Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: Looking for some temporary relief from a heatwave, 77-year-old crossword puzzle setter Judith Potts goes for a late- night swim in the Thames, located behind her mansion in Marlow, and hears shouting, followed by a gunshot, coming from the home of her art dealer neighbor, Stefan Dunwoody. When Stefan's body is found with a bullet in his head, the police want to believe it is a suicide, but Judith insists he was murdered and decides to investigate on her own.  It doesn't take Judith long to settle on a suspect, auction house owner Elliot Howard. However, while Judith is convinced Elliott is responsible, he has an iron-clad alibi. Plus, a second murder committed with the same weapon, an antique handgun, seems to have no connection to him. Fortunately, Judith has reinforcements from Beth, a vicar's wife, and a dog walker, Suzie, because her investigation might put her own life in danger. Review: I checked out The Marlow Murder Club from my library because I came a...

Synopsis: When an escaped criminal results in a manhunt near Mayberry, Andy ( Andy Griffith ) and Barney ( Don Knotts ) are ready to do their part. However, the state police don't want their help. Andy, not wanting to lose face in front of his son, Opie ( Ron Howard ) and the rest of the town, decides to help anyway but things only become worse when the criminal (Frank Gerstle) gets Barney's gun. My Thoughts: The first scene with Barney is a good reminder of what Don Knotts brought to this series. His excitement over the escaped criminal followed up with his inability to use the radio correctly was as funny as it can get. It's unclear if the state police never wanted Andy's help or if he convinced them not to ask for it. Capt. Barker (Ken Lynch) wasn't particularly friendly toward him when he and his crew arrived but also didn't seem as though he was going to be opposed to Andy's help until the latter became uncomfortably impressed with the use of magnetic ...

 Here are my thoughts from last night's 23-13 Green Bay Packers win over the Dallas Cowboys: Welcome back Savion Williams. I honestly wasn't expecting him to have that much of a role in his first game back from injury, but he had two big clutch catches on the first drive and finished with four catches and 2 runs. With Jayden Reed out for the season, I think he will be the one they choose to replace him in the offense. Green Bay needs to get their run game fixed. As I told my cat, who was waiting to be fed last night, this game would have been over a lot quicker if the Packers didn't need to pass the ball so much. Head Coach Matt LaFleur didn't give up on the run game but their three running backs only netted 36 yards on 20 carries. Pierre Strong Jr. is making the case as the strongest of the group behind Josh Jacobs. Not so much running the ball because he was equally inconsistent with that, but other than a drop late in the game, he seemed to be a valuable asset as a r...

 I re-filled the bird feeders yesterday and had a flock of them out front early this morning. So, I decided to grab my camera and get some photos. Here are a few: __________________________________________________________________________ Here are some previous bird photos:  Front Yard Bird Photos (10/10/2026) Some Bird Photos from Around the Yard Morning Walk Photos 7/18/2017 Just a Robin Photo

Synopsis: After striking it rich and relocating to Beverly Hills, Jed Clampett ( Buddy Ebsen ) and his family get settled in their new mansion. However, their first meeting with bank secretary Jane Hathaway (Nancy Kulp) has them mistaken for the help. My Thoughts -  Did nobody tell Mr. Drysdale ( Raymond Bailey ) about the Clampetts? For a guy who wants to keep their millions in his bank, he does seem awfully clueless about them. This was clear in his somewhat abbreviated tour of their new mansion and him making no effort to explain concepts that would be foreign to a backwoods family, starting with a stove that doesn't use wood and the idea food can be frozen. The same with Miss Hathaway. Why wouldn't Mr. Drysdale give her some advanced warning about how they dressed and acted? It's almost as though he was trying to upset his largest bank depositor. Did anyone even bother to explain to the Clampetts they owned the whole house? The joke about a second house upstairs and con...

 To Lt. Jensen: I am submitting to you my final albeit abbreviated report, which is being written both under urgency and duress. Our undercover fact-finding mission has been successful but has come at a cost. Wilson is dead and with my cover blown, my status will likely be the same by the time you receive this.  Please keep me in your prayers as you read the summary of my findings below: Inauguration Day is, as expected, the execution date. The AI presidential replicas remain out of the picture until after the election and swearing in ceremony. The man standing on stage with his hand on the Bible is, in fact, human, but is replaced by his replica soon after. The President is unaware of this up until the moment they inject him with a quick and powerful sedative and make the exchange behind closed doors. From that point forward until the next president is elected, the replica handles all presidential functions and decisions. After Inauguration Day, the president is kept in a bu...