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Frank Harper Mysteries #1
Field of Red, A
Ex-cop Frank Harper doesn't want to get involved. Harper is visiting the small Ohio town of Cooper's Mill, trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter and a grandson he's never met. But he finds the town gripped in fear—two young girls have gone missing, taken in broad daylight from a busy street. And the police are coming up blank. But once Harper is drawn reluctantly into the investigation, he'll stop at nothing to find the girls. And he doesn't care who gets in the way.
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First published July 31, 2013
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About the author
Greg Enslen
34 books68 followersGreg Enslen is an Ohio author of twenty-seven books, including four books in the “Frank Harper Mysteries” series and three other novels. He also writes original screenplays and guides for popular TV shows such as “Game of Thrones” and “Mr. Robot.” His books are available from major retailers and on his Amazon Author Page at http://bit.ly/geauthor.
Greg lives in southern Ohio with his wife, three children, three dogs and an indeterminate number of cats. His interests include travel, reading, film and television, and yelling at various sports franchises. Greg enjoys writing late at night, after everyone else has finally trudged off to bed and the house is quiet. For more information, visit his website at gregenslen.com or check out his Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/gregenslenswriting.
Greg lives in southern Ohio with his wife, three children, three dogs and an indeterminate number of cats. His interests include travel, reading, film and television, and yelling at various sports franchises. Greg enjoys writing late at night, after everyone else has finally trudged off to bed and the house is quiet. For more information, visit his website at gregenslen.com or check out his Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/gregenslenswriting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 359 reviews
April 24, 2016
This is book 1 of the Frank Harper murder series. I chose this book to read as part of the Read Your E-reader read-a-thon for April. I was feeling a bit burned out on Mystery but decided to go with this one anyway and I really quite enjoyed the story.
Synopsis
Ex-cop Frank Harper doesn't want to get involved. Harper is visiting the small Ohio town of Cooper's Mill, trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter and a grandson he's never met. But he finds the town gripped in fear-two young girls have gone missing, taken in broad daylight from a busy street. And the police are coming up blank. But once Harper is drawn reluctantly into the investigation, he'll stop at nothing to find the girls. And he doesn't care who gets in the way.
The plot is what pretty much drew me into the story. I liked how fluid the story telling was. There were some slow spots, but the mystery aspect of the story pretty much made up for that. I thought the story was going to be predictable at first because things were running along the way I thought they would, and I did try and figure out 'whodunit' but never quite hit the nail on the head. It is a great book that really turns readers into sleuths.
The characters were awesome, especially Frank. There were a couple of times where I wanted to slap him because he did not make a choice that I wanted him to, but it all worked out in the end. I found him to be a little soft at times but his strengths definitely showed through in the end. He is a pretty flawed character with many issues to deal with and I love those characters the best.
I am looking forward to reading book 2 in the series because there was on loose end that was not entirely tied up and I would love to see that happen in a sequel. I would recommend this book to those who love Mystery because this is definitely worth the read and was far better than imagined it would be.
Synopsis
Ex-cop Frank Harper doesn't want to get involved. Harper is visiting the small Ohio town of Cooper's Mill, trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter and a grandson he's never met. But he finds the town gripped in fear-two young girls have gone missing, taken in broad daylight from a busy street. And the police are coming up blank. But once Harper is drawn reluctantly into the investigation, he'll stop at nothing to find the girls. And he doesn't care who gets in the way.
The plot is what pretty much drew me into the story. I liked how fluid the story telling was. There were some slow spots, but the mystery aspect of the story pretty much made up for that. I thought the story was going to be predictable at first because things were running along the way I thought they would, and I did try and figure out 'whodunit' but never quite hit the nail on the head. It is a great book that really turns readers into sleuths.
The characters were awesome, especially Frank. There were a couple of times where I wanted to slap him because he did not make a choice that I wanted him to, but it all worked out in the end. I found him to be a little soft at times but his strengths definitely showed through in the end. He is a pretty flawed character with many issues to deal with and I love those characters the best.
I am looking forward to reading book 2 in the series because there was on loose end that was not entirely tied up and I would love to see that happen in a sequel. I would recommend this book to those who love Mystery because this is definitely worth the read and was far better than imagined it would be.
April 14, 2014
Well organized abduction mystery. The author has a good sense of slowly building the suspense, and I am sympathetic to the investigator hero, a retired ex-cop who grapples with a drinking problem and wants to reconcile with an estranged daughter. Separately, the young daughter of one of her small town's leading citizens is kidnapped shortly before the hero works up the nerve to try to see her for the first time in years, and the locals seem to have no clue how to track down the abductors. Someone with knowledge and ability has to step in before it is too late.
I would read more books by this author.
I would read more books by this author.
June 14, 2015
Horrible. Boring. Predictable. Pointless.
March 6, 2019
I just finished reading this book last night on my Amazon Fire. It’s a good mystery that follows a kidnapping investigation in a small town in Ohio. Frank Harper, a former cop who solved some kidnapping investigations when he was based in New Orleans, lends his expertise in solving this particular investigation of the kidnapping of two young girls. Bad leads, botched ransom note capers, ‘dirty cops’ and interesting characters made this book skip right along.
November 4, 2014
Yeah
I started out hating Frank Harper and that's probably why I liked this book so much. He is a very believable character. The story was good and it's a quick read where I wasn't sure until the end who was involved. I think I'll try another...
I started out hating Frank Harper and that's probably why I liked this book so much. He is a very believable character. The story was good and it's a quick read where I wasn't sure until the end who was involved. I think I'll try another...
May 27, 2014
I was surprised that this book got such high ratings. I found it predictable and the character seemed like an imitation of one of Michael Connelly's characters.
June 22, 2015
Good mystery, which takes a little while to hit its stride, but from then on is quite good. It uses a common mystery background of an ex-cop, retired from the force ( in this case, NOLA PD) with emotional trauma, a booze problem and a broken family. This is partially overcome when he reluctantly involved with a kidnapped child case.
Set in a small Ohio town the story has a good coverup to unravel and a satisfyingly strong finish.
Not too much violence, no sexual content that I recall. Interesting characters and a fast pace, after the story is set up.
Recommended for mystery readers who like a decent story.
Set in a small Ohio town the story has a good coverup to unravel and a satisfyingly strong finish.
Not too much violence, no sexual content that I recall. Interesting characters and a fast pace, after the story is set up.
Recommended for mystery readers who like a decent story.
September 22, 2014
Good mystery. A new author for me, but one I enjoyed!
The main character is a man with a troubling past and an iffy future. He definitely redeemed himself by the end. The mystery (who done it) threw me for sure. Well developed characters with rough or emotionally tough pasts and some with good futures. I had a good chuckle over the ending. This book was free and I do recommend this author. He also writes other genres. Try it and see if you can guess who all the bad guys/gals are. I couldn't this time.
The main character is a man with a troubling past and an iffy future. He definitely redeemed himself by the end. The mystery (who done it) threw me for sure. Well developed characters with rough or emotionally tough pasts and some with good futures. I had a good chuckle over the ending. This book was free and I do recommend this author. He also writes other genres. Try it and see if you can guess who all the bad guys/gals are. I couldn't this time.
June 2, 2018
Throughout this book, I didn't entirely enjoy it. At times I got annoyed, or just simply didn't want to continue reading it. The characters, the storyline, while both good if you look at the entire book as a whole, both had some weak points. But in saying that, I won't rule out reading book 2
May 24, 2015
Good cop drama
Despite a lack of editing for typos, A Field of Red is a good, satisfying read. I recommend it to those who like realistic thrillers.
Despite a lack of editing for typos, A Field of Red is a good, satisfying read. I recommend it to those who like realistic thrillers.
June 21, 2019
I really liked this mystery. Frank Harper is a rough-around-the-edges, alcoholic, ex-cop. Kinda hard not to like him and groan at some of his poor choices. But deep down inside he’s a good guy. I’ll read #2 for sure.
July 16, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this fast paced, mystery! I read read it in two days and couldn't put it down.
May 31, 2022
OK so I like flawed detectives. If you do too, Frank Harper does not disappoint. I enjoyed all of the local references with Coopers Mill (aka Tipp City, OH) and will be adding the rest of this series to my ever growing TBR list.
December 15, 2023
3.5⭐️ Good book.
A Field of Red is my first book from Greg Enslen and I dare say that Frank Harper is one of the most common police characters I’ve read. His glorious days are gone, his life is a real mess, his past victories come from hard work and he has also had his share of losses. Far from having the brightest mind, he makes mistakes as most detectives do and this is something new for the genre.
If you are tired of plots full of unrealistic heroes and more twists than a screw, you will have a great time reading this book. 😉
📚Good reading! 📚
A Field of Red is my first book from Greg Enslen and I dare say that Frank Harper is one of the most common police characters I’ve read. His glorious days are gone, his life is a real mess, his past victories come from hard work and he has also had his share of losses. Far from having the brightest mind, he makes mistakes as most detectives do and this is something new for the genre.
If you are tired of plots full of unrealistic heroes and more twists than a screw, you will have a great time reading this book. 😉
📚Good reading! 📚
October 17, 2014
Frank is a retired cop, an alcoholic, and a man trying to reconnect with his adult daughter. He travels to a small Ohio town to visit his daughter and while there becomes involved in a kidnapping case with the local police department. As he continued to work on the case I found myself liking him more and wishing for a better life for him and his daughter. I enjoyed the story and plan to read more by this author. An added bonus of this story, and what may have made it more interesting, is that the town of Coopers Mill is based on the town of Tipp City which is just a town over from me. The references to many activities, landmarks, and other locations made the story even more vivid since I was able to picture exactly what the author was describing.
May 13, 2015
Slow but steady.
