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Preview
  • Waste of a Life

  • Decluttering, Book 3
  • By: Simon Brett
  • Narrated by: Simon Brett
  • Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (32 ratings)

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Waste of a Life

By: Simon Brett
Narrated by: Simon Brett
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Summary

Declutterer Ellen Curtis has been working to bring order into the life of Cedric Waites, a recluse in his eighties who hasn't left his house or let anyone inside it since his wife died. On one of her regular visits, Ellen finds the old man dead. Sad but, given his age, perhaps not unexpected. Until the police raise the suspicion that Cedric might have been poisoned! The cause seems be something he ate, and as Ellen cleared away the old man's food containers, she is under suspicion. As is Dodge, who works for Ellen and has unhelpfully done a runner...

Meanwhile, a rival declutterer is out to sabotage Ellen's business, her two grown-up children are back home, and she has a potential love interest. Can she uncover the killer and bring order back to her own life?

©2022 Simon Brett (P)2022 Isis Audio
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What listeners say about Waste of a Life

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Intriguing Plot and wonderful characterisation

Simon Brett at his best! Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. Excited for the next in the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love Simon Brett

He never disappoints!
Full praise for another cracking murder mystery. Loving the new characters in this now up and running regime. I beg yours !!!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Another great Ellen Curtis story

Enjoying this series of decluttering mysteries. I like the characters, the dialogue and the various scenarios Ellen finds herself in. This one was no exception however I’m deducting a star as felt there was a bit too much recap of her history and family situation rather than getting into the main story line. I understand you need some for a first time listener/reader but if you’ve listened/read the earlier titles in the series it’s treading old ground but that said I’ll forgive Mr Brett since I generally love everything he does. He writes very likeable and believable characters even when they’re a bit prickly or flawed. Can’t wait for the next one.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant as ever

I love everything Simon Brett writes and this series is no different . Great characterization and plots and he is one of the few authors who narrates brilliantly.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Ambivalent!

Although I follow this series, & would probably read the next one, I find Ellen a dreary protagonist, & can't decide whether she irritates me, or draws my sympathy.

Simon Brett is good on parenting young adults, & how mental health issues affect the wider family, but the detective element was very slight, & the culprit came as no surprise whatsoever; he seems more interested in family life, social issues & criticising Chichester folk!

I listened to this straight after the first three Thursday Murder Club mysteries audiobooks, read by highly skilled female actors, & consequently found Simon Brett's delivery way too downbeat & slow, & had to set him on a faster speed to cope! I don't mind him reading his third person Fethering Mysteries, but don't think his voice works for Ellen, a first person female narrator.

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