Customer Reviews

Silence Is Golden (Hilda Johansson Mysteries, No. 4)

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

 

 

It has been six years since Hilda, her brother and her sister left Sweden to come to America. Hilda, a maid for the Studebaker family in South Bend, Indiana and her siblings saved enough money to bring the rest of the family to America. Unfortunately, it has not been an easy adjustment for the Johansson brood.

Their apartment is too small and they don't want their Protestant daughter going out with Patrick, an Irish-American fireman. The youngest son Erik goes from one job to another never satisfied. When Erik witnesses a child's murder by a pediophile, his life is in danger. Patrick and Hilda, with the help of some hoboes, create a daring scheme to flush the murderer out into the open.

Jeanne M Dams' latest Hilda Johansson mystery is a nicely told tale. The protagonist is not afraid of breaking the rules of society or her employer when it comes to people she cares about. SILENCE IS GOLDEN is a fascinating who done it while Erik is adorable as the brave young man trying to overcome his fear to help catch a killer.

Harriet Klausner

Silence is Golden by Jeanne M. Dams is the fourth lackluster title in the Hilda Johansson series. Hilda, the Swedish maid for the Studebaker family in South Bend, Indiana, is back to solve another mystery, this one involving her younger brother Erik. Hilda's mother, two sisters, and brother have finally come from Sweden, and while she is thrilled that her family is finally together, her relationship with Irish Catholic Patrick Cavanaugh is suffering. Her Protestant family wants nothing to do with his and vice versa. In the midst of this, Erik's friend Fritz goes missing and then when found has been abused in the worst way. Erik may have information as to who the assailant was, but he's afraid to tell. I've truly enjoyed the previous entries in this series, but this one fails to deliver. Much of the story is based around Erik, but he's unlikable and so can't carry the story. Hilda abuses the trust of her employers repeatedly and is at risk of becoming prideful. Unfortunately the mystery isn't that mysterious, the only thing carrying me through to the end of the story was who was going to get to beat Erik. Don't bother reading til the end: nobody does.

I was sincerely ready to read a cozy mystery from an author referred to me by several members of my cozy groups. I checked this out of the library on CD and began in ernest to enjoy a cozy mystery, so I thought.
That ended with the first disc. Although the author can write and write well ...this is the furthest type of book I would ever choose to read or listen to. Just the thought of a vulnerable child being molested and murdered makes my skin crawl.

I am giving this author another chance but only with her other cozy mystery-Dorothy Martin series.

I definitely did not recommend this book to either of my cozy readers group.
Ellen

It's difficult to believe that the author of the wonderful Dorothy Martin mystery series is also the perpetrator of this terrible stinker. Stupid plot, stupid characters...yeccchhhhh!!!!!!

Having read the Dorothy Martin series, I was fully prepared to enjoy this book, but I didn't - not at all. Hilda, the protagonist, is impossible to like and, therefore, care much about. She prides herself on her ability as a liar, and her personality is harsh and domineering. Her little brother's an incorrigible brat, making it difficult to maintain any sympathy for him and his plight. The storyline is contrived and confusing. The cast of characters, except for the Irish swain, don't ring true; and the evocation of the historical period is the only saving grace. Back to Dorothy Martin, a heroine it's possible to like!

Having read the Dorothy Martin series, I was fully prepared to enjoy this book, but I didn't - not at all. Hilda, the protagonist, is impossible to like and, therefore, care much about. She prides herself on her ability as a liar, and her personality is harsh and domineering. Her little brother's an incorrigible brat, making it difficult to maintain any sympathy for him and his plight. The storyline is contrived and confusing. The cast of characters, except for the Irish swain, don't ring true; and the evocation of the historical period is the only saving grace. Back to Dorothy Martin, a heroine it's possible to like!

Jeanne M. Dams delivers a cozy mystery that could, should, but really doesn't, deliver. The setting and cast of characters is clever, with Hilda and family, the Swedish immigrants settled into the ethnically diverse city of South Bend. Hilda has a romantic interest in the ever so unacceptable Roman Catholic immigrant Patrick Cavanaugh; as well as a smitten police sergeant. Hilda works as a maid in the home of the Studebaker family, called Tippecanoe (look it up on the internet, a fascinating residence). While obviously well researched, the story gets muddled with entirely too much dashing about like the proverbial chicken, too many silly misunderstandings and plenty of lying. Erik, Hilda's completely out of control 12 year old brother, finds himself on the run from a child molester. Somehow Dams works in the historical Orphan Train and the itinerant small circuses. Many parts of this book just don't seem to ring true, and Hilda was rather unappealing as a nosy, know-it-all, busy body unconcerned with lying to her superiors. More history, more realism, and less silly dialogue and convoluted misunderstandings might have helped this book. Three stars, almost a worthwhile read.