Seventy-five year old Helen Evans has lived in River Ben TO HELEN BACK
Susan McBride
Harper Collins Witness Impulse July 2014
River Road Mystery ~ Book One
Seventy-five year old Helen Evans has lived in River Bend, Illinois – population 200 – for fifty years. She is very active in the Ladies’ Civic Improvement League, and right now the entire town is up in arms about Milton Grove’s intention to sell fifty-acres of bluff side land to a developer. Milton is probably one of the meanest men anyone has ever met and has challenged his father’s will about leaving the land to the town. Milton hates River Bend, and in turn everyone in River Bend dislikes Milton intensely.
Milton’s body is found dead in the yard between his house and his neighbors, and it is presumed to be from a heart attack. Unfortunately, Doc Melville rules it as a homicide due to a blow to the head with a blunt instrument. Sheriff Frank Biddle doesn’t know where to start looking for the killer, as there are too many people that wanted Milton gone, including Milton’s wife, Shotsy. Helen notices things other people don’t; knows just how to talk to the right people, and she is able to piece together all of her data and knows who the guilty party is.
Susan McBride writes with wit and charm. Her characters are actual people you get to know and appreciate, and the dialogue is interesting and intelligent. TO HELEN BACK has a super supporting cast, including the sheriff, doctor, and all of Helen’s “girl” friends. TO HELEN BACK is clever, entertaining, and has the most surprising ending possible. This is a book that readers of all ages can read and appreciate, and it can easily be read in one sitting!