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Helen Bradley Mysteries #1
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
After ten years of widowhood, Helen Bradley is in the prime of her life with a wonderful new husband, a terrific job as a freelance travel writer, and the occasional assignment from her former employer - the U.S. government - just to keep life interesting.
But a phone call from Irene Kincaid detailing her husband's mysterious death interrupts Helen's leisurely pace. A prominent gerontologist, Dr. Paul Kincaid had developed a number of anti-aging products, including what was hoped to be a cure for Alzheimer's Disease. When Irene dies following a gunshot wound, Helen is convinced that secrets are lurking in Kincaid laboratories and someone is willing to kill to keep them quiet. To discover the truth, Helen checks herself into Edgewood Manor one of the best convalescent homes in the county and Dr. Kincaid's dream child.
Helen Bradley's son had pleaded with her not to go there. Once inside, Helen understands why.
But a phone call from Irene Kincaid detailing her husband's mysterious death interrupts Helen's leisurely pace. A prominent gerontologist, Dr. Paul Kincaid had developed a number of anti-aging products, including what was hoped to be a cure for Alzheimer's Disease. When Irene dies following a gunshot wound, Helen is convinced that secrets are lurking in Kincaid laboratories and someone is willing to kill to keep them quiet. To discover the truth, Helen checks herself into Edgewood Manor one of the best convalescent homes in the county and Dr. Kincaid's dream child.
Helen Bradley's son had pleaded with her not to go there. Once inside, Helen understands why.
355 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 1997
About the author
Patricia H. Rushford
64 books143 followersPatricia H. Rushford, an award winning author and speaker, has extensive experience in writing and has authored over sixty books, both fiction and non-fiction. In addition to having a nursing degree and masters in counseling, she is also an artist and quilter.
The Jennie McGrady Mysteries for young adults have sold well over 500,000 copies. Silent Witness won the Silver Angel Award for Excellence in Media and was nominated for an Edgar Allen Poe Award by Mystery Writers of America. She also wrote the Max & Me Mysteries for middle grade.
The various mystery series for adults continue to receive great reviews. Her series include, The Helen Bradley Mysteries, The Angel Delaney Mysteries, The McAllister Files and her latest, the Artisan Mysteries.
Her newest releases are: Watercolor Dreams, Deadly Deception and The Quiltmaker's Daughter, both are romantic suspense novels featuring artists.
She has been awarded the Golden Quill Award by RWA- Desert Rose Chapter and earned honorable mention in the Silver Angel Awards.
Patricia is a member of ACFW and a number of other writing organizations. She has participated in such mystery events such as Bouchercon--the World Mystery Convention, Left Coast Crime, and other conventions for lovers of mystery and suspense. She manages a website and blog and has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads and Linked-in and also generates a newsletter. Called Mysterious Musings.
Additional info at www.patriciarushfordbooks.com
The Jennie McGrady Mysteries for young adults have sold well over 500,000 copies. Silent Witness won the Silver Angel Award for Excellence in Media and was nominated for an Edgar Allen Poe Award by Mystery Writers of America. She also wrote the Max & Me Mysteries for middle grade.
The various mystery series for adults continue to receive great reviews. Her series include, The Helen Bradley Mysteries, The Angel Delaney Mysteries, The McAllister Files and her latest, the Artisan Mysteries.
Her newest releases are: Watercolor Dreams, Deadly Deception and The Quiltmaker's Daughter, both are romantic suspense novels featuring artists.
She has been awarded the Golden Quill Award by RWA- Desert Rose Chapter and earned honorable mention in the Silver Angel Awards.
Patricia is a member of ACFW and a number of other writing organizations. She has participated in such mystery events such as Bouchercon--the World Mystery Convention, Left Coast Crime, and other conventions for lovers of mystery and suspense. She manages a website and blog and has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads and Linked-in and also generates a newsletter. Called Mysterious Musings.
Additional info at www.patriciarushfordbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 6, 2024
An odd book. While the protagonist is a super secret agent, sometimes it seems like an inspirational book, but it isn't, sometimes it enters cozy territory for a bit, but it's a sci fi mystery featuring anti aging.
Interesting, but unexpected.
