Fire Dancer: Ben Pecos Mysteries, Book 4

Ben Pecos Mystery #4

by Susan Slater

From award-winning author Susan Slater, the fourth installment in her critically acclaimed New Mexico Ben Pecos mysteries, which Booklist calls “a series to watch.” Ben Pecos has the opportunity to work in Albuquerque on a research project for the Indian Health Service, and his fiancée Julie Conlin decides to join him when she snags an invitation for the couple to stay at the lavish home of an old family friend, Connie CdeBaca, who is the head of a family of successful land developers. But Connie harbors a deep secret she has never told anyone. Ben and Julie are hardly settled when people begin dying, and they find themselves swept into the midst of another mystery. The twists and turns in this complex plot will keep readers guessing to the very end! Praise for Susan Slater and the Ben Pecos “Solid, suspenseful narrative and colorful glimpses of Native American life ... strongly recommend.” —Library Journal “A series to watch.” —Booklist “… Ben Pecos—raised far from New Mexico’s Tewa Pueblo—could become as lasting a fictional presence as Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee.” – Chicago Tribune “… a gripping, interesting tale.” –5 stars, online review

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 4, 2018

About the author

Susan has lived in the Southwest for 32 years. The enchantment of New Mexico comes alive in her Ben Pecos series - The Pumpkin Seed Massacre, Yellow Lies, Thunderbird, and A Way to the Manger.

Reviews

[Saundra Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intricately written mystery woven through with social issues! The adoption of Native American children outside their cuture and their reintroduction as adults, the sometimes bitter legal battle Native Americans face for justice in land disputes, interracial marriage, transgender acceptance in Native American culture and that of main stream America, to name a few but these are handled as side issues to the main story.

That compelling murder mystery will keep you turning the pages long after lights out! There are so many well developed characters, each with their own motive for crime, and as many shining ones. The settings are stunning and very well described. The plot twists are detailed and numerous. Even when you are sure you have everything figured out, there is absolutely something you have missed. A thing that rarely happens in a mystery!

This is the first book I have read in the series as I was gifted with a copy and am voluntarily leaving a review but I look forward to catching up with the others and reading anything new this author produces!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A women married to a man she no longer loved. Secretly she had a son to "Fire Dancer was his name, a Native Indian. She did not let anyone know of his birth. Fire Dancer will killed. Then her husband had passed away. He was a rich man an owned lots of land. Some of it was suppose to belong to the Indian people. They argued about it. He was in the process of building homes on that part of the land. She lived in the one that was already built and had it decorated almost like a Native American museum with lots of relics and such. She was ill and was dying so she wrote out a new will naming her son whom she gave birth to many moons ago as to inherit most of everything. Her husbands family members were mad they wanted the money and the land , millions of dollars worth and they sure didnt want a Indian getting it all. People started to die then. Gets you thinking who all could be the one or ones committing these murders. I couldnt figure it out till towards the ending. A happy ending for some, but not for all.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

FIRE DANCER by Susan Slater.
Time was evaporating for her now, her smells as strong and fresh as if today instead of memories. She had a secret that had just been uncovered a skull with a bullet hole. Only one knew, a man she had loved, why now greed. Your heart is pounding, for this unusual gripping opening. You sense you know her, the description was so vivid. An intriguing plot of mystery ,family, and heirlooms.Readers will long remember this plot, and looking for the next in this series.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

[Nancy Quatrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I discover a new author to keep reading, it's delightful to find that each book is stronger than the one before it - and I loved the books before this one! Slater is a master storyteller and red herrings are her specialty! Ben Pecos is a strong but not overpowering character that sticks in the mind long after the story is told. This is a book that you'll resist putting down for anything except the most essential diversions! Looking forward to the next one, though I'll miss the New Mexico setting - at least for a bit. Loved this story.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disputes over land, money and inheritance lead to murder in Fire Dancer. Ben Pecos and his fiancée Julie Conlin are thrust in the middle of family fight when their friend Connie is murdered. She had a secret that someone would kill over. An excellent, suspenseful mystery that had you guessing until the end.

[Charles T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it almost all in one sitting, loved it!

Loved this Ben Pecos, Indian Health Services Psychologist, in this latest in the series WhoDunIt! This one set in Albuquerque and the Sandia Mountains was so enjoyable and loved that Julie his love was very much a main character in this one! And as far as the murder mystery? The Emotions that drive people can be so inexplicable!

[Bruce D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Pecos and girlfriend Julie searching for a killer

Another good story by Susan Slater. Ben Pecos is involved in another thrilling murder mystery with his girlfriend Julie . many twists and turns in.this one. It will keep.you reading to find out what happens next. Well written. Recommended reading!

[Corliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

Susan Slater paints a wonderful picture of the physical location in New Mexico. I've seen some of it and it is truly beautiful. When put together with such a well done mystery is certainly a treat for the who done it fan. The characters are so well done they come to life. This one, a tale of greed, corruption and family drama is not to be missed.

[Susan D. Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good series

This is book 4 and I am looking forward to the next one. I love a good wedding too.Ben and his new wife Julie will provide more great stories

[John Roach, · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top story well worth reading

[Jo Lerberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this series

Absolutely love this series! My fourth book by this author and I will read more. Really enjoy the native American genre.

[Sreader]

Another good story with interesting setting.

[Robin E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great mystery from Susan Slater

A surprise child, a deadly illness, murder, & mayhem abound. Can Ben & Julie discover the answers before another body drops?

[Lee Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-reading this series is a breath of fresh air I love it. This author is mesmerizing. 1/18/25
What an incredible story!! I absolutely love this series! I was mesmerized and could not put the book down. It was nonstop action and had me sitting on the edge of my seat. There were so many facets to this story, so many people with their own agenda, that you didn’t know the truth until the end. This author has some real talent for storytelling. I’m so glad I found her!!

[Linda]

You can't go wrong reading Ms. Slater's book. A great story line. It has mystery,suspense and makes you read faster to find the killer. Her character's are always so life like you can't help liking them and living their story with them. Highly recommend this book. Made a great few days away from home that much more enjoyable.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, and I enjoyed it. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.