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Kansas Troubles (A Benni Harper Mystery #3)
With her acclaimed mysteries Fool's Puzzle and Irish Chain, Earlene Fowler introduced Benni Harper, the ex-cowgirl and quilter of San Celina, whose crime-solving talents are as colorful and complex as the patchwork patterns she loves. After a whirlwind marriage to Gabe Ortiz (and ignoring predictions that the sassy blonde and the stone-faced cop may kill each other before...more
ebook, 320 pages
Published
March 1st 1997
by Berkley
(first published May 1996)
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This book in the Fowler Quilt series is a predictable, easy-read that everyone needs every now and again. Benni Harper, amateur sleuth, travels to Kansas and becomes involved in a murder investigation. As in weekly TV series, the reader scrutinizes clues, formulates hypotheses, modifies conclusions based on unfolding events, etc. The book is an easy, predictable problem-solving adventure for mystery lovers.
Got this one and the next one from the library almost three weeks ago. They're due Monday. I read this one tonight. Well done me.
I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. I do find myself wanting to punch Gabe in the face with fairly regular frequency. Benni is just a stubborn, but I guess her stubbornness makes more sense to me. And I've never liked being patronized or talked down to, which is what it sounds like when Gabe tells her to mind her own business. Not that I agree with all of her choices, or...more
I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. I do find myself wanting to punch Gabe in the face with fairly regular frequency. Benni is just a stubborn, but I guess her stubbornness makes more sense to me. And I've never liked being patronized or talked down to, which is what it sounds like when Gabe tells her to mind her own business. Not that I agree with all of her choices, or...more
Californian cowgirl Benni is a tad nervous: her uber-quick romance and subsequent tying of the knot with broody cop Gabe Ortiz means that she’s bound for a whole bunch of family introductions. Family introductions in small-town Kansas. As Benni sights the silos, cattle, and laconic locals, she starts to wonder whether it might have been easier to stay in California–and her concerns don’t abate after meeting Gabe’s decidedly frosty mother, Kathryn.
But what better than a bloody murder to bring a f...more
But what better than a bloody murder to bring a f...more
The fun thing about cozy mysteries is the characters and settings and then there's mystery on top of that. Series have to develop story lines for the characters and that's what I enjoy about this series. The Benni-Gabe romance has been interesting, although Benni was a little annoying in this one before she came to some realizations about her life and how she should treat Gabe. This one moves them to Kansas for a vacation to meet the Ortiz family, so there are old friends and Gabe's stomping gro...more
In a way, it seems unfair to rate Kansas Troubles, because I didn't finish the book. The fact that the book couldn't hold my interest, though, seems to justify a low rating.
My enjoyment level may have been lessened because my introduction to the series began with Book 3, since my library doesn't own the first two books. That caveat aside, Kansas Troubles suffers from a few things: the book seems to be a patchwork (pun unintentional) of mediocre writing and awkwardly-constructed personalities. T...more
My enjoyment level may have been lessened because my introduction to the series began with Book 3, since my library doesn't own the first two books. That caveat aside, Kansas Troubles suffers from a few things: the book seems to be a patchwork (pun unintentional) of mediocre writing and awkwardly-constructed personalities. T...more
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Definitely an improving series. This episode follows detective Ortiz back to his family home in Kansas. It may be the change of setting but there was very little tedious recapping of Benni Harper's past, job, and friends to skim over. What was included from previous stories was worked into the story line instead of reading like an intrusive synopsis. Even the comments about the Kansas quilt pattern were integral to the plot and characters.
Gabe remains reticent about sharing a difficult history e...more
Gabe remains reticent about sharing a difficult history e...more
Harper and Ortiz are not only still together, but take a trip to Kansas to meet Ortiz' family. As if that ordeal weren't enough, Ortiz' high school friends come under suspicion when an aspiring local singer is murdered.
The setting for this book definitely aided character development. That's probably why I liked this book better than Irish Chain. It's likely that I'll read another in the series, but I'm not going to be running to the bookstore to buy it.
The setting for this book definitely aided character development. That's probably why I liked this book better than Irish Chain. It's likely that I'll read another in the series, but I'm not going to be running to the bookstore to buy it.
I picked this solely for its title, which turns out to be the name of a quilt pattern. Mystery in small town Kansas with lots of references to Derby, Pretty Prairie, Wichita, and a thinly disguised Yoder Kansas.
