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Ellie Quicke #10
Murder in House
Ellie Quicke is back - Ellie and her new husband Thomas are called to deal with student Ursula, who has staged a sit-in at church. Ursula challenges Ellie to solve three mysteries: a broken engagement, a disappearance and a death. As she investigates, Ellie suspects there is more to these events than anyone is admitting. Soon she finds her own friends and family targeted, as a powerful group hunts her down . . .
217 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
299 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Heley
96 books130 followersVeronica 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
AKA Veronica Thorne
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 29, 2015
Ellie Quicke, now married to Father Thomas, has had enough: enough of her architect cousin Roy’s fecklessness in business, enough of his wife’s helplessness, enough of having to solve everyone’s problems — and especially enough of her bullying, unscrupulous daughter Diana’s disreputable antics. Because of this, Ellie almost doesn’t investigate a college student’s unnerving feeling that one friend’s accidental death was really murder and that the other friend’s disappearance was ominous. Almost.
In Murder in House, Ellie soon uncovers the peculiarities surrounding Lloyd’s death and Mia Prior’s vanishing. Could the abstemious Lloyd really have gotten so drunk that he went over a high-rise terrace railing? Lloyd’s pastor and his friend, Ursula Belton, certainly doesn’t believe it. And what about Mia’s disappearance without a trace? Shy Mia would never have run off with a strange man, as her stepbrothers maintain.
Veronica Heley makes Murder in House, the tenth entry in the Ellie Quicke series, the best I’ve read yet. Suspenseful enough to keep me reading way too late into the night, I truly savored the brilliant ending. Like a chain smoker who lights one cigarette off the previous one, I had to immediately download the next novel, Murder by Mistake, as soon as I’d finished this one. Now that’s high praise, indeed!
In Murder in House, Ellie soon uncovers the peculiarities surrounding Lloyd’s death and Mia Prior’s vanishing. Could the abstemious Lloyd really have gotten so drunk that he went over a high-rise terrace railing? Lloyd’s pastor and his friend, Ursula Belton, certainly doesn’t believe it. And what about Mia’s disappearance without a trace? Shy Mia would never have run off with a strange man, as her stepbrothers maintain.
Veronica Heley makes Murder in House, the tenth entry in the Ellie Quicke series, the best I’ve read yet. Suspenseful enough to keep me reading way too late into the night, I truly savored the brilliant ending. Like a chain smoker who lights one cigarette off the previous one, I had to immediately download the next novel, Murder by Mistake, as soon as I’d finished this one. Now that’s high praise, indeed!
November 30, 2017
Ellie Quiche life changed in the last book, MURDER IN THE PARK which I have not read. I like the way this tale is changing and looking forward to following Ellie 's new life. Ellie is now married to Father Thomas and they are living in the Victorian mansion. Ellie has promised Diana to turned over her home for her to live. Thomas is called to a church to remove a young girl, Ursula from the vestry. She tells of a possible murder, a missing person, and a broken engagement. Ellie becomes involved as Ursula asked Ellie to return her to ring to her ex-fiance. There are twists and turns this book takes will keep you involved. I highly recommend this book and series.
January 10, 2017
I always enjoy the Elle Quicke series by Veronica Heley. There have been some big changes in Elle's life since the last book but she is settling in well. A young girl stages a sit in at a church and Thomas engages Elle's help to remove the girl and talk to her. Ursula, the young girl, has a story of murder that was classified as a accident and is very concerned about her missing friend Mia. Elle becomes involved in checking into Ursula's story. What she finds in quite disturbing. I always have thought of this series as British cozies which they are but this book certainly had a harder and frightening edge to it.
The books show the family and friendships of Elle in their daily lives. Elle is a very caring protagonist but has a truly dreadful daughter. The series is a relaxing series and enjoyable. This is a strong book in the series which I feel should be read in order due to the development of the characters except her daughter Diana who hasn't changed at all.
The books show the family and friendships of Elle in their daily lives. Elle is a very caring protagonist but has a truly dreadful daughter. The series is a relaxing series and enjoyable. This is a strong book in the series which I feel should be read in order due to the development of the characters except her daughter Diana who hasn't changed at all.
