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Periodic Table #2
The Helium Murder
In this second Gloria Lamerino mystery, Camille Minichino introduces us to Congresswoman Margaret Hurley, killed by ahit-and-run driver just before she is to cast a critical voteregarding the government's helium reserves.
There's no shortage of motives for murder among Margaret's friends andrelatives, from her gambling brother, Buddy Hurley, to her old flame,Patrick Gallagher. And it turns out that a software company CEO,William Carey, has been reaping big profits from the helium operation.
Gloria's old boyfriend Peter Mastrone, her new almost-boyfriend,homicide detective Matt Genarro, and her funeral director friends,Rose and Frank Gagliani, all worry that the investigation that isunfolding in Gloria's hometown of Revere, Massachusetts is extremelyhazardous to her health.
And Gloria's life is indeed in jeopardy as she deciphers the clueMargaret herself gave before she died. Once again Gloria must helpthe police find a killer before the killer finds her.
There's no shortage of motives for murder among Margaret's friends andrelatives, from her gambling brother, Buddy Hurley, to her old flame,Patrick Gallagher. And it turns out that a software company CEO,William Carey, has been reaping big profits from the helium operation.
Gloria's old boyfriend Peter Mastrone, her new almost-boyfriend,homicide detective Matt Genarro, and her funeral director friends,Rose and Frank Gagliani, all worry that the investigation that isunfolding in Gloria's hometown of Revere, Massachusetts is extremelyhazardous to her health.
And Gloria's life is indeed in jeopardy as she deciphers the clueMargaret herself gave before she died. Once again Gloria must helpthe police find a killer before the killer finds her.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
15 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Camille Minichino
50 books225 followersCamille Minichino is also known as Ada Madison and Margaret Grace.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 8, 2025
2.5 stars. Published in 1998. An easy-peasy cozy mystery read; the 2nd in the periodic table mystery series. Middle-aged Gloria is a retired physicist who has moved back to Revere, MA after living & working in California for 30 yrs. The first book establishes her back story and relationships with lifelong friends in addition to introducing Matt, a homicide detective & romantic interest for Gloria. Her closest friends own a mortuary, and she is living above it in a small apartment. There is some humorous potential in that, but the author doesn't exploit that situation. Perhaps she did in the 1st book, but I don't remember.
A congresswoman is killed in a hit and run in Revere and soon it appears to be murder. Gloria is brought into the case as a consultant as there has been a contentious debate in the House about what to do with the Helium stores that the government oversees. It may be the reason that Margaret Hurley was killed. Gloria may be able to discern from papers found in Hurley's briefcase about the Helium stores and people with interests in them & help with interviewing those individuals. And we are off to the races to discover who killed Hurley.
It's a typical cozy. Pleasant to read, yet I felt the characters weren't fleshed out enough and the plot device was thin. I figured out who the killer was from almost the beginning of the "suspects" being introduced in the story. It takes away from the fun of reading a mystery whether it's a cozy or hard-boiled.
The author has a Ph.D in Physics, but not to worry, the science is pretty minimal in this one.
A congresswoman is killed in a hit and run in Revere and soon it appears to be murder. Gloria is brought into the case as a consultant as there has been a contentious debate in the House about what to do with the Helium stores that the government oversees. It may be the reason that Margaret Hurley was killed. Gloria may be able to discern from papers found in Hurley's briefcase about the Helium stores and people with interests in them & help with interviewing those individuals. And we are off to the races to discover who killed Hurley.
It's a typical cozy. Pleasant to read, yet I felt the characters weren't fleshed out enough and the plot device was thin. I figured out who the killer was from almost the beginning of the "suspects" being introduced in the story. It takes away from the fun of reading a mystery whether it's a cozy or hard-boiled.
The author has a Ph.D in Physics, but not to worry, the science is pretty minimal in this one.
January 5, 2022
Retired physicist Gloria is slowly adjusting to her first winter and Christmas back in Revere, MA while hoping the local police would once again need her science expertise to solve a crime. Not that the slowly blossoming romance with Matt, a local homicide detective, had anything to do with it. The hit-and-run death of a local congresswoman who has an important vote coming up involving the nation's helium stockpiles provides her with that consulting opportunity as it appears to be a murder rather than an accident.
This is the second of the author's Periodic Table mysteries, with a very strong science theme. One of the things I enjoy is how well the author presents just enough science to educate and justify the crime, but not overwhelm the plot's cozy charm. I find middle-aged Gloria engaging and very real. I love her life-long friendship with Rose and how it and Gloria's apartment over a funeral home bring humor.
