[.ca] Silence Is Golden: A Hilda Johansson Mystery (ISBN 0802733735)

fascinating historical who done it:
It has been six years since Hilda, her brother and her sister left Sweden to come to America. Hilda, a maid for the Studebaker family in South Bend, Indiana and her siblings saved enough money to bring the rest of the family to America. Unfortunately, it has not been an easy adjustment for the Johansson brood. Their apartment is too small and they don't want their Protestant daughter going out with Patrick, an Irish-American fireman. The youngest son Erik goes from one job to another never satisfied. When Erik witnesses a child's murder by a pediophile, his life is in danger. Patrick and Hilda, with the help of some hoboes, create a daring scheme to flush the murderer out into the open. Jeanne M Dams' latest Hilda Johansson mystery is a nicely told tale. The protagonist is not afraid of breaking the rules of society or her employer when it comes to people she cares about. SILENCE IS GOLDEN is a fascinating who done it while Erik is adorable as the brave young man trying to overcome his fear to help catch a killer. Harriet Klausner

What a horrible book!:
It's difficult to believe that the author of the wonderful Dorothy Martin mystery series is also the perpetrator of this terrible stinker. Stupid plot, stupid characters...yeccchhhhh!!!!!!

Historical Hysterical Cozy That Just Doesn't Quite Work:
Jeanne M. Dams delivers a cozy mystery that could, should, but really doesn't, deliver. The setting and cast of characters is clever, with Hilda and family, the Swedish immigrants settled into the ethnically diverse city of South Bend. Hilda has a romantic interest in the ever so unacceptable Roman Catholic immigrant Patrick Cavanaugh; as well as a smitten police sergeant. Hilda works as a maid in the home of the Studebaker family, called Tippecanoe (look it up on the internet, a fascinating residence). While obviously well researched, the story gets muddled with entirely too much dashing about like the proverbial chicken, too many silly misunderstandings and plenty of lying. Erik, Hilda's completely out of control 12 year old brother, finds himself on the run from a child molester. Somehow Dams works in the historical Orphan Train and the itinerant small circuses. Many parts of this book just don't seem to ring true, and Hilda was rather unappealing as a nosy, know-it-all, busy body unconcerned with lying to her superiors. More history, more realism, and less silly dialogue and convoluted misunderstandings might have helped this book. Three stars, almost a worthwhile read.

A Sorry Disappointment:
Having read the Dorothy Martin series, I was fully prepared to enjoy this book, but I didn't - not at all. Hilda, the protagonist, is impossible to like and, therefore, care much about. She prides herself on her ability as a liar, and her personality is harsh and domineering. Her little brother's an incorrigible brat, making it difficult to maintain any sympathy for him and his plight. The storyline is contrived and confusing. The cast of characters, except for the Irish swain, don't ring true; and the evocation of the historical period is the only saving grace. Back to Dorothy Martin, a heroine it's possible to like!

A Sorry Disappointment:
Having read the Dorothy Martin series, I was fully prepared to enjoy this book, but I didn't - not at all. Hilda, the protagonist, is impossible to like and, therefore, care much about. She prides herself on her ability as a liar, and her personality is harsh and domineering. Her little brother's an incorrigible brat, making it difficult to maintain any sympathy for him and his plight. The storyline is contrived and confusing. The cast of characters, except for the Irish swain, don't ring true; and the evocation of the historical period is the only saving grace. Back to Dorothy Martin, a heroine it's possible to like!