This story was a lesson in truth and trust. Although it is fiction, it be about small town USA anywhere. It moved a bit slow at times but kept my interest the entire time. With an intense ending that included a few surprises, I was pulled right through. Anyone who loves a good detective story should give this on a try.
This story was a lesson in truth and trust. Although it is fiction, it be about small town USA anywhere. It moved a bit slow at times but kept my interest the entire time. With an intense ending that included a few surprises, I was pulled right through. Anyone who loves a good detective story should give this on a try.
June 14, 2015
A suspenseful book from start to finish.
It was hard at first to navigate through the changes in point of view, but once I got the characters straight I found that I couldn't put it down until I finished reading it. I'm glad that one particular thing happened, but I'm not telling what it is, because that's a spoiler.
It was hard at first to navigate through the changes in point of view, but once I got the characters straight I found that I couldn't put it down until I finished reading it. I'm glad that one particular thing happened, but I'm not telling what it is, because that's a spoiler.
January 6, 2021
Field of red
This was too stupid to finish. I made it to the 75% mark. It was an OK read to this point but I'm sorry. It's just stupid when the police would rather have an ex cop from another state who nobody knows keep $300,000 at his hotel rather than leave it in a bank. Dumb!!!!
This was too stupid to finish. I made it to the 75% mark. It was an OK read to this point but I'm sorry. It's just stupid when the police would rather have an ex cop from another state who nobody knows keep $300,000 at his hotel rather than leave it in a bank. Dumb!!!!
June 12, 2014
A Truly Great Read!
Author Enslen has been added to the top of my "favorite authors" list because of his exciting, fast-paced story telling ability. Full of suspense and surprises, the action continues from beginning to end. Thanks for hours of enjoyable entertainment!
Author Enslen has been added to the top of my "favorite authors" list because of his exciting, fast-paced story telling ability. Full of suspense and surprises, the action continues from beginning to end. Thanks for hours of enjoyable entertainment!
February 2, 2015
Wonderful
There are so few books that keep you enthralled, but this one hangs onto you and won't let go until the end. I kept hating any distraction that interrupted my reading. Love your writing style, Greg Enslen, and have put your other books on my wish list.
There are so few books that keep you enthralled, but this one hangs onto you and won't let go until the end. I kept hating any distraction that interrupted my reading. Love your writing style, Greg Enslen, and have put your other books on my wish list.
March 25, 2015
Definitely one of the best abduction novels I have read and more than a few chills crept up my neck as I was reading it. It is well written and quite graphic at times but really creates a sense of atmosphere that quickly gets you into the storyline. Perhaps not for the faint-hearted!
April 26, 2015
I probably wouldn't have read this on were it not a free Bookbub suggestion, but I liked it. It is about a retired police detective that somehow gets pulled back into working a kidnapping. It's easy reading, and pretty clean. That is a must for me.
May 5, 2015
Interesting
Well worth reading. Enjoyed book. Was slower in places than expected but picked right up again. A good who done it. Didn't figure out till about the last couple chapters. Lots of suspects
Well worth reading. Enjoyed book. Was slower in places than expected but picked right up again. A good who done it. Didn't figure out till about the last couple chapters. Lots of suspects
May 7, 2015
Good quick read - a retired, burned out cop with a bit of a drinking problem comes to a small town to rebuild his broken relationship with his daughter and grandson and gets pulled into helping the police solve the case of two abducted young girls.
June 6, 2015
Super Good
I really liked this book. The town and characters felt very realistic to me. It gave some elements that really, truly get overlooked by the media in this genre which I loved. I'd definitely recommend this book to people.
I really liked this book. The town and characters felt very realistic to me. It gave some elements that really, truly get overlooked by the media in this genre which I loved. I'd definitely recommend this book to people.
July 14, 2015
A Field of Red took off like a slow burn. I liked it by the end and I'm glad it ended the way it did. The main character's relationship with his daughter is what made me like the book more than anything. That and the little girl's point of view.
July 20, 2015
It kept your interest. I didn't want to put it down. I do recommend it. I wish it would have given a few more details at the end. The author could have wrapped up a couple of things which I won't say for those of you who would read it. It was a good mystery.
September 17, 2015
Fieldof Red
This was a very good mystery that kept me guessing right to the end. Had no clue how it was going to end but as I got closer to the end I just could not put it down. Surprise ending!
This was a very good mystery that kept me guessing right to the end. Had no clue how it was going to end but as I got closer to the end I just could not put it down. Surprise ending!
August 4, 2016
When I started reading it didn't take long to get really into it. I think it was about Chapter 4. I had one of the bad guys figured out about half way through but not the worst one. Frank might be a new standby of mine when it comes to mysteries. I see that #2 is out now.
January 22, 2020
Unfortunately, I had to stop reading after the first three chapters. The story-line just did not take off for me personally. It did not capture my interest enough to continue investing my time and effort. Perhaps others will find the book a good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 359 reviews