MURDER-IN-LAW

Ellie Quicke’s protegé learns the hard way how to handle Ellie’s demanding daughter.

After living for years under wise and generous Ellie’s roof, Susan is ready for a home of her own. Or at least, half of one. Realizing that their house has become too expensive for Ellie and her husband, Thomas, Susan and her husband, Rafael agree to help remodel the oversized Victorian into two adjoining units and rent one from the older couple. Daunted by the prospect of living through a major remodel, Ellie and Thomas take an extended vacation to visit his daughter in Canada. As soon as their digs are ready, Susan, Rafael, and baby Fifi move in. Before they can unpack, Ellie’s daughter arrives with toddler Jenny in tow. Diana needs a place to stash her daughter, quick. Her husband Evan’s battle with Alzheimer’s has been ended by his murder, and the police have tossed her out of her house. With Grandma unavailable, it looks like Susan will have to do. Oh, and by the way, Jenny’s brother, Evan, needs to be picked up from his preschool by noon. Warmhearted Susan takes these challenges in stride, locating Evan, who’s been removed from school by Lucia, his unreliable Italian nanny. Sam, Ellie’s favorite taxi driver, brings by his teenage daughter to help, and Coralie runs rings around mopey Lucia, who acts as if she needs a nanny herself. Susan gradually learns to tune out Diana’s threats and wheedling, but she realizes that no one she cares for will be safe until she solves Evan’s killing.

Heley may have found a worthy successor to her sage but aging heroine.