Miss Zukas Shelves the Evidence

Helma Zukas is an aging, unyielding old maid whose attitude makes me want to run screaming down a hallway; in real life, I'd send her "boyfriend" an anonymous note advising him to RUN...not walk...away from this relationship. On the other hand, I can't put any books in this series down until I've read them completely through. Jo Dereske's characters are exasperating, but they sure make one hell of a good read! Bring on the next one...it's overdue!

In this 7th book in the Miss Zukas series, Helma meets Chief of Police, Wayne Gallant's, children for the first time. It seems he wants to take their extremely slow-moving romance to a new level, and Helma is happy to comply. However, before the shock of meeting Wayne's teenagers has time to wear off, both him and Helma become involved in another murder investigation. When Chief Gallant gets injured while investigating the case, Helma and his kids must find the killer before anyone else gets hurt. Adding to the suspense is the fact that a library book is found at the site of Chief Gallant's injuries, and Helma refuses to disclose the library patron who checked out the book. Will she change her mind and violate her personal ethics to save Wayne and his kids? Or will she become the target of the killer since she knows too much?This was a great installment in the series about the very practical, dependable librarian. We start to see a more human side of Helma as she faces choices to help her love interest, Wayne. I also like the fact that the romance may move forward a bit faster (7 books and not even a smooch!), but not too fast. If you have not tried this series but enjoy cozy mysteries, you will like this book, even if you have read none of the previous books in the series.The first book in this series is "Miss Zukas and the Library Murders". Enjoy!

Miss Helma Zukas is tactful, resourceful and smart. With her cultural moras and crisp attitude, she tackles problems methodically and boldly. There are very few issues that give her pause as she researches, breaks down the facts and acts.Dereske gives women a good role model with her mysteries and I hope she writes more! Cheers for Helma!

Miss Zukas's relationship with police chief Wayne Gallant seems to be moving to a new level when the chief brings his teenagers over to meet her. Unfortunately the meeting is marred by the distress of Helma's new neighbor, TNT, who is trying to comfort his stepdaughter because of the untimely death of her husband. Things become even more complicated when Gallant has an accident and suddenly Helma finds herself in charge of two sullen teenagers. Fortunately her friend Ruth, her mother, and her Aunt Em all pitch in to entertain the two young people. Helma is torn between helping to solve the murder, visiting Chief Gallant in the hospital, working at the library, and trying to tend to the teenagers. In her usual clever fashion, Helma does a good job of most of these things and manages to entertain the reader in the process.

I just discovered the Helma Zukas series around a month ago and have slowly been savoring each book. When is the next one coming out?? There are so many new experiences for Helma in this book, putting Wayne before her job, conversing with TEENAGERS, etc. Helma is a librarian in a small town in northwest Washington state. She is in her late thirties, eats healthy, exercises, still has the same car she had in college and actually likes her job.In the latest of Jo Dereske's "Miss Zukas" series, Helma Zukas comes to the realization that her job isn't everything when Chief of Police Wayne Gallant, is seriously injured while investigating the murder of a local professor. Helma, her mother, aunt, and friend Ruth end up looking after Wayne's two teenage children while Wayne is in the hospital. Helma sticks to her believe of the right of privacy for library patrons when the police want the Library to give them the name of the borrower of the book found next to Wayne when he "fell" off a cliff. Even with all that is happening around her Helma is able to figure out who killed the professor and why.So far, this has been my favorite of the series. Helma not on solid ground was a treat. The wait for Helma & Wayne to finally get together was worth it. I liked Wayne's children and hope to see them in future books. And lets not forget my favorite cat, Boy Cat Zukas.