An Untidy Death

The Decluttering Mysteries, Book 2

De: Simon Brett

Narrado por: Simon Brett

When Alexandra Richards approaches professional declutterer Ellen Curtis to ask her to help sort out her mother’s chaotic flat, Ellen gets the impression Alexandra doesn’t like her mother very much. So when Ingrid Richards’ body is discovered in her burned-out home, Alexandra’s exasperated words don’t seem like such a joke. Due to the hazardous state of the victim’s over-cluttered residence, the police are inclined to dismiss her death as an unfortunate accident. Ellen’s not so sure. Could Alexandra’s resentment toward her mother have escalated into outright violence?

The more she discovers about the dead woman’s remarkable past, the more convinced Ellen becomes that there’s something decidedly suspicious about her death. At least she can console herself that clearing out widower Edward Finch’s bungalow will be a straightforward job in comparison. But Ellen couldn’t be more wrong....

©2021 Simon Brett (P)2021 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Well structured story

Narrator Simon Brett read his story well but I think a woman narrator would be better because protagonist was a woman. Easier to be empathetic to her.
Also missed Brett’s great sense of humor he has in other writings. This book sarcastic and depressing. No comic relief!!

Die-hard Simon Brett fan!

I love this series. Dark but wry, clever mysteries that involve complex family relationships and some investigation into how mental illness affects families. What’s better than a good story with some insight? A good story with some insight and a flawless narrator.

Disappointing wandering story that kept me waiting

I tried to stay interested, but was just happy to have some closure at end.

Not my favorite

I really love Simon Brett's work, but I must admit I felt let down on this one. Elements in the plot are duplicates from the first book in this series (I won't go into details, as I don't want to spoil the plot). I finished this with the realization that I really, really miss Charles Paris and the snarky humor from that series. If there is a 3rd book in this series I might buy it but, unless it is a more inspired plot, that will be the last for me.

Comforting mixture of melancholy and humor.

Realistic characters and dialogue, interesting plot and pacing. Simon Brett does an extremely good job narrating his own books. I love this new series and the Fethering ones. Should be a tv series too, IMO

Love Simon Brett

This is the second in the series and I listened to the first hoping there would be a second. His new declutterer character is interesting and layered. The supporting cast is an eclectic mix that keeps my interest. The mystery was good and Mr. Brett does an excellent job of narrating his writing. I would highly recommend.

Flat and unispired

I didn't like the characters or the story. I tried listening but just couldn't finish it.

Disappointed

I go to Simon Brett reading Simon Brett for the characters with eyerolling quirks yet very human foibles. I love the mix of light, sometimes comedic moments, with challenging puzzles inherent in a cosy mystery. And I always learn something about the times, places, and interests his characters bring to the stories. BUT WHAT THE HECK? I listened to this second installment of this series as my first, because it was on sale. There is no humor, no character I could feel hopeful about, and no healthy people to counterbalance the dysfunctional ones. As a listener, I also found the first person perspective disorienting and flat. Sorry Simon.

What a Mistake!

My last couple of books had been disappointing so I was
desperately looking for a nice solid story that wouldn’t make me feel like I had wasted my time - hopefully some interesting likable characters and a decent mystery.

I chose this book because I have liked other books by the author and thought the first book in this series was pretty good. What a mistake!

The main character is surrounded by a host of unlikable people- ranging from creepy to truly evil. The story is laced with depression. suicide, domestic abuse and violence, and multiple toxic relationships. The main character’s interactions with her mother are so toxic it’s like pouring acid on a wound to listen to their conversations (which have nothing to do with the murder mystery.) There is a murder somewhere in the story but like trying to “declutter” a house the murder is buried under a ton of unrelated and unpleasant mess. This isn’t so much a murder mystery as a description of multiple people desperately in need of a good therapist or serious jail time.

If the author’s goal was to create a depressing landscape of unhappy people and toxic/failed relationships this book would be a success. Since that is the last thing I wanted to listen to I couldn’t be more disappointed. Hoping to get my credit back and not listening to another book in this series.