Green Grow the Victims: A Hilda Johansson Mystery

Great Characters, realistic plot, and interesting premise make this a wonderful addition to the series. Great Read

In 1902 America, citizens looked down upon the new wave of immigrants, but the government could not close the door on them because they were needed as labor. Within the various immigration groups, friction exists. Swedish Protestants and Irish Catholics brought their animosity towards one another across the ocean. However, upper servant Hilda Johansson and firefighter Patrick Malley remain friends in spite of the objections of family.At a fair attended by Patrick and Hilda, his uncle running for council disappears. The authorities believe that he ran away because he killed his rival, but Patrick's aunt feels her spouse's life is in jeopardy. She hires Hilda, who has solved several homicides, to find her missing husband.Jeanne M. Dams provides a realistic portrayal of what life was like for an immigrant in the Midwest in 1902. The author also shows the deep social class divisions that hindered free speech. Hilda is an intrepid heroine who follows her convictions rather than social dictates. GREEN GROW THE VICTIMS is a fast-paced and fascinating historical mystery.Harriet Klausner

This series just keeps getting better and better! Perhaps it is because I spent more than ten years in Indiana, or because I really love historical mysteries -- probably it is a combination of both factors, but I really love the Hilda Johansson mystery series set in the early 1900s in South Bend, Indiana. It's 1902, and Hilda Johansson is now the head housemaid at Tippecanoe Place, the home of the socially prominent and influential Studebaker family. And her relationship with fireman Patrick Cavanaugh is still 'on track' despite the disapproval of both Hilda's Swedish Lutheran family and Patrick's Irish Catholic family. However these days, Patrick's worries are totally centered on (as he terms it) his uncle Daniel Malloy's 'shenanigans.' Daniel Malloy has decided to stand for local elections under the Democratic ticket, and his very clever and sly campaign against his Republican opponent, John Bishop, has earned him his opponent's ire and contempt. Patrick thinks that his uncle is making the family a laughingstock in South Bend. But these political goings on take back seat when Bishop is found beaten to death at the County Fair. Suspicion falls on Daniel Malloy when first, his shillelagh is discovered next to the body, and when everyone realises that Daniel is missing! Hilda does not for one moment believe that Daniel murdered Bishop, and is all for offering her services to the Malloy family. But Patrick is adamant that she steer clear of this mess: not only does his family not like Hilda, but they also do not want her help. Hilda is both angered and hurt at the Malloy-Cavanaugh family attitude, and resolves to do nothing. However the next day, she is stunned when Mrs. Malloy, Daniel Malloy's wife asks for Hilda's help, in spite of her son's (Clancy) disapproval. Hilda decides to put her hurt feelings behind her and to help Mrs. Malloy. However her efforts suffer a setback when a witness comes forward with information of having witnessed Daniel attacking Bishop. Could Daniel Malloy be capable of murdering his political opponent in such a brutal manner? Hilda is determined to find out, no matter the cost.This is a well written and well researched historical mystery. Jeanne M. Dams really made the South Bend of the early 1900s come alive for me. And what a heroine she has created in Hilda Johansson. In Hilda, Dams has created a truly refreshingly democratic and fair minded young woman who is able to look beyond race and religion. In the very first Hilda Johansson mystery, "Death In Lacer Red," Hilda went to the defense of a Chinese laundry man, and in this latest venture, she goes to bat for the Malloy-Cavanugh family, in spite of their disapproval of her. Hilda Johansson is a truly admirable heroine and detective. "Green Grow The Victims" is a really excellent read. The plotting of this novel was virtually flawless, and the breath-neck pace at which the events unfolded was even and well sustained. Hilda and her family (sisters Gudrun & Freya, an

Hilda and her family have finally saved enough money to bring the rest of the family from Sweden. Her romance with Patrick, the Irish fireman are about the same as before, neither family approves. Patrick takes her to the local county fair, but is called away before he can join her on a balloon ascension. His Uncle Daniel, a candidate for local office is missing, and his opponent is found beaten to death with Daniel's shilleleagh next to him. Hilda is hired by his friends and family to find Daniel and to find out who really killed Mr. Bishop.This is a very unusual series. The story is told from the point of view of a maid in the famous Studebaker household. Usually, only the wealthy or educated are the main characters in mysteries. The author combines an accurate portrayal of immigrant life with a really good mystery. I look forward the the rest of the series.