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Ellie Haskell Mystery #5
How to Murder Your Mother-In-Law
The Thin Woman - Ellie Haskell - is back, in the most mischievous, marvelous mystery to hit the marital pike yet. Ellie's mum-in-law Magdalene has moved in permanently and poor Ellie finds herself up to her formerly fat neck in crocheted doilies and cheap statues of Catholic saints. As Magdalene runs her finger over every surface in Merlin's Court (checking, undoubtedly, for dust), Eillie discovers that she isn't the only woman in Chitterdon Fells with the ultimate mother-in-law problem - three others are experiencing the same living hell.
One tipsy evening, four imaginary plots to bump off the resident in-laws are hatched and those plots start coming lethally true in real life. Ellie once again plunges into a desperate chase to outwit a killer.
One tipsy evening, four imaginary plots to bump off the resident in-laws are hatched and those plots start coming lethally true in real life. Ellie once again plunges into a desperate chase to outwit a killer.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
163 people are currently reading
483 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Cannell
50 books252 followers(from Fantastic Fiction online)
Dorothy Cannell was born in London, England, and now lives in Belfast, Maine. Dorothy Cannell writes mysteries featuring Ellie Haskell, interior decorator and Ben Haskell, writer and chef, and Hyacinth and Primrose Tramwell, a pair of dotty sisters and owners of the Flowers Detection Agency.
(from Internet Book List)
Dorothy Cannell, a mother of four, grandmother of ten, and owner of a King Charles Spaniel, was born in England and moved to the United States when she was twenty. After living in Peoria, Illinois, for years, she and her husband recently moved to Belfast, Maine. Her first Ellie Haskell novel, The Thin Woman, was selected as one of the 100 Favorite Mysteries of the Twentieth Century by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.
Dorothy Cannell was born in London, England, and now lives in Belfast, Maine. Dorothy Cannell writes mysteries featuring Ellie Haskell, interior decorator and Ben Haskell, writer and chef, and Hyacinth and Primrose Tramwell, a pair of dotty sisters and owners of the Flowers Detection Agency.
(from Internet Book List)
Dorothy Cannell, a mother of four, grandmother of ten, and owner of a King Charles Spaniel, was born in England and moved to the United States when she was twenty. After living in Peoria, Illinois, for years, she and her husband recently moved to Belfast, Maine. Her first Ellie Haskell novel, The Thin Woman, was selected as one of the 100 Favorite Mysteries of the Twentieth Century by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
August 5, 2020
Another cozy mystery from the Ellie Haskell series.
Ellie has to face her mother-in-law setting up camp in her house after a discord with the father-in-law. Of course the MIL more or less immediately starts driving Ellie up the wall.
It doesnt take long, though, until Ellie meets three other companions in misfortune (three village women also stuck with their mothers-in-law) in the pub and under the influence of alcohol and desparation they imagine how one could get rid of the mumsies.
The story lives of the exaggeration of stereotypes and is quite amusing, if one does not expect too much. A light and entertaining read to relax.
3 stars.
Ellie has to face her mother-in-law setting up camp in her house after a discord with the father-in-law. Of course the MIL more or less immediately starts driving Ellie up the wall.
It doesnt take long, though, until Ellie meets three other companions in misfortune (three village women also stuck with their mothers-in-law) in the pub and under the influence of alcohol and desparation they imagine how one could get rid of the mumsies.
The story lives of the exaggeration of stereotypes and is quite amusing, if one does not expect too much. A light and entertaining read to relax.
3 stars.
July 13, 2011
This book was hilarious!! I loved it. Falling under the "cozy" mystery category, there was more humor and drama than mystery, however. The mystery doesn't really start taking place until the last 70 pages or so, but the book is so good, you won't mind. I highly recommend Dorothy Cannell.
September 10, 2019
All these books are fabulous I’m just sad there are no new ones 💔🤷♀️
July 3, 2022
This was a light, easy reading mystery. Family and friends are quirky interesting characters. The events apparently evolved from an overheard conversation. A small group of women were enjoying a couple of drinks on the local pub and discussing their frustrations with their mothers-in-law. Unaware that anyone was listening they jokingly discussed various “appropriate” methods for getting rid of their MILs. The conversation was quickly forgotten until some of the things they talked about started happening. Meanwhile Ellie’s good intentions of having a celebration for her in laws anniversary reveals some secret family history and marital dissension. Although not a “page turner” the friend and family situations are humorous. The mystery itself is also handled well. This was an entertaining read, and I will read more in this series.
