Synopsis: Benni is deep into exhibiting samplers while her grandmother is deep into cooking foreign foods, the historical society and managing Benni's life. Gabe is also trying to get Benni to stay out of crimes. However, while at a senior citizens' dance Benni discovers two bodies ~ both murder victims. Gabe tries to determine if their demise is tied to gambling, bad temper, money or something in the victims' past.
Review: Fun to read, this book examines the treatment of the American Japanese during World War II. ( )

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. ( )

The second book in the Benni Harper Mysteries. Love the way that Benni spars with Gabe and the eccentric characters. Very easy to read. ( )

This is the second in the Benni Harper mystery series. Benni's taking time
from her job at the folk-art museum to sponsor a "senior prom" at San
Celina's retirement home. During the dance, she's surprised to find herself
waltzing with Clay O'Hara, the Colorado cowboy she had a crush on when she
was seventeen. She's even more surprised when Clay's uncle and an elderly
woman are found dead in one of the residents' rooms. Now Benni's trying to
find a link between the two victims and the common thread that bound them
together in death, without getting completely under the skin of acting
police chief Gabe Ortiz.

This series is starting to grow on me, but there are still some things about
it that give me an itch I can't seem to scratch by reading the story.
Benni's emotions are so erratic through most of this book that I was shocked
at how it ended, with an elopement for a marriage that simply cannot last,
at least with characters written as these two have been. With any series,
the characters are what bring me back, episode after episode, so even if the
mystery is weak, it usually doesn't matter. This particular plot took an
unexpected and, IMO needless, twist at the end. It's not my favorite
writing technique for an author to suddenly inject a whole new character
trait in one of the suspects right at the end and that's what Fowler did
with this story. Still, I'll probably read at least one or two more in the
series, if only to see how long this marriage lasts. 3 ( )

Fair