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134th out of 214 books
—
17 voters
Tumbling Blocks (A Benni Harper Mystery #13)
With Christmas just a few weeks away, Benni's queenly boss, Constance Sinclair, demands that she investigate the death of a local socialite. It's not long before Benni recognizes that there may be some deadly truth to Constance's suspicions. But with a famously reclusive artist about to put Benni's quilting museum on the map-and her daunting mother-in-law and her "surprise...more
Hardcover, 299 pages
Published
May 1st 2007
by Berkley Hardcover
(first published 2007)
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The only part about Earlene Fowler's novels that I don't thoroughly enjoy is the end -- it always comes too soon! I fell into this, the latest in Fowler's Benni Harper series, head over heels and didn't emerge for days.
Benni's investigating the death of a local society matron at the behest of her boss, Constance. In the meantime she must deal with a new installation at the art museum, puppysitting Hud's new corgi, and dealing with her visiting mother-in-law -- who has a mystery or two of her ow...more
Benni's investigating the death of a local society matron at the behest of her boss, Constance. In the meantime she must deal with a new installation at the art museum, puppysitting Hud's new corgi, and dealing with her visiting mother-in-law -- who has a mystery or two of her ow...more
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Does reading a book count if you listened to the audio book? That's what I did with this.
At first, the story seemed to be more about Benni Harper Ortiz dog-sitting a puppy and her mother-in-law's upcoming Christmas visit to San Celina, Calif. (and ensuing drama between her husband, police chief Gabe Ortiz and his mother, Kathryn) than about finding whether Pinkie Edmondson, a member of the prestigious 49 Club, was murdered, and, by whom.
But I realized the ancillary characters of Hud, Dove and Al...more
At first, the story seemed to be more about Benni Harper Ortiz dog-sitting a puppy and her mother-in-law's upcoming Christmas visit to San Celina, Calif. (and ensuing drama between her husband, police chief Gabe Ortiz and his mother, Kathryn) than about finding whether Pinkie Edmondson, a member of the prestigious 49 Club, was murdered, and, by whom.
But I realized the ancillary characters of Hud, Dove and Al...more
1 like · like · see review
May 30, 2012
Lianne
added it
Most Benni Harper mysteries are inspired by a quilting design. This one is "Tumbling Blocks." Much of this plot revolves around domestic drama concerning Benni's husband, Chief of Police Gabe Ortiz, and unresolved feelings that come to the surface when his mother comes to visit for Christmas.
His mother has unexpectedly married and Gabe can't seem to accept this shift. Playing against previous habits, he actually encourages Benni to become involved in solving a local mystery concerning a women's...more
His mother has unexpectedly married and Gabe can't seem to accept this shift. Playing against previous habits, he actually encourages Benni to become involved in solving a local mystery concerning a women's...more
Okay, I had about a zillion things I should have been doing and I was just going to read one more chapter .... a few hours later and I had finished the book. Just love the Benni Harper mystery series. It almost feels like the characters are old friends. In this book, Benni and Gabe are still recovering from the events that took place in "Delectable Mountains" just the month before when Gabe announces that his mother is coming to visit. Meanwhile, Hud imposes on Benni to puppysit his not yet hous...more
Tumbling Blocks is the 13th book of the Benni Harper mystery series by Earlene Fowler, set in fictitious San Celina along California's Central Coast.
Benni is curator of Josiah Sinclair Folk Art Museum in San Celina. Famous "outsider" artist Abe Adam Finch has donated a painting to the museum, and Benni must write a speech for the museum's celebration.
Her mother-in-law Kathryn is coming to visit for the Christmas holidays, and her longtime friend Hud begs her to puppy-sit while he travels. And if...more
Benni is curator of Josiah Sinclair Folk Art Museum in San Celina. Famous "outsider" artist Abe Adam Finch has donated a painting to the museum, and Benni must write a speech for the museum's celebration.
Her mother-in-law Kathryn is coming to visit for the Christmas holidays, and her longtime friend Hud begs her to puppy-sit while he travels. And if...more
It is a great treat to be back to the Benni Harper series. I always enjoy Fowler's novels, and I think I enjoy them as much for what they are not as what they are. They are well-plotted; the characters and their relationships definitely grow on you as you read the series. I like the setting, particularly with Benni's job as curator of the Folk Art Museum because the little tidbits are always interesting. In the "are not" category, I enjoy the lack of over-sophisticated posturing as far as morals...more
This one seemed a little lighter after the last couple novels in the series as Benni is puppy-sitting for Hud and preparing for an opening of Outsider Art at the museum while hosting Gabe's mother for Christmas. She's also faux-investigating a murder for her socialite employer, Constance. As with all her novels, the family relationships are the biggest part of the story and that is on display here as Gabe deals with old baggage with his mother. The opening letter from Dove to Benni's deceased mo...more
I thought this book was kind of a let down after the last one. But I guess it's nice to have a more light hearted book following one so heavy. Anyway, the storyline on this one kind of dragged and I felt they spent way too much time talking about Outsider art which I had no interest in. Also I found Benni to be a little annoying with how she kept pestering Gabe to talk to his mom and insisting it was her business. Not everyone solves their issues the same way. The murder was a little random, but...more
The more I read Fowler books, the more I like them. It is not only the characters and the plot, but also the intertwined feelings, the delicate family relationships that she describes that makes her books so real and enjoyable. Moreover, in this one you know something is going to happen, but it happens very late in the book and it build slowly through the pages, keeping you wondering and turning pages... I loved it! I hope Earlene Fowler could write forever!
another good installment of these now very familiar characters. i love the setting and the stories are always good. this one moves us further into the personal history of gabe and gives us some of his back story, while moving other characters forward - all while solving a murder. just another day at the museum.
