A most unusual death has landed Helma Zukas right in the middle of another murder scene. Stanley Plummer had been cataloging a collection of Native American books for Bellehaven's new Cultural Center when his body was found in the center's ladies room - stabbed through the heart and clutching a Barbie doll. Miss Zukas is coerced by her conniving boss, library director May Apple Moon, into finishing the dead man's job at the mysterious center. And, in a letter dated the day he died - it appears the victim himself is asking her to get to the bottom of his murder.
"A loving send-up of the stereotype of the prim librarian." - New York Times
"Delightfully devilish." - Mystery Readers Journal
Amazon.com Review
Within the category of mysteries known as "cozies," Dereske's series about Helma Zukas, a lively and courageous librarian in the small Washington town of Bellehaven, is near the top in terms of good stories, interesting characters, and smooth writing. This time out, Miss Zukas is asked to replace a murdered curator of Native American books, and, of course, finds herself compelled to put a hold on the killer. Past entries in the series include Miss Zukas and the Island Murders; Miss Zukas and the Library Murders.
From Publishers Weekly
Librarian Wilhelmina "Helma" Zukas confronts murder in Bellehaven, Wash., where interminable rain is a running gag as well as an appropriate background to her fitful romance with the chief of police. In her fourth adventure, Helma's New Age boss manipulates her into completing the catalogue at a wealthy eccentric's Native American cultural center when the prior cataloguer (whose sleazy past includes lack of proper library certification) is found dead in a bathroom stall. Despite a contrived finale in which Helma temporarily steps out of character, readers will gladly suspend disbelief because of her unwavering integrity. Helma's investigation seems secondary to Dereske's (Miss Zukas and the Library Murders) gentle chiding of the library world with true-to-life dialogue and personnel. Consistently straightforward, no-nonsense prose is a welcome bonus in this cozy.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.