Contemplation of a Crime: A Workplace Romantic Mystery of Deadly Games and Forced Proximity on an Island Retreat

Helen Thorpe #3

by Susan Juby

Buddhist butler and reluctant investigator Helen Thorpe bands together with her fellow butler school graduates to rescue her very wealthy employer and his son in this new mystery by bestselling author Susan Juby.

Butler Helen Thorpe is not one to judge, but the participants in Close Encounters for Global Healing are astonishingly unpleasant.

The five-day program brings together people from across the political spectrum with the goal of helping them bridge their ideological and personal differences. Helen and her employer, Mr. Levine, have come to Side Island to assist David, his youngest son, who is facilitating the course. The motley assortment of participants includes a burned-out environmental activist, an internet troll, a clueless consumerist, an alleged white nationalist and a man who was arrested at the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa. No one seems interested in a civil conversation, much less global healing, and each person has shown up with their own secret agenda.

No rapprochement between the warring, or at least endlessly bickering, parties seems possible. But when something deadly happens, they must learn to work together. First, they have to figure out who among them can be trusted.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Canada, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Mystery Thriller

304 pages, Paperback

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

(from her website)

I was raised in Smithers, BC, Canada and lived there until I moved to Toronto at age 20. I had a brief and unsuccessful career as a fashion design student and, after I worked at a series of low paying jobs, such as server, record store employee, etc., I began a degree in English Literature at University of Toronto, which I finished at the University of British Columbia. After graduating I became an editor at a self-help/how-to book publishing company based in Vancouver. Later, I did a master’s degree in publishing.

When I was a kid I wrote fiction but gave it up for a life of crime. Okay, that’s not true, but I did get seriously sidetracked. That time in my life is the subject of my memoir, "Nice Recovery". When I was twenty, until I got myself together and when I was about 26 I started writing, in the morning before work, first on the bus, then in a coffee shop. This writing became my first novel, "Alice, I Think", which was published by Thistledown Press in 2000.

When I first started writing my intention was to write a book about a teenager who doesn't fit in, but doesn't allow that fact to crush her. The Alice MacLeod series is my homage to oddballs. I wanted to create a character who has the courage and integrity to find her own way and define herself independently of other people. I've always admired people who can do that.

After finishing three books about Alice and her family, I decided that my goal is to write every kind of book I love to read. I’ve always loved horse books. I was a lunatic for horses when I was younger. I owned several horses over the years (for a time when I was quite young I was convinced I was a horse, but let's keep that between us) and I became obsessed with an equestrian sport called dressage. I quit riding when I left home to go to college, but part of me always thought I could have been a "contender". (In retrospect, I'm not sure why I would have thought that.) Anyway, I got a nice pay day when Alice, I Think was made into a TV series, and the first thing I did was rush out a buy a horse and start working on a book about two young dressage riders. The story was initially about two girls, but soon I fell in love with a secondary character, a boy named Alex, and the book became mainly about him. That one is called "Another Kind of Cowboy".

I’m also a maniac for detective novels, which led to "Getting the Girl", a comedy about an inept detective and a high school conspiracy he is determined to stop. Book number six is my memoir. I developed a bit of a substance abuse problem when I was thirteen and I ended up getting clean and sober when I was twenty. Nice Recovery is about that time. The book includes information for people with addiction problems and interviews with amazing young people in recovery. My love for satire and the End Is Nigh novels led me to write "Bright’s Light", which is that rarest of things: a funny dystopian novel about young dunderheads in the last fun place on earth and the alien who wants to save them.

"Home to Woefield", as it’s known in the U.S. and "The Woefield Poultry Collective" as it’s known in Canada, is a comedy about a young woman from Brooklyn who inherits a derelict farm on Vancouver Island. It’s the first of my novels published specifically for adults, though I’d say at least half the readers of my other books have been adults. I hope all my readers will like it. (It does contain quite a bit of swearing. Just be forewarned!) I’ve always wanted to be self-sustaining and able to grow my own food. All I lack is land and skill. The sequel, "Republic of Dirt", is scheduled to be published January 2015 by HarperCollins.

My next teen novel is called "The Truth Commission". It will be published March 2015 by Penguin Canada and Viking U.S. The story is about a group of teens who attend an art high school who start a truth-telling club with consequences both dire and funny.

