Dorcas tells her that the Loverly Cup, a cup awarded annually to the local lacrosse championship team, has gone missing. For the first time in nine years, the cup must be awarded to a school other than St. Roberta’s.  Ellie agrees to go, though returning to St. Roberta’s is the last thing she wants to do.  Well, almost.  Investigating former teachers, current students and alumni, including Philippa Boswell, about whose expulsion Ellie has harbored a lot of guilt about over the years, also rank high up on her “don’t want to do list.”  

One of the first students she meets when Ellie arrives at St. Roberta’s is a gifted musician Gillian Parker, who with friend Ariel Hopkins, become Ellie’s Holmes’s this time, as housekeeper Mrs. Malloy is not with her. Before Ellie can delve too deeply into where the Loverly Cup has vanished, former game mistress Ms. Chips falls down the stairs to her death, a death that is ruled a murder. 

Now Ellie finds herself involved in another investigation, a murder that may or may not have anything to do with the Loverly Cup. Ellie works quickly and efficiently investigating Ms. Chips’s murder and, in the process, also uncovers the truth about a hit and run accident that occurred decades ago. Plus, she is able to clear her own conscience about Philippa Boswell’s expulsion.  

Goodbye, Ms. Chips is the thirteenth mystery to feature Ellie Haskell.  Without Mrs. Malloy along for the ride, Ellie is a bit at odds, but turns quickly to Ariel Hopkins for insider information, though readers may find it hard to believe that Ariel is only fourteen years old.  While the murder of Ms. Chips is easily solved, learning who ran down the music teacher’s wife many years ago, and the circumstances is an added bonus. 

Ellie is greatly relieved to learn exactly what happened during the Philippa Boswell affair and will be able to absolve herself of any residual guilt.  With a humorous touch, the more malevolent side of English boarding school life is depicted, including the secrets that some try to keep buried and the guilt many people carry for years after their time at the school is over. Dependable, if a bit slow paced, Goodbye, Ms. Chips will prove enjoyable for fans of English village cozies.                                                             

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry