Meet Benni Harper...a spirited ex-cowgirl, quilter, and folk-art expert who's staking out her own corner of the contemporary American West. She's g...
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reviews
Jul 04, 2009
Paula
rated it: 
This is the second book in this particular series, following on from Fool's Puzzle, and once again, our protagonist is Benni Harper, recently widowed and now running a small folk art museum and artist's cooperative. In Irish Chain, Benni becomes involved in the history of her small town, when two senior citizens are murdered in a local nursing home and there's apparently more to the past than meets the eye.
Interestingly enough, there seems to be a link with the treatment of Japanese More...
Interestingly enough, there seems to be a link with the treatment of Japanese More...
May 23, 2010
Robin
rated it:
I think I received this one as a freebie from the publisher many moons ago when I worked in a bookstore (they were promoting one of the later books in the series). I probably would have read it a long time ago except that it is the second in the series, and I have a hang-up about starting in media res, so-to-speak. I finally just plucked it off my shelf on a whim. Despite being the second in the series, I didn't feel like I was missing anything of vital importance relating to the characters or s
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Sep 17, 2011
Pjnorton75
rated it: 
One of the first Benni Harper books. I've read all but the last few and really like them. I love how the characters have evolved over the series and how each one is individual reads, but it doesn't hurt to have read the previous ones. Benni is a likeable character and I love her relationship with her family and her boyfriend.
Nov 22, 2009
Kay
rated it: 
I liked Irish Chain much better than the first book in the Benni Harper series (Fool's Puzzle). This was a better-than-average cozy mystery, with a result that really did surprise me. It had the additional benefit of an unusually meaty topic - that being the relocation of American citizens of Japanese descent during WWII.
I'm still relatively new to the cozy mystery genre, but this is one of the best in the category that I've read.
I'm still relatively new to the cozy mystery genre, but this is one of the best in the category that I've read.
Jul 29, 2011
Catherine
rated it:
this is the first of this series that I read, and it is one of my favorite quilt patterns. This continues to go well. The writing is not at a high caliber but it is pleasant. I like the quilt references, and Benni Harper is good--sometimes I find her a little annoying but she is largely a good character
Jan 28, 2012
Rachel
rated it:
When the blurbs indicate that a book is both a western and a mystery, I get prepared for a rather mediocre story and characters, but I was happily surprised with the books in this series that I've read. The characters were interesting and well drawn out, and the plots were intriguing as well as amusing. Also, just because the stories take place in the west with ranches and deserts nearby, that doesn't mean it is a western, which generally contains a whole bunch of stereotypical cowboy, black hat
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Sep 13, 2009
Anita
rated it:
Second Benni Harper book. Fast armchair read. Really liked it--altho not sure if I'm following the love story quite right. but I'm good to stay with the series one more time. Liked this books focus on the japanese-american's stories during ww 2.
May 10, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
3 1/2 stars. I'd read this once before but forgotten it. There were some weird editing problems that put me off of the author. TOo cheesy in a few places, but the mystery was pretty good and had several twists.
Sep 19, 2011
Jennifer E.
rated it:
I found this to be a very enjoyable read - I loved the story line delving into the WWII issues with Japanese-Americans. I didn't see where the plot was going until the end and was quite surprised by the murderer. Outstanding character development as well. Looking forward to the next one, Kansas Troubles.
Sep 10, 2011
Pat
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These books were written by a woman I went to high school with. A friend recommended them and I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying them.
Jul 29, 2010
Nicole
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This mystery looks back to the past two generations of unresolved conflicts based on events before & during WWII.
Nov 13, 2008
Janis
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The second book in this series is better than the first. I actually cried several times while reading this book. It has been one year since Benni Harper's husband was killed in a vehicle accident. The local temporary sheriff, Gabriel Ortiz, is not only trying to help Benni through the grief, but trying to keep her safe while she gets involved in a double mystery. And then there's her high-school crush who comes to town because it was his grandfather that was murdered. Eventually everyone ha
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Nov 11, 2010
kb
rated it: 
I could not get interested in this book. The characters were forgettable and the plot was way too slow.
I only got about half-way through it.
I only got about half-way through it.
Feb 10, 2010
Renee
rated it:
I read this book while working at Murder Ink and loved it enough to practically fight my co-worker to be able to review it in the store's catalog. Despite that love, over the years since I completely forgot what the book was about. I'm also puzzled as to why I loved it that much.
It wasn't bad -- in fact, it was rather enjoyable. Benni Harper is an interesting character, and I love the quilting theme in her books. Benni's relationship with police chief Gabriel Ortiz is interesting and More...
It wasn't bad -- in fact, it was rather enjoyable. Benni Harper is an interesting character, and I love the quilting theme in her books. Benni's relationship with police chief Gabriel Ortiz is interesting and More...
Sep 08, 2010
Carolyn
rated it:
It was an enjoyable easy read--on to the next one in the series. Was a good find at a garage sale.
May 11, 2010
Judy
rated it:
Great book! Couldn't put it down and now am anxious to read the next book in the series.
Jun 26, 2009
Jim
rated it:
Not as engaging at the first book in the series (Fool's Puzzle), but a reasonably good read.
Sep 25, 2008
LJ
rated it:
IRISH CHAIN - G
Fowler, Earlene - 2nd in Benni Harper series
Investigating the death of the San Celina Senior Citizen Prom king, museum curator Benni Harper goes against the wishes of her police chief boyfriend and uncovers the victim's fifty-year-old affiliation with a World War II Japanese blackmailing ring.
Definitely light, "hobby" mystery but quite enjoyable.
Fowler, Earlene - 2nd in Benni Harper series
Investigating the death of the San Celina Senior Citizen Prom king, museum curator Benni Harper goes against the wishes of her police chief boyfriend and uncovers the victim's fifty-year-old affiliation with a World War II Japanese blackmailing ring.
Definitely light, "hobby" mystery but quite enjoyable.
Oct 06, 2011
Janell
rated it:
This is the second book in the Benni Harper mystery series. Benni has become involved with Gabe, the Chief of Police. When she again discovers a body, the sparks begin to fly between them. Although I enjoyed this one, the plot was a little weak and the mystery itself was pretty dull.
Nov 27, 2011
Kitty Tomlinson
rated it:
Investigating the death of the San Celina Senior Citizen Prom king, museum curator Benni Harper goes against the wishes of her police chief boyfriend and uncovers the victim's fifty-year-old affiliation with a World War II Japanese blackmailing ring.
Aug 13, 2010
Linda
rated it: 
For a murder mystery it had some spunk but I only read mysteries on the advice of my tow friends...I am going to change to another venue for a while I just don't want to read about death of any kind right now....I am too busy growing flowers!
Oct 15, 2011
Sheryl
rated it:
I like this series because i enjoy the characters. However, this book was quite boring until the end. It took way too long to get to the mystery and didn't keep your attention. Too much emphasis was placed on Benni's love life.
Aug 23, 2011
Kieraanne
rated it:
I wanted to re-read this to remember Gabe and Benni's courtship period. It was pretty good and I totally forgot "who done it" so that part was still enjoyable as well. I think I'll read the first one after they're married again next.
Oct 05, 2011
Kari
rated it:
I liked this secon book in the Benni Harper series. It was fun to visit with the characters again and the mystery was good. Enjoy
Jan 28, 2009
Jane
rated it:
A good, well-written cozy with a clever plot that delves into California history. A really enjoyable read.
Jun 27, 2011
Diane
rated it:
another great book in the benni harper series--now it's the benni harper-ortiz series!