Very pleasant story. I enjoy the stories with Benni. I also especially enjoy listening to Johanna Parker's narration of them!
I read the comment by another reader, wondering if it counted as "reading" if you listened to a book. Hmmmm. I vote yes. I just consider it a form of MULTITASKING!!!
I read the comment by another reader, wondering if it counted as "reading" if you listened to a book. Hmmmm. I vote yes. I just consider it a form of MULTITASKING!!!
Christmas is just a few weeks away, and Benni Harper has tons to do to prepare for a visit from her mother-in-law. When her boss demands her help in investigating the death of a friend, Benni has her hands full. Another good story full of small town flavor and good personal interactions.
I enjoyed this last book in the Benni Harper series. I'll miss the characters in these books, as they seem like old friends now. I like that E. Fowler writes a good mystery, but also develops her characters and shows their personal development and struggles as well.
I cannot get enough of Benni Harper...I wait with great anticipation for Earlene to write the next one and then try to read it slow because it makes me so sad to finish....I have read every book in the series and will continue as long as she will write them!
I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but was able to catch up to the story in short order, as it seems each book stands alone while using the same characters. I enjoyed the mystery and trying to piece together what was happening.
I haven't read the other books in this series, but was able to catch up to the story quickly, as it seems each book is its own story while using the same characters. I enjoyed the mystery and trying to piece together what was happening.
I'm getting really tired of Benni and Gabe's "fragile" marriage and of Gabe and his macho attitude. I have one book left given to me by a friend and I will read it buti don't think I will read any others that come out.
Bennie Harper has no intention of seriously investigating the death Constance Sinclair's best friend. She's too tied up in a new exhibition of 'outsider art,' scheduled to open soon at the folk museum where she is the curator. Unfortunately, her husband, the Police Chief, wants Bennie to keep Constance out of his hair and she shouldn't offend Constance, one of the museum's benefactors. Isn't this a useless waste of time? ... of course it isn't, and fans of this series will enjoy the twists and t...more
I just started this series with the previous book Delectable Mountains. I found this one to be fairly good but Benni's relationship with her husband is really intense at times. Other than that it was good.
Moving opening: Benni's grandmother writes a letter to Benni's dead mother...
"Ultimately, each of us has to flat out decide on our own what we're going to do with this gift of life"
"I picture heaven being a place where every person we worry about is right there for us to see-all safe and happy and healthy"
On page 79, Benni asks Ray what his kids think of his marriage, when already on page 73 Ray had said that he never had any kids of his own, but that he had "been owned by a whole array of canin...more
"Ultimately, each of us has to flat out decide on our own what we're going to do with this gift of life"
"I picture heaven being a place where every person we worry about is right there for us to see-all safe and happy and healthy"
On page 79, Benni asks Ray what his kids think of his marriage, when already on page 73 Ray had said that he never had any kids of his own, but that he had "been owned by a whole array of canin...more
In reading this book, I found myself thinking "oh yeah, somebody did get killed, didn't they?"- which is not a really bad thing. Yes, the mystery is there, but on an almost secondary storyline. This story is set at Christmastime, so emotions/stresses are hightened. Fowler shows us the tangled, complex interpersonal family relationships which I found myself more interested in rather than the murder. She's very good at it. In fact, both ended up being satisfying, though as you can probably tell, I...more
Not my favorite of her books...it is typical of her style, however. The mystery was pretty obvious...I think I might have liked it better if I read it with the others rather than a year later.
Hoping it was more about quilting rather than mystery solving and folk-art museum keeping. Benni Harper is fun to read and here good old fashioned values.
I like Benny Harper and the quilt pattern names are a plus for me with this author's books. which I find about average as mysteries go
I've read and enjoyed all of Earlene Fowler's books. This one may be her most personal novel yet. The addition of the Pembroke Corgi, Boudin, to the series had me comparing the parallel lives of the author and the main character, Benni, more than ever. I've been reading about Earlene and her Boudin on her website for years.
I always enjoy her description of San Celina (San Luis Obispo) and surrounding areas, ranch life, and her loyal friends and family. Benni's view of family and friends seemed m...more
I always enjoy her description of San Celina (San Luis Obispo) and surrounding areas, ranch life, and her loyal friends and family. Benni's view of family and friends seemed m...more
Another in the Quilt mysteries - Benni Harper mystery. I love her writing. Easy and funny. I'm looking forward to finding another one.
Jul 24, 2011
Bonnijean Marley
added it
I enjoyed reading this mystery. The mystery part was great. Gabe's brooding got a little tedious. Reading about Benni's day is almost enough to make the reader tired. Those two things aside, this book is an enjoyable read.
I enjoyed this mystery very much because I didn't guess the ending. I thought it was a nice twist to the story.
The latest in the series of Benni Harper mysteries. Love the characters and the stories are fast reads and fun.
Oct 18, 2010
Betty
added it
I like her books because they include craft ideas about quilting. They are interesting and non-violent.
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Earlene Fowler was raised in La Puente, California, by a Southern mother and a Western father. She lives in Southern California with her husband, Allen, a purple pickup truck, and many pairs of cowboy boots. She is currently working on the next Benni Harper mystery.
Series:
* Benni Harper Mysteries
* Love Mercy Johnson Mystery
More about Earlene Fowler...
Series:
* Benni Harper Mysteries
* Love Mercy Johnson Mystery
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