Sunshine and Shadow

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 recommend......more

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 s......more

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.......more

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 Benn......more

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......more