Sunshine and Shadow

Benni Harper #10

by Earlene Fowler

One of Benni's favorite mystery writers, Emma Baldwin, is coming to San Celina. Her purpose: to reconnect with the town she left years before. Benni is thrilled when Emma agrees to display at the folk art museum a crazy quilt that inspired Emma's first book. It's an exciting time for Benni - and it also stirs up some bittersweet memories of her first husband.

Her current husband, Gabe, also has a friend in town: Luke, an old LAPD buddy, now a private investigator, who's here on a mysterious assignment. But when he's found murdered soon after his arrival, Benni's visit with her mystery writer is overshadowed by a real-life mystery. And when she starts receiving strange phone calls and anonymous letters telling her she'll be the next victim, her interested in the case becomes even more urgent.

Meanwhile, Benni's grandmother is having problems of her own. Her recent vow of 'til death do us part might be replaced with 'til divorce do us part...unless Benni can quickly talk some sense into her. It's safe to say Benni Harper's life is pretty chaotic right now. And it's a lot more shadow than sunshine.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Quilting, Suspense

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

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

Reviews

[Barbara Radisavljevic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Benni Harper Mystery so far. At first I was frustrated by all the flashbacks and the diary entries. I was pretty sure who the murderer was from at least the middle of the book, and I was right. But the last chapter, with the last entry Benni read from Jack's journal blew me away and brought tears to my eyes.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

287 pages . . . First Edition, May 2003. Without question this is my favorite Benni Harper mystery. Jack was brought to life (and snuffed out). He was given personality and dimension and I loved that. This was another of Earlene's mysteries with a twist. Sort of O'Henry-ish I guess. Highly recommended reading . . . but I'm an advocate of reading her books in sequence. This was my favorite book in the series, I can't emphasize that enough. The young love story line was compelling but Jack's last journal entry brought me to tears. Deja vu! Powerful. . . . "like he was someone real important to my life."

[Kieraanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this installment in the series. I like getting a look into the past and getting to "meet" Benni's first husband Jack. I love the connections you find out about at the end and really that's what I remembered about the plot of this book more than anything else. I don't want to spoil it so I won't say. I don't know if it had anything to do with the plot, but all through this book I was thinking how different their lives would be if they had kids. There's no way Benni would be able to volunteer for so many things if she had kids at home. She probably wouldn't be taking so many stupid risks either if she had a child with her or if she was the sole caretaker for a couple of kids. They don't really go into it much how Benni doesn't seem to be able to have kids. They kind of mentioned it in one but never really touch on the subject again. I think that's interesting. You would think it would come up more with how much they talk about family and the next generation and how Elvia's mom pesters her about it. I would like to see how Gabe acts as the father to an infant or young child. I think it would really loosen him up. But apparently they're not going there. Too bad.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was by far the best of the Benni Harper series. In this book, Ms. Fowler went back to 1978 when Benni and Jack were first married. We have not met Jack in the previous books. The chapter flip back and forth between 1978 and 1995. Each chapter is titled and I did not find it distracting at all.

Because the story line links to when Benni was a young newly wed, the story is told from two different time frames. From 1978 when Benni and Jack were newly weds on the Ramsey Ranch. Jack's relationship with his brother, Wade and how their lives intertwine with the present day of 1995. Wow, I did not see the end coming at all in this one.

We learn about the growing of the town of San Celina, the changes that have taken place and how Benni and her family have grown and changed too. As always there is mystery and intrigue, and laughter and comic relief. Finally, Benni is able to face her past about losing Jack and is learning to understand her new quiet, sometimes hard to know husband. As Senora Padilla says, " Poor little nina. She didn't know what she was doing when she married a macho hispano, did she?"

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment has alternating chapters that tell the story in the "present" and in the beginning of Benni's and Jack's marriage to show two time lines leading to a conclusion in the present. It was interesting to actually meet Jack, her deceased husband, rather than always seeing him through Benni's memories. In this story, her college paper on a local author comes around to her current life as the author returns to San Celina and Benni displays her quilt in the folk museum. Renewing their friendship and asking questions about the crazy quilt leads to some scary incidents of stalking for Benni and some unanswered questions from her college days. The plot twists and circles in on itself as the two stories come closer into alignment. Having survived the marriage crisis of the previous volume, Benni and Gabe are on solid ground here as they face the outside threat together. Even though Benni tries to stay out of the murder investigation in town, as the attacks on Benni become more sinister, she finds herself in the current trouble up to her neck.