Interesting, but unexpected.
August 31, 2020
This is a standard mystery with a retired woman protagonist who enjoys snooping around mysterious situations. The characters are stereotypes. The setting is very interesting...a high end, full service retirement community. The story is plot-driven and fairly interesting.
May 2, 2026
I remember seeing this book around 1998 after reading through the author's excellent Jennie McGrady books. Somehow, I missed reading it back then. But despite the 28 year wait, I'm glad I finally got to this excellent book. Like most mystery suspense novels, there was a certain amount of far-fetched behavior and actions on the part of characters, including our heroine, Helen Bradley. Even so, the writing is top notch and I enjoyed the story. I also liked the reprising role of Helen's granddaughter, Jennie McGrady, a realistic type of Nancy Drew.
As for the story, the plot centers around the twisted and ominous happening occurring at a state of the art senior care facility. Helen gets herself checked in to the facility in an attempt to get to the bottom of it. But certain people don't appreciate her "meddling" and attempt to silence her. Lots of suspense.
Note: Though this book was traditionally published back in the day, it now appears to be self-published, and with a lesser-quality book cover. Don't let that stop you from reading this one. It's a goodie.
As for the story, the plot centers around the twisted and ominous happening occurring at a state of the art senior care facility. Helen gets herself checked in to the facility in an attempt to get to the bottom of it. But certain people don't appreciate her "meddling" and attempt to silence her. Lots of suspense.
Note: Though this book was traditionally published back in the day, it now appears to be self-published, and with a lesser-quality book cover. Don't let that stop you from reading this one. It's a goodie.
May 5, 2018
Now that's what I'm talking about! This is a new author to me. The first book held my interest from the beginning to the end of the book. I'm already looking forward to reading the next one. If this author has more books written, I really want to read them after I finish this series. This was very good!
August 27, 2023
I remembered this ’90s read fondly: imagine Jessica Fletcher as an ex-cop solving a mystery with granddaughter Nancy Drew in a Diagnosis: Murder medical setting. (With cozy-thriller tone a la Mrs Pollifax, but teenage-me hadn’t met her yet.)
April 8, 2025
Who Would Gain from the Murder a Well-Respected Doctor?
First book in series
Suitable for teens- adults
No profanity
No sex
Violence, but not gratuitous
Main Character - Helen Bradley
The main character holds Christian values. For example when faced with perplexing circumstances, Helen will say a quick prayer for guidance. Whether the reader is a person of faith or not, these instances do not detract from the storyline, meaning, she doesn't seem to suddenly get supernatural help or anything like that.
Helen Bradley is mostly retired from her career in law enforcement, but is occasionally called to service. She is contacted by a woman named Irene who asks Helen to help her prove that her husband's death was murder, not a heart attack. He had been the administrator and head doctor at a large, exclusive retirement community with its own hospital. Helen comes to believe that Irene is not imagining things, so checks herself into the facility to take advantage of their physical therapy program. While there, she discovers that there are definitely some shady practices going on.
Good plot, well developed, believable.
First book in series
Suitable for teens- adults
No profanity
No sex
Violence, but not gratuitous
Main Character - Helen Bradley
The main character holds Christian values. For example when faced with perplexing circumstances, Helen will say a quick prayer for guidance. Whether the reader is a person of faith or not, these instances do not detract from the storyline, meaning, she doesn't seem to suddenly get supernatural help or anything like that.
Helen Bradley is mostly retired from her career in law enforcement, but is occasionally called to service. She is contacted by a woman named Irene who asks Helen to help her prove that her husband's death was murder, not a heart attack. He had been the administrator and head doctor at a large, exclusive retirement community with its own hospital. Helen comes to believe that Irene is not imagining things, so checks herself into the facility to take advantage of their physical therapy program. While there, she discovers that there are definitely some shady practices going on.
Good plot, well developed, believable.
February 12, 2018
Action packed
It moved at a good pace, and figuring out the bad guy wasn't easy. That's a good thing. Great read.
It moved at a good pace, and figuring out the bad guy wasn't easy. That's a good thing. Great read.
March 18, 2020
Great "more than just a cozy" mystery. Enjoyable main character. Lots of surprises and "didn't see that coming". Kept me guessing until the end.
