Green Grow The Victims

Some authors can tell a really enchanting story, but some can take you to another culture or time or place and make you believe that you understand it. Jeanne Dams does that in her Hilda Johansson series. For me, growing up in a middle-class, professional family I had no recognition of the politics of class. Downton Abbey was a benign look at a culture that I found infuriating, but we have had that type of cultural politics in the United States for a long time - with slavery and racism, with the [...]

Love the references to South Bend, Indiana and the history of the city. Hilda is a woman before her time and doesn't always seem to care for her given roll. Enjoy reading of her adventures.

The year is 1902 and the place is South Bend, Indiana. Hilda works as a maid one of the most prestigious mansions in the city, for the Studebakers. As a Swedish immigrant, she is lucky to have such a good job, even though she must work long, hard hours. She keeps company with Patrick, a fireman she is fond of. But even as they are become even closer, they realize that a major obstacle in a lasting relationship is their difference in nationality was well as religion. Hilda is a Swedish Lutheran a [...]

By page 42, when fireman Patrick (the romantic hero) "aimed a kick" at the firehouse dog - whose only mistake was being a faithful companion - I soured on the book. I was so horrified when he vented frustration through animal cruelty (or at least a semblance of kicking in the dog's direction), I actually gasped out loud and didn't want to read anymore. The scene was written flippantly, casually, as though such behavior was not inconsistent with being a great guy and an object of romance. It made [...]

This is the third book in the new series by Jeanne Dams about the Swedish maid for the wealthy Studebaker family. It is 1902 and the coal mines of South Bend, Indiana are on strike and a politician has been murdered. Hilda's relationship with Peter Cavanaugh satisfies the two of them, but it is creating tension for the families since he is Irish Catholic and she is Swedish and certainly not Catholic. The dead man was a politician and his chief opponent is Peter's uncle who has gone missing. Susp [...]

Very slow start - doesn't seem to get moving until chapter 3. However that could be because I was expecting the mystery to be the main plot as opposed to the romance developing between Hilda and Patrick. The mystery does become more of the main plot in chapter 3 and the romance twists and turns becomes a good sub plot to the story. I do like the historical setting and the fact that Ms. Dams lets the readers know what she has taken liberty with in regards to the historical setting she is using.

This time Hilda Johansson is dealing with murder, disappearance, immigrant issues and mixed relationship questions in 1902 South Bend. She solves the first two questions, progress is made in the two other arenas.

Another good series by Jeanne M. Dams. Hilda Johansson is an endearing character. She is a Swedish immigrant "stepping out" with an Irish firefighter. She is asked by Patrick's aunt to investigate a murder and the adventure begins.

This is the third book in the Hilda Johannson series. I think that it is the best story so far. I liked the mystery and how Hilda went about solving it. I also liked the relationship part of the story. Reading about South Bend at the turn of the 20th century is an extra bonus.

Read by Kate Reading

The book was entertaining enough - in a lightweight way.

did'nt much liked this series of dorothy martin

Hilda #3

Starts out slow but it's interesting to have a period piece with a woman as the "detective"! I almost put it down but I still find it interesting.