August 13, 2009
Ellie Haskill hosts a dinner party, and her in-laws fight. She and other women of the town complain about their "mums" and most of the book is spent waiting for something to actually happen
June 25, 2016
Great read
I love the Ellie Haskell series. A good read, well written. I enjoy Dorothy Cannel's books immensely. They're always well laced with humor.
I love the Ellie Haskell series. A good read, well written. I enjoy Dorothy Cannel's books immensely. They're always well laced with humor.
November 15, 2024
Back at it again Ellie manages to always be rushing from one thing to the next and committing more than her fair share of blunders. Add in feuding in-laws and it makes for quite a funny reading and I can't say no to that.
This one was less focused on Ellie's weight and more focused on all the things she feels like her Mother-in-law is judging her about. Ellie is either a saint or too self-depreciating as she doesn't stand up for herself in front of her mother-in-law.
Crazily enough, 3 other friends also have mother-in-law visiting/living with them and as the women get together and talk about their woes, how to murder said in-laws gets mentioned and becomes the basis for the mystery. The murder/mystery aspect of the book doesn't really show up until the last 100 ish pages. But the book leading up to that is full of funny parts.
As far as mother-in-laws go, I must have hit the jackpot because mine is absolutely NOTHING like these women. Some of them are truly awful; I'm talking about the, taking her son's paycheck and giving him and his wife an allowance, setting an office on fire with your cigarettes, putting NAIR in the shampoo bottle and making your daughter-in-law bald! Seriously!
This one was less focused on Ellie's weight and more focused on all the things she feels like her Mother-in-law is judging her about. Ellie is either a saint or too self-depreciating as she doesn't stand up for herself in front of her mother-in-law.
Crazily enough, 3 other friends also have mother-in-law visiting/living with them and as the women get together and talk about their woes, how to murder said in-laws gets mentioned and becomes the basis for the mystery. The murder/mystery aspect of the book doesn't really show up until the last 100 ish pages. But the book leading up to that is full of funny parts.
As far as mother-in-laws go, I must have hit the jackpot because mine is absolutely NOTHING like these women. Some of them are truly awful; I'm talking about the, taking her son's paycheck and giving him and his wife an allowance, setting an office on fire with your cigarettes, putting NAIR in the shampoo bottle and making your daughter-in-law bald! Seriously!
September 4, 2023
WELL??????
Crime story, NOT. Entertaining, farce DEFINATELY.
Now many of you may think this is sweatshirt over the top. No-one could get themselves into the fixes Ellie does. Well I am telling you they can.
I had a neighbour who did just that. Never thought out the wording before she spoke. Wondered why we were all cracked up and rolling with laughter. Then she would do a rerun and go red from the chest up to her cheeks. That was the least of her astonishing things she did.
This set of books is definitely my guilty pleasure. I cannot wait to find out what Ellie gets up to in the next book.
Crime story, NOT. Entertaining, farce DEFINATELY.
Now many of you may think this is sweatshirt over the top. No-one could get themselves into the fixes Ellie does. Well I am telling you they can.
I had a neighbour who did just that. Never thought out the wording before she spoke. Wondered why we were all cracked up and rolling with laughter. Then she would do a rerun and go red from the chest up to her cheeks. That was the least of her astonishing things she did.
This set of books is definitely my guilty pleasure. I cannot wait to find out what Ellie gets up to in the next book.
July 7, 2020
Some of this was interesting but frankly tired of Ellie Haskell who can make staying home with her twins seem exhausting even though there are always people around her keeping the twins entertained, fed, etc.
The poor thing can't finish a thought.
It was lovely of her to invite mom and dad in law to a nice dinner.. but her actions are ridiculous.
When mom in law sacked her help.. there were no words? Oh please! The only time she showed backbone was when she "ran away".. but didn't really. When Ellie has time to wash up she lets everything around her distract her so.. doesn't.
ugh
The poor thing can't finish a thought.
It was lovely of her to invite mom and dad in law to a nice dinner.. but her actions are ridiculous.
When mom in law sacked her help.. there were no words? Oh please! The only time she showed backbone was when she "ran away".. but didn't really. When Ellie has time to wash up she lets everything around her distract her so.. doesn't.
ugh
January 25, 2019
3.5 definitely rounded up.
Needed a book to help me 'lighten up' my reading, my mood. Basically, I needed a laugh. This story delivered. Smiles. Giggles. Quiet laughter (so as not to wake my husband).
