Irish Chain (Benni Harper Mystery) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "I'M GOING TO snatch you baldheaded, Benni Harper, if you don't haul your butt over here right now," Gramma Dove said, her voice as raspy..." (more)
Key Phrases: quilting class, San Celina, Miss Violet, Oak Terrace (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This well-textured sequel to Fool's Puzzle, also named for a traditional quilt pattern, intricately blends social history and modern mystery. Folk art museum curator Benni Harper is involved not only with an upcoming cross-stitch sampler exhibit but also with the Senior Citizen Prom and a local oral history project. Before the dance, she hears of a feud between retired merchant Brady O'Hara and Oralee Reid, the retirement home roommate of Miss Violet, her former teacher. On prom night, Benni discovers the bodies of Brady and Miss Violet. As her new love, temporary police chief Gabe Ortiz, investigates, Benni tries to stay out of his way, but she unravels the threads of the mystery herself while interviewing local Japanese-Americans who were interned during WWII. Fowler's easygoing style, along with down-home Benni's charming personality, makes this a blue-ribbon cozy.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Probing 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. Reprint. PW. LJ.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; 1st THUS edition (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425151379
• ISBN-13: 978-0425151372
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,928 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyed it!, May 19, 1999

By A Customer

I especially enjoyed Irish Chain, Earlene Fowler's second book in the series. I loved the stories of the Japanese internment camps during the war that are told throughout the book. Grandma Dove, as usual, is great. I loved this book! It's great.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Past Can Be Murder, January 21, 2003

By	Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Benni Harper is busy with many projects. Theres a new exhibit going into the artists co-op, shes writing up the story of Japanese-Americans from the area during World War II, and shes helping put on a senior prom at San Celinas retirement home. As the dance draws to a close, she finds two of the residences murdered. What did they have in common that would lead to their deaths? Meanwhile, old flame Clay OHara is back in town. His status as lead suspect starts to come between Benni and Gabe. Benni finds herself drawn into solving this case no matter what Gabe says. If she stays alive long enough to do it, will this end their relationship?

Once again, Ms. Fowler has written a captivating story told with real emotion. Its hard not to be drawn into this world and really care for the characters. I found myself choking up on more then one occasion, yet also smiling and laughing at many of the lighter moments. The plot seems to get a little sidetracked near the middle, but picks up speed and reaches an interesting and satisfying conclusion.

Anyone looking for a mystery with strong characters and interesting stories will love this series. I wont be able to stop myself from picking up the next to see what these people, I mean characters, are up to next.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Murder, History and Love, July 30, 2002

By	Judith Miller (Bluemont, VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In this story Benni Harper is sponsoring a dance at the local retirement home. Clay O'Hara, a handsome man from her past is in town to visit his retired uncle and wants to resume a relationship with Benni. Of course she's flattered, but she has been dating Gabe Ortiz, the Acting Police Chief for several months and they may be on their way to some type of commitment. When two of the residents of the retirement home are killed, Chief Ortiz suspects Clay of the murders. Benni's defense of her old friend Clay, causes a rift between her and Gabe.

Due to the fact that one of the murdered victims was involved in helping the local Japanese community, the author gives us the very fascinating and tragic story of the Japanese Americans who were sent to internment camps during World War II.

Earlen Fowler keeps the reader entertained with her interesting characters in her second Benni Harper Book.