The Thin Woman Audiobook By Dorothy Cannell cover art

The Thin Woman

Ellie Haskell Mysteries, Book 1

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The Thin Woman

By: Dorothy Cannell
Narrated by: Sasha Higgins
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In this delectable debut that earned her instant acclaim, award-winning author Dorothy Cannell serves up a cozy murder mystery to be savored.

Ellie Simons stands to inherit her Uncle Merlin's huge English country house. But on three utterly bizarre conditions. One: she must lose sixty-three pounds (rude!). Two: she must marry the fake fiance she's been passing off as her true love all weekend. And three: she must catch whoever killed Uncle Merlin in the first place.

Her family constantly mock her single status (and her weight!), so Ellie hired a boyfriend for this latest awful family reunion at Merlin's Court. Bentley T. Haskell is devastatingly handsome and so annoying—and he's making this fake engagement very difficult . . .

But Bentley and her catty family are the least of Ellie's worries. Uncle Merlin's death looks more than a little bit like murder. Which can only mean one thing. One of her horrid relatives is the killer . . .

An utterly charming English cozy murder mystery to sink your teeth into.

©1984, 2023 Dorothy Cannell (P)2024 Tantor Cozy Detective Fiction Mystery Women Sleuths Women's Fiction

Critic reviews

Voted one of the 100 Favorite Mysteries of the 20th Century by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association of America
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Annoying characters and narrator! Perhaps the characters made me think the narrator was annoying. I’m glad this was part of a 2 for 1 deal but it surely was a waste of time.

Sorry! Waste of a Credit

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This book started off so strangely, that I wasn't sure I wanted to continue. But I found myself being drawn back to see what was happening with Ben and Ellie. It grew on me and I kept listening and cheering Ellie on with her redecorating and hopes of romance. The mystery then continued to keep me guessing. I enjoyed the resolution, which I didn't see coming. This is a fun read or listen.

such an odd collection of characters

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The heroine of our narrative is overweight, self effacing, and funny. The style is very entertaining and the performance is good. Some others didn't like the reader, but I did. The ending is just a bit contrived, but it's happy and I'll be back for the sequel. This is a book you read for the style more than the plot.

It's fun

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Enjoyed every minute of these loveable characters, their seaside setting and the fun plot.

Cozy Mystery

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Unfortunately I did not like the narration. She sounds breathless and anxious. I listen to audio books to relax, her narration was anything but relaxing. I’m sure others won’t be bothered but I am. Disappointing because I was so looking forward to hearing Elle Simmons and all of her antics come to life.

I love this story and the characters!

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I've had an abridged version of this audiobook for 30 years. imagine my delight to see is unabridged and with other books in the series available, too! I've read them, but I adore audiobooks! I LOVE these books!! Wonderfully, funny, relatable chatacters and clever mysteries. I'll be buying them all on audiobook.

Love this story!

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i have read a lot of books published in the 1970s and 1980s with strong main characters that are also women and this book, even with the foreword, did not hold up. I thought the title was going to be about how the main character would fight against the 'thin' stereotype. Instead the main character lets a Will that would not hold up in any court rule her life and everyone else just walk all over her. I did give the 2nd book in the series a shot in case it got better but it was worse. This was a free book and for some reason Audible will not let me remove it from my Library.

too dated

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