Think I'll start at the beginning of this series, see what sparked Ben and Ellie's romance. What brought them to live at Merlin Hall. See if I can smile, giggle, and relax my way through the series.
Thank you, Dorothy Cannell. I needed this.
Needed a book to help me 'lighten up' my reading, my mood. Basically, I needed a laugh. This story delivered. Smiles. Giggles. Quiet laughter (so as not to wake my husband).
Think I'll start at the beginning of this series, see what sparked Ben and Ellie's romance. What brought them to live at Merlin Hall. See if I can smile, giggle, and relax my way through the series.
Thank you, Dorothy Cannell. I needed this.
November 16, 2022
My favorite Ellie Haskell. It seems all Ellie's friends have passive-aggressive mother's in law that are driving them batty. One night, by chance, they find themselves at the local pub and unburden themselves if their woes. They each create a hypothetical plan of how to get rid of their MIL. Somehow, someone finds out and starts enacting their scenarios. Can Ellie find out who it is before her MIL is history?
April 2, 2025
Fell in love with her writing style all over again.
5th in the series, but the 2nd book of Cannell's that I read. I laughed out loud reading the title and again when reading the back cover.
I love irreverent, observational humor, +a cozy mystery!
This book took up residence on my coffee table, just to see friend's reactions when they came over. Have been through several paperback copies of this book. They get loaned out and never returned. :-)
5th in the series, but the 2nd book of Cannell's that I read. I laughed out loud reading the title and again when reading the back cover.
I love irreverent, observational humor, +a cozy mystery!
This book took up residence on my coffee table, just to see friend's reactions when they came over. Have been through several paperback copies of this book. They get loaned out and never returned. :-)
February 3, 2021
Funny, but not what I expected.
Cozy mysteries usually trip along quickly and have some charming characters. This one tripped along pretty quickly and the characters had their charm. It was like a sitcom and it was actually amusing and makes me chuckle out loud in many spots.
The mystery part felt rushed, though.
Cozy mysteries usually trip along quickly and have some charming characters. This one tripped along pretty quickly and the characters had their charm. It was like a sitcom and it was actually amusing and makes me chuckle out loud in many spots.
The mystery part felt rushed, though.
March 19, 2024
This series is fun to read whe o need a light hearted break from other, more dramatic genres. The prose is funny and witty. The stories are nice and flow Easily. I love the characters. I do have to take a break from them sometimes. But it’s not difficult to get caught back up with the next novel in the series when I’m ready.
April 14, 2025
Cleverly written!!!
I don't know how minds work, but this author is a genius at humor and comic descriptions. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! It was fun to read, had some suspense, and entertained me all through the story. Please give yourself the pleasure of reading this book. I'm so glad I treated myself to this book.
I don't know how minds work, but this author is a genius at humor and comic descriptions. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! It was fun to read, had some suspense, and entertained me all through the story. Please give yourself the pleasure of reading this book. I'm so glad I treated myself to this book.
July 19, 2019
I remember reading and liking this series many years ago, but apparently my reading taste has changed since then . The reviews say the books are hilarious and are meant to be light fun. They probably are, but maybe my mood didn't match.
October 26, 2022
This book was light and humorous, although I think some of her other books were better. The murder didn't even occur until toward the last part of the book. The mystery itself seemed flimsy, but the main characters were delightful, each in their own way.
June 22, 2018
Lovely book, a bit old-fashioned, maybe, but nevertheless a very good and entertaining read.
Very good entertainment for all, who do have a horrible mother-in-law !
Very good entertainment for all, who do have a horrible mother-in-law !
December 5, 2019
I had zero buy in an stopped halfway
June 8, 2021
Ellie Haskell, her family and neighbors are a bunch of hilarious lunatics. A murder doesn't happen until page 176 of this 211 page book but you are so entertained that it doesn't matter.
March 14, 2022
Fast read! I checked it out because of the title.
March 12, 2024
Funny stories and funny characters. The Ellie Haskell books make me laugh out loud.
March 27, 2024
There were funny parts but took way too long for the murder to happen, over 200 pages.
Read
May 13, 2024I didn’t enjoy it. The unlovable awkward central character Ellie who keeps failing at things was just too ridiculous.
January 1, 2025
I like Dorothy Cannell's writing. This book shows you need to be careful we what you tell your friends.
April 5, 2008
Another in the Ellie Haskell beleagured housewife mystery series. Set in a small English coastal town, this time Ellie's plans for celebrating her in-laws' anniversary go completely awry as usually happens with Ellie. Dealing with her in-law problems brings her into contact with three other wives in the village who are also having mother-in-law problems. Their musings about how to get rid of their mothers-in-law results in murder and blackmail which Ellie eventually unravels.
