ago but waited to write a review. I loved this one. I loved the observations made by Mrs. Malory and especially some of the things said by the elderly lady whose name escapes me at the moment but who more or less rules the roost at the assisted living home. I love that Malory returns to the themes of bullying once again and shows so many variations on it-- you can never be sure where she'll take it or how the bullied will react. I love that this isn't a straight forward murder mystery (i.e., that there isn't a body found in chapter two and we have to figure out whodunit and why) but a disappearance to start with. As with her others, the emphasis is on exploring character. Definitely a favorite. I bought my own copy to reread at some point.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, then ending figured out, but still fun reading the lateral clues to divert. A happy, if implausible, ending.. (you married your sister?) and just a nice easy stroll through the story. Gentle reading.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheila Malory is an average middle-aged widowed woman living in the small English village of Taviscombe. Whenever there is a murder, a disappearance, or something that doesn’t quite add up, Mrs. Malory is on the scene casually asking questions and getting to the bottom of any puzzle. I adore this laid back cozy series and would love to have a real friend like Sheila. She is intelligent, kind and is always there for her friends and family and those in need. Much of the books are describing Sheila’s everyday routine of taking care of her pets, talking to her best friend Rosemary, doing various charitable works, and interacting with her son Michael. These little details are far from boring, though, and are just as fun to read about as the actual mystery.

All of the books in this series are wonderful, but I especially enjoyed this one. When a wealthy, elderly woman seems to have vanished, her family seems to care only about the woman’s money. However, Mrs. Malory is on the case because she is concerned about her old friend and is determined to find out what really happened. In her slow but sure way, Sheila does find out what happens and also holds her own against the woman’s pushy and cold daughter Thelma.

Although this is a very clean cozy series, not all the stories end happily. I am pleased that “The Shortest Journey” has a touching, uplifting ending which helps make it one of my favorite Mrs. Malory book that I have read so far. Fans of Miss Marple will love this charming series.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second Mrs. Malory book I've read. And this one in particular- I almost gave it a 5. 4.5 star fully. Because besides the incredible psychological depth in such a short "space", this one was not at all like the run of the mill whodunnit. Was there a crime at all? And was I flummoxed at the ending! What a delight in store for me that I have so many of these delicious reads by Hazel Holt to go. Keep in mind, that I am not necessarily a cozy mystery or cozy family relationship setting reader at all. Much more time travel, historical fiction, dystopian fiction, gritty city (much more like my life)modern. Well, I thought I was. This one has a marvelous elder Polish nursing home resident that if she would have been Sicilian, would have been EXACTLY like my late Mother. I hope she and Mrs. Dudley are in all the remaining I have yet to read. Then we would get some answers.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second reading of this. The first time I liked it but this time I liked it even more. Hazel Holt is very low-key, which I like. I specially liked that it was a happy ending and you don't often find that with mysteries. As always, I enjoy the everyday village life in Holt's books. Walking dogs on the beach, dealing with a friend's difficult elderly mother, taking part in village 'Bring and Buy's (I think that is what they are called - something like that anyway!)

[Dan Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in this series, but what a thoroughly bizarre and boring book this one was.

So, Mrs Rossiter goes missing from her nursing home. No one, including the police, seem too fussed about this, even as the season drag on.

Mrs Malory spends the first two thirds of the book just popping in and out of a nursing home talking to people, who occasional tell her things they could have told her (literally) months before.

That's about the sum total of the investigation that the protagonist does.


Luckily, two stunning coincides show up at the end of the book. Her son sees a notice Mrs Rossiter's death, and Mrs Malory happens to stop at the tiny churchyard where she's buried.

Mrs Malory doesn't seem to feel the need to inform Mrs Rossiter's children that she's dead at this point.

Turns out that Mrs Rossiter ran away with a childhood flame, but didn't tell anyone because she doesn't like her children (who aren't nice people, but are not evil. She could have just told them to go swivel).

Also, turns out Mrs Rossiter faked her death.

