Miss Zukas and the Island Murders (Miss Zukas Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jo Dereske (Author)

Book Description

Series: Miss Zukas Mysteries | Publication Date: September 26, 2006

The ever-conscientious Miss Helma Zukas of Bellehaven, Washington, is not one to renege on a promise—even one made hastily . . . and too long ago to possibly remember! So when an anonymous note in the morning mail reminds her of her vow to bring her high school classmates together for a twenty-year reunion, Miss Zukas hops to and begins organizing the perfect celebration . . . despite some vague and mysterious warnings about dire consequences.

But when a secret saboteur disrupts her well-planned reunion—stranding Helma and her old classmates on a fogbound island with a murderer in their midst—the intrepid librarian-sleuth takes charge once again. With a dubious assist from her raffish friend Ruth, Miss Zukas is determined to close the books on crimes both current and overdue for solution . . . before the killer takes the alumni out of circulation permanently.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you enjoy a light-hearted mystery, you're in for a good time."--" Toronto Sun"Exciting . . . Appealing . . . Miss Zukas is straightforward, understanding, tongue in cheek . . . She should develope a popular following." --" The Armchair Detective"A quick read . . . Recommended" --" Montgomery Advertiser

About the Author

Jo Dereske grew up in western Michigan, and is a former librarian who now lives in the northwestern corner of Washington State.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Avon (September 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380770318
• ISBN-13: 978-0380770311
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #455,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jo Dereske grew up in western Michigan and now lives in the foothills of Mount Baker near Bellingham, Washington. She draws on her Michigan background and Lithuanian heritage for her books, especially in the Miss Zukas and Ruby Crane mysteries. She's a former librarian who believes that libraries are one of our last truly public institutions, where the entire world can mix and mingle amid the written word - what could be better! Jo's website: www.jodereske.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun, old-fashioned cozy., December 16, 2002

By 

MLPlayfair (Ravenna, OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Miss Zukas and the Island Murders (Miss Zukas Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

In this, the second book in the series (the first was MISS ZUKAS AND THE LIBRARY MURDERS), Helma the librarian is trying to organize her mostly Lithuanian classmates into having a 20th-year high school reunion, with little or no help from her best friend Ruth, the artist. Once again, Dereske gives us a fast-paced thriller that's hard to put down. She develops the characters introduced in the first book and adds a touch of romance, scandal, threats, anonymous letters, fog, and, of course, murder. MISS ZUKAS AND THE ISLAND MURDERS is a fun, old-fashioned cozy set on an island where murders and threats abound.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Librarian makes a super sleuth!, July 8, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Miss Zukas and the Island Murders (Miss Zukas Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have been a librarian for 10 years, and I have never actually "met" Miss Zukas, but she is a very believable character. I am a real mystery fan, and I loved this book. So does everyone else who has read it! This book, and its predecessor, Miss Zukas and the Library Murders, has been passed between about eight librarians all across the U.S. to gales of laughter and rave reviews. Ms. Dereske's books have great characters,well- thought plots, and an engaging style. Highly recommended

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helma's class reunion, April 22, 2002

By 

Karen Potts (Lake Jackson, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Miss Zukas and the Island Murders (Miss Zukas Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

When Helma Zukas graduated from high school, 20 years ago, she was put in charge of the class treasury and charged with organizing a 20th. class reunion. Helma is reminded of the promise by an anonymous note which spurs her on to begin organizing the event. Since she had wisely invested the class's money, she had enough to fly her classmates out to Seattle where she had moved from Scoop River, Michigan. Furthermore, her best friend Ruth, also a classmate, offered the use of her friend's island resort as a gathering place. Many surprises awaited Helma, Ruth, and their classmates on the island, and most of them were unpleasant. Dead bodies begin to appear and Miss Zukas is again in the middle of a murder mystery. A dense fog covers the island and the threat of the murderer becomes even more imminent. Helma and Ruth go through their usual amusing efforts at crime solving and finally do uncover the murderer. This is a fun and quick read!