I find prim, proper, and amazingly resourceful Helma Zukas impossible to resist. These books are difficult to find so if you'd like a change from hard-boiled heroines struggling with impossibly messy lives, "check out" Washington state librarian Miss Zukas soon.

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The characters in this book are not likable, the plot was well developed and the story was well written. I just feel that to enjoy a series you need to like the characters.

Great story, enjoyed very, very much. Characters are a riot, and fun to read about.

I always enjoy a story with Helma in it.

Unlike her other enjoyable novels, in this book, Jo Dereske followed all 10 rules on how to write a terrible murder mystery:
1. Rely on cheap, overly used, extremely predictable plot "twists" - all of which the reader guess by page 40.
2. Make the murderer so obvious that the reader will know who it is by page 35 of a 210 page book.
3. Throw in a child born by given up to adoption - unknown to all the characters in the book but the reader picks up on the hints by page 20.
4. Use a fake "I'm dying...." emotional scene.
5. Have very inconsistant supporting characters.
6. Be sure to have an inconsistant and conflicting timeline.
7. Have the heroine do something bad, but not really - its OK since she was only acting out a memory.
8. Be sure to have the murderer plant the murder weapon where our heroine will find it, even though it makes neither sense nor does it seem possible much less plausible.
9. Be sure to have the murderer keep the murder weapon even after 6 weeks after the murder.
10. Have the policemen fall in love with our leading ladies.

I can not believe this tripe was written by the author who wrote Miss Zukas and the Library Murders. Tell me her 13 year old daughter wrote this book, and I would believe that!

Fun read

Who would have imagined librarian Helma Zukas as a competitive canoer? She also exhibts another, better known, talent in this book -- for snooping and crime-fighting -- wen her best friend, Ruth, is accused of murder. 2006 reprint.

Great book. Great series.

Miss Zukas is a librarian who can paddle a canoe with the best of them in a grueling, multi-sport relay. The scenery is great, too. The mystery will keep you guessing.

Civic-minded librarian Miss Helma Zukas has reluctantly agreed to use her long-dormant skills as a canoeist to paddle down Washington Bay on behalf of the Bellehaven Library relay race team. But before Helma has a chance to test her aquatic talents, she is once again matching wits with the local police over the identity of a killer. And this time it involves keeping her somewhat flaky artist friend, Ruth Winthrop, off Death Row.

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