[Kevin Kern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a quilter, who grew up in So. California and spent many vacations on the Central Coast, I love the Benni Harper series. This one was very special, because for once, Benni doesn't throw herself into the mess. She is targeted, as a friend, of a local author. The history is rich and I have to see if that festival is part of San Luis, today. I did find, what I believe, to be a discrepancy on the date of the adobe, near the mission. Benni said it was built in 1858, as a look out for the mission, but the Missions were built in the late 1700's to about 1823, in Sonoma.
I liked the chapters about Jack and the early days of his & Benni's marriage. The surprise plot twist at the end, makes me ready to read the next one.
These books are a quick read, but very good.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

#10 in the series. Amateur sleuth Benni Harper is drawn into a 1995 murder of a friend of her 2nd husband, police chief Gabe Ortiz, in San Celina, CA. The tale interweaves stories from 1995 and 1978 when Benni was a young married ranch wife and still in college. Benni has to figure out how the stories connect to solve the murder. Interesting characters with a not-too-obvious mystery. I picked this up out of series order and it made me want to go back and read the rest of the series. The narrator of the audio, Johanna Parker, does a good job with all the Spanish. Quilts play a role in this series, but very marginally.

[Brenda Klaassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this audio at the library and decided to give it a listen since in the past I have enjoyed books written by this author. The narriator, Johanna Parker, made this tory really easy to listen to. The characters are true to life and well rounded, they almost feel like real people. I enjoyed the sprinkling of quilt history throughout the story.

[Grey853 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would've enjoyed this Benni Harper book more if there wasn't the back and forth in time as she changed chapters. She tried to show a connection from the past and present by writing about her time with Jack, her first husband, and her present life with Gabe.

Shifting back and forth is an annoying technique. I did finish the book, but I thought the ending a bit contrived and expected.

[Susan Keraus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished my 10th Benni Harper mystery - Sunshine & Shadows. I thoroughly enjoy the characters in this series, plus the fact there's a bit of quilt history along with the "who done it." Easy to read - a good mix of seriousness & humor. I plan to keep up with Earlene Fowler, as long as she keeps writing!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the 10th in the Benni Harper mystery series. The book takes place in two different time periods, the present and 1978 when Benni and her first husband, Jack, were newly married. The murder of an LAPD buddy of Gabe's becomes the pivoting event that links the two time periods.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly good read! It turns out it is part of a series so now I can read others! Although a rather standard mystery, the writing is good and the setting interesting. The characters weren't as fleshed out as I would like but if I read others I will no doubt find out more about them.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dove & Isaac marry .. and Dove revolts. Isaac wins her back by book’s end.
Nice tie-in in finale.
I wasn’t a fan of the back& forth timelines but at least they each had their own chapters. And it worked for this plot fairly well.
Pan dulce (sweet bread) .. new 2 me. Some I might like .. Libros probably.
But too dry for me .. much of it I suspect.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the main character in these books.;

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now read all 13 in the series and liked them all but SEVEN SISTERS...do not read that one!
I like her witty dialogue, and well developed characters. I enjoyed the setting in a central California small town where she is the curator of a folk art museum, but there is also a generous sprinkling of ranch life, as it is cattle country. There is always a festival or holiday of some kind going on in the background, and they make you wish you were there to celebrate with them. Mysteries are surprising usually, though clues are fairly revealed so you have a chance to figure it out. I look forward to more.

[Lori Limberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 10 in the Benni Harper series

Emma Baldwin is a writer who wrote books that Benni read as a little girl. When Benni was in college, she wrote a paper on Emma Baldwin. Emma leaves San Celina without anyone knowing and Benni never knew why she left.

Years later, Emma returns to San Celina and Benni renews their friendship. Emma, however, is a changed woman. She's secretive and withdrawn.

Luke, Gabe's ex parter, comes to town following up a "lead." Luke ends up dead. As the story unfolds, turns out that Luke is Emma's illegitmate son. Luke was killed by Cody, Emma's other son. Cody is a troubled man who killed Luke out of jealousy.

