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(3.04) - 674 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Best-selling author Earlene Fowler has garnered critical acclaim for her Agatha Award-winning Benni Harper series. In this 15th entry, Benni and the ladies of her Coffin Star Quilt Guild are enjoying San Celina, California's first-ever Memory Festival-when a sniper guns down a local cop. Fearing for the safety of her community-and for her family-Benni determines to root out the sniper before the once peaceful streets become a killer's free-fire zone.
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"I was a bit disappointed with STATE FAIR, the previous Benni Harper book, but this one was truly a 5-star read. I read about things I didn't know about before, like the Bataan Angels, and this story just had me from the beginning. Some of Benni's observations in the first chapter were wonderful. Like when she talked about Jack her first husband and how when she thought about him years later how it wasn't so overwhelming, it was like a soft pinch to her heart. To me that was such a beautiful, lyrical statement. There were lots of things like that in this book. And a passage at the Memory Festival where a nurse who served in Vietnam is telling some smart-ass college girls what it was like had me in tears and actually sparked a conversation with my husband about that time and the things I saw when I was a ward clerk at a VA Hospital from 1972 to 1974. Thanks, Earlene, for an excellent read! Last night was the season finale for my favorite show, The Vampire Diaries, and I almost forgot it because I was so involved in this book!"
— Melodie (5 out of 5 stars)
Spider Web Listener Reviews
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" I think this is one of the better ones of the recent books. Then again, she rarely disappoints me! "
— Carrie, 2/16/2014 -
" I haven't read any of this series for a few years. But it was good going back to them. The characters were stronger than the mystery in this one. "
— Brenda, 2/14/2014 -
" Not a bad book, but not one of the best either IMHO. Benni spent most of her time worrying about the Memory Festival and being distracted by a stranger who seemed to be stalking her. Gabe got to deal with a sniper who was taking shots at his force, which triggered PTSD. The sniper ending seemed extremely rushed, but the friends and family storylines were fantastic. Sometimes, I think she should spend more time developing those "minor" characters, because they really are interesting. I forced myself to read this over a couple days, rather than my usual "sit and devour every last page" method with this series. "
— Jodie, 2/4/2014 -
" another great benni harper mystery--wish e fowler would write faster! "
— Diane, 2/1/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this last Benni novel that has Gabe dealing with a sniper in town who's targeting police officers. The sniper sets off his Vietnam PTSD with some serious consequences for both of them. Benni is chairwoman of the Memory Festival and trying to help Gabe and avoid the sniper. There's a mysterious woman in town who may or may not have something to do with Gabe's past and this is also stressing out Benni. The ending proved to be a surprise as the identity of the woman is revealed. A good, solid novel with an interesting plot. "
— Sue, 1/28/2014 -
" Loved it! I also think it's one of her best. "
— Carolyn, 1/20/2014 -
" I like the Benni Harper mystery series. Even though they are classified as mysteries, the books center greatly around the characters and what they are dealing with in their lives. "
— Carole, 1/20/2014 -
" A more complex than normal "cozy" mystery, Benni Harper is always fun to visit. The locale, the characters and the plots (not to mention the quilt information) is always a joy to read and I hope there are more to come in this series. "
— Caroline, 1/17/2014 -
" Great book as are all of Earlene Fowlers... "
— Diane, 1/9/2014 -
" A sniper shooting at cops mixes in the Memory Festival in the San Celina. Fun read. "
— Kitty, 12/27/2013 -
" May be the best of this series....I love Earlene's writing. Interesting characters, lots to learn about history and events. I really hope the series doesn't end here....I dragged my feet in reading it since I didn't want to say goodbye to these great characters!! "
— Linda, 12/12/2013 -
" I love Fowler's Benni Harper Mysteries. I have read them all and look forward to each new release. "
— Linda, 12/6/2013 -
" Not my favorite Benni Harper. "
— Mary, 11/29/2013 -
" I enjoyed this newest Benni Harper mystery (this is one of my favorite series). This book touches on the importance of the veterans around us and the problems that many veterans from vietnam have. They also found the bad guy in the end!! "
— Glenna, 1/4/2013 -
" Of course I read the latest Benni Harper (Ortiz) mystery. This is one of my sentimental favorite series. I have to keep up-to-date with the goings-on in San Celina. "
— Glenda, 1/2/2013 -
" OK, but not up to her usual standard. "
— Sharon, 11/20/2012 -
" Since this is a series, it follows the same formula. It is an enjoyable and quick read. "
— Loretta, 10/15/2012 -
" Another great book in the Benni Harper mystery series. Wonderfully complicated characters, two mysteries to try to solve, plus a beautiful setting filled with lots of local colour. Can't wait for the next instalment! "
— Ehbooklover, 10/5/2012 -
" I just love these books - the characters are real, and the stories are interesting and quick. Good way to lose yourself for a few hours. I accidentally started and finished this book the same afternoon... "
— Rebekah, 7/25/2012 -
" Earlene Fowler continues to get better and better. I enjoyed the return of Benni and all, was intrigued by the mystery, but I'm most interested in Fowler's continued attention to difficult issues. She tackles PTDD, memories, aging and loss in this book. "
— Marie, 3/22/2012 -
" Her usual wonderful offering. . . . Great weekend read. "
— Kelly, 2/29/2012 -
" A couple of little mysteries in this one, the main theme running through the whole thing is PTSD in former military. Well done. "
— Dawn, 1/8/2012 -
" Another satisfying book in the series, advances the family relationships well along with a decent mystery. The whodunit isn't all that hard to figure out, but it's presented well. "
— Carol, 12/9/2011 -
" It was good to re-connect with Benni. A nice story. Easy reading. I love all her books. "
— Dorothy, 10/29/2011 -
" Terrific book in her continuing story of life along the California coast. This book not only holds your attention with a light murder mystery but weaves a lot of family and friends love and interdependence as well. "
— Gale, 10/18/2011
About Earlene Fowler
Earlene Fowler was raised in La Puente, California, by a Southern mother and a Western father. She is the Agatha Award–winning author of the Benni Harper series and The Saddlemaker’s Wife. She lives in Southern California with her husband, Allen, and a semi-obedient Boudin.
About Johanna Parker
Johanna Parker is an Audie and Earphone Award–winning actress living and working in San Francisco. Since narrating her first audiobook in 2002, she has received praise for her work in all genres, including her portrayal of Sookie Stackhouse in Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire books. She received her BFA in acting from Boston University and studied Shakespeare at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She has performed on stages in London, Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York and has numerous film and television credits. As a voice-over actress, she has voiced commercials, video games, documentaries, and websites.