In addition to my writing, I teach creative writ

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★ 1/2

Thank you to Net Galley, Harper Collins Canada and Harper Collins Publishers for sending me this e-book in exchange for sharing my honest opinion on whether others might enjoy this cozy, closed circle mystery.

This is installment #3 in the "Helen Thorpe" series. I have not read the first two books and although there are some references to prior mysteries that Helen has solved, you do not have to read those books to enjoy this one.

Helen is a highly trained butler (this is the second time in a few days that I've come across mysteries that involve butlers - odd). Her employer's son is asked to host a retreat on an island off the coast of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada and because her employer decides to take part in the retreat as a favour to his son at the last minute, Helen is asked to attend with him. The retreat is focused on bringing together people with different political views in order to help them connect and constructively bridge their gaps.

I enjoyed the references to actual events in Canada that created political unrest in our country. I also enjoyed the very Canadian setting of the fictional island off the coast of Nanaimo. The cast of character is eccentric - some likable, some not but when Helen finds herself in the middle of a kidnapping, she finds out that she can count on those around her to help solve the mystery.

I will definitely go back and read the first two books in this series and hope that the author continues to write more. If you enjoy lighter mysteries that involve amateur sleuths and some very Canadian references, this series might be for you.

[Jacqueline Langille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, that's better: after a disappointing-to-me second book in this series, I could barely put down #3. I look forward to adding the next mystery novel by Susan Juby to my TBR list. (Ignore the subtitle, as there's very little romance in this novel, but the mystery is cracking good.)

[Andree · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I didn't like this one as well as some of the others. I still continue to like Helen as crime-solving protagonist, but I did feel that some of the various perspectives being presented by those at the retreat were dealt with a touch too glibly, particularly given how recent some of them have been. I take the book's broader point about allowing people to be heard and the importance of listening to their perspectives, but something also felt a bit, well, a bit off in how it was presented. I was also less into the type of crime in this one.

That said, I did adore the resolution of this one, with all of the quirky characteristics coming to play in the final resolution. A quite a lot of the ending made me laugh.

So all in all, a mixed bag. Overall I enjoyed it, but not a favourite.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another thoughtful Canadian cozy mystery featuring Buddhist butler, Helen Thorpe. This book sees Helen postponing her long-deserved vacation to help her employer and his son who are sent to a Wellness retreat set on an island where a bunch of passionate activists are sent to rethink their methods. I liked the Robin Hood vibes that get executed in the most misdirected way, involving a double kidnapping that has Helen forced to work with the other 'guests' to help save her employer and his son. Fast paced and thought-provoking, there was a lot of climate change and anti-genocide rhetoric that felt very timely to current world events. Good on audio and a solid addition to the series.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found myself struggling to get through this but felt compelled to finish it thinking it would get better based on the reviews I'd read. It didn't. I had the thought many times that this was just a vehicle for the author to complain about covid restrictions as we seemed to learn more about that character than any of the others.
I didn't read the previous books in the series. Although they were mentioned, I didn't feel I was lacking info for this book by skipping those. I won't be going back to read them or any future additions to the series.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews...

[Kerri D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big fan of Helen the Buddhist butler as a crime solver. Very cozy with nods to everything Van Isle.

[Kathryn Baverstock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book set in a city/area I know well. That made it more fun. As usual, the core group of characters along along with new ones. It was quirky. It picked up near the middle of the book, then kept me going to the end. I look forward to another Helen Thorpe book by Susan Juby.

[Keltie English · Rating 3 out of 5]

just an okay read. Heard a glowing recommendation which set me up for disappointment...My main negative comment is that, although the characters were superfcially quirky and potentially interesting, they were not fleshed out in much detail and all and were pretty one-dimensional. Also, when they did change/become more enlightened/"grow" it seemed too tidy and predictable, without nuance.

[Karyn Huenemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Juby said somewhere that this was probably her favourite of the Helen Thorpe novels. I was having a hard time seeing it when I first began: I couldn’t imagine how she’d work such disparate characters into anything like accord (required by the plot) without sacrificing narrative integrity. But she does. In many of her secondary characters, she leaves small chinks in the armour of repulsiveness (again: narrative necessity) that allow for growth and healing. This is both a strength and—in terms of verisimilitude—a weakness. If a full-on white anarchist and a die-hard environmentalist and a true capitalist were at loggerheads, no Close Encounter program would likely bring understanding and cooperation. But in Contemplation of a Crime, it works.

