This month, as another in my list of most popular and recommended Cozy Mystery series, I’m covering Earlene Fowler‘s Benni Harper Mystery Series. Specifically, I read the first book, Fool’s Puzzle.
Fool’s Puzzle is a bit older than a lot of the novels I’ve covered lately, which are generally from the early 2000’s and 2010’s. The Benni Harper Series, on the other hand, is from the mid-’90s. That said, it does cover a lot of the modern conventions of the genre, making it feel very much like a predecessor of many of the modern Cozy series.
The novel stars Benni Harper, a relatively-recently widowed woman who has recently made a change in her life related to her bereavement. As a result, she has moved to San Celina, a nearby trendy California town, to pursue a new job as the director of the local folk-art museum. Despite this, the town is still close to her deceased husband’s family ranch, so she still keeps in regular contact with both her own family and her former in-laws.
Naturally, it doesn’t take too long for this new lifestyle to lead to the inevitable, which in mysteries means sudden death. In this case, Benni finds one of the artists who had been working late after hours at the artist co-op associated with the museum dead. Even more unfortunately, Benni also spotted her sister speeding away from the site, with reason to believe she might have been there – facts that she omits from her first report to temporary police chief, Gabe Ortiz, who is introduced as a sort of “big city” cop from Los Angeles filling in for the more provincial chief out on medical leave. Not to spoil too much, but naturally, as the investigation continues, there are plenty of twists and turns, and numerous other potential suspects turn up – and Benni starts to find Gabe more interesting on a personal level as well.
One thing I really appreciated about Fool’s Puzzle is that the mystery starts off almost right away. A lot of Cozies, particularly more recent ones, seem to spend a very long time leading up to the mystery. While this can do a good job of giving the location and cast distinct character, I definitely appreciate more of a “get straight to it” attitude more often than not, and this one gets to the murder at a pace I definitely appreciate.
Just as a warning, keep in mind when reading older material (and yes, I think this qualifies, written 25 years ago) that there might be some dated material. I don’t recall Benni herself doing anything particularly inappropriate (though standards may differ), but some of the other characters portrayed as more “country” might occasionally use language that might be considered offensive today (or then, most likely).
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Diane says
I’ve enjoyed her books for years. She also wrote The Saddlemaker’s wife. I was sorry when she stopped writing.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Diane, it was definitely a shame when she stopped.
Deneise Schneider says
Loved her books. I always looked forward to the next one and have them all in hardback. Thank you for recommending Benni Harper.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Deneise, you’re welcome!
PMKime says
Thanks for reminding us of Benni Harper. She wrote, mostly, before kindle so I have her books in paperback. I plan to read Fool’s Puzzle again and probably the rest. Great books.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
PMKime, you’re welcome! I hope you enjoy re-reading these.
Teddy says
I wish this series was still being added to. I really enjoyed these books. Hope other readers will too.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Teddy, it’s always a shame when a series like this ends.
Jackie says
Loved the Benni Harper series. Wish there were more books in the series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jackie, so do I!
Christine says
You reminded me of that series! I did enjoy it, especially the folk art aspect.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Christine, it’s definitely a good series.
Cathi says
I enjoyed the Bennie Harper series. Especially enjoyed small town California life because so different from my area. Good character development through series Interesting quilt and other arts information.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cathi, I liked it tood!
Linda MH says
Danna,
I read these books as each one was released (as you said, many years ago). I liked the series a lot. The books were entertaining, and the characters engaging. I was sorry when the author stopped writing this series.
I enjoyed reading your write-up of Fool’s Puzzle.
Happy New Year, Danna. Here’s hoping 2021 is better than 2020.
Stay safe and healthy!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, Happy New Year to you as well, and I hope you have a good 2021!
Janet Chambers says
Great series. I enjoyed it.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Janet, so did I!
Rickee Dozier says
I love Earlene Fowler’s novels. I’ve read all of them, so I was hoping you were telling us she’d written a new one! But, one can hope:) Although I don’t sew or quilt, I love all the patterns mentioned or shown on the book cover, and I really love the descriptions of the items mentioned that are in the museum she manages. Lots of interest there:)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rickee, it would be nice for this series to return!
Mary Dohrman says
I read this whole mystery series when it was first published. Each mystery title is a different quilt pattern and I always believed the town of San Celina was modeled after the California city of San Luis Obispo, including the University. Entertaining reading.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary, it’s quite a good series!
Greenway says
Moved to SLO (San Luis Obispo) County this maniacal year. Ah! At last from L.A. domination to the REAL California! Vistas of vineyards, ranches, and hill-girt bays that look just like travel shows’ panoramas of Mediterranean countryside. Architecture and features that ideally fill out the look and feel of cozy mystery towns. I always knew SLO, with bits of Monterey and San Benito counties=San Celina (grammatically androgynous like G.A. McKevitt’s Samatha Reid’s city…And so many contemporary fictional characters’ given names–why is that, I wonder?). Earlene Fowler is so exquisitely accurate in describing many things, but her description of the town and surrounding areas seems much more sparse and sweeping, more like the east-of-the mountains towns than the city of SLO, rolling and nestling among extinct (please God!) volcanic cinder cones and more conventional ranges, but that’s all part of the wonderfulness of making new (if semi-parallel) worlds. So sorry for Ms. Fowler’s health problems–and everybody else’s! But honors to the rides she and others made, that we can keep returning to, those other worlds, worlds with such good friends.
