Customer Reviews

Miss Zukas and the Stroke of Death

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Miss Zukas is a conservative, intelligent librarian who is thrown into solving another murder when her flamboyant artist friend Ruth is implicated when the body shows up on her lawn. You'll delight in the many twists and turns in this light mystery whose setting is a lush Washington waterfront community. Not only are you drawn into a community, but you're privy to the internal functions of a library with interesting carictures of the staff, and an unlikely suspect within. Helma Zukas in an intelligent sleuth who probes every angle like a true information specialish. Humorous contrasts between Helma's staid lifestyle and wild Ruth's freespirited one abound. Light romance between Helma and Officer Gallant, and insight into office relationships make for an interesting read. The subplot of the Ski to Sea race show Helma's canoeing skills, her valiance as a competitor, and an ulikely canoe clue. Helma is an admirable sleuth and librarian who leaves no stone unturned as she uncovers the mystery, and in a whim of compassion lets the suspect slip away. I highly recommend this readable, witty, classy mystery.

This is the third one of this series that I've read and I expect to read all of them. Miss Zukas is one sharp lady - she always knows if she's being followed, observes who is on the shore when she's out in her canoe - those descriptions of being on the river in the canoe, and becoming one with the flow of the water are great. She does it all while remaining "Miss Marian, the proper librarian". And she comes up with a surprising solution to "who done it." If you enjoy a good cozy type mystery, you'll enjoy this one.

I love these books and found this entry particularly enjoyable. I like that Helma stays close to home and isn't sent off to "exotic" locations. Dereske really seems to get that the reader savors Helma on her own turf and the Pacific Northwest is certainly diverse and "exotic" enough for me.

I like the tension between Helma and Ruth's Michigan upbringing and their adult lives in Washington state. The canoe from home is a lovely metaphor for that.

Helma Zukas is summoned to the home of her best friend, Ruth, in order to inspect a dead body which has been found in a periwinkle patch. At the same time, her co-workers at the library are trying to persuade Helma to do the canoe section of a relay race which attracts over 200 teams. Intrepid woman that she is, Helma manages to do both, with her usual careful preparation and fine eye for detail. This is a delightful series and this particular book is one of the best of the Miss Zukas series. Dereske's characters are likeable and humorous and she does a great job of describing the area in Washington state where the series takes place. She also manages to tie up all of the loose ends from the murder and gives the ending a bittersweet tinge.

It seems like there is always some type of death happening in the Pacific Northwest and Helma Zukas, local librarian, is at hand to solve it. In the middle of trying to free her best friend from murder charges she is in a mountain to coast race (doing the rowing leg). Also, our favorite chief of police is more involved in not only the investigation, but Helma's life (will they hook up?).

Straight-laced librarian Miss Zukas is a bit of a dark horse. In addition to being a prim and proper librarian, she has a history as a canoeist. But her efforts to train for the big race and help the library's team beat the city planning department are interrupted. A dead man is found outside Miss Zukas's friend's house, and said friend Ruth becomes the prime suspect in the subsequent investigation. In her efforts to clear Ruth Miss Zukas finds herself in danger.

This is by all accounts an entertaining, quick read. Miss Zukas is starting to look a bit more human by this third book in the series. It's still not clear to me why all men in the general vicinity seem to have a crush on Helma Zukas- perhaps it's the stuffy/sexy librarian trope? Still, I suspect I'll be reading more in the series. These are fun books.

#3 Helma Zukas mystery. Helma. a librarian in fictional small-town Washington State, is called by her friend Ruth who finds a dead body in the alley behind her house. Of course it was someone Ruth had seen in a bar earlier the same day, and was heard threatening him because he was bothering her. Ruth doesn't know who he is, and though she's under suspicion, stolidly maintains her innocence. Helma must once again contact Chief Gallant to see if he will leak any information that will help them figure out who did kill the man--a despicable being, from everything they've been able to learn.

Helma must also decide whether to join the library's team in the annual Slope to Surf race--a five-part race involving downhill and cross-country skiing, canoeing, running and kayaking. The person doing the canoe part of the race can't participate and Helma does have experience as a paddler--and a gorgeous canoe handmade by her uncle back in Michigan when she was a teenager. But she's really not keen on competition and fears the changes being part of such a group would make in her usually solitary life, which she finds mostly satisfactory.

The mystery wasn't much of a surprise, but the ending was! It will be interesting to see if this particular incident is mentioned again sometime in the future. I like Helma and the cast of interesting secondary characters and I find this quite a satisfying series given that it's mostly what you'd call a cozy--although there is a bit of an edge at times and some hidden, unexpected off-color humor too. Looking forward to the next one!

This book arrived during the busy holiday season in great shape and on time. I was reading it by Christmas. What a wonderful surprise! I am very satisfied with the service received from Amazon. I will purchase items from them again and again.

I was not pleased with this author was unable to finish the book, did not hold my interest. Not what I expected it to be.