THE SPRING CLEANING MURDERS

Housekeepers are dropping like flies in Chitterdon Fells, where designer and sleuth Ellie Haskell (God Save the Queen!, 1997, etc.) lives with restaurant-owner husband Ben and three-year-old twins. Roxie Malloy, the family’s longtime domestic, is moving to London to care for the newborn daughter of her son George and daughter-in-law Vanessa—a cousin of Ellie’s and a famous model with no talent for mothering. Mrs. Malloy has appointed Gertrude Large, a fellow member of the Charwomen’s Association, to take over her job. After only one unsatisfactory workday at Ellie’s, Mrs. Large is found dead, fallen from a ladder, at Tall Chimneys, home of sister newcomers Vienna and Madrid Miller, during a meeting of the Hearthside Guild. Ellie was there, as were Clarice Whitcombe, also a newcomer, Brigadier Lester-Smith, and Sir Robert and Lady Pomeroy, among others. Mrs. Large’s assignments are now undertaken by Trina McKinley, heiress to Large’s considerable assets and girlfriend of ne—er-do-well Joe Tollings. Joe and his wife Marilyn become leading suspects when Trina is found stabbed to death in Mrs. Malloy’s kitchen. There’s yet another victim in this absurd scenario as Ellie’s tireless snooping finally brings her face to face with the killer. Over-the-top plotting that gets no help from a torrent of domestic activities, dull dialogues, and an unrelenting air of chirpiness. Strictly for the author’s devoted fans. (Mystery Guild main selection; author tour)