Miss Zukas and the Raven's Dance

Miss Zukas #4

by Jo Dereske

A most unusual death has landed Helma Zukas right in the middle of another murder scene. Stanley Plummer had been cataloguing a collection of Native American books for Bellehaven's new Cultural Center when his body was found in the Center's ladies room - stabbed through the heart, and clutching a Barbie doll. Miss Zukas is asked by the library to finish the cataloging. Now she's been asked by the victim - in a letter dated the day he died - to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

I grew up in rural Michigan, greatly influenced by my Lithuanian roots. I'm one of those tedious people who wanted to write stories as soon as I learned to read, but believed I had to leave Michigan first. In fact, I couldn't wait to shake off that Michigan dust! Curiously, everything I write seems to have a connection to Michigan or my Lithuanian heritage.
I now live in the beautiful foothills of Mount Baker, near Bellingham, Washington.
I've loved being a librarian: libraries are one of our last truly public institutions, where the whole world, in all its zits and glory, passes through.
There are twelve titles in the Miss Zukas mystery series. Miss Zukas is tough, honest, crafty, a complicated woman with a deep but futile desire to perceive the world in black and white. And yes, Helma Zukas is what used to be called, a “real” librarian. You might say she embraces the stereotype. Helma is unapologetic.
Ruby Crane is a forgery specialist, a subject that's fascinated me since I forged my first absence excuse in fourth grade. There are three books in the series.
My three young people's books were written when my children were young.
Please visit me on my website!
jo 5/26/2013

Reviews

[Asta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nod to Native American culture and heritage.
There is a mystery, but the pace was less intense than in previous three installments of a series. Less of a thriller, more on relationships.
The mood of this book is much influenced by the weather in Washington state in November - wet, rain, cloudy, gloomy, windy...

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Librarian Helma Zukas is assigned to finish cataloging a collection of Native American books for the new Cultural Center after the original “librarian” is found dead in the ladies bathroom with a paper spike in his chest and a Barbie doll in his hands. Helma is not happy but agrees to complete the job as quickly as possible. Being at the center does put her right at the scene of the crime and her keen sense of observation works overtime especially after she finds a letter from the victim to her about a raven.

Miss Zukas is a bit of an odd duck. She is not an old woman but she sure does act like one. She expects things to be done the right way, her way, which is always right. We are starting to see that she has a heart when she reaches out to help her neighbor and that she has sort of, rescued a cat.

Her boss, May Apple Moon, is a little out there in her life and how she runs the library. Helma’s friend Ruth tests her patience but truly is her best friend. Helma has an interesting relationship with the police chief. The romantic tension is there but it is on a really slow burn. Frankly, everyone, Helma comes in contact with including all the people at the cultural center are pretty darn quirky.

The author has created a really unique cast of characters that are becoming more fleshed out. I think the author has a dry wit and it shows in these stories and catches the reader by surprise when the words come out of the character’s mouths.

The Washington weather was almost a character itself. Deary rainy day after dreary rainy day made me feel sorry for everyone that lived in the region. It did give the story some nice twists but I was hoping and praying that the sun would come out soon.

I do enjoy the way Helma investigates. She ponders, does a little research, considers different options, ponders some more, asks some questions, and then has an aha moment when she finds the clue that makes every other clue fall into place. Being written in 1996, computer technology is sparse and there are no cell phones so when Helga found herself in a bit of a pickle a time or two I had to force myself to remember this.

I did enjoy the Native American history and the people Helma meets as she tries to find answers. A little boy with an interesting talent stole my heart.

Miss Zukas and the Raven’s Dance was an intriguing mystery with characters that really drove the story. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very addicting series.

[Greyling54 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Zukas does it again, although with a certain misunderstanding with the Chief of Police. Very enjoyable and interesting, especially the problems with the weather and how they cope in the Northwest.

[Spuddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helma takes over cataloguing duties at a Native American cultural center after the previous librarian (although he really wasn't accredited) is murdered--brutally, with a paper spindle shoved through his heart in the Ladies' room, clutching a Barbie doll of all things. Helma naturally feels inclined to investigate Stanley Plummer's death, especially after she has a few scary moments herself.