This follows the pattern of other mysteries in this series. Essentially, the mystery itself takes a back seat to the ever on-going trials and tribulations of Ellie whose plans and intents never really work out the way she intends. These on-going trials and tribulations as Ellie muddles through taking care of her twins, managing her household, dealing with her husband and others around her, along with Ellie's wry comments provide the humor for the story. Given how she usually muddles along, it is always a wonder that Ellie manages to solve the mystery.
This follows the pattern of other mysteries in this series. Essentially, the mystery itself takes a back seat to the ever on-going trials and tribulations of Ellie whose plans and intents never really work out the way she intends. These on-going trials and tribulations as Ellie muddles through taking care of her twins, managing her household, dealing with her husband and others around her, along with Ellie's wry comments provide the humor for the story. Given how she usually muddles along, it is always a wonder that Ellie manages to solve the mystery.
June 1, 2016
I discovered Dorothy Cannell with her first mystery The Thin Woman which was laugh out loud, one of the funniest cozies I have ever read. I read a few of the next volumes but I was reading ahead of the author's releases and got out of touch so was glad when I ran across this.
Ellie has a mother-in-law who a real pain, (but her friends have even worse Mothers-in-law I think). Ellie tries to have a celebratory dinner for her in-laws' anniversary and everything goes crazy.
I love the style of these English cozies which have an old time feel and the delightful quirky characters. Ellie has a good heart and tolerates her mother-in-law because she loves her husband, Ben. But the more Ellie tries to "fix" things the worse things get.
Ellie has a mother-in-law who a real pain, (but her friends have even worse Mothers-in-law I think). Ellie tries to have a celebratory dinner for her in-laws' anniversary and everything goes crazy.
I love the style of these English cozies which have an old time feel and the delightful quirky characters. Ellie has a good heart and tolerates her mother-in-law because she loves her husband, Ben. But the more Ellie tries to "fix" things the worse things get.
September 12, 2009
I have a love/hate relationship with Cannell's books. On the one hand, I don't want to like these books. I don't want to read about someone as social-status-conscious as Ellie Haskell, I don't want to enjoy reading about her latest adventures. Yet, somehow, Cannell draws me in.
Maybe, this time, it was the drama surrounding the pie-baking contest that Ellie would be judging. Or the quirkiness of the characters, including Ellie herself. No matter what it was, this was a wonderful piece of fluff to help guide me into sleep. That might not sound like a ringing endorsement, but believe me it's a good thing!
Maybe, this time, it was the drama surrounding the pie-baking contest that Ellie would be judging. Or the quirkiness of the characters, including Ellie herself. No matter what it was, this was a wonderful piece of fluff to help guide me into sleep. That might not sound like a ringing endorsement, but believe me it's a good thing!
June 11, 2016
I loved, loved, loved this book. When Ellie Haskell's in-laws visit (against her husband's advice), her life is turned upside down. Her MIL is classic passive-aggressive. Enough to drive her to drink or murder. Commiseration with 3 friends at the local bar leads to consequences none of them expected.
The story takes place in England and the expressions are pure British. Hilarious. I wanted to slap Ellie several times as she let people walk all over her. She's the peace-maker, but come on, girl, grow a couple. When she does, I wanted to shout hurray! Looking forward to reading more in this series.
The story takes place in England and the expressions are pure British. Hilarious. I wanted to slap Ellie several times as she let people walk all over her. She's the peace-maker, but come on, girl, grow a couple. When she does, I wanted to shout hurray! Looking forward to reading more in this series.
December 22, 2012
How to Murder Your Mother-in-Law/Dorothy Cannell
I didn't care for the Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton because of the overly broad characterization. This book trumps Agatha Raisin in that regard.
Use of first person narration doesn't work very well here, in my opinion.
As well, the author's use of language is sloppy. Misused "foist" in a way that mystified me as to what she intended.
Reviews talk about "wit" but I found only a very obvious, hit-you-over-the-head style of humour.
I didn't care for the Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton because of the overly broad characterization. This book trumps Agatha Raisin in that regard.
Use of first person narration doesn't work very well here, in my opinion.
As well, the author's use of language is sloppy. Misused "foist" in a way that mystified me as to what she intended.
Reviews talk about "wit" but I found only a very obvious, hit-you-over-the-head style of humour.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews