Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: When Eva Martell is selected, based solely on her appearance, for a mysterious job, Perry Mason is hired by her friend to make sure the job doesn't involve Eva doing something illegal. As Mason is investigating, things take an unexpected turn when the man who hired Eva, Robert Dover Hines, is found murdered by a gun that had previously been in the possession of Eva's chaperone, Adelle Winters. Review: For the most part, my efforts to read Perry Mason books have been a bit hit or miss. There were some I really enjoyed, others I didn't like all that much, and others that were, at best, average. After finishing this book early this morning, I now think of it as one of my favorites. I think the thing that really caught my attention with this book was the way Mason got himself involved with a murder case purely by accident. He and Della Street were casually driving when he happened to notice multiple brunettes standing on street corners that were similar in appearan...

Synopsis: When Scott Shelby goes overboard while trying to complete a business transaction on a yacht, his wife, Marion, who was found wandering the deck with a gun in her hand, becomes the prime suspect in his murder. Believing Scott Shelby faked his death and framed his wife, Perry Mason decides to defend her. However, things get more complicated when her husband's body is found with a gunshot wound that matched her gun. Review: OK, to be honest, when I started reading this book, I thought I would be bored out of my mind because, when it first starts out, there's a lot of legal stuff regarding oil leases, property escrows, etc. and definitely nothing that would hint this would turn into a murder mystery. But, after finishing the book last night, I have to say I did end up enjoying it. I think one of the biggest surprises for me was who Mason's client turned out to be. I had an older copy of this book that didn't contain any sort of information as to what the plot was...

Synopsis: When he obtains a large settlement for his client following a car accident, Perry Mason feels it was a little too easy and begins to suspect the defendant paid the money to hide shady business dealings. When the wealthy businessman he's investigating is found murdered on board a yacht, Mason ends up defending the yacht's owner and must figure out how the ocean tides impacted the murder scene. Review: I didn't intend to check out another Perry Mason book the last time I was at the library. However, I couldn't find the two books I did want and, needing to get back to the office, wound up grabbing this off the shelf on my way out. Overall, it's an OK mystery but, to be honest, I found I didn't like it nearly as much as other books in the series. I think the best way to describe this book is you need a score card to keep up with it. There are so many potential suspects. This includes Mason's client, who seemed to go out of his way to manufacture an ...

Synopsis: In 1987, The Princess Bride received a tepid response at theaters. However, thanks to a new technology, VHS, the movie, which combines action, comedy and romance, became an all-time favorite spanning multiple generations. Actor Cary Elwes tells the behind-the-scenes stories that took place over the months the movie was being filmed. Review: I was reminded of this book a few days ago, when I saw it referenced in an article I was reading. Realizing I had never taking the time to read it despite the fact it was about one of my all-time favorite films (if not THE favorite), I decided to correct it. Fortunately for me, it was at our local library.  I finished the book a little while ago and have to say I will never look at the movie the same way again (and I mean that in a good way). Elwes does a great job of telling the movie's story scene-by-scene and the challenges director Rob Reiner faced getting it off the ground, whether it was dealing with an over-protective writer...

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...

Four years ago this month, I published this children's book, which was illustrated by my daughter, Summer (then 4 years of age). The book is still available for sale at Amazon. You can purchase it here.