May 8, 2019
Ellie Quick novels tend toward cozy mystery. There is nothing cozy in this book. Violence, drugs, people getting beaten up, corruption in the police department, rape—-it’s fairly horrific.
Ellie and Thomas are suffering from a nasty virus when some young woman decides to hold a sit in at the church. Ursula talks about a questionable death and a broken engagement. This chat leads to a chain of physical and verbal attacks on Ellie and numerous of her friends. It does explain quite a bit about Mia, who appears in a later novel, which was useful.
I would say this is the most enthralling Quick novel I’ve read.
Ellie and Thomas are suffering from a nasty virus when some young woman decides to hold a sit in at the church. Ursula talks about a questionable death and a broken engagement. This chat leads to a chain of physical and verbal attacks on Ellie and numerous of her friends. It does explain quite a bit about Mia, who appears in a later novel, which was useful.
I would say this is the most enthralling Quick novel I’ve read.
March 2, 2024
10 for 10!
Just finished the tenth in the series “MURDER IN HOUSE”. Started the series in January and that’s proof enough that this is a fun and exciting series. The characters are well rounded with protagonist widow Ellie Quicke the smart and decidedly determined amateur detective gathering and collecting friends with assorted skills along the way to solve crimes in her hamlet. Solid fun if you like fast paced mysteries.
Just finished the tenth in the series “MURDER IN HOUSE”. Started the series in January and that’s proof enough that this is a fun and exciting series. The characters are well rounded with protagonist widow Ellie Quicke the smart and decidedly determined amateur detective gathering and collecting friends with assorted skills along the way to solve crimes in her hamlet. Solid fun if you like fast paced mysteries.
July 28, 2017
This one (10th in the series) was ok. I think I will still continue reading more Ellie Quicke books though I might wait a few months before trying to track down #11. I like the marriage aspect of this one but I'm not sure I like Ellie living in "the big" house with dear Rose, and many others grouped around.
July 20, 2017
Great book.
September 5, 2018
Ellie Quicke applies her sound common sense and warm heart to solving murder and mayhem.
January 10, 2019
This is a very engaging read....
October 24, 2020
I enjoy this series, will continue
December 17, 2022
I didn't want this one to end. The bad guys are so wicked.
April 26, 2024
Drama
More of the same . You really should read the earlier books but if you don't you can still follow the storyline of the characters.
More of the same . You really should read the earlier books but if you don't you can still follow the storyline of the characters.
June 29, 2024
I'm on a Ellie Quicke marathon. Just put more of the series on hold at the library.
October 3, 2024
Gritty reality in the 'cosy' crime this time, as developers cynically use young women to promote their housing projects to prospective investors.
August 29, 2025
Brilliant
This series of crime novels just keep getting better and better.
Fabulous characters and a excellent plot.
Loved it very much.
This series of crime novels just keep getting better and better.
Fabulous characters and a excellent plot.
Loved it very much.
January 3, 2026
The ending was a bit too far fetched. That is why I didn’t give the book 5 stars. I think I enjoyed Ellie Quicke when she was a widow and not remarried.
January 11, 2023
Unabridged audio
I like this series but I am so sick of Diana, reason for the two stars. Enough is enough!!!! Wishing she will move out of the area and leave Ellie alone.
I like this series but I am so sick of Diana, reason for the two stars. Enough is enough!!!! Wishing she will move out of the area and leave Ellie alone.
March 10, 2017
Ellie is enjoying her new life with her new husband, Thomas, when he calls her over to the church to help him deal with a young woman who has staged a sit-in there. The situation escalates until Ellie and her entire family find themselves under attack. Can they come up with enough evidence to bring to the police before someone else gets hurt? Demanding Daughter Diana shows up again. Really Ellie. Isn't it time to insist on some boundaries for your adult daughter? Just saying.
July 14, 2016
This is the ninth book in a series that I’ve been following for several years now. I’ve enjoyed the growth of Ellie Quicke, the main character, through out the series from a timid 50ish widow to a woman coming into her own.
