Tumbling Blocks

by: Earlene Fowler

Published by: Berkley Prime Crime

Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann

This is the 13th in the Agatha Award-winning Benni Harper mystery series, and one of the best.

Benni is a ranch girl who grew up with her father and her grandmother Dove on a ranch in San Celina, California. She married young, widowed young and now is the curator of the Josiah Sinclair Folk Art Museum, with a co-op of artists, fantastic exhibit space and a gift store.

Benni’s new husband is Gabe Ortiz, the chief of police, whom she met while she was involved in solving an earlier crime. Gabe’s mother lives in Kansas, and the one time they met, Benni and Kathryn did not get on well. As Christmas approaches, Benni is dismayed when Gabe invites his mother to visit for several weeks. Then Constance Sinclair, the autocratic and somewhat loony major donor to her museum demands that Benni investigate the death of her good friend Pinky Edmondson, found in bed dead of an apparent heart attack. Constance is convinced that one of the three potential members of the exclusive “49 Club” did her in to get her place in the club.

Benni agrees to investigate, but is convinced (along with the police) that Pinky died a natural death. The relationship between Gabe and his mother, never great, deteriorates when she shows up in San Celina with Ray, a new husband in tow. Surprisingly, Kathryn, Benni and Ray get along famously, however, it is Gabe who is sullen and uncommunicative.

Benni’s dog plays an important role in this low-key mystery, as does the new painting by Abe Adam Finch, donated by the artist’s niece, Nola Maxwell Finch, a new resident of the area.

Armchair Interviews says: Fowler’s novels focus on the people more than the thrills and chills, and this one is superb.

Author’s Web site: http://www.EarleneFowler.com