Customer Reviews

Great Mystery, Depressing Character - By: Mark Baker, 26 Jul 2004
Helen Hawthorne has landed another under the radar job. This time she's working at Page Turners book store. The job isn't as nice as she thought it would be, but she puts up with her womanizing boss, Page Turner III, because he's will to payin cash. Now, if only the rumors of the chain closing would go away, Helen might be able to relax.

When her apartment is infested with termites, she doesn't mind the weekend at the beach with new boyfriend Dr. Rich. But Helen returns to find Page Turner III deadin neighbor Peggy's bed. There is no shortage of suspects, but the police centerin on Peggy, soon arresting her. Helen knows her friend couldn't have committed the murder, so she starts her own investigation. The more she investigates, the more motive she uncovers for Peggy. Can she find another motive & free her friend?

I still have very mixed emotions about this series. On one hand, I find Helen's plight down right depressing. And, frankly, I also find it rather hard to believe she would let herself stayin the predicament for very long. Furthermore, there seems to be a real anti-male theme goingin this series, which rankles me. On the other hand, I had a hard time putting the book down & was completely drawn into the mystery. I was proud of myself for figuring out the killer before Helen even if I missed the clues along the way, so obviously I cared about the outcome.

This series is advertised as a humorous series, but I don't get the black humor. I'm compelled enough that I'll probably move on to the third when it comes out. Helen may be depressing, but I can't seem to stay away from her adventures.