About: If you’re new to this series and are minded to read it in order, go back to Murder At the Altar. The mystery in this story is self contained and the book can be appreciated on its own merits, but the characters and their history have been growing and changing throughout the series. There is a particular scene of vindication between Ellie and her horrible daughter Diana that has been brewing since book one and will make most sense in that context. Oh, and these are contemporary British mysteries.
That aside, newly remarried to a man who suits her and understands her, Ellie has moved into the big house she inherited from her Aunt Drusilla, and is now managing the property left behind as well. Ellie and Thomas have just come down with raging colds, but are forced out into the awful weather when a teenager no one knows stages a sit-in at the church where Thomas is a guest speaker. When Thomas has no luck learning what it’s all about, he brings Ellie to talk to the girl, Ursula. As it turns out, a friend of hers has gone missing, and another friend died in suspicious circumstances. Ellie initially doesn’t see how she can be of any help, but soon she’s sucked into a mystery in which people connected to her and the case are being attacked and beaten badly. When she finds the missing girl, badly beaten and sexually assaulted, a very ugly truth is revealed about a city councilman’s son, and the threats escalate.
My Thoughts: This is probably my favorite of the Ellie Quicke series. What makes it my favorite, though, is its place in the series, and the point at which the characters arrive. I honestly believe the power of the ending is best maximized by having a history with Ellie so that it’s not somehow seen as overly dramatic.
Recommendation Status: Enjoyable read. Would recommend the series to cozy British mystery lovers and those who prefer not to have graphic violence and detail. It’s not one I would feel the need to re-read very often.
Series: Ellie Quicke Mysteries – Book 9.
About: If you’re new to this series and are minded to read it in order, go back to Murder At the Altar. The mystery in this story is self contained and the book can be appreciated on its own merits, but the characters and their history have been growing and changing throughout the series. There is a particular scene of vindication between Ellie and her horrible daughter Diana that has been brewing since book one and will make most sense in that context. Oh, and these are contemporary British mysteries.
That aside, newly remarried to a man who suits her and understands her, Ellie has moved into the big house she inherited from her Aunt Drusilla, and is now managing the property left behind as well. Ellie and Thomas have just come down with raging colds, but are forced out into the awful weather when a teenager no one knows stages a sit-in at the church where Thomas is a guest speaker. When Thomas has no luck learning what it’s all about, he brings Ellie to talk to the girl, Ursula. As it turns out, a friend of hers has gone missing, and another friend died in suspicious circumstances. Ellie initially doesn’t see how she can be of any help, but soon she’s sucked into a mystery in which people connected to her and the case are being attacked and beaten badly. When she finds the missing girl, badly beaten and sexually assaulted, a very ugly truth is revealed about a city councilman’s son, and the threats escalate.
My Thoughts: This is probably my favorite of the Ellie Quicke series. What makes it my favorite, though, is its place in the series, and the point at which the characters arrive. I honestly believe the power of the ending is best maximized by having a history with Ellie so that it’s not somehow seen as overly dramatic.
Recommendation Status: Enjoyable read. Would recommend the series to cozy British mystery lovers and those who prefer not to have graphic violence and detail. It’s not one I would feel the need to re-read very often.
Series: Ellie Quicke Mysteries – Book 9.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2017
Ellie's new husband Thomas presents her with a mystery to solve though she'd much rather keep warm and fight her terrible cold. Ursula has staged a sit in at a local church and asks Ellie if she can find her friend Mia who has disappeared and solve a murder which has been treated as an accident by the police. In the course of her investigations Ellie comes up against some extremely unpleasant so-called pillars of the community and finds herself trying to unravel a mystery which is much more complex than she anticipated.
This latest book in the Ellie Quicke series shows Ellie herself has developed in self confidence over the last few books. There is an absolutely marvellous scene where she stands up for herself against obnoxious daughter Diana. But this is only one battle in the constant war with Diana and there is more to come.
All the usual characters make a welcome reappearance - housekeeper and friend Rose, son-in-law Stuart, cousin Roy and his wife Felicity and friends and former neighbours Kate and Armand. Ursula herself proves to be resourceful and intelligent and the climax of the book is excellent. This is a darker mystery than any Ellie has had to unravel before but it is well written and believeable and there is some first class dialogue with some lovely touches of humour. Ellie Quicke's many fans will love this book just as I do. Long may this series continue.
