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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
3.0
The Clutter Corpse by Simon Brett is the 1st book in A Decluttering Mystery series. Ellen Curtis is a widow with two children. Her eldest is off living in London while her son, Ben is attending Nottingham Trent University studying graphic design. Ellen owns SpaceWoman which is a decluttering business plus she helps people change their cluttering habits. The book is set in Chichester, which is a cathedral city in West Sussex, England. The story does contain British spelling, words, and slang (just so you are aware). I could tell from the writing, that this book was written by a man. I wish someone had pointed out to the author that some lines are inappropriate and come across offensive. I cringed at how the author portrayed Ellen’s current stage of life and the differences between social classes. Some things are described in detail (like the make and model of cars) and overdone. The reason for the death of Ellen’s husband was quite lengthy, but finding a body was over in a page. The book lacked a good flow and ease which would have made it easier to read. The pacing and my interest picked up near the end of the book (the last twenty percent). The whodunit was the best part of The Clutter Corpse. The mystery has a couple of suspects along with a red herring or two. The clues are there to help you solve the mystery if you pay close attention. The Clutter Corpse has mild foul language as well as talk about intimate relations, depression, and suicide. A short book never felt so long. It needed more of the cozy element as well as humor. While The Clutter Corpse was not my cup of tea, I suggest you obtain a sample to see if it is the right fit for you. The Clutter Corpse is a unique British mystery with clusters of clutter, a perplexing puzzle, challenging clients, and a missing murderer.
mildsensation's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
eastofthesunwestofthemoon's review
4.0
3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed this fun and fast-to-read mystery from Simon Brett, featuring a new main character.
mimika9's review against another edition
4.0
Always a pleasure to read a book by Simon Brett. I look forward to more in the series.
nerdgirlnikkee's review against another edition
3.0
My first "cozy mystery". Didn't know that was a thing. Easy to follow, simple story.
As I read this via Audiobook, I did run into the confusion of forgetting the main character is a female while the narrator (author read) is a male.
As I read this via Audiobook, I did run into the confusion of forgetting the main character is a female while the narrator (author read) is a male.
karenkay61's review
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I was listening to this as an audiobook. The writer is the narrator. He has a great voice, yet the main character is female. I found it distracting. With several male characters, and trying to remember that “she” was the main voice of the story.
I enjoyed it though. I just think it would be better to read than listen to it.
I enjoyed it though. I just think it would be better to read than listen to it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Addiction, Child abuse, and Mental illness
annieb123's review
4.0
Originally published on my blog: my link text.
The Clutter Corpse is the first book in a new murder mystery series by superhumanly prolific author Simon Brett. Released 2nd June 2020 by Severn House, it's 192 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
Simon Brett is a really gifted writer. He writes entertainingly and well. All the parts (and they are varied and numerous) fit together and do precisely what they're meant to do. The characters are believable and well rendered. The dialogue works and is never clunky or awkward. This is a delightful intro to a new series which isn't fluffy enough (in my estimation) to fit firmly into the cozy mold, but it's not at all gritty, either. In short, it's a modern British murder mystery with a well plotted story arc, some not-too-graphic murders, some humour, and a satisfying denouement. It's also blessedly free of anthropomorphic animals, ghosts, and other bells and whistles.
There is no romance subplot, though a fair bit of the book does revolve around substance abuse and mental illness. The author manages to treat the subjects sensitively, but some readers could conceivably find some of the subject matter triggering (hoarding, trauma, heroin abuse, sexual harassment, compulsive behaviour, it's a fair laundry list).
I found it a delightful read and despite the potentially serious subplot elements, Mr. Brett manages to imbue the whole with enough humour to make it an entertaining and quick read. North American readers should be aware that it's written in British vernacular (torch, lift, flat, etc).
Four stars. Really well done. I'm looking forward to future installments of the series.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Clutter Corpse is the first book in a new murder mystery series by superhumanly prolific author Simon Brett. Released 2nd June 2020 by Severn House, it's 192 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
Simon Brett is a really gifted writer. He writes entertainingly and well. All the parts (and they are varied and numerous) fit together and do precisely what they're meant to do. The characters are believable and well rendered. The dialogue works and is never clunky or awkward. This is a delightful intro to a new series which isn't fluffy enough (in my estimation) to fit firmly into the cozy mold, but it's not at all gritty, either. In short, it's a modern British murder mystery with a well plotted story arc, some not-too-graphic murders, some humour, and a satisfying denouement. It's also blessedly free of anthropomorphic animals, ghosts, and other bells and whistles.
There is no romance subplot, though a fair bit of the book does revolve around substance abuse and mental illness. The author manages to treat the subjects sensitively, but some readers could conceivably find some of the subject matter triggering (hoarding, trauma, heroin abuse, sexual harassment, compulsive behaviour, it's a fair laundry list).
I found it a delightful read and despite the potentially serious subplot elements, Mr. Brett manages to imbue the whole with enough humour to make it an entertaining and quick read. North American readers should be aware that it's written in British vernacular (torch, lift, flat, etc).
Four stars. Really well done. I'm looking forward to future installments of the series.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
menniemenace's review
2.0
This book was perfectly fine. It was just ok, though, not all that memorable.
I felt the protagonist was a bit of a doormat, she's so forgiving and nice and stuff. Not a good quality in a mystery lead. People walked all over her.
There were some unexpected twists here and there, but the characters didn't inspire any care in me. I wasn't invested in their lives.
I felt the protagonist was a bit of a doormat, she's so forgiving and nice and stuff. Not a good quality in a mystery lead. People walked all over her.
There were some unexpected twists here and there, but the characters didn't inspire any care in me. I wasn't invested in their lives.