Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: In 1917, 18-year-old Ruth Cruger disappeared shortly after picking up her newly-sharpened ice skates at a New York City motorcycle shop. The police investigate but, mostly because they believe Ruth has eloped with a secret boyfriend, are unable to find her. Months later, Ruth's father solicits help from attorney/detective Grace Humiston, who has made a name for herself helping immigrants and defending innocent death row inmates during an era when women still didn't even have the right to vote.    Review: I wanted to take a short break from Perry Mason mysteries and was in the mood for something educational. As a result, I wound up visiting the biography section the last time I was at our local library. This book caught my eye, partly because it was about a real-life mystery, and I decided to check it out. It turned out to be a very interesting book. I thought the author did a solid job of telling his readers about a woman that, for reasons he describes in the epil...

Synopsis: An African missionary dies at the start of World War I and, even though they didn't directly cause his death, his sister, Rose Sayer, blames the Germans. Left alone in enemy-occupied territory, Rose accepts passage on a river boat, The African Queen, which is piloted by a fellow British citizen, Charlie Allnut. Upon learning the boat, which had previously been used to deliver supplies to a mine, carries explosives, she convinces a reluctant Allnut to take the boat down the dangerous Ulanga River so she can use the vessel to sink a German gunboat. Review: I started reading this book some time ago and was finally able to finish it before going to bed last night. Normally, I can get through a book of this size in about a week. This time, it took me considerably longer because, in all honesty, I was having a very hard time staying interested. I've seen the 1951 movie version of this book on more than one occasion and, while it is an OK film, it isn't on my li...