Rating: 
Summary: Great Read
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.
Rating: 
Summary: Fowler at her best
Review: This is by far her best novel. I have read all of her books so far, and I rate this one at the top. She is writing more in depth and leaving out all the repetitious stuff that cluttered her previous works. A good book.
Rating: 
Summary: Just alright
Review: This is the first book in the Earlene Fowler/Benni Harper series that I have read. The premise of the story is good, but generally this book left me flat. The unknown benefactor leaving his entire estate to Benni and Benni being provided clues from the grave about who he was provided an interesting series of encounters with people that he had known. It is unfortunate that Benni herself is not more developed in the story, because not having read the other books in the series, I felt I was following around behind a complete stranger. Watching over the shoulder of Benni, seeing what she is seeing, hearing what she is hearing, but there is very little to truly engage the reader with the character of Benni in this story.The other characters in the book seem more fleshed out and alive. Benni's grandmother reminds me, as well as other readers I am sure, of either their own grandmothers or other elderly individuals that are fiesty and will do almost anything to get their way. Benni's husband, though pushed to the background by Benni at almost every turn, is well described and his motivations are explained by the neighbor that Benni "inherits" with the house. The bratty kids of the good friend of the person she gets the inheritance from again are more fully explained than Benni is. Though this is generally a well written book, it was disappointing to me. I kept reading expecting the story to develop into more than it seemed, but it never really reached the point at which I would call this an award winning book.
Rating: 
Summary: Quilts, Family and a Mysterious Admirer
Review: This is the sixth book in the Earlene Fowler quilting mysteries. Benni Harper, the main character is notified that she has become an heiress. The problem stems from the fact that she doesn't know Jacob Chandler who's made her his beneficiary. Mr. Chandler put a strange stipulation in his will. Benni is required to live at his home for two weeks and no one else can stay with her. Her husband Gabe is not thrilled about the whole situation and wants her to just let the government take over the estate. However, Benni's imagination is challenged and she decides to follow the wishes of the deceased and pursue her inheritance. This book is a real page-turner. Benni is constantly picking up little pieces of information that Jacob Chandler left and she's made to look at her life and dwell on the identity of the mysterious man. Another good story by this author!
Rating:
Summary: Bittersweet
Review: While I enjoyed this installment of Benni Harper, I must say it was not my favorite. I liked the idea of the "treasure hunt" very much but Ms. Fowler made a few mistakes (in my opinion) which in retrospect made the read less enjoyable. I got a little too muddled in reality this time. Previous books suggested Benni and Gabe as a little younger. Ms. Fowler gives her a definite birthdate of 1958 making her 41. Making her that old took away some of the charm for me. I am from the 35-45 age group and I had a difficult time with the impulsiveness of Benni's self discovery journey. It makes you wonder what took her so long to ask the questions about her mother. Also, when Rich went into his whole explanation of Gabe being hispanic-I went please, none of this ever occured to her before? I would think that most women around 40 have a little more cultural awareness than Benni. Especially since she is such a strong liberal woman. When I thought Benni was a younger woman (early 30s), I found her escapades much more believeable as well as her adjustment problems to marriage with Gabe. Perhaps it's because I am so settled in my life as well as my circle of friends that this was a little hard to swallow. I'll keep reading them nonetheless. Next time around I'll just try to click off the reality check switch in my brain a little earlier and simply enjoy the story.
Rating:
Summary: This is fine storytelling
Review: While quilting is not as integral to the story as the Elm Creeks series, the storytelling is superb. Fast-paced, witty and with enough chutzpah and machismo to keep Benni & Gabe from getting staid; and keep me grinning. Tying the title quilt block to the plot of the book is clever and entertaining. I found this book darker than the other Benni Harper mysteries as Benni confronts suspicions of her parentage thanks to her previously unknown uncle, the late Jacob Chandler. She has to deal with a wealth of suspicious characters as she tries to survive the terms of Jacob's will. Benni and Gabe seem to be growing together as a couple and their wildly differing viewpoints are finally rubbing off on each other. Dove, as usual, is a stitch; leading the "San Celina Seven" to rescue the Historical Society museum from the money-grubbing, development minded mayor. Cousin Emory and temporary neighbor Rich Trujillo add a healthy dollop of Southern and Mexican spice to the plot. Eccentric potter Azanna Nybak, best friend Eliva, and even Scout the dog add body to this story. A fun read that left me wanting more.
Rating:
Summary: This is fine storytelling
Review: While quilting is not as integral to the story as the Elm Creeks series, the storytelling is superb. Fast-paced, witty and with enough chutzpah and machismo to keep Benni & Gabe from getting staid; and keep me grinning. Tying the title quilt block to the plot of the book is clever and entertaining. I found this book darker than the other Benni Harper mysteries as Benni confronts suspicions of her parentage thanks to her previously unknown uncle, the late Jacob Chandler. She has to deal with a wealth of suspicious characters as she tries to survive the terms of Jacob's will. Benni and Gabe seem to be growing together as a couple and their wildly differing viewpoints are finally rubbing off on each other. Dove, as usual, is a stitch; leading the "San Celina Seven" to rescue the Historical Society museum from the money-grubbing, development minded mayor. Cousin Emory and temporary neighbor Rich Trujillo add a healthy dollop of Southern and Mexican spice to the plot. Eccentric potter Azanna Nybak, best friend Eliva, and even Scout the dog add body to this story. A fun read that left me wanting more.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Yes - I want more immediately. I've read them all and this kept me up late and up early to finish it. My friends can't wait to get their hands on it. Benni Harper, Gabe Ortiz, all the characters are excellent. Get it and read, read, read. Of course, as always, I recommend getting them form the beginning so you can enjoy the experience.
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