Book Review: Go to Helena Handbasket

Reviewed By: Cheryl - RAM

Go to Helena Handbasket     Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
Donna Moore
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Private Investigator
Pointblank (Wildside Press)

Fans of mystery novels can be harsh critics of the genre, loudly complaining about lapses in plausibility or overused plot devices. Sometimes they simply cannot tolerate another crime-solving animal, amusingly crazy sidekick or wildly unlikely police procedure.

Such readers may now rest easy - these and many other all-too- familiar cliches of detective fiction are skewered for identification and laughter in Donna Moore's 'Go to Helena Handbasket'.

Helena, an unsuccessful PI working out of in a seedy office with the assistance of a crazy sidekick, is asked to find a missing person. Her client's vanished brother also happens to be a missing criminal with both the police and his former colleagues hot on his trail. Undeterred by the prospect of untangling this rather nasty and complicated situation, and attracted by the client, Helena takes on the job.

Unfortunately for Helena's prospects of a successful career but fortunately for the reader, Helena has all of the less useful characteristics of the stereotypical fictional female PI. Her friends, rivals and police associates also fall into familiar patterns - taken to extremes, of course!

As the reader follows Helena's fast-paced, impulsive and illogical investigation through her encounters with suspects, police, experts, witnesses and unlikely romantic interests, comparisons with other fictional PIs are inevitable and hilarious.

Readers of mystery novels should enjoy this spoof - but one warning - this may not be the book for you if you dislike puns.

Cheryl - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.