[Emily Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benni Harper is thrilled when her favorite childhood author is moving back to town. Her husband Gabe is also having a visitor in town, a former cop turned private eye. What's the connection between Luke getting stabbed to death and Benni being stalked? This has been my favorite "Benni Harper" mystery yet. Besides what happens in the present, widowed Benni is reminded of her life with her former husband Jack and we get to see what the two of them were like when they first married. It was a really interesting way to lay out the story. I'd recommend starting with the first Benni Harper mystery and working your way through the series!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the blurbs indicate that a book is both a western and a mystery, I get prepared for a rather mediocre story and characters, but I was happily surprised with the books in this series that I've read. The characters were interesting and well drawn out, and the plots were intriguing as well as amusing. Also, just because the stories take place in the west with ranches and deserts nearby, that doesn't mean it is a western, which generally contains a whole bunch of stereotypical cowboy, black hat/white hat material, which these books don't to my great relief.

[Sara Bartlett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Fool's Puzzle and was hooked, so got a second Bennie Harper mystery. What a disappointment. No tension, no reason to read on because I knew who did it immediately, even when the white car attempted to run over the returning town author. Just too simple a plot, too much cute banter between family members to fill the pages, too much copy on the city fair...the total number of pages that actually related to the plot must have been under 20% of the book, I had to make myself finish it. I won't read another of this series.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

#10 in the Benni Harper California rancher mystery series set in ranch country in the Coastal Mountains in the Santa Barbara area. The story is set in 1995 and has frequent flashback chapters to 1978 with the events in both being connected. The mystery involves a former police partner of Benni's police chief husband Gabe who gets together with Gabe while investigating something. He is found dead the next day and Gabe becomes personally involved in finding his killer. At the same time, Benni has a stalker whose behavior is threatening her safety.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the earlier books in this series a long time ago. When I recognized the author's name I picked this book up at the library sale and now I remember why I enjoyed the series so much. It's the characters. How many women are lucky enough to have two good husbands?

However, I can totally understand other readers giving it a lower rating. The author uses flash-backs to fill readers in on past doings that led to present murder. The flash-backs chop up the story a little. Also, I liked the conclusion but, at the same time, I recognize that it was contrived.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benni reconnects with a quilt maker she met nearly 20 years ago. There is a quilt show that is featuring old quilts and their histories. Emma is reluctant to tell all of her story.

In the meantime, Gabe's friend visits San Celina looking into some family business. One night he is brutally murdered. With Benni's help the mystery is solved.

This selection flips back and forth with Benni's first marriage to Jack and later as Gabe's wife. Spoiler: But the last chapter will have you in tears. No peeking!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upon re-reading this one, I gave it an additional star.

This book gives us a view into the past when Jack and Benni were young and first married alternating with the present-day when Gabe and Benni are dealing with the death of Gabe's friend, Luke.

It was bittersweet to see Jack as a living character interacting with Benni, not just as a memory of Benni's. Reading Jack's final journal entry and what it foretold was just the right touch for the ending.

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, aside from two huge continuity errors within the story (one where she skips Easter Sunday and another where Sweetheart hill alternates between being part of her fathers ranch and part of her husbands ranch) that drove me a bit bonkers, this story was great. Flashbacks are not my favourite device, but these were worth it in the end. I knew who the bad guy was from the very start, but it didn't detract at all from my enjoyment of the story.

[Anne]

This is the first book that I have read by this author. At first it was hard to get used to as she kept changing from an earlier date to a later date. I finally learned to read the dates under the Chapter numbers. It had a real surprise ending although you were slightly prepared for it. I would read another of her books.

[Kimberly]

This is another well-done entry in the Benni Harper series. Benni's grandmother Dove is not doing well in her new marriage and Benni is finally perusing her dead first husband's things which tie in to what is happening in Benni's life now. The author does an excellent job of connecting the past with the present and how the sunshine parts of our life are intricately connected with the shadows.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, Benni Harper does not disappoint. A crime in 1978 is linked to a crime in 1995 by an author of one of Benni's favorite childhood books. Warning to guys: these books are character driven and talk a lot about feelings, so if you are addicted to action.... I, however, think there is enough action to keep them interesting. Recommended.

[Kitty Tomlinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A modern-day crime sends folk art expert Benni Harper on a nostalgic journey back to 1978 to look at her college days and her first husband, Jack, when she discovers that an event from her own past could hold the key to solving a mystery from the present.

[Judith · Rating 1 out of 5]

A friend recommended this author as light mystery, easy reading. I found it to be uncomfortable reading - hokey plot line, flat characters, poor writing (grammar, punctuation, word usage mistakes throughout). Not my cup of tea. Sorry, friend.

[karen otto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now chewed through the entire 14-book series and I'm so sad that I'm done. San Celina is a nice place to "live" vicariously for a while, and the continuing development of the characters has been exactly what I'm in the mood for!