No one could be more orderly or organized than dedicated librarian Helma Zukas. No one could be more rash and raucous than avant-garde artist Ruth Winthrop. Yet the two women are best friends and a resourceful, ingenious, crime-solving team. So when two of Ruth's latest paintings—each depicting an ex-lover who met a very untimely and mysterious end—are stolen, the amazing amateur detectives get to work.

But digging through Ruth's romantic rendezvous turns up more than broken hearts. There's an angry ex-wife, a jealous fellow artist, and a rampaging group of local tree-huggers. There's trouble brewing in Bellehaven . . . and only Helma and Ruth can make certain that mayhem doesn't lead to murder.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 8 reviews)

Another great book in this series!!

I love Miss Zukas mysteries. She seems quite at home at the library. Her best friend Ruth, always spices things up a bit. This time is no exception. I enjoyed the many paths they took in order to solve the case of the missing paintings. Ruth is a hoot!!!
July 09, 2008

Index To Murder: A Miss Zukas Mystery

Jo Dereske has done it again! This mystery kept me hooked from start to finish.
June 29, 2008

The case of the missing paintings

Librarian Helma Zukas' friend Ruth is upset when two of her paintings are stolen. The paintings depict Ruth's former boyfriends, both of whom died in a mysterious way. Meanwhile there are rumors that Miss Zukas' apartment complex will soon be sold to developers. Throw in a group of tree-huggers and that sums up Index to Murder. All the old favorite characters in the series are here and there's a bit of romance, but the plot tends to wander and the motive for the crimes committed is pretty far-fetched. Series fans will probably want to read this book but it's not Jo Dereske's best.
June 27, 2008

great book

Great mystery as usual. All the Miss Zukas books are wonderful. Helma is an interesting, one-of-a-kind character.
June 03, 2008

Miss Zukas Returns

I love the Miss Zukas mystery series and was really glad to see Index to Murder. Helma and Ruth are polar opposites, but they complement each other beautifully.

Miss Zukas is a very prim and proper librarian with some OCD characteristics. Despite this, her need to solve mysteries compels her to step outside her comfort zone from time to time to get to the bottom of the mystery.

I don't want to spoil anything, but Helma's personal life ends with a cliffhanger.... I can't wait for the next book.

May 31, 2008

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Murder Is Binding
by Lorna Barrett

Catalogue of Death: A Miss Zukas Mystery
by Jo Dereske

The Ghost and the Femme Fatale (Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, No. 4)
by Alice Kimberly

Bookmarked to Die (Miss Zukas Mysteries)
by Jo Dereske

French Pressed (Coffeehouse Mysteries, No. 6)
by Cleo Coyle