Monday, July 24, 2006
Go to Helena Handbasket
I can't believe I almost stopped reading this book at page 22. I would have missed so many good laughs.
Helena Handbasket is a private detective. Well, sort of. She didn't actually have any training and she isn't any good at it, but she bought an official looking certificate on the internet.
When Owen Banks asks Helena to help him find out who killed his brother, Robin Banks, and sent his severed hands to Owen, Helena and her secretary/psycho sidekick Fifi Fofum are on the case, aided by their computer savvy friend Heidi Salami. (say all these names out loud if you aren't getting it)
More bodies are found with their hands removed, a fish sewn to their chests, and a Bible verse on a piece of paper in their mouths. It all seems to tie back to some missing jewels the Banks brothers are suspected of stealing.
The whole book is one big send up of crime novels. It is a parody of every subgenre of mysteries you can think of including the ones with cats. It is like watching a Mel Brooks spoof movie. Remember Spaceballs?
This book is short at only 153 pages but with a laugh out loud moment on almost every one. Save this book for when you are in the mood to poke fun at everything we believe a mystery should have. If you aren't in the right mood, this book could come off as too silly but give it a chance. It is wonderful light hearted fun.
I looked for a website for Donna Moore, the author of this book but was unable to locate one. I did find out she lives in Scotland and this is her debut novel.
Helena Handbasket is a private detective. Well, sort of. She didn't actually have any training and she isn't any good at it, but she bought an official looking certificate on the internet.
When Owen Banks asks Helena to help him find out who killed his brother, Robin Banks, and sent his severed hands to Owen, Helena and her secretary/psycho sidekick Fifi Fofum are on the case, aided by their computer savvy friend Heidi Salami. (say all these names out loud if you aren't getting it)
More bodies are found with their hands removed, a fish sewn to their chests, and a Bible verse on a piece of paper in their mouths. It all seems to tie back to some missing jewels the Banks brothers are suspected of stealing.
The whole book is one big send up of crime novels. It is a parody of every subgenre of mysteries you can think of including the ones with cats. It is like watching a Mel Brooks spoof movie. Remember Spaceballs?
This book is short at only 153 pages but with a laugh out loud moment on almost every one. Save this book for when you are in the mood to poke fun at everything we believe a mystery should have. If you aren't in the right mood, this book could come off as too silly but give it a chance. It is wonderful light hearted fun.
I looked for a website for Donna Moore, the author of this book but was unable to locate one. I did find out she lives in Scotland and this is her debut novel.
# posted by Kim Reis @ 7:54 PM 
