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Summary: Her best book yet; transcends the mystery genre.
Review: "Mariner's Compass" is Earlene Fowler's best book yet, and all of them have been excellent. Although there is a mystery in this book, and protagonist Benni Harper certainly does detection, Ms. Fowler's depth of writing and character development are so great in this well-told story exploring family relationships that "Mariner's Compass" transcends the mystery genre. I recommend this book not only to mystery-lovers but to everyone who enjoys reading a book they can't put down. Although I did want to know the outcome of the mystery (which was a well-crafted surprise!), at the same time I didn't want the story to end because I didn't want to stop reading. I wanted Ms. Fowler's graceful and often profound prose to go on forever. The next book can't come soon enough.
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Summary: Entertaining Benni Harper tale
Review: In California, attorney Amanda Landry informs her best friend and client Benni Harper that she inherited the entire estate of the recently deceased Jake Chandler. A sunned Benni asks who Jake was because she never heard of her benefactor. Even stranger is the stipulation that she sleep in his former house for two weeks or the entire estate goes to the federal government. Perhaps it is just a need to know. Perhaps the successes of solving previous investigations propel her. Than again, perhaps it is the evidence inside Jakes home that proves he kept track of her for two decades and knew some of her favorite quirks. Whatever the cause, Benni cannot resist the lure of looking into the life of Jake. From the grave, he has enticed her to play in his game that takes her from one person holding a clue left behind by Jake to another individual holding another clue. Where the trip down the yellow brick road ends only Jake knew and he no longer is telling. The third Benni Harper amateur sleuth mystery is a very entertaining, offbeat cozy that series fans and sub-genre readers will thoroughly devour as a classic character study. Bennis quest provides readers into intimate insight into her and the people she cherishes. Jake adds an aura of mystery that brings the best out of Benni. MARINERS COMPASS is a cleverly designed who-was-he that will enhance Earlene Fowlers deserved reputation. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: Another outstanding Benni Harper mystery!!!!!
Review: Another great Benni Harper tale. This time Benni goes on a scavenger hunt not only for treasure but to dig up more information on her mother, whom she lost to cancer at an early age. Benni becomes an heiress to what - a fortune or trouble, left by Jake Chandler? But who is Jake Chandler and what is his connection to Benni? What is the strange stipulation in the will that Benni must follow to see what, if anything, lies at the end of the rainbow? Again, the stubborness of Benni and the protective nature of Gabe, puts a strain in their young marriage. Will they weather this storm? Also, you'll have to find out what Dove & her cronies are up to this time. Too, there is an addition to the Ortiz-Harper household - you'll have to read Mariner's Compass to find out about it! This tale is delightful and very entertaining. After many Agatha nominations this one is a definite winner for Earlene Fowler. A must read for all mystery fans, Treasure Hunters, Wood Carvers, Californians, Kansans and a good Mother's Day gift! Elaine Neel
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Summary: A HOUSE FULL OF MYSTERY
Review: Being a Southern California-based mystery writer with my debut novel in initial release, I'm somewhat embarrassed that I have not yet written a review of one of Earlene Fowler's works. I've been reading her books for years. We live in the same general vicinity, and we've met occasionally on the mystery convention circuit. Ms. Fowler's books are uniformly well-written, and MARINER'S COMPASS has an unusual twist. While the quilting angle is still here, Benni Harper, Ms. Fowler's former cowgirl sleuth, finds herself confronted with an unusual mystery. She inherits a house and all the earthly possessions of a man she has never met, provided she meets the odd condition he has set forth. She must live in the house for two weeks. Upon her taking up residency in the house, she finds herself forced to unravel a mystery. She discovers that while she never knew Jacob Chandler, Chandler knew her frighteningly well. While Ms. Fowler's main story is fresh and innovative, MARINER'S COMPASS continues developing her excellent series. Benni's marriage to police chief Gabe continues to evolve, and a number of Benni's eccentric supporting characters launch an activist campaign to preserve California's Central Coast the way they love it. MARINER'S COMPASS is a terrific book, and Ms. Fowler should be proud.
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Summary: REALLY GOOD! another winner from earlene fowler.
Review: benni harper faces her toughest, most personal mystery to date in mariner's compass, a compelling tale of family history, roots and love. she learns that she's inherited a house from a man she's never met and it soon becomes apparent that although she didn't know him, he certainly knew her. one condition of her inheritance is that she spend two weeks alone in the house jacob chandler willed to her, and the two weeks gives her time to delve into his motives and his murky personality. Spiritual without being preachy, earlene fowler's characters come alive and grow in the pages of her novels with a rare combination of depth and impassioned motivation. the benni harper series is one of the best, and mariner's compass may be the best of the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Right on course!
Review: Benni Harper is the wife of a small town sheriff in San Celina, California. She is also an heiress to Jacob Chandler's estate. But who is Jacob Chandler? That's what Benni has to find out. Benni is intrigued and so am I. How does Chandler know her? Why has he named her sole heir in his will? That is the challenge & she has 2 weeks to follow the clues he left for her. I felt like I was playing the board game "CLUE" (Professor Plum did it in the Library with a candlestick). It was great! Benni finds friends & foes along the way but I found this to be a "wholesome" mystery. This book has it all; there's a loyal dog, a handsome cop, good friends, & close relatives. I loved the "sit-in" at the local museum to keep it from being moved all orchestrated by the San Celina Seven, headed up by Benni's own grandmother! Fowler's Benni Harper, is a reoccurring character in a series of books but you don't need to read any of the other books in the series to enjoy Mariner's Compass, but you'll want to.
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Summary: Right on course!
Review: Benni Harper is the wife of a small town sheriff in San Celina, California. She is also an heiress to Jacob Chandler's estate. But who is Jacob Chandler? That's what Benni has to find out. Benni is intrigued and so am I. How does Chandler know her? Why has he named her sole heir in his will? That is the challenge & she has 2 weeks to follow the clues he left for her. I felt like I was playing the board game "CLUE" (Professor Plum did it in the Library with a candlestick). It was great! Benni finds friends & foes along the way but I found this to be a "wholesome" mystery. This book has it all; there's a loyal dog, a handsome cop, good friends, & close relatives. I loved the "sit-in" at the local museum to keep it from being moved all orchestrated by the San Celina Seven, headed up by Benni's own grandmother! Fowler's Benni Harper, is a reoccurring character in a series of books but you don't need to read any of the other books in the series to enjoy Mariner's Compass, but you'll want to.
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Summary: Fowler gets even better
Review: Earlene Fowler continues to improve with each 'chapter' of Benni Harpers life. This book has great description, clear plot lines and very few loose ends. If you enjoy the strong characters she has developed you will surely enjoy this adventure.
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Summary: Benni Harper solves another mystery with flair and family!
Review: Earlene Fowler has created a very special character in Benni Harper and also in the rest of her family and friends. While the mysteries are well done, it is her characters that bring me back over and over. Mariner's Compass is well plotted as well and I fretted for Benni as she tried to puzzle out her past. I like that she didn't do another murder as it seems unrealistic that characters stumble over dead bodies all the time. I hope Fowler brings back Benni's fireman neighbor. He would make a good ally for Gabe. The only problem with Fowler's mysteries is that they have encouraged an expensive boot habit in me.
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Summary: I absolutely loved this book!
Review: Earlene Fowler hooked me right from page one. I was puzzled about who Jacob Chandler was and why left everything to Benni Harper when he died. Earlene tells the story so well I felt I had taken a vacation to Morrow Bay, California. Great reading.
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