I never had a good feeling about my granddaughter, Nancy, going to work for Grace Simpson. The whole idea of Grace being in tiny River Bend had never made sense. Why would a big city therapist hang up a shingle here in the first place? And when Nancy said she’d been hired as Grace Simpson’s assistant—straight out of college with no work experience, mind you—I worried even more that something was amiss.
As it turned out I was right. Call it grandmother’s intuition or just good old common sense. Pretty soon it came to light that Grace had descended on our neck of the woods under false pretenses. She didn’t care about healing broken hearts or patching up splintered relationships. She was researching our small town for secrets about sex in the boonies.
Unfortunately by the time the town figured out what she was up to, it seemed that nearly all of River Bend had flocked to Grace’s couch—for the novelty of it if nothing else—confessing their most intimate thoughts and secrets. For a full year, Grace had been taking notes on everyone’s marital troubles and peccadilloes, enough to fill a book…which is exactly what the end result would be. Yep, a sordid little tome called Small Town Secrets: Therapy Outside the Big City. Not surprisingly, River Bend was in an uproar.
Of course, Nancy got caught in the middle of it.
The other night at dinner when the poop began to hit the fan, Nancy confessed, “I’ve already fielded dozens of calls about Grace’s manuscript. It got so bad today that I started letting them all go to voice mail. I don’t know why Grace is so worried about who sees the thing beforehand when she’s been dropping hints about it all over River Bend, ticking people off for weeks.” Nancy had set her elbows on the table and dropped her chin into her hands. “Now everyone who’s ever been in for a session is afraid she’s put them in there.” Nancy had looked at me with her forehead wrinkled. “Despite the fact that Grace used pseudonyms, people are freaked out about being recognized, and I can’t blame them. This isn’t LA. It’s more like Mayberry.”
If they’d had pitchforks handy, I’m sure the citizens of River Bend would have used them when they’d taken to the streets in protest. As it were, they found Grace getting her hair done, about to head into St. Louis to meet with her publisher and turn over the offensive manuscript. When Grace saw Nancy on the fringes of the mob that greeted her outside LaVryle’s Cut ‘n’ Curl, she fired her in front of everyone. And after all Nancy had done for her. Never mind that Nancy had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
It turns out Grace never made it to dinner with her publisher that night. Nancy found out why when she went to Grace’s house to confront her the next morning and discovered her ex-boss dead on the floor.
I can’t blame my granddaughter for running out of the place screaming bloody murder. Just because the sheriff happened to be standing outside when Nancy emerged doesn’t mean Nancy was guilty of anything.
But as usual, when Frank Biddle sets his sights on a suspect he doesn’t give much thought to looking elsewhere.
That’s why I had to get involved. I wasn’t about to let Nancy go to jail for a crime that she didn’t commit. If that meant sticking my nose where it didn’t belong, so be it. Yes, the sheriff’s job was to serve and protect and, so far as I was concerned, that was my job description, too. Serving and protecting is exactly what mothers and grandmothers do every day of our lives.
And I wasn’t about to drop the ball with Nancy just because the sheriff didn’t approve of my meddling.
You can read more about Helen in Mad as Helen, the second book in the new “River Road” mystery series, published by HarperCollins.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on August 20 for the chance to win a signed copy of TO HELEN BACK. Three (3) lucky winners will be chosen at random. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, unless specified.
About the author
SUSAN MCBRIDE is the USA TODAY best-selling author of the Debutante Dropout Mysteries. Her new River Road Mystery series debuted with To Helen Back in May. Mad as Helen is the second to feature Helen Evans with Not a Chance in Helen to follow in late September. Her first young adult mystery, Very Bad Things, will be published in hardcover this October. She’s also the author of The Truth about Love & Lightning, Little Black Dress, and The Cougar Club, all Target Recommended Reads. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and daughter.
You can find out more about Susan and her books at susanmcbride.com
This one sounds very good.
Gram, thanks! It was sure fun to write, particularly since Helen Evans is a lot like my own grandma (also Helen!). 🙂
Love the premise for this book. And it has nothing to do with the fact that I’m probably the same age as Helen. Well, maybe a little. Have not read the first book in the series but plan to after reading Dru’s musings today. Thanks for the chance to win the second book.
Barbara, if your name is drawn to win, you can have your choice of To Helen back signed (that’s the first in the series) or a signed copy of Mad as Helen (which is out in paperback on September 2, as it was released digital-first by HarperCollins on July 29). I’m flexible! 😉
Would love to read this author’s book, thank you for the chance
Hi, Lisa! Thanks for stopping by…and good luck!
This book sounds amazing, would love to win/read it it, I will be looking for other books by this author 🙂
Aw, thanks, Debbie! You put a smile on my face this Saturday morning!
Awesome! Thanks! Here’s hoping
Good luck!
I’d love to win, I love your books. Keeping my fingers crossed. Thank you for writing books I totally enjoy.
Aw, thank you, Karen H! 🙂
Haven’t read this series…now, I want to start!
Yay!
