[.ca] Murder at the Altar: The Ellie Quicke Mysteries (ISBN 0002740745)

What did Ellie see?:
Ellie Quicke, a middle-age woman accustomed to being dominated by her husband, Frank, suddenly finds herself a widow. She soon realizes she must deal with a greedy, bossy daughter and an obstreperous aunt who both feel they not only can tell Ellie what to do but that they also deserve a great amount of money from Frank's estate. To complicate matters, a murder occurs in the church, which lies directly across from Ellie's front window. Once the killer realizes that Ellie may be a witness to the crime, the chase is on. The author, Veronica Heley, has created a cozy English village mystery with Ellie Quicke, a very likeable character, as she begins to exhibit her emerging independence and courage. The reader is also treated to the author's very subtle humor throughout the story, which adds much enjoyment to the unfolding mystery. Let's hope we hear more of Ellie Quicke. Readers of Murder at the Altar will also enjoy books by M. C. Beaton, Dorothy Cannell, Jeanne Dams, and Caroline Graham.