This apparently is a fine and romantic thing to do and not batshit crazy and something the police might be interested in.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, another Mrs. Malory story! This middle-aged English lady is always good for a cozy read. This is one of the early books, (I’ve read most of the later ones.) Sheila Malory is old enough to know the “traditional roles” and does play her part …. Up to a point. She dutifully looks after those few friends of her mother’s who are still alive, and sees that their dignity and needs are respected. She enjoys taking a few flowers or treats ans have a short chat with those who can no longer get out easily. Mrs. Malory is disturbed when she finds that one of these ladies, Mrs. Edith Rossiter, will soon be forced out of her home (apartment) because the owner, a local doctor, plans to turn it into a nursing home. Mrs. Malory hopes to help Mrs Rossiter keep her home… and so when she receives a phone call from Mrs. Rossiter asking her to come by that afternoon for something important, of course, she goes. Surprisingly no one is home, but something “feels” strange. Mrs. Mallory knows where an emergency key is and when she enters the home, she finds Mrs. Rossiter dead. …. And it turns out that she was poisoned. … Why? Who? …. Mrs. Malory needs to help figure out who wanted her dead.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relaxing enjoyment, but this series got better as it developed. This is only entry #3, so the author hasn't quite got up to speed yet! I found the reason given for the title to be a little bit disconcerting; it seems it refers to the short step from life to death!
There is definitely a puzzle here, but not the usual kind. I won't say more for fear of spoilers.
The story meanders through at least a year's time without much of anything happening. However, if you enjoy this kind of cozy mystery, (and I do!) then it is just a soothing way to spend time with Mrs. Malory and her intimate circle of friends, family and pets!
I must say that I was surprised by the final outcome, so that was a perk!

[Nicky Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another (early) outing for Sheila Malory, a Professional-Village-Member. Her adventures draw on lifelong relationships in her Somerset village. We see her still firm in her likes and dislikes of those around her. More than a peppering, here, of horrid parents with lovely offspring and revolting offspring of lovely parents.
This particular outing relies alarmingly heavily and quickly on considerations of which family members might have murdered their mother...
No spoilers here, and, as a sad completist, I'll be back for more!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a pleasant little diversion. Mrs. Malory visits residents of a care home and reminisces about events in her childhood. One resident disappears under mysterious circumstances. Clues appear in casual conversations. And, of course, Mrs. Malory eventually discovers what happened.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series getting better and better. Enjoying the nuances where I recognize Barbara Pym.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice twist in a mystery that does not suffer from being 27? years old.

[Tommie Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read It is sad in spots, but the end is fantastic.

[Helen Geng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read February 2024

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 Stars

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shortest Journey is the 3rd book in the Mrs. Mallory seres. The series features Sheila Mallory who is a middle aged resident of Taviscombe England. This very cozy book featured Sheila visiting with old friends at the West Lodge Nursing home. Edith Rossiter, a resident of West Lodge disappears while on a shopping trip. Mrs Rossiter has been placed in the home by her daughter Thelma even though she is quite capable of taking care of herself. She is also very wealthy and her children are looking for inheritance money. This is a light mystery as one doesn't know what happened to Mrs Rossiter. Did she disappear on her own or is there foul play? Mrs. Mallory seeks to find out what happened to her friend.

Hazel Holt is a very good writer and story teller. She has developed the character of Sheila Mallory very well.
Sheila is so likeable that one would like her as a friend. The reader follows Sheila with her daily activities-baking, taking care of her pets, visiting with her many friends and being with her son Michael. This is the 3rd book I have read in the series and it too contained a surprise for the reader as the other books did. It is a relaxing, cozy fast read when one goes to Taviscombe and into Mrs. Mallory world.

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, I think I'm enjoying Mrs. Malory less and less as I progress. Despite the fact that I deplore the current trend (at least on reality tv!) of people being rude and escusing it as "just keeping it real," it irks that Mrs. Malory spends so much time with people she detests, and criticises, behind their back to us--she really comes across as two-faced. (Of course she's perfect, and so are the people she approves of).

The mystery was somewhat fun, in that it wasn't necessarily a murder mystery, simply a mysterious disappearance, and I very much enjoy the idea that a good solid mystery can be founded upon "who stole the jewels," "who defaced the church," or "who disappeared," as much as "who bludgeoned the vicar," "who poisoned the accountant," or "who shot the sherrif," as mysteries usually go.

It was easy to read, and I enjoyed the process, but not the protagonist. She also does virtually no detecting, things just happen and she finds out about them. So that's not particularly satisfying!

(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).

[Damaskcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Mrs Malory series. Sheila Malory visits West Lodge Nursing Home to see friends of hers. Mrs Rossiter has been married for many years to a tyrant and it seems after his death her daughter Thelma is replacing her father as the one who tells her mother what to so.

Sheila feels desperately sorry for the woman. When Mrs Rossiter disappears and there is no sign of foul play Sheila is puzzled. Has the worm finally turned and Mrs Rossiter gone off to lead her own life? Or have her obnoxious children murdered her in order to get their hands on her money?

Sheila can't let it go especially as various people keep giving her little bits of information which don't seem to add up. Naturally her curiosity won't allow her to let it go and she is determined to find out what has happened to her friend and to make sure she is all right.

I enjoyed reading this well written mystery with its intriguing plot and unexpected ending. I like Sheila Malory herself and her friends and the way she sets about her investigations - piecing little bits of information together to get at the truth. This is in entertaining series and the books can be read in any order.

