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Benbow and Wingate #3
Murder By Owl Light
"Sawyer writes with wit, taste, humor and wisdom, and her plotting is impeccable."
THE DROOD REVIEW OF MYSTERY
For those far-from-over-the-hill senior sleuths, Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate, the murder of the gardener at posh Camden-sur-Mer retirement complex is a delightful break in their rather dull routine. Unfortunately, a bad-tempered police officer warns the ladies to stick to knitting. Yet Angela and Caledonia refuse to be intimidated. They're off and running, bird-dogging a murderer as resourceful as themselves--and as shadowy as the owl light of dusk that conceals his deadly work....
THE DROOD REVIEW OF MYSTERY
For those far-from-over-the-hill senior sleuths, Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate, the murder of the gardener at posh Camden-sur-Mer retirement complex is a delightful break in their rather dull routine. Unfortunately, a bad-tempered police officer warns the ladies to stick to knitting. Yet Angela and Caledonia refuse to be intimidated. They're off and running, bird-dogging a murderer as resourceful as themselves--and as shadowy as the owl light of dusk that conceals his deadly work....
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
247 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
About the author
Corinne Holt Sawyer
23 books13 followersCorrine Holt Sawyer is the author of the Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate mystery series. Angela and Caledonia are "women of a certain age" living in the upscale retirement community of Camden-sur-Mer. Mystery and mayhem seem to follow the "retiring" women all over Southern California. The author of this bestselling mystery series was born in Minnesota and received her BA from the University of Minnesota in 1945. She moved to the south to attend the University of Birmingham where she received her PHD in 1954. Dr. Sawyer worked for many years in Radio and Television, teaching, writing and while at WNCT-TV in Greenville (NC), serving as director of broadcasting. In 1966, she moved from North Carolina to South Carolina, where for many years she taught English at Clemson University. Corrine Holt Sawyer continues to write the Angela and Caledonia mystery series.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 31, 2013
An enjoyable read. Holt Sawyer has created a lovable pair of protagonists, Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate who solve crimes from their retirement center (which seems to be a focal point for crime in their small southern California city. Completely unrealistic, of course, but I was very willing to suspend my disbelief and read through to the conclusion of this (can I call it this?) romance.
The fact that the central figures are in their "dotage" (and oh, wouldn't they dispute that description!) is not the issue in my reference to this story as a "romance". That is due to the "and they all lived happily" ending, the fact that the characters are not Bill Gates wealthy, but WELL OFF and perhaps just a little too ready to get involved in something most of us (if not all!) would consider the seamy part of life. Nor is it that I would dispute the intelligence of elderly people! Wouldn't we all like to think that we are brilliant, active and without financial worries! So, yes, this murder mystery does qualify as a romance to me.
The back cover blurb says that "Sawyer writes with wit, taste, humor and wisdom, and her plotting is impeccable." I agree with all of that, but I found myself wincing at some of the stereotyping of "old people" thinking that young people are too shallow and that "young people" think that the older generation should get out of the way, are irrelevant, expendable. Am I unique in that I honored my grandparents as best I knew how? That I grieved their loss? That I (admittedly as one over 50) grieved the loss of my father and both in-laws? I really don't think so. In fact, I do get irritated by older folks when they drive poorly and are "in the way" when I am in a hurry (which is much more often than I should admit to). So, no, I am not a saint but still find that the stereotyping is a little clichéd.
I did notice a few typesetting/typographical errors, but the book was generally well-edited and proofed. Overall, Holt Sawyer is a polished author, has created distinct and endearing characters and gives value for your money. This is escapist reading, not social commentary, not with hidden deeper resonances to ponder over.
The fact that the central figures are in their "dotage" (and oh, wouldn't they dispute that description!) is not the issue in my reference to this story as a "romance". That is due to the "and they all lived happily" ending, the fact that the characters are not Bill Gates wealthy, but WELL OFF and perhaps just a little too ready to get involved in something most of us (if not all!) would consider the seamy part of life. Nor is it that I would dispute the intelligence of elderly people! Wouldn't we all like to think that we are brilliant, active and without financial worries! So, yes, this murder mystery does qualify as a romance to me.
The back cover blurb says that "Sawyer writes with wit, taste, humor and wisdom, and her plotting is impeccable." I agree with all of that, but I found myself wincing at some of the stereotyping of "old people" thinking that young people are too shallow and that "young people" think that the older generation should get out of the way, are irrelevant, expendable. Am I unique in that I honored my grandparents as best I knew how? That I grieved their loss? That I (admittedly as one over 50) grieved the loss of my father and both in-laws? I really don't think so. In fact, I do get irritated by older folks when they drive poorly and are "in the way" when I am in a hurry (which is much more often than I should admit to). So, no, I am not a saint but still find that the stereotyping is a little clichéd.
I did notice a few typesetting/typographical errors, but the book was generally well-edited and proofed. Overall, Holt Sawyer is a polished author, has created distinct and endearing characters and gives value for your money. This is escapist reading, not social commentary, not with hidden deeper resonances to ponder over.
March 1, 2016
This is the 3rd Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate mystery. These two friends live in Camden-sur-Mer, a retirement community located on the coast in California. This time the gardener and a man who comes to fill the vending machines are both murdered at the center. Angela and Caledonia are happy when Inspector Martinez replaces the first policeman to work on the murders because Martinez understands the residents better and has become their friend. And the sleuthing begins... Even though I've read this series before, I just love reading them anew.
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May 4, 2013Murder by Owl Light is the first title I've read by Corynne Holts Sawyer but due to her humorous and quick witted writing style it will not be the last! Her characters are well-developed while still remaining very realistic!
January 12, 2012
Over 65 female amateur detectives lving at a an upscale retirement home investigate the murder of the gardener. It's a witty fast read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews