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Summary: Earlene Fowler just keeps getting better!
Review: I've enjoyed every one of Earlene's books, but Mariner's Compass is the best yet. The mystery is intriguing, and her location descriptions have me perusing maps and planning weekend trips. Plus, she gives Benni the most interesting neighbors! And then there's Gabe... Mmm-mmm. Quick, someone give me a spoon.
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Summary: The best yet!
Review: I've read every book in this series, and liked them all, but Mariner's Compass is now my favorite. I was hooked from the start, and could hardly put it down till I had finished. Congratulations to one of my favorite authors for an excellent story! I'll anxiously wait for the next.
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Summary: Not the best Bennie Harper book
Review: I've recently discovered Earlene Fowler's Bennie Harper series and have plowed through the first 6 books in a week's time and have mostly enjoyed them. I was disappointed in Mariner's Compass, though. I wonder why it won any awards compared to the first 5 books. As unrealistic as recurring murder is in these characters lives (we mystery readers don't mind that), this premise was too unrealistic and somewhat corny. A complete stranger (to Bennie) leaving her his entire estate then leading her on a scavenger hunt to find the truth seems better fitted for a juvenile mystery. I'm also tired of Bennie's continually harping at her husband about being chauvinistic and over protective. In reality he never would have married her in the first place; what in the world does he see in her? Come to think of it, there's never been any explanation about what attracted him to her in the first place. I thought she was growing as a character and understanding her husband more, but this book was a giant step backward. He seems to be changing and becoming more willing to compromise than her. I have books 7 and 8 to read next and if book 7 doesn't show any reasonable growth in their marriage, I'll probably not even read book 8. I really feel Earlene Fowler's editors need to encourage Earlene to make Bennie grow up a little...come on, she's a 35 year old grown woman acting like a selfish child. I know we all read mysteries to figure out "who dunnit" along with the main character, but its the characters that keep us interested in the puzzel and I'm getting tired of Bennie Harper's immature attitude. I do enjoy some tension between married couples when I'm reading but this theme is Fowler's books isn't handled all that well. For a good example of how to maturely handle tantalizing marital tension, read Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody series.
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Summary: Benni and Gabe: a tribute to commitment
Review: In addition to creating suspenseful, atmospheric mysteries, Earlene Fowler accurately describes the joys and unpredictability of a committed marriage. When not pursuing lawbreakers and exploring long buried secrets,Benni and Gabe take the time to explore their genuine feelings and help each other heal their personal wounds of the past. It is always a blessed anticipation to read a mystery with the combined elements of detection and believable humanity.
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Summary: This isn't really a "murder mystery" exactly
Review: It's not about quilting either, despite the title (although of this author's books have quilt block titles).The story involves Benni Harper inheriting a house and some money from a total stranger. Who is this man and why did he leave everything to her? The will has an odd provision -- in order to inherit, she has to spend the night alone in the house -- for two weeks. Benni's police chief husband is fighting her all the way on this (and this couple does seem to have a lot of conflict), but Benni is determined to do this on her own and without his protection. Benni finds herself on a kind of scavenger hunt begun by the man who left her the house -- who is taking a big chance, it seemed to me, that she'd pick up on the initial clue and be able to solve the puzzle of who he is and why he left her everything. Benni gets to know a number of people in the California coastal town that the house is located in, and quite a few of the people who knew the deceased (Jacob Chandler) them seem angry that Benni inherited. This makes both Benni and her husband Gabe nervous and adds to the tension. All in all, this book was a page turner -- so much so that I finally cheated and looked at the ending so I could get some sleep. There is indeed a murder in the book, but it seems less important than finding out who Jacob Chandler was and why he was "stalking" Benni.
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Summary: Clearing up any confusion as to the age of my protagonist.
Review: Just for the record, I'd like to clear up any confusion about the age of Benni Harper, my protagonist, since one set of comments by a reader reveals that it might be confusing. The first book, Fool's Puzzle, is set in November 1992. Mariner's Compass, the sixth book, if you follow the series chronologically, is set in April/May 1994. That makes Benni Harper 36 years old. It has taken me 7 years to write 2 years in Benni's life. It is something I've done intentionally because her grandmother, Dove, was 75 when the series started and I didn't want to age her in real time so she could stay in her 70's and remain as active and vital as I would like her to be. Also, I wanted to deal extensively with the early aspects of Benni and Gabe's marriage rather than skipping over it as I would have to do if I aged them at the rate I am aging (which is definitely too fast for my taste). Aging people in a series is a sticky proposition that becomes more difficult as the series continues. I've chosen to do it this way; other writers choose to ignore aging altogether. I hope this clears things up for my fans. I appreciate all your comments and hope you continue to enjoy reading about Benni and Gabe as much as I enjoy writing about them.
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Summary: Notable Addition to the Benni Harper Mysteries
Review: Mariner's Compass
The sixth book in Earlene Fowler's Benni Harper Mysteries. I must say I enjoyed this book even more the second time around. Earlene holds a contest with each of her books so I feel like I am on a scavenger hunt to find the answers to the questions she posts on her web site. I love the tie into the quilt patterns. The story line keeps me going with the twist and turns that lead to the plot. I can honestly say I have met Benni Harper (Earlene)but I am still waiting to meet Chief Ortiz.
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Summary: Different but the best
Review: Of all the books of hers that I have read, this is by far the very best. It is truly a mystery (not murder mystery) but a mystery. She takes you on a scavanger hunt. Loved every minute of it and couldn't put it down. Different than the rest of her books.
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Summary: Another Good Read from Ms. Fowler
Review: This has been my favorite Benni Harper story to-date with "Dove in the Window" following as a close second. I found the premise of this story to be intriguing, and had to keep reading until the connection was explained between Benni and her mysterious benefactor. Ms. Fowler has done a great job of evolving her characters. Very enjoyable read!
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Summary: Just alright
Review: This is a very readable mystery with several cute twists. If you live in or near the central coast of California you will love the way she works in many points of interest. The story is filled with love of man-woman, mankind and dog. You'll love it.
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