Bleeding Kansas by Sara Paretsky

Bleeding Kansas - Sara Paretsky grew up in the Kaw River Valley where this story takes place and explains the term “Bleeding Kansas” at the beginning.

The Schapens and the Grelliers have history in Lawrence, Kansas going back to the 1850s. Today, the Schapens are still angry about some wrong some Grellier they feel has done in the past. The Schapens attend the Salvation Through the Blood of Jesus Full Bible Church. They believe if you don’t attend their church you are a pagan and going to hell and recount everyone’s “sins” on their personal homepage, especially attacking the Grelliers. The Grelliers are just trying to make their farm work and raise two teenage kids, Chip and Lara.

Into this environment moves Gina Haring, a Wiccan. Chip joins the Army. A Schapen cow gives birth to a red heifer the Jews believe may be the red heifer for the rebuilding of the Temple. Lara and Robbie Schapen find affection for each other.