The Millionaire Horseman

Definitely not an intense mystery or a very powerful emotional romance. But an enjoyable read.Here we meet Jed Louis, illegitimate nephew of the local rich man and now owner of "Beaumarais" and rich in his own right, 37 and not married.He was one of Frannie Granger's unadoptable children along with Emerald Monday,32 and Will McClain, 35. We also meet Jed and Gwyn's neighbor and local lawyer, Riley Gray and his four year old daughter, Alanna.As the sheriff, Logan Fielder, makes noises as to Jed being guilty of Frannie's murder, Gwyn pulls out the services of the widely known lawyer, Dexter Thorndyke. Love his put-down of Fielder and the D.A., Philpott.Questions? What happened to Emmy-M [she was just 13 when the Social Workers snatched her] and Will, he just took off? or were they murdered? Who was Frannie's enemy? What did she happen to know? [Now me, I suspect Ray Jennings the local banker] He had the power of attorney of Walter Louis's estate until Jed inherited. Of course the sheriff is up to something, trying to railroad Jed.Poor little rich girl, Gwyn Miller of the fabulously rich Millers had been really lacking in the love and family feeling that Jed had known. But such insecurities didn't stop her from hopping in bed with Jed, maybe they thought they were getting too old. [That's my sour note.]Highly enteraining - will recommend but --- well written story - neat characters - ah well.

Harlequin, Apr 2001, $4.50, 298 pp. ISBN: 0373709781 Almost two decades have passed since Frannie Granger disappeared without a trace. Texas Sheriff Logan Fielder never found a clue or a body but believed one of those bad foster children raised and loved by Frannie killed the weird woman. Everything changes when archeologist Tessa Lang found the skeletal remains of Frannie at a Caddo Indian burial site. Logan reopens the case, as there is no time limit on homicide and hones in on one of the Frannie's former foster children, millionaire Jed Lewis. Jed, who rented grazing land to miniature horse breeder Gwyn Miller, knows that the sheriff will do anything to pin the murder of Frannie on him. However, Gwyn, who is falling in love with Jed, believes he is innocent and plans to not only prove that, but persuade her beloved that they belong together. THE MILLIONAIRE HORSEMAN is an exciting romantic suspense novel that never slows down for even a page. The story line works because the characters seem so believable and the East Texas landscape adds a degree of freshness not often seen in a Lone Star State contemporary. Though the sheriff is as flat as his badge, the lead characters are a strong duo. K.N. Casper has written an enjoyable opening novel in the "Return to East Texas" trilogy that will leave fans anxiously awaiting for the follow-up books by Denny Fox and Eve Gaddy.Harriet Klausner