Earlene Fowler Books In Order

Publication Order of Benni Harper Books

Publication Order of Benni Harper Collections

Publication Order of Love Mercy Johnson Books

Publication Order of Ruby McGavin Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Earlene Fowler is one of the famous novelists from America who likes to write her novels based on the thriller, suspense, and mystery genres. She is particularly well known for writing the Benni Harper Mystery series and the Ruby McGavin series. Author Fowler started her writing career around 10 years before her first novel was released. After numerous rejections with her initial novels, she decided to join writing classes at the Orange Coast College located in California. The useful lessons helped her to write a manuscript which she submitted to a publisher and was fortunate to sign a contract with the publisher 3 weeks later. Author Fowler has won the prestigious Agatha Award. She received this award in the year 1999 for one of her novels titled ‘Mariner’s Compass’, in the category of the Best Novel. One more novel of her novel titled The Saddlemaker’s Wife was also nominated for an Agatha Award. It was in the year 1994 that author Fowler began her writing career. Her debut book was titled as ‘Fool’s Puzzle’. Author Fowler was born on January 1, 1954, in La Puente, California, The United States. She spent most of her growing years in La Puente and was raised by a Western father and a Southern mother. This is the reason why most of her novels in the Benni Harper series feature the cattle, cowboys, quilts, smart mouthed women, and a sensual Latino cop.

During the initial ten years of her writing career, author Fowler used to write commercial and literary short fiction stories without any publishing success. When she finally decided to make changes in her gaits and try to write a mystery book, she started tasting success. Author Fowler says that she is a deep lover of folk art, quilts, cowboy boots, horses, country and western music, oral history, and the Coast of Central California. Her fondness for the cowboy boots can be understood from the fact that Fowler has a collection of 25 pairs of cowboy boots in her wardrobe. As of today, author Fowler lives in the Orange County, California, along with her loving husband named Allen and a few pets. Currently, she is working on the plot development of the next novel of the Benni Harper series. This series is set on the California Central Coast in a small town which depicts a lot of similarities to San Luis Obispo. The other mystery series written by her, Love Mercy Johnson is also set on the Central Coast of California, but in the Morro Bay town.

Fowler’s husband, Allen, was her sweetheart from her high school days. The two have been married for more than 37 years now. The couple does not have any kids, but they own an intelligent and spoiled Pembroke Welsh corgi called as Boudin, whom they consider as their child. Author Fowler is a native of Southern California, but her parents doing belong there. Her father was a native of Colorado, who was raised by a family of migrant workers, while her mother belonged to the family of cotton sharecroppers from Arkansas. Author Fowler says that she has been writing stories since the time when she was in her late 20s. Besides writing mystery books, she likes horse riding, taking long walks with her dog, traveling with her husband, scrapbooking. The parents of author Fowler named her after her father and grandfather, both of whom were called Earl. The first book that she read was Curious George and her favorite character from fiction novels is Old Yeller. The qualities that author Fowler liked the most in this character are his loyalty and courage. She says that if she had not become an author, she would have been training dogs. During the early 1980s, she used to teach weekly craft classes at one of the retirement homes located in Covina, California. She believes that it was the 15 older women there who taught her important lessons about life. It helped her a lot to grow as a writer. Author Fowler is very fond of fried tacos and strawberry ice creams.

The Benni Harper series written by author Earlene Fowler consists of 15 books in total released between the years 1994 and 2011. All the books in this series feature Benni Harper in the main lead, who works as a curator of folk art museum and an amateur sleuth in San Celina, California. One among the initial books in the series was released under the title ‘Irish Chain’. It was published by the Berkley publications in the year 1995. The plot includes the main characters, Gabriel Ortiz and Benni Harper. As the book begins, Benni Harer is introduced as a folk art expert, quilter, and a spiritual ex-cowgirl. She seems to be staking out the contemporary American West’s own corner. As an intelligent sleuth, Benni Harper seems to have an eye for the murderous designs. She is also talented enough to piece together the most cold blooded and complex crimes. On one occasion, she takes time from her normal routine job at the folk art museum in order to sponsor a senior prom at a retirement home in San Celina. On the dance floor, she seems surprised to find that she is matching steps with Clay O’Hara. Clay is the same cowboy on whom Benni had a crush when she was 17 years old. Soon, an elderly lady and Clay’s uncle are discovered dead in one of the rooms of the residents. Benni attempts to find a link between both the victims so that she can get to the depth of the case and find the killer.

Another book published initially in the Benni Harper series by author Earlene Fowler is titled as ‘Kansas Troubles’. It was released in the year 1996 by the Berkley publishers. Author Fowler has set the plot of this book in Kansas, United States. At the start of the book, it is shown that Benni Harper is very much excited to visit her hometown in Kansas after her whirlwind marriage to Gabe Ortiz, who is the Police Chief of San Celina. During a backyard barbecue, she is introduced to an aspiring singer from the countryside named Tyler Brown. Other than his singing talent, Tyler also appears to have a fascinating past. Previously, she used to live a normal and quiet Amish life. But now, she has decided to take are of herself by selling the exquisite quilts handmade by her. However, Benni soon comes to know that she has been murdered. When she begins to investigate the friends of Gabe Ortiz in relation to Tyler Brown’a murder, he becomes very much frustrated at her. This makes Benny Harper realize that her marriage is going to be similar to the Kansas weather, unpredictable and stormy. But, she does lose her determination to find and hunt down the murderer of Tyler and any cost.

9 Responses to “Earlene Fowler”

1. Lin Exline: 2 months ago

   I am just starting “Spider Web” this is (so far) the last Benni & Gabe book!! For now?! I will have read them all after I finish this one! Please continue this wonderful series!!

   Reply
2. Sally Cash: 7 months ago

   Thank you for all the books you’ve written and please write some more. 🥰Sincerely
   Sally Cash

   Reply
3. Pat Foster: 1 year ago

   Like everyone else wants, PLEASE write more Benni Harper novels.

   Reply
4. Deborah Lacey: 1 year ago

   I have read all the Benni Harper novels more than once. I was hooked from the start. Please write some more in the series.

   Reply
5. Jana McKnight: 1 year ago

   Please write more Benni Harper novels. I miss her.

   Reply
6. Cheryl Yada: 2 years ago

   Just finished “Spider Web”. I was sorry to learn that it is the last in the Benni Harper book series. Will there be any more to come?

   Reply
7. Dorothy Stevenson: 2 years ago

   Add my name to the list of wanting more Benni Harper books. Iam an avid quilter who happens to live in Kansas!

   Reply
8. sandra smith: 2 years ago

   Please more Benni books lOVE her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   Reply
9. Maryann Coffey: 2 years ago

   Really miss the Benni & Gabe books. When is the next one due out.

   Reply