Customer Reviews

Mariner's Compass (Benni Harper Mystery)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have enjoyed all of Ms. Fowler's Benni Harper mysteries, but I really enjoyed this last one. It took a different approach than the previous books, but still had all of the fun and excitement of the previous plots. The characters are interesting, the language is clean, there is no blood and gore descriptives, there is romance without explicit detail. It is just a light mystery that is entertaining to read. So refreshing in the choices of mystery novels of today. I hope she continues to write Benni Harper books, I look forward to what happens with her next.

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.

I've decided to try reading all those nominated for best mystery novel awards. Earlene Fowler's "Mariner's Compass", won the Agatha Award for Best Novel in the year 2000. I'm glad it did, because I might not have otherwise discovered this mystery writer, and Fowler's definitely worth reading.

The title, "Mariner's Compass", refers not only to an inheritance pointing out a complex scavenger hunt touching investigator Benni Harper's past, but to an old, historic quilt design. The interaction between the hunt for certain objects, their interrelationship with the people who hold them and Benni, and Benni's own personal journey is extremely well done and makes for a gripping novel. Fowler's descriptions of small seaside California towns are very evocative, and refreshingly positive. The novel's Prologue is touching and worth the price of the book.

Put some logs in the fireplace, get yourself a cup of hot cocoa and your favorite quilt, and curl up with this first rate yarn. You won't regret it.

I found my first Earlene Fowler by accident in an airport bookstore, it was her second book. I then bought her first book and have bought every one since and intend to continue. Her characters develop and grow in each book and the stories continue to hold my interest. I have a crush on Gabe Ortiz. I am an avid reader and because there are too many books and too little time I rarely re-read but I have read each of her books more than once and I am enthralled and enveloped in the lives of people I've come to care about each time. This book in no exception and the end has a twist I didn't see coming although I almost always guess ahead what is going on. I was too caught up in her family drama to even consider the right answer. A great read.

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.

"Mariner's Compass" is Earlene Fowler's best book yet, and all of them have been excellent. Although there is a mystery in this book, and protagonist Benni Harper certainly does detection, Ms. Fowler's depth of writing and character development are so great in this well-told story exploring family relationships that "Mariner's Compass" transcends the mystery genre. I recommend this book not only to mystery-lovers but to everyone who enjoys reading a book they can't put down. Although I did want to know the outcome of the mystery (which was a well-crafted surprise!), at the same time I didn't want the story to end because I didn't want to stop reading. I wanted Ms. Fowler's graceful and often profound prose to go on forever. The next book can't come soon enough.

How could someone you don't even know leave you all their worldly possessions? Well, Benni Harper needed to find this out and it was a great adventure to follow. I have read all of this series to date - have just ordered Seven Sisters - and am loving each one. Earlene Fowler's writing is refreshing and absorbing and her characters are so likeable and interesting. I would have any or all of them as friends. If you enjoy easy but captivating reading, you must try this series. It is one of the best I have read. Lovers of Mary Higgins Clark, Diane Mott Davidson, Janet Evanovich, etc. will love Earlene Fowler.

I thoroughly enjoyed Mariner's Compass, the first book I have read in this series. Benni Harper is a great heroine, self determined, smart and still caring of the people around her. The plot was very well done; I enjoyed trying to figure out with Benni why Jacob Chandler, someone she never met, bequeathed his house to her. As a condition of the will, she had to live in the house and follow the clues he set out for her. As he planned, she did learn about him and his life, with some intrigue and danger built in. The characters were great--I loved her sassy grandma who led a sit in at a local museum and her handsome hispanic sheriff husband. I do care about these characters and Benni and I will read more of this series.

I have rarely read a book that kept me as inthralled as this one did. Earlene Fowler has let Bennie Harper mature and grow. I find myself thinking about it even though I finished it several days ago. I can hardly wait for her next book.

I can't say that this is my favorite of the Benni Harper series; that would mean trying to figure out which one I like least (I love them all equally). Although, I can truly say that this is the first one to make me cry. Who can't relate to Benni's feelings? All it takes is one event to turn her life around so completely. Earlene Fowler took that event and made it so real that a few tears dropped from my eyes as I shared in Benni's anguish. Although, I have thoroughly enjoyed the last five murder mysteries, it was good not to be entangled in a mess of bodies and suspects. Instead we had a story full of character development, feelings and emotions. Next May cannot come too soon....