This is the second of the author's Periodic Table mysteries, with a very strong science theme. One of the things I enjoy is how well the author presents just enough science to educate and justify the crime, but not overwhelm the plot's cozy charm. I find middle-aged Gloria engaging and very real. I love her life-long friendship with Rose and how it and Gloria's apartment over a funeral home bring humor.
October 4, 2011
Because I learned many things about Hydrogen in the first book, I was expecting another disguised classroom lesson about Helium, in this the second of a series. I guess Helium is just not all that fascinating, once the party balloons pop.
Still, I have an entire Periodic Table to cover. Maybe Lithium will be more elementarily perky!
Still, I have an entire Periodic Table to cover. Maybe Lithium will be more elementarily perky!
April 11, 2018
Great story
The technology use dates this book. It's hard to believe how much things have changed in such a short time. But then I think of the 90s as recent. The story is great, although a bit innocent. Still, I look forward to the next installment.
The technology use dates this book. It's hard to believe how much things have changed in such a short time. But then I think of the 90s as recent. The story is great, although a bit innocent. Still, I look forward to the next installment.
April 15, 2018
This series definitely grew on me with the second book.
One point of interest is that the books were written long enough ago that technology has really changed just about everything. There are no cell phones in this book! Some of the characters seem similarly outdated.
One point of interest is that the books were written long enough ago that technology has really changed just about everything. There are no cell phones in this book! Some of the characters seem similarly outdated.
December 27, 2025
Very good book. The characters are fun and there is some humor. The main character can be somewhat annoying at times. Good plot and storyline. The only problem with this book is the ending. The ending is vague and weak. She needs to work on more of an exciting ending. Recommend.
April 21, 2019
The story was good but it was disappointingly short.
May 22, 2021
One of the best fiction novels I have ever read.
April 25, 2014
The Helium Murder by Camille Minichino is the second book in the Periodic Table Murder Mystery series. Congresswoman Margaret Hurley is killed by a hit and run driver and her murder is thought to be related to her critical vote on government helium reserves. Gloria Lamerino is again called in as a scientific consultant to help the police in solving the crime. This book was a little slower than the first but still enjoyable. It seemed a bit muddled incorporating the murder of Gloria's fiance from 30 years prior and the explanations were a bit weak. I enjoy the characters though and will continue with the series.
November 7, 2017
Retired physicist from UC-Berkeley returns to hometown in Massachusetss to help police solve crimes. A congresswoman is killed in hit-and-run; there are lots of suspects but no motive. Turns our money and greed are the real cause. Takes place in December so there is nice Christmas flavor and atmosphere. Not a typical heroine.
September 7, 2014
well I knew what she was wearing every time she got dressed /changed to go out etc. down to the matching jewellery but the story didn't engage me at all. I never leave a book unfinished but came close this time
December 27, 2018
Pretty good. A congress woman is killed by hit-and-run murderer. Gloria gets called in to help the police with the case. Which turns out to be related to helium reserves which the govt is deciding whether or not to sell. A light mystery with good writing
March 6, 2016
Book 2. I think this is a really good story and full of good information on sciences. It is a series of books that probably needs to be read in order. But since I am borrowing from libraries, I get what I can and try to read them as fast as I can and get the rest.
October 14, 2008
I expect that as the series progresses will get better. i do enjoy the science.
August 10, 2010
Well I finished it, so I guess it was okay enough, but I don't plan on reading any of her other ones.
March 17, 2014
She finds out how fiance was killed 30 years ago, as well as a Congress person today. She gets a 2 carat diamond engagement ring from 30 years ago.
Light.
Light.
March 31, 2014
Shallow
This is not an "I can't put it down thriller." The protagonist development is shallow, and the plot is less than captivating.
This is not an "I can't put it down thriller." The protagonist development is shallow, and the plot is less than captivating.
September 3, 2014
Good bedtime reading
March 29, 2015
Easy and light reading but not particularly memorable. When I am looking for simple escapism I may pick up another of the peroxide table mysteries.
January 22, 2024
A library find. Second read January 2024.
Interesting.
A quick read.
Enjoyable.
Interesting.
A quick read.
Enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2014
Well-written by a Bay Area author. Enjoyed this murder mystery with a physicist.
April 13, 2017
I couldn't really have cared less about the characters. Short of real mystery
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews