An Untidy Death is the second book in the Decluttering Mysteries series by British author, Simon Brett. It’s not unusual for decluttering expert, Ellen Curtis to be contacted by someone concerned about a family member’s safety, although she does wonder about the sincerity of Alexandra Richards’ concern for her mother: there is clearly not a lost of love lost between them. Alexandra describes Irene as a chain-smoking, whiskey-drinking hoarder of papers.

But when Ellen visits Irene, she finds the former war correspondent in an organised mess, but with all her faculties intact and, after an in-depth chat, is reassured that Irene presents no danger to herself, and has no need of Ellen’s services. “Untidiness does not always indicate lack of control.” When Irene’s flat, with her in it, goes up in flames mere days later, Ellen is not convinced that it is accidental.

Remarks that Alexandra made when she engaged Ellen’s services, and her reaction to her mother’s death, have Ellen wondering if she was set up to corroborate claims of an unsafe environment to cover a murder.

Then she is contacted by the man who, through a brief liaison with Irene ended up being Alexandra’s father. Niall Connor was also a war correspondent, and Ellen recalls Irene’s vitriol towards Niall and his wife, that she was in the process of writing a warts-and-all memoir that was bound to upset some in the business, and it crosses her mind that this could be a motive for murder.

It’s almost a relief to take a call from retired teacher and widower of ten months, Edward Finch. Edward admits that his hoarding has worsened since the death of his wife, but the state of his house doesn’t gel with that of a typical hoarder: untidy but way too clean. Edward confesses that a friend from his teaching days helps with cleaning and cooking. And then he confesses something else…

Filling Ellen’s time between cases is her worry over her sensitive son, distraction by her disparaging mother and dismay at her disconnect from her daughter. What amounts to social work also keeps her busy: “Some of my clients, particularly the elderly ones, need a lot of aftercare, and I have to watch it that I don’t spend too much unpaid time looking after them” and it’s in the aftermath of one of these visits that her friend and avid recycler, Dodge is attacked.

Ellen’s inner monologue is enjoyable and sentiments like “The jeans had splits at the knees which made me feel my age. I know, it’s a generational thing, but I will never understand a fashion which actually makes people look shabby” will certainly resonate with readers of a certain vintage.

Some reviewers have noted a depressing undercurrent to this instalment; it’s true that depression does feature, as does PTSD and coercive control. And while this might be classified as cosy mystery, the resolutions tend towards realistic rather than happy-ever-after. Brett does throw in a few twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing, and more of Ellen Curtis will be welcome.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Canongate Books/Severn House