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.



"So evocative of Washington State that the pages are almost moist."


Book Description

An Invitation To Murder

A most unusual death has landed Helma Zukas right in the middle of another murder scene. Stanley Plummer has 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 his heart, and clutching a Barbie doll. Miss Zukas is asked by the library to finish the cataloging. Now she's been asked by the victim -- in a letter dated the day he died -- to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Unable to resist the urge to dig into the facts, Helma becomes convinced there's something hidden in the Center that the murderer wants -- and it may be worth killing another cataloger to keep it buried. . .


About the Author
Jo Dereske grew up in western Michigan and is a former librarian who now lives with her husband in the northwest corner of Washington state. She is currently at work on the sixth book in the Miss Zukas series.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A most unusual death has landed Helma Zukas right in the middle of another murder scene. Stanley Plummer has 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 his heart, and clutching a Barbie doll.Miss Zukas is asked by the library to finish the cataloging. Now she's been asked by the victim — in a letter dated the day he died — to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Unable to resist the urge to dig into the facts, Helma becomes convinced there's something hidden in the Center that the murder wants — and it may be worth killing another cataloger to keep it buried...

Author Biography: Jo Dereske grew up in western Michigan and is a former librarian who now lives with her husband in the northwest corner of Washington state. She is currently at work on the sixth book in the Miss Zukas series.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly - Cahners\\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.

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. (Dec.)

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