[Tbfrank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shelia Malory, resident of the small town Taviscombe situated somewhere in southwest England, writes articles on little known authors and reviews literary criticism written by others. A widower, she lives with a Siamese cat and two dogs. She keeps busy in local activities and often visits old friends living in the West Lodge nursing home. She has an inquisitive nature, is observant, and though not a gossip likes to chat with those who are. When her friend Edith Rossiter disappears from the nursing home, she is naturally concerned. Shelia puts together Edith's last few days through bits and pieces friends and acquaintances share with her. She has a list of suspects and motives including Edith's son and daughter. Weeks go by before Edith's obituary appears in a London newspaper announced by a law firm in a small town far away from Taviscombe. Shelia decides to go there and look for herself.

A short little novel, strong on characterizations and observations of small town life seen in plenty of Brit dramas. Though an uncomplicated plot, there are lots of suspects, and a satisfying little twist at the end. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[AngryGreyCat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shortest Journey, other editions titled Mrs. Malory’s Shortest Journey, is by Hazel Holt. I have just started reading the Mrs. Malory books and I really enjoy the character and her sleuthing style. In this book, Mrs. Malory is visiting ladies in an old age retirement/care home. One of them, Mrs. Rossiter, seems to be there more for the convenience of her daughter than for any particular need. Mrs. Rossiter goes missing and causes a great deal of upheaval due to the contents of a family trust. Sheila Mallory realizes that Mrs. Rossiter’s family is only concerned with the money and doesn’t really care about Mrs. Rossiter herself. Sheila takes it upon herself to investigate and find out what has really happened. I guessed the ending, however that didn’t really spoil the book for me at all. I did find the subject matter a little depressing, senior women losing control of their own lives, being depressed at the end of life, and having no family or anyone that cares about them.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a slow, drawn out crime story which follows the disappearance of an older lady from an expensive senior care home in the south of England. All the tale is concerned with conversations, bunches of flowers and why the young generation only want their elders' money.

I found no real sense of concern emanating from the main character, Mrs Malory, a widowed lady in the town of Tavistock. She appears to have plenty of time on her hands to potter about the garden and visit people in care homes, and can take days off to drive around the country following rumours. I couldn't bring myself to fret too much about the missing lady, and once a new element was introduced near the end it was blindingly obvious what had occurred, though not to Mrs Malory, which I suppose is why we didn't hear it sooner.

This was written in 1992 and feels like it. All the characters are quite staid, whatever their ages. The book is an okay read if you don't mind no action, drama or surprise whatsoever.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad I discovered this wonderful English author, I am enjoying her cozy series featuring Mrs. Malory. I love everything about this series, the setting in a lovely little English village, all the citizens of this village the Mrs. Malory comes in contact with and her family and friends and especially her mischievous cat and 2 dogs!

The mystery is very good, it is a missing person case, an old friend of Mrs. Malory's mother and I had no idea how this particular mystery was going to get solved.

I just love the feeling I have after reading one of her books, I feel as if I've just had a cup of tea and spent the afternoon with a good friend in their garden while her pets sleep at our feet.

[Diane Wallis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hazel Holt's tale is an appropriately paced nursing home mystery with some very accurately drawn characters and a bit of a surprise ending. Patricia Gallimore is the narrator and does an excellent job.
Sheila Mallory is the "sleuth"; a widow who divides her time between writing about 19th century novelists, gardening, good works in the neighbourhood which include visiting people in the nursing home and making scones for the Red Cross stall and tending to her two dogs and Siamese cat.
At five and a half hours running time, this audio book took me on journey to Sydney and back and was pleasant company.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheila Malory likes to visit two of the ladies in West Hall--they're elderly now, but they were friends of her beloved mother, and they remind her of days gone by. Mrs. Rossiter, who is quite wealthy, was bullied all her life by her horrible husband and her unloving children. Even now, Thelma only visits when she wants something. When Mrs. Rossiter disappears, it's a blow to Thelma's greed, but Sheila is really upset by it. People who won't talk to the police will tell Sheila things, and that's how she gets on the track of the mysterious couple last seen with Mrs. Rossiter. There is, however, a slight air of anticlimax about the book, which knocks a star off the rating.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one. This involves the disappearance of an elderly lady from an elderly residence home. There is a wonderful surprise ending in this ne. Again she has such interesting characters. Her friends mother is the worst kind of snob. Her son is endearingly young and thoughtless. Otgher children not likable at all. And this one has many culprits to choose from and they all seem perfectly viable.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title on the book I read was just "the Shortest Journey". More appropriate because Mrs. Jankiewitz says the shortest journey is between life and death.
I loved this book. Considered 4 stars. (What book will ever get 4 stars from me. Perhaps I should be less critical. I loved the leisurely way the mystery unfolds, receding and then returning to Sheila Mallory's life. The hateful family members of Mrs. Rossiter are almost, but not quite, unbelievable. The twists at the end so satisfying.