Miss Zukas and the Stroke of Death

by Jo Dereske

Book Overview

Civic-minded librarian Miss Helma Zukas has reluctantly agreed to use her long-dormant skills as a canoeist to paddle down Washington Bay on behalf of the Bellehaven Library relay race team. But... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380770334
• ISBN13: 9780380770335
• Release Date: December 1995
• Publisher: Avon
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 0.6" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Canoes Add a Nice Touch

I love these books and found this entry particularly enjoyable. I like that Helma stays close to home and isn't sent off to "exotic" locations. Dereske really seems to get that the reader savors Helma on her own turf and the Pacific Northwest is certainly diverse and "exotic" enough for me. I like the tension between Helma and Ruth's Michigan upbringing and their adult lives in Washington state. The canoe from home is a lovely metaphor for that.

A mystery and good nature writing too.

This is the third one of this series that I've read and I expect to read all of them. Miss Zukas is one sharp lady - she always knows if she's being followed, observes who is on the shore when she's out in her canoe - those descriptions of being on the river in the canoe, and becoming one with the flow of the water are great. She does it all while remaining "Miss Marian, the proper librarian". And she comes up with a surprising solution to "who done it." If you enjoy a good cozy type mystery, you'll enjoy this one.

Miss Zukas does it again!

Helma Zukas is summoned to the home of her best friend, Ruth, in order to inspect a dead body which has been found in a periwinkle patch. At the same time, her co-workers at the library are trying to persuade Helma to do the canoe section of a relay race which attracts over 200 teams. Intrepid woman that she is, Helma manages to do both, with her usual careful preparation and fine eye for detail. This is a delightful series and this particular book is one of the best of the Miss Zukas series. Dereske's characters are likeable and humorous and she does a great job of describing the area in Washington state where the series takes place. She also manages to tie up all of the loose ends from the murder and gives the ending a bittersweet tinge.

Miss Zukas is a relentless sleuth; sorting the many twists.

Miss Zukas is a conservative, intelligent librarian who is thrown into solving another murder when her flamboyant artist friend Ruth is implicated when the body shows up on her lawn. You'll delight in the many twists and turns in this light mystery whose setting is a lush Washington waterfront community. Not only are you drawn into a community, but you're privy to the internal functions of a library with interesting carictures of the staff, and an unlikely suspect within. Helma Zukas in an intelligent sleuth who probes every angle like a true information specialish. Humorous contrasts between Helma's staid lifestyle and wild Ruth's freespirited one abound. Light romance between Helma and Officer Gallant, and insight into office relationships make for an interesting read. The subplot of the Ski to Sea race show Helma's canoeing skills, her valiance as a competitor, and an ulikely canoe clue. Helma is an admirable sleuth and librarian who leaves no stone unturned as she uncovers the mystery, and in a whim of compassion lets the suspect slip away. I highly recommend this readable, witty, classy mystery.