I don't quite know why I like this series so much, but I really do. Helma is not an old woman, but she rather acts like one, sort of staid and stoic and very precise and set in her ways. Yet there is some wry humor that sometimes catches you by surprise and adds a whole different dimension to the story. The characters are well-fleshed and the stories interesting, too. I enjoyed it!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

;number four in this charming series about a librarian in Washington state. With the help of her friend , Ruth and a young Indian boy she discovers the identity of the murderer. Recently divorced police chief tries to keep her out of harms way at the same time a handsome rich guy wants to help her solve mystery as well.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like mysteries of all kinds, especially cozy/amateur sleuth. And I really like it when I find a new-to-me series with a very intriguing main character as I found in Miss Helma Zukas. I found this on a shelf in my clothes closet. It was behind another stack of books, so who knows how long it's been languishing back there. I am very glad I was making a stack of books to have handy for the back patio and this was rediscovered.
Helma Zukas is a bit prickly in her demeanor but she just knows what she wants and how she wants it. She's precise. And she has a good heart along with her intelligence. She's a librarian, she doesn't put up with guff, she has rescued a cat on her terms and his, she has an interesting set of friends.
She likes to study problems and this book has plenty for her to study and solve.
This is a good view of an area in the PNW of tribes, museums, people, weather, attitudes.

I am definitely going to be reading more of this series as soon as I find them and I can definitely recommend this book, likely this series and this author.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book for three reasons. First, it was was not patronizing about indigenous people; second, it took a shot at the snobbish hierarchy of those with a degree in library science, the only people worthy of being called librarians) against those who do not have a library degree and therefore cannot be called librarians, never mind that they work quite competently in libraries everywhere; and third, Miss Zukas recognizes that she does indeed have a cat, and Boy Cat Zukas recognizes that he has a human.

I forgot to mention that it also takes a dig at genealogists who don't want the truth, they only want a pedigree with snob value.

[cloudyskye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know nothing of the Indian tribes of the Northwest so this was quite interesting. Too bad the "handsome brave" type turned out to be Italian! :D
As were the insights into cataloguing procedures and classification methods - 30 years ago now, hard to believe.
Some progress on the police chief-romantic interest storyline, if in the shape of a (temporary?) setback.
In other news: I'm having a hard time picturing Helma's friend Ruth. In my head she looks like a scruffy mix of a former not-so-nice co-worker of mine, Medusa, and Dame Edna Everage. BUT she seems quite popular with the guys. Must work on that ... ;)

[Marina Sinelnikova · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reread to make me feel better - and it did. I like to read about orderly people, it makes me feel that the world does not need to be chaotic. And I like Helma Zukas very much - I like how the author treats her and that she is not made to go through stereotypical "upgrade for an uptight character to relax" but keeps doing things her own way.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started to warm up a bit to the character in this book because now she lets the stray cat in. Frankly, she's a little dull, but not unrealistic, just hard to identify with. After reading this installment, I decided I would like to read the rest in the series. The Native American culture and lore gave this book interest.

[Wendy Theriault · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I especially liked about this book is the respectful and non-stereotypical way native Americans are treated.

I’m not going to discuss the plot, but do want to reiterate how very much I enjoy Miss Zukas and the characters in these books. These are not the most cerebral mysteries, but they _are_ engaging and I plan on reading the entire series.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A different type of murder mystery, but the character development wasn't as rich as the other Miss Zukas mysteries that I have read.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another charming book! This had some local "history" in it!

[Dale Safford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably no one but a former Librarian like myself would like this library mystery series! But the author has written very well while tying in library references.

Librarian Helma Zukas is sent to work on cataloging the books at the Native American Cultural Center library after the former director is murdered on site. But the man had mailed a letter to Helma with mysterious clues that might lead to who his killer was. Is Helma going into danger herself? It seems that way, with someone searching her work area, a car battery gone dead, lights on when they shouldn't be, and a fire. A cast of interesting characters include police chief Wayne Gallant, artsy high school classmate Ruth, the Hooke family whose ancestor established the library especially Aaron who asks Helma on dates, and native Young Frank who is very skilled at carving. All this in northwest Washington state. As the danger keeps surrounding Helma, will she meet the same fate as murdered Stanley Plummer?

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series was recommended to me by a friend and it's the first book I've read in it. I wanted to like it much more than I did. The author has certainly described the heroine's character very well- unfortunately, I realized early in the story that I didn't like Miss Zukas. She would drive me crazy! Then I realized that the woman is definitely obsessive-compulsive besides being very prim and proper- described as if she were 70 years old- but she's only 39. "You can call me Miss Zukas." I found her good friend Ruth to be so completely different that it seems incongruous that they'd be friends. There are also several little things that are hinted at but not really told to the reader and also some irrelevant information that confused this reader, including the title that had nothing to do with ravens dancing. Only 3 or 4 chapters near the end of the book were exciting.

Miss Zukas is sent from her library job to work several days a week at the new Native American Cultural Center where her predecessor, Stanley Plummer, had been cataloging the books prior to his murder at the Center. She is curious about the murder but will not listen to gossip of any sort. Then she receives a cryptic letter in the mail from the murder victim mailed the very day he was murdered. She's convinced that the man hid something in the Center that the murderer wants.