This latest book in the Ellie Quicke series shows Ellie herself has developed in self confidence over the last few books. There is an absolutely marvellous scene where she stands up for herself against obnoxious daughter Diana. But this is only one battle in the constant war with Diana and there is more to come.
All the usual characters make a welcome reappearance - housekeeper and friend Rose, son-in-law Stuart, cousin Roy and his wife Felicity and friends and former neighbours Kate and Armand. Ursula herself proves to be resourceful and intelligent and the climax of the book is excellent. This is a darker mystery than any Ellie has had to unravel before but it is well written and believeable and there is some first class dialogue with some lovely touches of humour. Ellie Quicke's many fans will love this book just as I do. Long may this series continue.
September 28, 2013
Really couldn’t sleep last night and so I finished a stack of mysteries due back at the library anyway. The first was Murder in House by Veronica Heley. I am reading this out of order, having read the rest of the series a while ago, my library just didn’t have this one and now they do. :) I love the character of Ellie Quick; she is complex, likable, intelligent and brave, all packaged in the body of a middle aged woman. Initially, when I began this series I thought of it as a cozy but I would say that it definitely progressed to more of a soft-boiled and this book in particular certainly has dark themes and events. The plot was complex but what really drives Veronica Heley’s books are the characters. They have complicated, messy relationships, just like real life. The prime example is Ellie and her daughter Diana, which was prominent in this book. Because the series is so character driven, I would strongly recommend reading it in order (even though I didn’t), as relationships change and develop over time. If you enjoy cozies with a darker feel or soft boiled mysteries, this is a great series, driven by a great protagonist.
December 5, 2011
I have missed reading this series since moving south. I interlibraryloaned this one and it was well worth the wait. Ellie Quicke is now happily married to the Reverend Thomas, managing the Trust left to her by her first husband's late Aunt Drusilla, and still dealing with her difficult adult daughter Diana. After Thomas finds a college student Ursula camping out in the nearby church, Ellie is called upon to reason with her and of course becomes involved in Ursula's problems. There are three intertwined mysteries: a missing young women, a suspicious death and a series of local muggings in the neighborhood thought to be teenage thugs at work. As usual the local police disdain Ellie's help disregarding her as a bumbling older woman with nothing else to do. Diana and her unending quest for money are also involved and for once Ellie really stands up to Diana and literally throws her out of the house. If you enjoy British cozy mysteries, you will enjoy this one if you have not read all the previous books in the series.
November 19, 2013
This is #10 in a series of Ellie Quicke mysteries. I must have skipped one because the home situation of Ellie is VERY DIFFERENT than the last time. This was good story about corruption in high places because a rich man is buying people off. And once that happens then those people will go to any lengths to keep the payoffs coming and the rich guy happy no matter the cost to others.
My only wish is that Ellie's daughter Diana would be allowed to grow up a little and become a better person and less offensive. She's like nails on a chalk board to me. Luckily she's not in this story too much!
My only wish is that Ellie's daughter Diana would be allowed to grow up a little and become a better person and less offensive. She's like nails on a chalk board to me. Luckily she's not in this story too much!
April 14, 2012
Ellie Quicke is called upon to deal with a student who has staged a sit-in at church. The student challenges Ellie to solve three mysteries: a broken engagement, a disappearance, and a death. As she investigates, Ellie suspects there is more to these events than anyone is admitting.
I always enjoy the Ellie Quick mysteries - she does manage to get involved in so many things in one book. I believe this is number 10 in the series and I don't think I have missed any of these.
I always enjoy the Ellie Quick mysteries - she does manage to get involved in so many things in one book. I believe this is number 10 in the series and I don't think I have missed any of these.
August 21, 2009
Ursula Belton's best friend is missing and another good friend is dead. That's when Ursula, a student, asks Ellie Quicke for help. Unfortunately, that puts Ellie, her friends and family, at conflict with the powerful Prior developers, whose family is implicated in Ursula's problems.
November 9, 2010
I enjoyed this as much as all of the other Ellie Quick stories
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews