Murder by Suspicion: An Ellie Quicke Mystery

At the start of Heley’s intricate 16th Ellie Quicke mystery (after 2014’s False Impression), Ellie returns from an extended visit to America to find chaos at her suburban West London home. The house is cold, furniture has been rearranged, and, worst of all, her aging housekeeper, Rose, is much weaker than she was before Ellie left. Claire, the hired woman who was supposed to care for Rose in Ellie’s absence, has overstepped her authority and wants Rose and Ellie to support the Vision, a fundamentalist sect run by a charismatic pastor. In the course of a week, Ellie investigates the Vision, sets Rose’s situation to rights, and helps the police solve a couple of missing persons cases, putting her own life on the line in the process—all while suffering from jet lag. While minor characters aren’t fully developed, Ellie remains a formidable heroine, despite her rather slapdash and impulsive habits. Ellie’s own strong religious convictions, warm heart, and good intentions carry the day. (Oct.)