Red Sky in Mourning

Helen Bradley Mysteries #2

by Patricia H. Rushford

When Helen Bradley arrives at a quaint coastal village to complete a regional travel guide, she learns that the woman who started the project was killed in an accident which may have been staged to cover some illegal activity in this supposedly tranquil town

Genres: Mystery, Christian Fiction, Mystery Thriller

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Patricia H. Rushford, an award winning author and speaker, has extensive experience in writing and has authored over sixty books, both fiction and non-fiction. In addition to having a nursing degree and masters in counseling, she is also an artist and quilter.

The Jennie McGrady Mysteries for young adults have sold well over 500,000 copies. Silent Witness won the Silver Angel Award for Excellence in Media and was nominated for an Edgar Allen Poe Award by Mystery Writers of America. She also wrote the Max & Me Mysteries for middle grade.

The various mystery series for adults continue to receive great reviews. Her series include, The Helen Bradley Mysteries, The Angel Delaney Mysteries, The McAllister Files and her latest, the Artisan Mysteries.

Her newest releases are: Watercolor Dreams, Deadly Deception and The Quiltmaker's Daughter, both are romantic suspense novels featuring artists.
She has been awarded the Golden Quill Award by RWA- Desert Rose Chapter and earned honorable mention in the Silver Angel Awards.

Patricia is a member of ACFW and a number of other writing organizations. She has participated in such mystery events such as Bouchercon--the World Mystery Convention, Left Coast Crime, and other conventions for lovers of mystery and suspense. She manages a website and blog and has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads and Linked-in and also generates a newsletter. Called Mysterious Musings.

Additional info at www.patriciarushfordbooks.com

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helen is given an assignment to write a travel guide. The last writer with the assignment died mysteriously. She must have discovered some illegal activity, so they got her out of the way. Helen investigates.

I feel like, I should like these more than I actually do.

[A Busscher · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was ok, a quick read about a writer that writes about traveling. She ends up finishing a job that a local author didn't finish (she was killed) and lo and behold Helen-- who use to be a former big shot cop- finds her self embroiled in the plot. I don't understand her emotions that flip like a switch. With JB missing, when she gets hit on the head or when Dan randomly stops her-- she freaks out. How did she survive mentally if her first husband was an agent, she was cop and undercover agent and married an agent! I was also a little confused with how many names were thrown around. I remember reading the names but i don't remember who they were when first mentioned b/c there were that many other people mentioned.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were times when I felt this story dragged, but it was a good story overall. I found the characters quirky and appealing and the story moved at a good pace. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

[Daniel Germaine-Patty Germaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best of the series

Fast moving, about the time you think you know who the bad guy is, the plot changes quicker than a fast moving rattler.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable mystery that is quick and easy to read. Helen Bradley and her new husband are supposed to be retired, but keep getting pulled back into murder investigations.

[Viv Wilday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book worth reading

[Chris Wilby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good detective story, well it about the fish

[Laura Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characterization for the townsfolk/suspects was one-dimensional, but I enjoy the PNW setting, the cozy-mystery tone, and the main character is likeable.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story better than book one… had more intrigue and surprises… well worth a read

[Ida Hagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books, about the same family that I got to know as a teenager reading the Jennie McGrady mysteries and now I get to hear more about "Gram" and enjoy more mysteries as an adult.
I love this book as it tackles complex issues and shows how desperation can lead otherwise nice people to do bad things.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

At the halfway point in the story, I'm calling it quits.

Normally, I don't mind if I don't know all the backstory, but here I feel at a real disadvantage with the protagonist's children, grandchildren and (new) second husband. In addition, I just don't care about the supporting local characters on the Washington state coast, a bunch of names as far as I'm concerned. So, in that regard, perhaps this is an episode that just isn't for me.

I hadn't realized that these books are classified as Christian/inspirational, but I'd barely have known that from the minimal religious references: a request to say grace (once), asking God for help when Helen found herself conked out and trapped by an unknown assailant (seemed like a logical reaction to me), and a brief discussion with a loved one of a murder victim about (basically) Bad Things happening to Good People.

I'm considering going back and listening to the first book, which seems more promising, and hopefully contains some series set-up to help with the family members and such. Audio narration seems a good fit for the story.

[kathy miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great story line...really enjoyed reading this book....they should be more careful editing, though. Will read number 4... really like Helen Bradley...

[Karen Hsu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whodunit was unexpected. Again, Rushford is a master of suspense and mystery.

[Elaine]

book 2 in the Helen Bradley Mysteries series

[Bear · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not Agatha Christie. Recommended by an aquaintance...I should know better.

[Anne Hawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far this is as good as the last one, but in a completely different venue.

[Toesnorth's mom]

ridiculous with asinine religion

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the references to the Pacific NW. Nothing really fresh, this is a fair mystery series.

[Debra B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and author. I'll definitely read more Helen Bradley mysteries.

[Florence · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series not the second. The first is Death on Arrival and second Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good installment in an easy-to-read cozy mystery.

[Pat Whitworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a fair wind that blows nobody good.

Helen is apt to find her way into something other than writing about the wonders of the coast. Spool look out here we come.

[Marie-Antoinette]

Enjoyed the book a lot. First time I read anything from this author. Will definitely read her other books