I have no doubt that the author visited the places mentioned. Descriptions are dead on.
California folk-art expert meets her new husband's family and solves the murder of an Amish girl by knowing her quilts. Remarkable.
I have no doubt that the author visited the places mentioned. Descriptions are dead on.
California folk-art expert meets her new husband's family and solves the murder of an Amish girl by knowing her quilts. Remarkable.
Better than the last in the series. Benni and Ortiz have impetuously married (apparently they don't believe in premarital sex or they would have just knocked boots) and are now wondering if love is enough to overcome stubborness and the problems in their relationship. And one of Ortiz's childhood amigos might be a killer. Count on Benni to get herself in mortal danger at least once (that is getting tired) and to solve the mystery.
Sep 10, 2007
Cindy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
mystery fans
Shelves:
mysteries
I really like the Benni Harper series. She's independent, strong, and happily married. That's a nice combination. We also have a lot in common, since I was born in Texas and live in the West right now.
This book finds Benni and her husband Gabe on a trip to meet his family. Benni's husband is the silent type, and she soon discovers that she doesn't know as much about him as she'd like to. There's a murder (of course) and Benni can't help getting involved (also of course). Benni is having trouble...more
This book finds Benni and her husband Gabe on a trip to meet his family. Benni's husband is the silent type, and she soon discovers that she doesn't know as much about him as she'd like to. There's a murder (of course) and Benni can't help getting involved (also of course). Benni is having trouble...more
Sep 21, 2011
❂ Jennifer
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to ❂ Jennifer by:
Melodie
Shelves:
cozy-mystery
I think this series just keeps getting better and better. I normally dislike books within a series that "travel" - take place outside the normal setting. This book was an exception. Really, the mystery was just excellent and the character development, the relationship between Benni and Gabe, is outstanding. I'm really looking forward to catching up with this series.
I have read all of Earlene Fowler's "Benni Harper" series.......and I couldn't put a single one of them down! My only regret is that she is not writing any more books in this series...........sadly. They were great books!
Feb 14, 2012
Barbara ★
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
female-lead,
mystery-cozy,
set-in-usa-kansas,
read-2012,
western,
h-h-minority,
series-r-us
First of all I must say that this is the first book I've read by Earlene Fowler and the first I've read in this series. Maybe if I started with the first book, I might have actually enjoyed this book but I found that I had zero interest in the story and even less interest (if that's possible) in the main characters. The story jumps in too quickly without giving any background on the hero and heroine. You meet the Amish victim for a total of about 5 minutes and I just didn't care who killed her o...more
I enjoy this author although these are certainly not gripping mysteries. Still, for a light mystery I like them and will probably continue to read more in the series.
In this series entry, Benni Harper & husband Gabe Ortiz return to his home in Kansas, where everything appears placid, but murder is lurking in the wings.
Another good read...able to see Benni meet her new "in-laws" and get to know more about Gabe and how he relates to his family. Enjoyed the book.
I forgot to add this one but it only took me a couple of days and was very enjoyable. It continues the Benni Harper mysteries. On to the next one.
I like the quilt references, and Benni Harper is good--sometimes I find her a little annoying but she is largely a good character
Again a fun cozy read. I do get a bit tired of the conflict between Benni and Gabe. But fun information on the Amish and quilts.
Mar 28, 2010
Felicia
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery,
read-in-2010
A good read - especially in the winter, since it takes place during the humid summer in Kansas.
Read this because of the Trixie Belden connection, but I had a hard time getting into it.
Another mystery series that is fun to read without the gore...
tense climax, Benni can be just too thick at times
Book #3 in the series. The characters are so real. Enjoy!
Earlene Fowler's books are always great!
Love this series!
Quilt series. Has potential
3 1/2 stars
Some steamy stuff
I'm zipping through this series. Lovin' it!
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Earlene Fowler was raised in La Puente, California, by a Southern mother and a Western father. She lives in Southern California with her husband, Allen, a purple pickup truck, and many pairs of cowboy boots. She is currently working on the next Benni Harper mystery.
Series:
* Benni Harper Mysteries
* Love Mercy Johnson Mystery
More about Earlene Fowler...
Series:
* Benni Harper Mysteries
* Love Mercy Johnson Mystery
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