Dove in the Window (Benni Harper Mystery) (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

A fifth go-around for Benni Harper (Goose in the Pond, 1997, not reviewed, etc.), the ranch-bred widow of Jack Harper, whos now married to San Celica, California, Police Chief Gabe Ortiz. San Celica is having a Heritage Days celebration, and Benni, as curator of the Folk Arts Museum and Artists Co-op, is in the thick of it. Her elegant southern cousin Emory Littleton (with a mega-crush on Bennis best friend Elvia Aragon) is staying with her, and at her fathers ranch, presided over by Grandmother Dove, a huge family gathering is in progress. Disaster strikes when talented young photographer Shelby Johnson is found dead one early morningmurder or accident? Ranch-hand Kip Waterman and hard-drinking Wade Harper, brother of Bennis late husband, had come to blows over Shelby the night before. Matters worsen when, days latter, Kips drowned body is discovered behind the Frio Saloon. Through it all, Benni has to calm her artist friends Olivia Contreras and Greer Shannon, deal with a zillion chores, and cope with the unexpected presence of renowned photographer Isaac Lyons, Shelbys stepgrandfather, who seems smitten with Grandma Dove. In the end, its Bennis investigative collaboration with Isaac (over Gabes strong objections) that brings a killer to a kind of justice. The quest for whodunit is all but buried under Bennis breezy down-home chatter, sometimes mawkish soul-searching, and descriptions of the celebrations endless eventsfrom the local gallerys show of women artists to the Cow-Plop contest. But Bennis warmly likable persona makes it all worthwhileespecially for lovers of the cozy genre. -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Benni Harper, the spirited ex-cowgirl, quilter, and folk-art expert, has an eye for murderous designs--and a talent for piecing together the most complex and cold-blooded crimes

Benni and her relatives and friends are gathered for the family's annual barbecue and cattle roundup. Among the guests is Shelby Johnson, a young photography student from a wealthy Chicago family. In Benni she finds a favorite subject and a new friend. But when the young woman's body is discovered on the ranch the next morning, Benni's closest relatives suddenly develop into prime murder suspects...

* Fifth in the popular Benni Harper mystery series

* Each book features a different quilt pattern

* Fowler is a three-time Agatha Award nominee

"Earlene Fowler writes from the heart, and her BenniHarper is a true original."--Susan Rogers Cooper

"Bright, fresh--and endearing."--Carolyn G. Hart

"Shimmers with life and love... warmly endearing."-- The Poisoned Pen

"Fowler writes beautifully..."-- Booklist

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425168948
• ISBN-13: 978-0425168943
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #212,314 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #13 in

  Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Authors, A-Z > ( F ) > Fowler, Earlene

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll love Dove, May 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dove in the Window (Hardcover)

This is Earlene's fifth book in the series and you know that with Dove in the title, Grandma Dove will be featured a bit more. I enjoyed this book from the first page to the last and didn't want the book to end. I highly recommend it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars -Quilts, Mystery and Photography, September 3, 2002

By	Judith Miller (Bluemont, VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In this fifth book of the Earlene Fowler quilting series, the community of San Celina is getting ready for Heritage Days and Benni Harper, the curator of the local folk art museum is encouraging quilters, painters and photographers to complete their projects for the show. An exhibit of women artists who specialize in Western scenes is expected to be very popular with the visitors.

Benni and her husband Gabe are still working out the kinks in their new marriage and the surprise visit of a former brother-in-law causes dissention between them. Grandmother Dove is as feisty as ever and cousin Emory visits from Arkansas. At the annual Harper family barbecue, a young and talented photographer is found dead and Benni's concerned because the young woman had confided a serious problem to her.

There's always a lot going on in these stories and the author does a great job of keeping the reader interested in all of the different plots.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll love Dove!, May 14, 1999

By A Customer

Once again, Earlene Fowler had me hooked right from the beginning in this fifth book in her series. For those of us who love Grandma Dove, this book is especially wonderful since she is featured a bit more -- and there's a new man in her life! As with the other books, I feel I know Benni and Gabe as I read. Great reading.