I don't want to write this series off so I'm willing to try another book in the future.

[Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't go wrong with this series. The librarians in this series keeps me coming back. I just can't help but think that Jo Dereske is using her own experiences in these books. I also like reading these books where we are all getting our systems computerized. And I really like that it is the time before everyone has a cell phone on them at all times.

[William Land · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful entry in the Miss Zukas series. I truly enjoyed this book.

Helma Zukas is a well fleshed out characters and has many qualities and quirks associated with librarians. As a library technician who worked many years in various types of libraries, I found that many of the library staff of the Bellehaven Public Library mirror some of the people with whom I've worked during my career.

The supporting characters also seem very real. These include Helma's best friend the irrepressible Ruth, her friend/confidante/romantic interest, Police Chief Wayne Gallant, her mother, Lillian, and her elderly neighbour Mrs. Whitney. These people appear throughout the series and this reader eagerly anticipates meeting them in whichever stories they appear.

I only wish I could have read this series in order. It would have been more engaging for me. Of course this is not the fault of the talented author, Jo Dereske.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Zukas is sent to work on the catalog of the Native American Center's rare and valuable book collection, a collection assembled by a now dead local philanthropist. But the cataloger before her was murdered. And he seems to have left some clues addressed to Helma. He certainly didn't know he was going to be murdered, so why was he sending these messages to Helma, whom he didn't know? The Native Americans in the area seem skeptical of the center, except for a young boy who wants to be a carver. Helma fears that his interests will put him at risk when a clue in a diorama points her to a long-hidden family secret.

[Katharine Kimbriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that (for me) shows why reading is so individual. Dereske writes a fine mystery, and makes me believe that her Bellehaven, WA is the Real Thing. The Miss Zukas Mysteries are prime amateur detective stories, and have their share of quirky characters and new info about things you've never learned about in depth.

But authors, as they create their characters and sift through those artificial lives for stories, choose unique paths for how they will build things.

I have loved a couple of these, and others, not as much. But they are all very well-written, so if the blurb appeals to you, try the series out.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss Zukas once again is thrown into a temporary assignment that turns out to have a murder involved. It turns out to be in an Indian cultural center. This gives the writer an opporutnity to explore the social stresses around native American cultures of the Pacific Northwest, and examine both the cultural heritage and hypocritical attitudes surrounding the mixing of heritages.

I was amused by the references to Nebraska in the end story. Which ties me to it in a geographical / historical way. We in the lesser populated states of the union take our connections where we may.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helma Zukas, reference librarian at Bellehaven, WA PL solves myseries with her analytical mind and her reserved demeanor. Her quirky friend Ruth is her opposite. The writing is above average and there is nothing cliched in this book... quite a feat when you are delving in the sub-sub-genre of librarian-sleuths. The author doesn't fail to poke a little fun at librarians and their regard for their "professional status". I loved Helma and want to read another.
PS picked this one up for 50 cents at the local public library book sale.

[RuthG · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery was very good and I had to wait until the denouement to find out who the killer was. That is something I like in a book. However, I did have a problem with Miss Zukas. She was just too precise and controlled for me to find her even possible, let alone probable as a person. She came off as smug and that's not an endearing quality in a character or a living person. The information about the Native Americans in the northwest was definitely interesting so were the descriptions of the dioramas. That alone made the book well worth reading.

[Kyrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, it's light reading, but I really like Miss Zukas. I didn't figure out the mystery. I was so far off track as to be in another book. I also liked that Miss Zukas actually shared emotions in this book. I'm saying it badly - she's shown them before, but I feel like the human side is coming out more and more.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many mysteries (especially on TV) badly appropriate native culture to lend an air of the exotic to their crappy little tales, and Dereske seems to be doing that... until she pulls a reversal! She still does it a little, though.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always feel like I'm visiting an old friend when I pick up one of the Miss Zukas mysteries. Miss Z is such a well defined character and yet there were a couple of surprises thrown in too. A very good read!

[Christina Cueto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Miss Zukas was not quite her old self in my opinion. 😂 I somehow mistakenly marked this book as read, but only recently was able to purchase a copy. These books have never been readily available in my local bookstores & the library didn’t have the whole series.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine. I got a little bit tired of the librarian stereotypes, and found it implausible that so many people would be so beat down by the rain in November; if you live in that area, you deal with it a lot better, at least until February.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Books in the series are good enough. Probably wouldn't be reading so many if the nice librarian hadn't requested them through ILL. They all came in at the same time!

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong mystery with clues as Miss Zukas organizes a museum's Native American collection of books and uncover much more