A Messy Murder

Simon Brett

$42.99

Paperback

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English

Severn House
27 March 2025

Fiction & Literature; Crime & Mystery

Series: The Decluttering mysteries

Ellen Curtis - professional declutterer, amateur sleuth and woman of a certain age - investigates the puzzling death of a TV personality who's past his prime.

Professional declutterer Ellen Curtis doesn't need to like her clients to help them sort their homes out. Aging TV personality and curmudgeon Humphrey Carter might have a chip on his shoulder the size of England about the decline of his career, but a job's a job.

But when Ellen arrives the morning after Humph's eightieth birthday party, primed and ready to tackle his study - no matter his protests - she gets the shock of her life. Humph's dead . . . and all signs point to him having taken his own life.

Did the egotistical chat show host really die by suicide? His wife is adamant he's been murdered, and the more Ellen looks, the more dirt on Humph she digs up . . . and the more suspects she uncovers.

Can she track down a killer - if there even is one? And, just as importantly, can she keep herself from killing not only her own infuriating mother, but also her two grown-up children, who all seem determined to destroy her peace of mind?

This thoroughly engaging contemporary mystery is perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janice Hallett and M.C. Beaton.

By: Simon Brett
Imprint: Severn House
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: Main
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 138mm,
ISBN: 9781448316496
ISBN 10: 1448316499
Series: The Decluttering mysteries
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 27 March 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Simon Brett worked as a producer in radio and television before taking up writing full-time. He is the author of more than 100 books, including the much-loved Fethering mysteries, the Mrs Pargeter novels and the Charles Paris detective series, as well as the Decluttering mysteries. In 2014, he was awarded the Crime Writers' Association's prestigious Diamond Dagger for sustained excellence and contribution to crime writing, and in the 2016 New Year's Honours he was awarded an OBE 'for services to literature'.

Reviews for A Messy Murder

Brett layers the old-fashioned puzzle with deep psychological insights . . . Not to be missed * Booklist Starred Review on Waste of a LIfe * A clever cozy mystery with compelling cliffhangers and a lovable leading lady . . . full of wit and whimsy. Recommended for fans of Denise Swanson, Jenn McKinlay, and M.C. Beaton * Library Journal on Waste of a Life * Witty and amusing feelgood fiction * The Times on Waste of a LIfe * This book is pure pleasure * Publishers Weekly on Waste of a LIfe * [Brett] distributes his clues cleverly * Kirkus Reviews on Waste of a Life * Ellen is an extremely sympathetic accidental sleuth . . . Brett is brilliant at creating settings that reflect character * Booklist Starred Review of An Untidy Death * A neatly constructed whodunit * Kirkus Reviews on An Untidy Death * Diverting . . . cozy fans will be delighted * Publishers Weekly on An Untidy Death * [Readers] will love this quirky, warmhearted mystery * Booklist Starred Review of The Clutter Corpse * Come for the clues, stay for the heroine's appealingly no-nonsense new voice * Kirkus Reviews on The Clutter Corpse *