Part of what I liked so much about this book is seeing Helen shaken by emotion: fear, anxiety, doubt, that threatens to overcome her teaching. That she manages to reach deeply into her Buddhist practice and restore peace speaks once again to her inner strength. We have, too, the narrative foils of Benedict and David Levine as alternative examples of “Buddhism under pressure.” Each of the characters has something of significance to contribute, and despite acrimony arrive, if not at understanding, at least at cooperation.

[Linda Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This latest instalment of the adventures of Helen Thorpe, butler to a rich and powerful couple was much more enjoyable than her previous adventure. The characters were much more likeable, from those participating in the retreat that Helen finds herself involved in, to more of her butler friends that she requests help from when she finds herself entangled in a kidnapping.
The retreat involves participants from various walks of life and opinions to come together through team building exercises. As a Canadian I appreciate the references to actual events that shaped our country and citizens. The story was well written and had enough unpredictability to keep it interesting. I found myself rooting for all the participants to come together and foil the kidnapping plot before it was too late.
An enjoyable read indeed!

Thanks to Killer Crime Club, HarperCollinsCanada and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Thorpe is back—former meditation guide, current butler, and accidental detective. This time, she and her butlering friends get pulled into working at a diversity/wellness retreat to support her boss's son and a subsequent ransom attempt. I really liked how Susan Juby used recent events to find the quirky and extremely diverse characters. It set things off with an already challenging situation, requiring Helen to call on her mix of zen professionalism and inquisitiveness.

That said, this wasn’t my favourite in the series. I liked the setup and the way the characters were introduced at the start, but the middle dragged a little for me. Once it hit the final stretch, though, the story found its rhythm again and ended in a fast-paced, thrilling conclusion to the ransom. I still love Juby’s dry humour and the offbeat charm of Helen’s world, and I’m looking forward to seeing where she goes next.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and author for the e-Arc.

[Sandra Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read the previous two Helen Thorpe Mysteries and really loved them. But I have to say this is my favorite! Susan's wacky - all too real- characters are isolated on an island but happily with a good cook. Of course the plot thickens and not just one butler will do to solve the mystery. Helen brings on her other butler friends to serve friendship and civility. The social commentary is witty, pointed and timely, but the loving kindness of Helen permeates the scene of the crime. Susan Juby fans will be delighted with this latest offering and first time readers will want to go back and start reading from the beginning of the series to find out what makes Helen so equanimous. The inclusion of five small Pekinese doggies and one overweight Pit Bull puppy just adds to the fun. Buy the book, put on your personal flotation device and prepare to be swept away.

[Melinda Worfolk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a rollicking good time. I liked it a lot better than the second one in the series. Susan Juby is back to form! The group of characters was entertaining and I enjoyed the Vancouver Island/Gulf Islands setting. The plot was well paced and exciting, and there was a lot of humour.

My one mild annoyance is the treatment of Helen’s employer, Mr. Devine. I am sure there are ultra wealthy billionaire Buddhists who are excellent people, but when faced with the ones who are in the news all the time, it gets a little much to be reading about one who is perfect and humble. And yes, I know at the end he is full of self-recrimination, but it’s very lightly addressed, and he’s not seriously to blame for anything that happened, as Helen points out.

Still, it’s a very pleasant and fun read. Thumbs up and I hope there is another in the series, maybe focusing on Gavin and Murray.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to #killercrimeclub, #netgalley for the ARC of this latest book from #susanjuby.

This latest book about butler Helen Thorpe and the Levine family definitely did not disappoint. The development of the characters were on point, likable and relatable to in the plot.

There were twists that I did not see coming taking the story in a bit of a different direction was most welcoming and engaging. The author wrapped up all the storylines and a great way and did not fast track the ending. This was the best so far in the series and look forward to reading more about Helen Thorpe and her crime solving ways. It is also nice to relate to where the settings are taking place, being a Canadian it is nice to read about locations in Canada.

I highly recommend this book.

