Benni Harper's husband was killed in a car accident 9 months earlier. She's now three months into her new job as director of a folk-art museum in the Benni Harper's husband was killed in a car accident 9 months earlier. She's now three months into her new job as director of a folk-art museum in the central California town of San Celina. She's knee deep in plans for a fund raising auction and quilt display to benefit the museum and the artist co-op that uses the museum, when she finds one of the artists murdered. This unfortunately brings her to the attention of the interim police chief, Gabe Ortiz, who she clashes with immediately. Unable to stay out of the murder investigation (it was one of her artists AND a cousin who was last seen driving away from the scene of the crime) Benni continues to search for clues, much to Gabe's dismay. And, one final clue leads her straight to the person she thinks is the murderer. Unfortunately, she's not far off the solution to the crime, which nearly involves her in a shoot-out and reveals the real culprit. It does give her some closure on her husband's death and opens the path for a new relationship with Gabe.
It's been a long time since I've read a book in this series, so it was nice to revisit these fun characters. Clean.
2024- 52 book reading challenge #18 - an apostrophe in the title or #14 - a grieving character...more
Benni and her best friend Elvia go back to Sugartree, Arkansas for a Baptist church homecoming festivity. They arrive in the middle of a racially charBenni and her best friend Elvia go back to Sugartree, Arkansas for a Baptist church homecoming festivity. They arrive in the middle of a racially charged mayoral election which takes a mean turn when one candidate's son is murdered. Benni of course, figures out who did it. Interesting view of small town southern Baptist festivities and the racism that still exists in said small towns....more
Christmas is just a few weeks away, and Benni Harper has tons to do to prepare for a visit from her mother-in-law. When her boss demands her help in iChristmas is just a few weeks away, and Benni Harper has tons to do to prepare for a visit from her mother-in-law. When her boss demands her help in investigating the death of a friend, Benni has her hands full. Another good story full of small town flavor and good personal interactions....more
Love Mercy Johnson has been living alone in Morrow Bay, CA, since the death of her beloved husband Cy, from cancer, a year ago. Their only son Tommy wLove Mercy Johnson has been living alone in Morrow Bay, CA, since the death of her beloved husband Cy, from cancer, a year ago. Their only son Tommy was killed 10 years earlier, leaving 3 daughters, but her d-in-law cut their connection a year later when she remarried. When the middle grand-daughter, 18 year old Rett shows up out of the blue, the people and relationships begin to mend.
Many of the characters from the Benni Harper series make appearances - at a later point in their lives. This has some great subplots and multi-generational stories. Clean....more
Benni Harper #11. Benni's dad had a good neighbor who turned his ranch into a guest ranch. After his death, Benni and neighbors have stepped up to helBenni Harper #11. Benni's dad had a good neighbor who turned his ranch into a guest ranch. After his death, Benni and neighbors have stepped up to help his daughter make it a success. The inaugural session includes a quilt camp and photography class by her step-granddad. When a long buried skelaton is unearthed, Benni goes to work to solve the mystery. Typical Fowler good time - not always believable but usually with great humor, subplots and escapades. Clean.
5.8.15 Picked this up in audio to have something for my commute, and enjoyed it the 2nd time around too - Benni is quite the talented lady!...more
Benni Harper #12. Benni and Grandma Dove are filling in to produce the a children's show of "Pilgrim's Progress" when Benni finds the body of the churBenni Harper #12. Benni and Grandma Dove are filling in to produce the a children's show of "Pilgrim's Progress" when Benni finds the body of the church handyman. A valuable violin, Gabe's cousin and a little illegal alien Mexican girl all combine for a well done story. It doesn't have a really happy ending, but it's realistic. Makes you laugh and cry. Clean. Same audio reader....more
#10 in the series. Amateur sleuth Benni Harper is drawn into a 1995 murder of a friend of her 2nd husband, police chief Gabe Ortiz, in San Celina, CA.#10 in the series. Amateur sleuth Benni Harper is drawn into a 1995 murder of a friend of her 2nd husband, police chief Gabe Ortiz, in San Celina, CA. The tale interweaves stories from 1995 and 1978 when Benni was a young married ranch wife and still in college. Benni has to figure out how the stories connect to solve the murder. Interesting characters with a not-too-obvious mystery. I picked this up out of series order and it made me want to go back and read the rest of the series. The narrator of the audio, Johanna Parker, does a good job with all the Spanish. Quilts play a role in this series, but very marginally....more