For anyone who has read most of this series, I have a question.  I've had the first two books for a long time but only got around to reading them recently.  The first one was enjoyable, I love small town British mysteries with a lot of daily life depicted--the book reminded me of a favorite series--Hazel Holt's Mrs. Malory.  However, during the first Ellie Quicke book I was annoyed by the fact that everyone tries to take advantage of her, and throughout the book she pretty much lets them.  The book ends with her realizing that she should be her own person, she had a right to her own opinions, so she stands up for herself and does what she wants.  Great!

Okay, so then I read the second book.  She was right back to where she was before--everyone taking advantage of her again throughout the story.  By the end of the book, once again, she reasserts herself.

My question is, is every book like this?  Does she start all over again from the beginning with letting people run roughshod over her life until the very end of the book?  I don't have any more books in the series which means I'll have to try to get them from the library or PBS or somewhere else, and I really don't want to make the effort if I have to be annoyed at her spinelessness through 90 percent of each book!

If anyone's read the whole series (or at least past book 2) and can answer my question I would be grateful.  The older I get the less time I'm willing to spend on books that I don't enjoy--there are so many great ones out there waiting to be read that I want to spend my time on those I'll love!

Diane