Sandi says
I have read the entire series. It is one of my favorites. I suggest reading them in order to avoid spoilers. Though it is not necessary. The series ended years ago. I wish
Mrs. Fowler would write more.
Good characters and story lines. Dove, Benni’s grandmother is a great character. Nice to see a variety of characters.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sandi, yes, I do agree that it’s always best to read a series like this in sequence – which is one of the reasons I always look at the first in a series for these posts.
Moira Shepard says
Thank you for introducing your readers to Earlene Fowler’s Benni Harper mystery series. I’ve enjoyed all of them and hope others will, too.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Moira, I hope so as well!
robin in oregon says
I always enjoyed this series. I believe there are 15. I was sorry to see them end and have reread them as well. The characters and settings are great, you get a real feeling of the area the books take place in. I especially like Benni’s grandmother. I highly recommend the series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Robin, yes, it’s a good long series, though like you I wish there were more!
Vicky Schnorbus says
I love the Benni Harper books. I’ve read all of them to date.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Vicky, I enjoyed it quite as well!
Kyle Dietrich-Hughes says
Read all of the Benni Harper novels and have regretted that Earlene Fowler stopped writing them. They were well written and included many topical issues of the day. I also recommend these books for anyone interested in history and quilting as I feel that they are well researched as well as a good fictional read.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kyle, I wish she had continued as well!
Deneise S says
Loved this series and have all in hardback. Wish there had been more.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Deneise, I wish she had continued as well!
MJ says
WOW, Danna, I can’t believe you highlighted this series. 🙂 It is one of my top favorite series. I love it!! Complex, well written, intellectual, and characters developed with a LOT of depth. The interactions between the characters is superlative.
When I picked up the first book I nearly rejected it with the idea it’s like a western story with ranches, horses, etc. (not necessarily my cup of tea). I’m so glad I decided to read it. This was one of my first forays into the cozy genre.
I really, really wished it could have continued. But the author felt it had run it’s course.
I will give a bit of a forewarning, though. In a few of the later books, there are some ‘bedroom scenes’ that some readers may feel a bit too revealing. I wasn’t offended…….I could easily skip over that part and move on with the story.
This series is SOO good, that I wouldn’t let that be a detriment to my enjoying each and every book.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, thank you for the warning – I know this is an issue a lot of site readers might have an issue with, one that I don’t remember (it has been years since I have read most of this series).
I did edit your post a bit to avoid one specific point… I apologize for that, but I didn’t want to spoil a specific plot point.
Linda T says
Following one of your posts about re-reading a series I picked up Fool’s Puzzle and read it again. This series has always been one of my favorites and I ended up reading the entire series again. I thoroughly enjoyed them.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, I’m glad I inspired you to reread this one!
Maggie Houchens says
I love hearing about the oldies but goodies cozy mysteries. I can’t get enough of them. So please keep the reviews you do coming. I am an amateur novelist who’s presently working on my own cozy mystery series called “A Caper Most Foul”.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Maggie, I’m glad to hear that these “oldies” reviews are as well received as some of the more modern Cozy releases!
Jan BW says
I’ve read and loved all of Earlene Fowler’s books. I’m sad she has written anymore books in several years. Her Benni Harper series is definitely worth a read for those who enjoy a good cozy mystery. I like her other books as well.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jan, I agree – it’s definitely a shame she hasn’t written in a while.
Traci says
I have read every one of the Benni Harper books and I love them! As a country girl who quilts, it was refreshing to find a heroine with whom I had so much in common. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series!! It’s one that’s near and dear to my heart. Thank you for sharing!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Traci, I’m glad to hear from more people who are strongly attached to this series!
Ellen Pearce says
Thank you for reminding me of Earlene Fowler. I borrowed the books from the library so I didn’t have any hard copies. I see they are on audible. They would be good to have when I am gardening or doing chores when I can’t sit and read.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ellen, you’re welcome! I hope you find a way to re-enjoy these mysteries again.
Marilyn says
I met the author at a quilt show. I bought the first two books she signed for me. I was hooked on the series. I couldn’t wait till the next book came out. Sorry it ended and keep wishing she’d write more.
I’ll have to bring the books out again. Thank you for reviewing them again.
Happy New Year!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marilyn, Happy New Year to you as well!
Sharon S says
I’m not familiar with Earlene Fowler and her mystery series. But they sure sound good. After reading all of the comments here, I checked out her website, and she sounds like a really interesting person. I’ve added Fool’s Puzzle and The Saddlemaker’s Wife to my TBR. Thanks, everyone, for sharing!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sharon, I hope you enjoy the series!
Ardis S. says
This book has my favorite scene in a cozy, when Benni is tossing pebbles at the licence plate waiting for Gabe to arrive. I could feel her emotions and see her in my head doing it. I still laugh.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ardis, that’s definitely a great scene!