I have read most of the books in this 12-book series, but somehow missed this one until now. So glad I found it because I enjoyed reconnecting with the endearing librarian Miss Helma Zukas and her flamboyant friend Ruth. Helma solves another murder mystery, this one while canoeing in a relay race for the Bellehaven Library. ( )

Awesome twist! ( )

Eh, I liked this one well enough, but not over the top. I was surprised by the ending. ( )

Nice tight mystery, fun characters, very enjoyable read. ( )

Straight-laced librarian Miss Zukas is a bit of a dark horse. In addition to being a prim and proper librarian, she has a history as a canoeist. But her efforts to train for the big race and help the library's team beat the city planning department are interrupted. A dead man is found outside Miss Zukas's friend's house, and said friend Ruth becomes the prime suspect in the subsequent investigation. In her efforts to clear Ruth Miss Zukas finds herself in danger.

This is by all accounts an entertaining, quick read. Miss Zukas is starting to look a bit more human by this third book in the series. It's still not clear to me why all men in the general vicinity seem to have a crush on Helma Zukas- perhaps it's the stuffy/sexy librarian trope? Still, I suspect I'll be reading more in the series. These are fun books. ( )