Indigo Christmas

Jeanne Dams has a great gift for making her characters come alive. There is so much more to her books than just the mystery. Though this book can stand on its own, the Hilda series has progressed in a thoroughly believable and engaging way.

It's the winter of 1904 in South Bend, Indiana. Snowy and cold, dreary and gray. Newly married Hilda Johannson Cavanaugh is bored out of her mind. Her husband Patrick is faring quite well in his new position at the department store; men are more willing to accept rising stars in the business world. Hilda is caught betwixt and between: no longer a servant and too new in society to be truly welcome, she has nothing to occupy her spare time. That changes in a matter of moments. Her aunt-in-law, Mrs. Malloy, brings over a woman who would like some help in organizing some activities for the immigrant boys who are running wild in the streets. Hilda bites her tongue and agrees to help. In the middle of this conversation, her very pregnant friend Nora O'Neill bursts in demandind help for her husband Sean, who may be arrested for murder. Hilda agrees to look into the problem for Norah, and to help plan some things for the local boys. She has her own slew of boys willing to help with both projects; this is handy because she can multi-task and not have to be out and about in the miserable weather. It's more difficult, given her status as a married woman, to be seen wandering about town without inviting negative comments from the women she's working to impress. Things look bleak for Sean O'Neill. The police are convinced they have their man, in spite of fairly convincing evidence to the contrary. Hilda is hard-pressed to find the guilty party. When she does, the denouement is stunning. Hilda's handling of the social issues confronting her is a testament to her awareness of the structure and the realities of the times as well as to her determination to better herself. Dams has, once again, given us a look at part of our past and told us a good story in the process. Hilda is flawed, but in ways we can all relate to. Dams' skillful blending of the "facts" and the story make for good reading and a subliminal education about lives that don't make headlines. Hilda is resourceful and determined. Gotta love that.

A good cozy fireside mystery featuring Hilda Johansson. Jeanne M. Dams weaves a good story around Hilda's quest for answers in a local murder.

Christmas is a time for giving and caring for your fellow man, not a time for murder. "Indigo Christmas" is a Hilda Johansson mystery, following married woman Hilda. Her marriage left her to leave her friends, but despite departing her beloved, they still need her. She goes to her old friend's aid, with Christmas quickly approaching. "Indigo Christmas" is a great choice for mystery fans, highly recommended.