June 9, 2021
A good mystery. It kept me guessing about who the culprit was.
July 25, 2022
Not a great story, nor was it terrible - more an average murder mystery. The characters are neither humorous or brilliant so nothing much there either. Jennie was the best for me...
October 1, 2025
Lots of tension build-up with little to no payout, hopping from cliffhanger to cliffhanger at the end of each chapter, with only a few exciting moments. Meh.
November 22, 2011
This was a great book for some enjoyable light reading. Helen Bradley used to be a detective, but quit late in her career and started writing travel books. He first husband was murdered and several years later she married his (and her) best friend. All are involved in the FBI, CIA and other government agencies. It was such a treat to read one of these books that didn't have bad language, cynical agents and a lot of lying, betrayal, treachery and a lot of gratuitous sex. This mystery had to do with a series of unexplained death as a residential care and research center for the elderly or people who need rehab. Helen agrees to help a woman who meets her late at night in the park to give her a tape of her husband's research. She feels that he had been murdered and that there was someone after her. When they are both gunned down, it becomes evident that there may be something to the story. Helen needs rehab for her shoulder and so she goes to the center for therapy and to see what she can find out.
May 7, 2009
Book 1 in the "Helen Bradley Mysteries"
Strange events are happening at Edgewood Manor. A woman fell downstairs. Or was she pushed as one resident believes? Some say the residents are being poisoned. Others claim those who are saying that, pretty much don't have all their faculties in order. Many residents made Edgewood Manor beneficiary to their insurance policies and wills. Some residents are given experimental drugs in exchange for room and board. Helen and her granddaughter are determined to discover the truth behind the claims and counterclaims. While some of the residents want to talk, others are too frightened to speak lest they "be next."
Strange events are happening at Edgewood Manor. A woman fell downstairs. Or was she pushed as one resident believes? Some say the residents are being poisoned. Others claim those who are saying that, pretty much don't have all their faculties in order. Many residents made Edgewood Manor beneficiary to their insurance policies and wills. Some residents are given experimental drugs in exchange for room and board. Helen and her granddaughter are determined to discover the truth behind the claims and counterclaims. While some of the residents want to talk, others are too frightened to speak lest they "be next."
December 30, 2010
A tastefull well written story. Characters are well developed, flavored with lifes challenges and issues. The characters are set in real life situations, dealing with real life problems, all involved in a suspense murder mystery story. Keeps you captivated, quite plausable and beleivable. Enjoyed the story and the ending. Was well satisfied and strongly recommend and a enjoyable comfortable read.
Not real exciting, not too fast paced. Just enjoyable.
Not real exciting, not too fast paced. Just enjoyable.
January 5, 2008
If you like Rushford's Jennie McGrady mystery series for young adults, you'll like this series as well. It is about Jennie's grandmother, who is a detective. Rushford had me guessing about whodunit until the very last pages.
August 13, 2015
Absolutely the most amazing book I this series. Well maybe not. They are all great. Warning. Do not read at night unless you want nightmares. I had to turn on the nightlight for the first time in ten years.
August 27, 2010
Patricia Rushford does great Christian mysteries! Good suspense and great reminders of scripture.
July 13, 2011
Didn't like it
October 24, 2013
Eh, it was okay. I felt like I landed in the middle of a series inviolable 5 or something.
February 9, 2014
Good mystery. Kept me guessing until the end.
September 15, 2014
Engaging mystery but overdone plot line. Not very memorable.
March 21, 2015
enjoyable medical thriller.
February 4, 2016
Helen goes in where Angeles fear to tread.
Patient recovery? A place of beauty and distinction no place to avoid, right? People are dying and Helen is to close for comfort!
Patient recovery? A place of beauty and distinction no place to avoid, right? People are dying and Helen is to close for comfort!
June 29, 2016
Enjoyed the book but did not not keep my interest very well. Had to make myself keep reading to find the answers.
May 5, 2018
This plot involved multiple murders in a well-respected luxury retirement/rehabilitation/nursing home community. One phone call alleging a doctor was murdered and did not die of a heart attack involves Helen Bradley in trying to discover the truth.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews