Short Cut

Ruby Crane #3

by Jo Dereske

They were sisters separated by distance, hurt and secrets.  Now murder is bringing them together....

It was a long way from northern Michigan to the mountains above Albuquerque.  But the distance between Ruby Crane and her glamorous, successful sister, Phyllis, was even greater.  Until Phyllis trekked through the Michigan snow in her designer boots to beg Ruby for help.  And while Ruby knew there were some things she couldn't help her sister with--like her drinking--she couldn't say no to a matter of life and death.

A boy had died on a construction site, and Phyllis, the engineer on the project, was being blamed--for a design she claimed someone had altered.  While Ruby, an expert in handwriting analysis, tries to find out if the designs are forgeries, a sudden, vicious murder changes everything.  Now a stalker is lurking around Phyllis's once-elegant life.  And for the two sisters, the time has come for unspoken words--and a fight for both of their lives....

Genres: Mystery

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 8, 1998

About the author

I grew up in rural Michigan, greatly influenced by my Lithuanian roots. I'm one of those tedious people who wanted to write stories as soon as I learned to read, but believed I had to leave Michigan first. In fact, I couldn't wait to shake off that Michigan dust! Curiously, everything I write seems to have a connection to Michigan or my Lithuanian heritage.
I now live in the beautiful foothills of Mount Baker, near Bellingham, Washington.
I've loved being a librarian: libraries are one of our last truly public institutions, where the whole world, in all its zits and glory, passes through.
There are twelve titles in the Miss Zukas mystery series. Miss Zukas is tough, honest, crafty, a complicated woman with a deep but futile desire to perceive the world in black and white. And yes, Helma Zukas is what used to be called, a “real” librarian. You might say she embraces the stereotype. Helma is unapologetic.
Ruby Crane is a forgery specialist, a subject that's fascinated me since I forged my first absence excuse in fourth grade. There are three books in the series.
My three young people's books were written when my children were young.
Please visit me on my website!
jo 5/26/2013

Reviews

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited about this one because it mainly takes place in Albuquerque where Ruby's estranged sister lives and needs some help. I was a bit disappointed as it became clear that the author probably has never visited the city and knows little about New Mexico. Maybe she passed through the airport one day and thought, "Hey, this would be a great place to set my next mystery!"
Who knows, but if you set your book in New Mexico and there isn't one mention of green chile, well, you're faking it.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby goes to help her sister, who has trouble when someone dies at the collapse of a ledge she designed. Lots of good tension between the sisters, and some softening of it too. This one is a little more complex than the other two in the series. Kind if disappointed that there aren't any more.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh

[Larry E. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby as a mother,sister,and detective.

The emotional impact of caring ,he!ping, and understanding the mind of family members made this novel precious to me. The familiar places in Michigan and the Southwest rang true to my memory too. Ruby brings reason and mystery to every page.😯