Benni Harper Mystery Lessons Inspired by
Earlene Fowler Mystery Books

Fool's Puzzle by Earlene Fowler

When new widow Benni Harper finds the body of a murdered artist, she must deal with the stony-faced Police Chief, Gabe Ortiz, as well as come to terms with the shocking facts of her husband's death. Earlene's first novel was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Mystery of 1994. Read more about this book.

Lesson 1: Fool's Puzzle

Irish Chain by Earlene Fowler

Benni becomes involved in two things that Gabe warns her to stay away from: the investigation of the murders of two senior citizens at the local retirement home and a cowboy she had a crush on when she was 17. Read more about this book.

Lesson 2: Irish Chain

Kansas Troubles by Earlene Fowler

Benni and Gabe visit his hometown in Kansas where she befriends Tyler Brown, a former Amish wife turned aspiring country singer. When Tyler is murdered, Benni starts investigating and tensions flare between her and Gabe. Read more about this book.

Lesson 3: Kansas Troubles

Goose in the Pond by Earlene Fowler

Who killed Mother Goose? Benni happens upon the body of the library’s storyteller dressed in a Mother Goose costume. Benni sets out to solve the murder as Gabe tries to stop one --because his surf-bum son is back in town and is driving everyone crazy! Read more about this book.

Lesson 4: Goose in the Pond

Dove in the Window by Earlene Fowler

The body of a young photography student is discovered on the Ramsey ranch the day after the annual day-after-Thanksgiving barbecue and cattle roundup. With only 200 or so suspects, Benni tries to piece together a complicated patchwork of motives that marks someone close to her as a murder suspect. Read more about this book.

Lesson 5: Dove in the Window

Mariner's Compass by Earlene Fowler

Benni first heard of Jacob Chandler after he died and left her everything he owned. The only stipulation was that Benni had to stay in the house alone for two weeks. Now she’s following his scavenger-hunt set of clues trying to discover if he is her guardian angel or personal demon. 1999 Winner of Malice Domestic's Agatha Award. Read more about this book.

Lesson 6: Mariner's Compass

Seven Sisters by Earlene Fowler

Gabe’s son, Sam, plans to marry into one of the wealthiest and most influential families in San Celina, bringing Gabe’s gorgeous ex-wife to town. Benni is drawn into a society mystery when one of Sam’s esteemed future in-laws is murdered. In this seventh book in the series, Benni investigates a brutal crime that hits perilously close to home...
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Lesson 7: Seven Sisters

Arkansas Traveler by Earlene Fowler

Welcome home, Benni Harper... Benni has heard those words so many times since she and her best friend, Elvia, arrived in Sugartree that she's nearly lost count. She's thrilled to be back--she's finally got the chance to catch up with old friends and reminisce about the lazy, languid summers of her childhood. And, she can't wait to spend time with Elvia-- who's this close to getting engaged to Benni's cousin Emory. But she's got a bad feeling she just can't shake...
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Lesson 8: Arkansas Traveler

Steps to the Altar by Earlene Fowler

Ninth in the Agatha Award-winning series that's been hailed as "engrossing" (Publishers Weekly), Steps to the Altar finds folk art expert Benni Harper digging up clues to an unsolved murder -- and struggling with a very personal crisis of the heart...
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Lesson 9: Steps to the Altar

Sunshine and Shadow by Earlene Fowler

One of Benni's favorite mystery writers, Emma Baldwin, is coming to San Celina. Luke, a friend of her husband is also in town, but when he's found murdered soon after his arrival, Benni's visit with her mystery writer is overshadowed by a real-life mystery. With all that is going on in Benni's life right now, things are pretty chaotic. And it's a lot more shadow than sunshine...
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Lesson 10: Sunshine and Shadow

Broken Dishes by Earlene Fowler

Benni and her family decide to help some friends running a failing dude ranch, but the west gets a little too wild when one of the ranch dogs discovers a human bone on the property. It's enough to scare any reasonable guest away. Now, Benni must keep the guests safe and happy while unearthing the truth behind a terrible crime...
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Lesson 11: Broken Dishes

Delectable Mountains by Earlene Fowler

When the musical director of Benni Harper's church is called away, Benni finds herself "volunteered" to take over a children's play already in rehearsal. But the production comes to a screeching halt when Benni discovers the badly beaten body of the church handyman right in front of the altar.

With a growing cast of suspects, and a small girl as the only witness to the crime, Benni must unravel a plot of theft and murder before it's curtains for her... Read more about this book.

Lesson 12: Delectable Mountains