Customer Reviews

Withering Heights (Center Point Platinum Mystery (Large Print))

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With her three children spending some time at their grandparent's home, Ellie Haskell is looking forward to spending quality romantic time with her husband Ben without the interruptions that kids often bring. Alas, her idea of a romantic week is not to be because thirteen year old Ariel, the daughter of Ben's second cousin Tom Hopkins arrives on their doorstep. Her parents won the lottery and moved to Yorkshire in the town of Milton Moore where they bought Cragstone from a lady who didn't have the many to afford living there.

Ariel wants Ellie, Ben and their housekeeper Roxie Malloy to come to Cragstone House. Strange things are happening there like lights going on and off and doors found open. Ariel's step-mother Betty believes the former own Lady Fiona wants them out of the place because she killed her husband and buried him on the grounds. When they arrive at Ariel's new home, everyone tells her Betty's imagination is running away from her. Ellie senses evil in the air starting with Mr. Scrimshank, Lady Fiona and her husband's investment consultant who might be embezzling their funds. Mr. Gallagher's nanny dies and another death occurs which on the surface seem like accidents or natural deaths but Ellie feels there is more to it than meets the eye. She must be on the right track because someone tries to kill her, Betty and Ariel.

It has been a long time since Dorothy Cannell has written an Ellie Haskell book but was well worth the wait. WITHERING HEIGHTS is a delightful and charming amateur sleuth tale with a gothic atmosphere that make the house seem spooky. An entertaining sub-plot involves the beautiful Valeria who has come to take care of Nanny but seems more interested in Ben which make the heroine jealous. Readers will love the eccentric and quirky support cast and eagerly await the next Ellie Haskell mystery.

Harriet Klausner

I enjoy this particular genre and enjoy reading the writings of a very good story teller. With this work, I was quite satisfied on both counts. This is yet another installment in the Ellie Haskell Mystery Series and is indeed, as others have indicated, a good addition. Dorothy Cannell has mixed the cozy mystry well with the gothic romance here. Our lady sleuth and her wacky friend join again to solve a possible murder in a gothic house in Scotland. I am certainly not going into a plot line with this review, as others have done a wonderful job of that here. Rather I would like to comment on the author's characters and style. This book is filled with both. From Ellie Haskell's eccentric housekeeper, to the strange little girl that pops into their lives, we have wonderful array of characters that keep the story going and keep it interesting. (Note: The only slight criticism I might have of the book, is that there possible could be a few too many of these characters and at first they are sort of hard to track). I also enjoy the author's easy style and genuine humor. She, at times, seems to be poking fun at the genre of book, the characters, and indeed, herself. This is done in a low key way and is quite funny.

There is not graphic violece in this one, no torid love affairs, no mayham, just good clean fun. The author's syntax makes for easy reading and, as I noted above, she is a natural story teller. I cannot see how you could go wrong with this one.
D. Blankenship

First introduced to readers in 1984's THE THIN WOMAN, Ellie Haskell has since --- over the course of 11 delightfully cozy mysteries --- gained a husband, three children, a career and a real penchant for crime solving. But in WITHERING HEIGHTS, her 12th adventure, Ellie's old demons come back to haunt her in what could be her toughest case yet.

Ellie and her outrageously flamboyant housekeeper, Mrs. Roxie Malloy, share more than just the love of solving mysteries. They both love old-fashioned Victorian Gothic novels, the kind with "a young woman who leaps at the chance to become a governess in a decaying mansion where Something Unspeakable is shut away in the north tower and melancholy music drifts up from the crypt." Ellie also recently has begun sharing her love of Gothic romances with her husband Ben's young relative Ariel, a troubled girl who seems to find solace in the escapist fantasies. That is, until Ariel's own family wins the lottery and disappears, presumably to hide away from money-grubbing relatives.

One rainy night, though, Ariel herself shows up at Ellie's home, begging for relief from her stepmother Betty, who has grown obsessed with the idea that the ghost of their newly purchased manor house still haunts his old property. Ariel encourages Ellie and Ben to intervene, and they agree, especially when Ellie learns that the manor is located in the Yorkshire moors, a short drive from the Brontės' legendary home. By a great coincidence, it just happens that Mrs. Malloy's younger sister Melody, with whom she hasn't spoken in 40 years, also lives in the same Yorkshire village. Figuring that it's high time for a reconciliation, Roxie decides to tag along as well.

