Book Review: Helen Hath No Fury

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Helen Hath No Fury     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Gillian Roberts
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth   Cozy
Series: Amanda Pepper # 10
Ballantine, Jul 2000, $23.00, 242 pp.

Amanda Pepper is contented with her current life as she lives with an individual she cares deeply about, homicide detective McKenzie. She loves her job as an English teacher at Philly Prep and enjoys her monthly book group meeting.

This month's book club meeting is being held at Philadelphia's fancy Helen Coulter's Delancy Street mansion. The topic for discussion is Kate Chapin's "The Awakening", a literary book written during the Victorian Era about a woman who commits suicide after flouting morality. Helen passionately brings to the table an essay on feminine politics of the times that seems out of character for the female character.

The next day turns into a disaster for Amanda. At the school, a teen admits that she is pregnant before running away. After school, Amanda learns that Helen apparently killed herself. While Amanda knows she cannot do much to locate the missing student, she has experience solving homicides, which is what Helen's death feels like to her. She and her fellow book club members begin an investigation that places their lives in danger from someone who wants the women to stop their sleuthing activities.

HELEN HATH NO FURY is a cerebral mystery similar in tone to Agatha Christie's AND THEN THERE WERE NONE. Readers of cozies will enjoy this tale as the implied violence occurs outside the printed page. Puzzle fans will relish the process of putting the pieces together in order to understand what is happening. Once completed, the audience will realize the killer was always in plain sight. Gillian Roberts has created an entertaining story that will please series fans.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner