Earlene Fowler crafts compelling mysteries that blend Southern charm with a Western spirit. Her narratives delve into the intricate details of small-town life and the complex relationships within communities. Readers are captivated by her distinctive narrative voice and the engaging stories she tells.
Set against the backdrop of two weddings, Benni Harper, a California folk art expert, navigates the complexities of love while uncovering clues to a long-unsolved murder. As she delves into the past, she also confronts her own emotional turmoil, blending mystery with personal growth. This installment in the Agatha Award-winning series promises an engaging mix of intrigue and heartfelt moments.
In the new novel in the “breezy [and] humorous” (Chicago Sun-Times) series, Benni Harper is carrying a bundle of holiday stress—as she unwraps the secrets of an elite and possibly murderous society… San Celina’s most exclusive society suddenly has an opening and Benni Harper has been tapped—not to join, but to investigate. The upper crust, female-only “49 Club” is restricted to exactly that many members, and one must die before another joins. When the latest socialite de-pledges in her sleep, Benni’s boss wants the mystery solved—and naturally, it’s landed on Benni’s to-do list. Reluctant at first, she profiles a few women whose social ambitions give them an obvious motive. But with a famously reclusive artist about to put Benni’s quilting museum on the map—and her daunting mother-in-law soon to arrive—Benni’s holiday is already hectic. Nevertheless, she’ll need to crack this exclusive circle of suspects, before one more gourmet goose gets cooked. “Benni delves into the secrets of the town's elite with her usual flair, unraveling a plot that is as dangerous as the bulls on her father's ranch and as cozy as the quilts she reveres.”—Publishers Weekly “The rich cast of secondary characters [and] plenty of humor…enrich this thirteenth in the long-running series.”—Booklist
Benni Harper, a spirited ex-cowgirl and folk-art expert, delves into a murder mystery involving her favorite author and a family friend's death, all linked to a peculiar crazy quilt. As she investigates, unsettling phone calls and anonymous letters threaten her safety, intensifying her determination to uncover the truth.
The quest for a mysterious inheritance leads Benni to confront the hidden truths of her past and revisit a place that once held significance for her. As she unravels the secrets tied to her history, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery that intertwines her present with her roots.
Amidst a festive family barbecue and cattle roundup, a young photography student named Shelby Johnson forms a bond with Benni. However, the joyous occasion turns tragic when Shelby's body is found the next day, leading to a shocking twist where Benni's relatives become prime murder suspects. The story explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the unraveling of familial ties in the face of a dark mystery.
The story revolves around Benni Harper, who steps in to help her friend’s daughter, Shawna, and her husband transform their struggling ranch into a successful dude ranch. Benni's plan to attract visitors with a quilting and western experience takes a dark turn when a dog uncovers a human bone on the property. As rumors swirl about a travel writer among the guests, Benni teams up with Detective Hud Hudson to investigate a murder linked to the ranch’s past, all while striving to maintain guest satisfaction and safety.
Benni Harper, a resourceful ex-cowgirl and quilting expert, finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery at the opulent Brown family ranch during her stepson's engagement celebration. As tensions rise within the feuding clan, Benni investigates the dark history of the family and discovers a disturbing pattern of tragedy. The narrative cleverly intertwines the complexities of familial relationships with the art of quilting, using the Seven Sisters pattern as a metaphor for the hidden distances between seemingly close-knit individuals.
A church production takes a dark turn when Benni discovers a murder at the altar, leading to a web of intrigue involving a missing antique violin and a young witness. As the stakes rise with the arrival of her husband's cousin and a growing list of suspects, Benni must navigate the chaos to solve the mystery of theft and murder before it's too late. With her grandmother's enthusiasm for the children's play adding to the tension, the story blends elements of suspense and community dynamics.
Thirty-four-year-old widow Benni Harper takes a job as curator of the San Celina folk art museum, only to find herself embroiled in the murder of an artist and small-town intrigues that shed new light on her own late husband's death
A spirited ex-cowgirl, quilter, and folk art expert, Benni Harper embarks on a thrilling quest to uncover the truth behind a storybook killer. Set against a backdrop of mystery and charm, this tale weaves together her unique skills and determination as she navigates the complexities of crime and community. Agatha Award-nominee Earlene Fowler crafts a captivating narrative that promises intrigue and excitement for fans of the genre.
For Benni, the annual State Fair is a much anticipated break in her routine of overseeing museum exhibits, temperamental artists, and stubborn cattle. This year they are showing traditional African- American quilts. But when one is stolen and it leads to a cold-blooded murder, Benni realizes there is more to this fair, and she'll have to see who is really a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Folk art museum curator, rancher and sometime sleuth Benni Harper is back in an unforgettable new mystery, organizing a Memory Festival. But a sniper threatens to make it a day to remember in the worst way… Benni and the ladies of her Coffin Star Quilt Guild are excited to display their Graveyard Quilt at the first ever San Celina, California, Memory Festival. The fair promises to be a moving event celebrating memories through quilts, crafts, scrapbooks, photographs, written word, oral histories, and tributes to loved ones.But when a local cop is wounded by a mysterious sharp shooter with a vendetta against the police, Benni fears for her loved ones—especially her police chief husband, Gabe. Soon Benni is drawn into the search for the sniper, determined to make her hometown safe again…before their peaceful street fair becomes a shooter’s deadly target range.
Set in the quaint town of Sugartree, Arkansas, the story follows folk art expert Benni Harper as she uncovers dark secrets hidden beneath the town's serene surface. Returning to the place of her childhood summers, Benni is drawn into a web of mystery and intrigue, revealing that the peaceful facade of Sugartree masks a more sinister reality. As she investigates, Benni confronts the complexities of her past and the town's hidden truths.