{"product_id":"a-messy-murder-9781448316496","title":"A Messy Murder","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eEllen Curtis - professional declutterer, amateur sleuth and woman of a certain age - investigates the puzzling death of a TV personality who's past his prime\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Brett laces the plot with show-biz details that fans of Brett's Charles Paris series will relish. This very special series grows more fascinating with each entry\" \u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e Starred Review \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eProfessional declutterer Ellen Curtis doesn't need to like her clients to help them sort their homes out. Aging TV personality and curmudgeon Humphrey Carter might have a chip on his shoulder the size of England about the decline of his career, but a job's a job. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBut when Ellen arrives the morning after Humph's eightieth birthday party, primed and ready to tackle his study - no matter his protests - she gets the shock of her life. Humph's dead . . . and all signs point to him having taken his own life. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDid the egotistical chat show host really die by suicide? His wife is adamant he's been murdered, and the more Ellen looks, the more dirt on Humph she digs up . . . and the more suspects she uncovers. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eCan she track down a killer - if there even is one? And, just as importantly, can she keep herself from killing not only her own infuriating mother, but also her two grown-up children, who all seem determined to destroy her peace of mind? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis thoroughly engaging contemporary mystery is perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janice Hallett and M.C. Beaton. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Severn House\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/27\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781448316496\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 192","brand":"Simon Brett","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45234748915893,"sku":"9781448316496","price":16.14,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_8e78375a-162d-4953-a35e-7ba5e657f222.jpg?v=1743518627","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/a-messy-murder-9781448316496","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}