Of course, a road trip to a new village means introductions to all sorts of quirky characters, from the displaced dowager, Lady Fiona, to the aptly-named cook, Mrs. Cake. Pretty soon, Ellie finds herself knee-deep in all their secrets and in more than one mystery.

But one secret in particular is eating Ellie up inside and causing all her old self-doubts and self-loathing to rear their ugly heads. Who is Valeria, the lovely and accomplished woman who seems to know Ben? Was she the real love of Ben's life, lost long before he met Ellie? And could Val's reappearance and Ben's sneaky behavior have anything to do with the menacing prophecy that Mrs. Malloy receives? "[A] woman of my acquaintance whose first name begins with E should stop living in a dream world, seeing as her hubby's old girlfriend is going to show up and this time around she'll stop at nothing to get him."

Dorothy Cannell's mysteries always have been enjoyable to read, but they have had a tendency to become formulaic after a while, particularly with regards to Ellie's somewhat chaotic home life. Removing Ellie from her home base --- and from her children, who are out of the picture for the entire novel --- revitalizes the plot considerably, giving this 12th adventure a new freshness. It also has a legion of new characters for readers to learn, a feat that can be a bit daunting for those accustomed to the regular denizens of Chitterton Fells.

Cannell adeptly plays with Gothic conventions and expectations, and particularly with Ellie's tendencies to fall into those somewhat overblown romantic notions. Ellie's character development is also notable, as her growing insecurities with regard to Val lead her to question everything about herself and her comfortable life. Cannell's many readers needn't fret too much, though --- it's clear that nothing really bad is going to happen to Ellie, and liberal foreshadowing and clue-dropping early on in the novel will lead many to guess (some of) the secrets even before the literary sleuths do. But there's nothing wrong with that --- Cannell's mysteries appeal primarily due to their humor (particularly the at-times wickedly funny dialogue) and their reassurances that, at the end of the day, all's right in Ellie's world.

--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl

After a long and much missed absence, Dorothy Cannell once again enthralls with her latest Ellie Haskell installment, "Withering Heights." This time around, Dorothy Cannell takes on the gothic romance genre in this bitingly entertaining new mystery novel.

Life, for Ariel Hopkins, is imitating art a little too much for the young thirteen year old. Her father has recently bought an old manor in Yorkshire with his lottery winnings -- that in itself wouldn't be quite so bad, after all,like Ellie, Ariel does share a love for Gothic romances -- but when Ariel's stepmother, Betty, gets the notion that the previous owner of the manor, Lady Fiona, had murdered her mysteriously missing husband and that the body of said absent husband was buried somewhere on the property, and takes it upon herself to prove her case, Ariel turns to Ellie for help. Some rather strange things are occurring at the manor and this is affecting the Hopkins family alarmingly. Can Ellie (along with her wonderful husband Ben, and trusty housekeeper, Mrs. Malloy) get to the bottom of things? Ellie is sure she can. But when an ex-girlfriend of Ben's makes an appearance, Ellie finds herself torn between the strange happenings at the manor and worrying if her marriage is in jeopardy...

It is always a joy to read a new mystery novel from one of my favourite authors, and it is a double joy to note that this latest Ellie Haskell installment rates alongside my other favourties in the series as well (like "How to Murder Your Mother-in-Law" & "How to Murder the Man of Your Dreams."). "Withering Heights" was a joy to read from beginning to end. For readers who demand a dead body on page one and by the numbers kind of investigation, this may not be the book for you. For readers who enjoy quirky and eccentric characters, tongue-in-cheek humour, lots of ambiance and a storyline that's worth its circuitous path, unplug your 'phones and snuggle up in your favourite comfy chair -- this is a read to be savoured and enjoyed along with your favourite biscuits and glass of sherry. Thank you Dorothy Cannell for an afternoon well spent.

(P.S. Anyone else notice how "Withering Heights" seemed to echo du Maurier's "Rebecca?")

I love an author who can convey a strong sense of presence with her words. Just listen to the first page from Withering Heights, "The storm hurled itself against the blurred contours of the house like an angry sea...fit only for human beasts of prey and the shadowy vigils of unholy spirits denied respite beneath a sanctified churchyard earth."

I must confess I began reading this book on a similarly stormy night while on vacation, tucked in the attic of an ancient Irish manor. It was an irresistible combination. With a bit of romance, mystery, humor, psychology, a pinch of the supernatural, and a dollop of murder thrown in for good measure, Withering Heights has all the necessary ingredients for an evening's enjoyment.

