A Darling of Death

Helen Binney Mysteries #5

by Gin Jones

From USA Today bestselling author Gin Jones...


Helen Binney is frustrated with the challenges of her lupus and is desperate to hit something—anything! So what better place to go than a martial arts studio owned by a friend? Only her frustrations remain when she finds herself in a minor car accident, a female martial arts competitor mocks her physical limitations, and the studio owner won't let her engage in any satisfyingly high-impact exercise.


But when the rude competitor is found dead in the locker room, Helen is distracted from her personal problems. She learns that the woman owned a Bed & Breakfast, and wasn't very good at making friends. Murder suspects abound, with several ex-boyfriends, mistreated employees at her B&B, a competing B&B operator, and a romantic rival. And the murder isn't the only mystery in Helen's life. Her handsome ex-lawyer Tate seems to be withdrawing from their newly personal relationship, and she can't get him to tell her what's wrong. Can Helen keep Tate from giving up on their relationship and defend herself against a killer who was able to overpower a highly skilled martial artist? Or will this be one fight she doesn't limp away from?


Helen Binney
A Dose of Death – book #1
A Denial of Death – book #2
A (Gingerbread) Diorama of Death – holiday short story
A Draw of Death – book #3
A Dawn of Death – book #4
A Darling of Death – book #5


"Lethally clever! Gin Jones's Helen Binney Mysteries will have you laughing, smiling, and on the edge of your seat wondering whodunit. I can't wait for more from these characters!"
~ Gemma Halliday, New York Times bestselling author

Genres: Cozy Mystery

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2017

About the author

Gin is a retired lawyer who specialized in ghost-writing for other lawyers. She prefers to write her own books, though, since she doesn't have to worry that her sense of humor might get her thrown into jail for contempt of court. In her spare time, Gin makes quilts, grows garlic, and advocates for patients with rare disorders.

Reviews

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Biney has lupus, and the disease causes her a lot of pain and anguish. Heavens forbid you ever forget that because the author spends an extraordinarily amount of time discussing this throughout the book. OK, I get it. She is less stable, slower, and in more pain than many people. However is the book a venue to complain or for her to become involved in a mystery?

Fortunately for her, Helen is on hand at the health club when a member dies under strange circumstances. Even luckier is the fact that the junior detective gets assigned to the case instead of the head detective that no one likes. Not only is he abrasive and dismissive of other's suggestions, but he has such a strong personal dislike for Helen that he will use any excuse to arrest her and throw her in jail. Instead, the junior detective is willing to discuss aspects of the case with Helen as well as listen to Helen's ideas.

The murder plot is a good one that took skill from Helen to figure out. There were some cute romantic nods in the book, one of which was Helen wanting to play match maker for her home health care nurse! This was a side we haven't see of Helen before. The was also a little strife between Helen and friend Tate that added tension to the story.

I wasn't happy about the constant complaining about health issues and the constant complaining about Tate, but aside from that it was a good mystery that kept you reading to find out how all the details fit together. I just wish the author hadn't repeated the health and Tate issues so much. Quit complaining Helen...you aren't the only one! 3 1/2*

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to the Helen Binney Mystery Series. The story quickly grabbed my attention and had me wanting to know what was going to happen next. There were a few twists taht kept me guessing as well as plenty of suspects. I really enjoy the characters and getting to visit with them. i hope to read more in this series.

I received a copy of this manuscript from the publisher, my review has been voluntarily submitted.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feisty and independent Helen Binney is one of my heroes! A young middle aged woman battling lupus, a debilitating disease for which there are few firm answers, she refuses to give in to it or to give up. The most recent remission may be over, but the Helen sees no reason to allow the problems she deals with to limit her independence or her natural curiosity. The current fight with frustration following a battery of tests that offer no answers leaves her is so angry with her body and the general lack of the medical world's understanding of lupus that she is ready to hit something! The newly opened martial arts studio owned by a friend seems to offer the perfect answer. She isn't really thrilled to discover that she is far from ready for that level of martial arts but begins her tai chi lessons filled with hope.

She has no intention of getting involved with another murder but that doesn't keep her from finding another body. Her elderly friends at the town's nursing home have a mystery to keep her occupied, mostly. Even her respect for new detective friend Almeida can't keep her from asking a few questions, since a couple of friends top the suspect list, and apparently drawing the attention of the murderer. To add to the complications, her love, Tate is acting strangely; he is treating her too courteously! That doesn't fit his character any more than it does hers.

[Pamela Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this fun mystery that kept me entertained and intrigued from beginning to end with relatable characters, twists and turns. Ms. Jones never disappoints and I look forward to more Helen Binney Mysteries.

[Sandy Bartles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 5 in the Helen Binney Mysteries and I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of these books. There is so much action in this book and it is fast-paced. Helen is very frustrated over her lupus and her inability to get around easily, that she is taking it out on others. As a way to combat this problem, she joins a martial arts studio as a way of working through her frustrations. In typical Binney way, she, of course, finds a body in the shower, and from there the fun begins. My thanks to the author for my many hours of enjoyment!

[Anne Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Helen! She is always up to smithing no matter what. Tate, jack & Rebecca have their hands full keep track of her along with Helen's nieces. This mystery keeps up guessing up until the end.