[Kristine Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third in the Helen Thorpe series, a mystery 'lite' story that makes for a great summer read. Once again, Helen is called on to help her employers, this time at another Gulf island near Nanaimo, where he retreat leader is unavailable and Helen and her employer's son, David, are going to step in. We are introduced to a series of interesting characters with very different political opinions who are destined to communicate and become more open to the ideas of others during their stay. But things go sideways fairly quickly after arrival on the small island, and Helen, along with her butler colleagues, becomes involved in a kidnapping case and is in a race against time to come to rescue. Humorous and suspenseful, this is a series that keeps getting better.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, HarperCollins Canada, HarperCollins Publishers and Killer Crime Club.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

The butler did not do it nor did they do it? An investigator finds herself working as a butler for her employs when asked by her butler friend. She ends up teaming up with a Buddhist butler when a string of people goes missing. It’s a mystery that will have you guessing as this odd pairing will keep you involved.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Juby is a must-buy author for me and the 3rd instalment of the Helen Thorpe mysteries reinforced that! There is a large cast of characters that I had no trouble keeping track of, and ones that should have been unredeemably awful were quite likeable by the end. She deftly managed to navigate the choppy waters of the times we live in while keeping the book fun and engaging. Susan’s character work continues to draw me in and it was matched by a well-paced plot that kept the suspense and high stakes going right till the end. I hope there are many more in this series to come.

[Sylvia McNicoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

The humourous mystery--it's like a whole new genre--beyond a cosy, more like the shows "Only Murders in the Building" or "The Residence. " You set a cast of fresh and wacky characters loose with a puzzle to solve. They dislike each other and none of them want to be at this retreat much less participate in the nature walks and contemplations lead by graduates from a butler school. I believe it, not really, but I love it. For those who want chuckles not white knuckles.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helen, the Buddhist butler, accompanies her boss to an island to meet his son David. They are undercover so they can participate in wellness sessions with other participants that David is hosting.
when David and his father are kidnapped and a ransom is set, Helen and her group are determined to find David and his father, where they ars being held, and the kidnappers.

[Gail Barrington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is truly a funny book. I laughed out loud several times. It is more cohesive than Juby's first two books--she is only getting better--and this fun, cozy mystery also holds a lot of truth. I love Helen Thorpe, who wouldn't? A Buddhist nun, a butler, and a detective in the making. Enjoy the ride.

[Denise Haney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great third installment in the series. Helen and her fellow butlers are drawn into another mystery and must rescue Helen's kidnapped employer.
Lots of different characters with their own POV chapters which round them out.
Helen is tested but this makes her more genuine and relateable.

[Susan Cabaniss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the meditation aspect of the books; I always feel like I learn something from the main character’s conversation with herself around letting things pass and listening to what your body is telling you. Someone needs to fix that book title here though 😆

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gentle and a good mix of characters to spend time with. Appreciated the connection to Nanaimo and islands and the way many current issues were woven in. Vaccines, convoys, climate change, racism. Will read more Susan Juby and appreciate the CBC summer reads panel for introducing me to her.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delightful foray into cozy mystery with the ever calm and watchful Helen Thorpe, former Buddhist nun, current butler to the super rich, reluctant amateur detective. These books bring my blood pressure down.

[HTP Books]

Amateur Sleuth Mystery & Detective Fiction, Women's Fiction, Humorous Fiction, Mystery & Detective, Cozy Mystery & Detective Fiction, Women Sleuths Mystery & Detective Fiction

[MB (What she read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is so enjoyable. Hope there's many more butlering adventures to come. And that focus on seeing the good and focusing on the positive is so rare and unusual. Much appreciated.

[Mary-Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pulled this from the new books display at the library and as sometimes happens, I discover a new author. Yeah!

[Vontel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of this book takes place around Nanaimo, BC, and particularly the nearby Islands, which are familiar to me. A fascinating plot, with a 5-day 'encounter' that has been run successfully many times with adults from various backgrounds & attitudes, to see if they can draw together with better appreciation for other points of view. This time it's been planned for 5 young 'misfits' within our recent political and social context to see if/how it works with adolescents. Helen Thorpe's employer & his son both end up being part of the program, with quite unforeseen, and potentially tragic complications. Helen ends up agreeing to postpone her vacation to join them for this encounter.

I've read her Woefield books (loved them) and the first two of her Helen Thorpe mysteries. Pleased to see there's now a 3rd volume and I looked forward to reading it.

[Tamsin Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books. They always increase my meditation longing and encourage practice!!