Dorothy Cannell's style is delightful and properly spiced with wonderful English sayings that while common to the Brits, sound quaint and utterly charming to my American ear. Not too scary, graphic, or morbid, Withering Heights is a comforting, yet contemporary reminder of simpler times and simpler crimes.

Told in the first person, the protagonist, Ellie Haskell, is a finely drawn character who is easily to love. Her unabashed adoration for her husband Ben, and her all-too-human insecurities where he is concerned, makes her a sympathetic and compelling figure.

Add a compassionate nature, a strong maternal instinct and a partner-in-crime whose droll humor and fashion sense (or lack thereof) make for entertaining conversations and lively adventures--and you have the perfect recipe for an infinitely sustainable mystery series along the lines of Agatha Christie.

My only complaint with Withering Heights is a minor one--there are so many characters. I readily admit it could have been jet lag, the frequent thunderous claps or my advancing years, but I did have difficulty keeping them all straight. That being said, I'm looking forward to reading more of Ellie Haskell and Mrs. Roxie Malloy, the next time I'm looking for something to pass the wee hours.

Armchair Interviews says: Wonderful read for the wee hours or the beach or in front of the fireplace.

If you are a fan of old fashion 'Who Done It's', please buy books by Dorothy Cannell. As the other Reviewers have written, this one is another of the Ellie Haskel series you'll enjoy. I find it very disappointing when I'm not able to buy new books by an Author that does not disappoint their FANS. LIBRARIANS: Please take note **** Dorothy Cannell, Patricia Sprinkle, Anne George, Rita Larkin, Joan Hess, Carola Dunn, Tamara Myers, Margaret Marron, are some of the Authors we would like you to support. Please forgive me if I have misspelled any of these Authors.

Life in Merlin's Court has moved along, the twins are seven and Rose is 5. Ben's now has several new cookbooks under his belt. Ellie is more confident but still a romantic at heart and she's made a friend of Ben's cousin's rebellious teenage daughter, Ariel. Surprisingly, Ariel loves the same Gothic romances and black and white films as Ellie and they begin a written correspondence until Ariel's parents win the lottery and disappear from the family's radar. That is until Ariel shows up on their doorstep one stormy night asking for help because something is not right at Cragstone Manor, or Withering Heights as Ariel names it. Ariel is afraid and Ellie and Ben offer to help and of course Mrs. Malloy can't let them go alone into possible danger. So, they set off to return Ariel, finagle an invitation to stay a few days, and solve the puzzle before anyone else goes missing.

Ellie Haskell is back. I've missed my regular infusions of Ellie and have been a fan since I first met her in The Thin Woman. I figure it's best to let you know up front where I'm coming from. If you're a fan, you'll enjoy this opportunity to get reacquainted with Ellie, her husband Ben, and the irrepressible Mrs. Malloy. If you haven't read any of the previous books, don't worry you'll catch on quickly but you'll really want to go back and read all the previous books.

Withering Heights has it all: mystery, intrigue, skullduggery, misdirection, misunderstandings, family drama, hidden panels, locked rooms, dotty retainers, and modern sensibilities. What's not to like? Nothing. The dialogue is spot on for each particular character. The descriptions put you right there in the middle of things. The concerns are those we deal with everyday -- at least for the minor mysteries of inter-family relationships, love, and friendship.

It's definitely a book to cuddle up with and enjoy, closing the covers with a great sigh of satisfaction -- and impatient for another visit with the people of Chitterton Fells and Merlin's Court.

I am a new reader of Dorothy Cannell's books. This actually is the first one that I have read and certainly will not be the last. At first I was put off by how much reading this is on one simple page. There are tons of word with lots going on. Then I realized that I become immersed in the story, the detail, and that the verbage added to the enjoyment of reading the book. I loved the characters. I can just see Ellie Haskell and her husband Ben knocking about in an old gothic mansion. Ellie is brash and up-front regarding her opinions about everyone and everything in the story, but not as brash as the lovable housekeeper Mrs. Malloy with her charming off beat character and British dialect. There are romatic subplots that keep the story interesting as well.
I would recommend this book for anyone who adores a cozy mystery of the British kind and seeking a fun and quirky escape from everyday life and stress. It is certainly a fun read.

I've read all her books to date and loved them; BUT this one is just plain awful!! Words can not describe how bad this book is. I'll go far enough to say that it seemed the author was on vacation and someone who has never written fiction before was pinch-hitting. Im sorry that I bought it before reading it.

I always enjoy these books. Fun and silly. No trauma for her characters, at least none to worry you.