This is the first book in an older series. I enjoyed the main characters, Helma, a reference librarian in the Bellehaven library, and Ruth, an eccentric artist. When a murder occurs in the library, Helma becomes involved and meets the dashing Chief Gallant. Helma stumbles on a clue by accident and then her apartment is broken into and other events begin that put both Ruth and Helma in danger. Can they figure out what is going on in their nice quiet town before it's too late? ( )

Miss Zukas is a young librarian on the staid side. She sees everything in life pretty much as black or white. Nonetheless, she's a very likable character and a smart one. Her friend Ruth is quite different, a flamboyant artist who drinks too much and isn't particularly choosy when it comes to men. Or maybe I should say she makes it easy and just chooses them all. It's likely Miss Zukas and Ruth wouldn't be friends if they hadn't grown up together.

A murder is committed in the library after hours and Miss Zukas begins to wonder about a few patrons that have been coming into the library in recent days. Like many cozy mystery heroines she doesn't initially plan on solving or becoming involved in the murder but a cryptic note falls into her hands, one that she isn't sure is part of the mystery and her home is broken into though nothing is stolen. Unfortunately, Miss Zukas blindly walks right into the murderer's trap. It was a surprise to both of us. ( )

Well, I had a really good time with this one. Our Miss Zukas (Wilhelmina Zukas, if you please) is a slightly prissy perfectionist...too young still to be the stereotype of an old maid librarian, but treading along that path for sure. Excuse me, for "certain". She corrects her co-workers, even her boss, for usage gaffs such as that one; finds her personal satisfaction in neatness, order and correctness in all things. She habitually chides her oldest friend, Ruth, for using a nickname she dislikes (although she has apparently voluntarily shortened her own first name to "Helma", most likely to avoid the inevitable mispronunciations she would have to deal with if she hadn't). Yet, when a murdered man's body shows up in the library, Miss Zukas proves she is capable of some pretty creative thinking and even a little daring action. This was cozy without being twee, and I anticipate Miss Zukas may be destined to loosen up just a little, under the influence of an old friend and a potential new flame. ( )

I read this series a number of years ago and was just reminded of it. I really enjoyed the books, they're not overly complicated, and it has a bit of whimsy. Helma is a librarian who keeps stumbling into murders, uncovering the clues and solving the crime before her policeman beau can do it. Typical cozy fair, but enjoyable and somewhat generic. ( )

I'm not sure what to think about this one - it started off with Miss Zukas being so prudish and prim that it wasn't enjoyable to read, but I could see character development as the story progressed. I guess the culprit almost from the beginning, but it was still a great storyline. ( )