After reading that I would definitely love to get started on this series, Helen sounds like my kind of character. Thanks for the chance to win.
I hope you enjoy the books, Debbie! Thanks for dropping by today and good luck!
I’m so glad to see new book by Susan…. Would love to win this one!
You’re so sweet, Alicia! It’s so great having a new mystery series out (and working on the next Debutante Dropout book, too, which is really fun). I just couldn’t stay away from the mystery world for long. 🙂
The new book looks wonderful. I can’t wait to read it.
Thanks so much, Rachel!
I’ve never read any of Susan McBride’s books. I would love to begin to know this author with this book.
I would love it, too, Robin! Good luck!
Love her books! So glad you featured her, no need to enter me in the giveaway, she is an auto-buy for me. She is so witty!
Mary, oh, gosh, you just made my day! Hugs!
Sounds like a great read.
Hi, Rita! Thanks and good luck!
I’m just about finished with the first ‘Helen’ book, and now reading this excerpt, I am positive I want Helen for my Grandma. And I want to pack up kit & caboodle and move into town with her.
Ha ha, Rita Q! Me, too! 😉
I have loved this series from the beginning.
Oh, Pam…hugs!!!
Susan’s “Helen” is very sweet .. Susan’s sense of humor is in all of her books .. some more than others but it is always there. I look forward to reading more about “Helen”.
Hey, Charlotte! You have kind of an insider’s take on my books, too! It’s always fun to have you read the latest. 🙂
This sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway. I’d love to win. janngrogan@yahoo.com
Good luck, Judy!
a new-to-me series/author………..
thank you for the giveaway!!!
Happy to be discovered! Hope you get a chance to read the new series and enjoy it!
What an interesting series will have to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
Glad you stopped by, Patti S!
As a grandmother to three teen boys and three little girls, I am very sympathetic to the desire of grandma to protect and direct her granddaughter. Love the idea for this book, as my grandsons say “if grandma wants it, it will be done!” Haven’t seen this series before, so I’d really like to try it!!
Grandmas rule! 🙂
I have really enjoyed the Debutante Dropout Mysteries, so will definitely be looking for this new (to me) series. Thanks for the update!
Thank you, Judy! I hope you like the new River Road series. There will be a sixth Deb Dropout book out next September. I’m still working on it–it’s called Say Yes to the Death–and it’s a trip getting to “hang out” with Andy and Cissy again!
Oops, I mean’t, “Thank you, Jane!” Blame it on Mommy Brain. We had a bad toddler day this Saturday, and I’m worn out!
I love a senior sleuth! I tried to win this one the last time but didn’t. I’m not giving up hope. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Lauigl [at] carolina [dot] rr [dot] com
Good luck, Cozynookbks! Maybe second time’s the charm!!! Thanks for trying again to win. Helen and I both appreciate it! 😉
Love it when Dru surprises me with an author/series I’ve not read. Gotta get started on this one soon! Thanks for the heads up and giveaway!
Thank you for stopping by, Linda! Helen Evans is quite a bit like my grandmother, Helen, (whom I miss dearly) so writing these books felt like spending time with Grandma. 🙂
I LOVE Helen — she has spunk!
She would say the same about you, Ms. Mary, I’m sure!!! 😀
Oh, so sweet of you to say <3
This is a new series to me, but not a new author. I’d love to get started in this series involving a senior sleuth. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
I would love it, too, Darlene! 😉 I hope you like Helen & Co.
I love Susan’s books, and this one sounds amazing. Cool cover. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Thank you, Anita! (Oh, I love the covers for these Helen books, too. The cover artist at HarperCollins did a bang-up job!)
love the author and the series. Just finished To Helen Back. Thanks for the offer.
Nancy, thanks! You know I’m tickled you liked To Helen Back. Hope you enjoy Mad, too. 🙂
This sounds like a great series—I just love the titles.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Thanks, Sue! My agent came up with the idea for the titles. Originally all the titles had “murder” in them, but I like the “Helen” ones better.
If I win it will be a first time read of this author … fingers crossed.
Good luck, Kicha!
Sounds as if this is a fun series that I should get started reading.
Helen was a very fun character to write, Barbara. I hope you enjoy the books!
New series to me sounds perfect for me.
🙂
My middle name’s Helen. You had me there and sounds like fun throughout.
Sounds interesting. My grandma’s name was Helen. I think I have one of your books about the little black dress, not a mystery.
Michelle, yes, I’ve written three women’s fiction titles in addition to my mysteries. One of them is Little Black Dress! I hope you enjoyed it. I’ve had a lot of fun being able to write in different genres (and for two different publishing houses, HarperCollins and Random House).
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks for stopping by, Jen! Good luck!
Thanks for the giveaway….Hope to win and get reading immediately. Love to always hear about new series!
Thanks, Mamie!
Thank you so much, Dru Ann, for letting Helen (and me!) visit your wonderful blog again. We had an awesome time!!!
Thanks Susan for interacting with my readers and being a part of this month’s guest posts.
Contest is closed.