Review: Goose in the Pond

Goose in the Pond Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Earlene Fowler
Class/Genre: Mystery Amateur Sleuth Crafts
Series: Bennie Harper # 4

Goose in the Pond is the fourth in a series of mysteries featuring Benni Harper. I've read them all,
in order, and enjoyed every one. Author Earlene Fowler makes us care what happens, and it's
simply impossible to not finish each of her books.

The titles of the series books all refer to quilting patterns, and the theme of quilting is gently woven through the plots.

Setting This book and all the others in the series are set in San Celina, a community on the Central Coast of California. San Celina is half traditional ranching country, and half artist colony, with the resulting tensions. Fowler brings this town to life, making us feel at home there.

Characters Benni Harper, the heroine of this series, is a former ranch woman turned curater of the local folk art museum. She is a avid quilter, and skilled with horses and ranch work. She lost both her husband and her ranch within the past couple of years, and her grieving is part of the story. She enjoys her new life, but mourns the old. She is married to Police Chief Gabe Ortiz, and their relationship adds depth to the story. They met and married quickly, and now are trying to get to know one another. There is tension...he is very protective, and she is used to going off on her own. She insists on investigating...he wants her to stay out of police business. But, there is a clear sense that these two people are in love, and will work through their difficulties. In Goose On the Pond, Gabe's estranged son Sam and Benni's overbearing grandmother Dove move in with the newlyweds, adding to the chaos and fun. I really care about the characters in this book. I've watched the relationships grow and change, and I'm eager to read more about their lives.

Plot Benni and Gabe are jogging one morning, and Benni finds a body dressed in Mother Goose clothes floating in the pond. It turns out to be one of the participants in the story telling festival Benni is organizing at the Folk Art Museum. It turns out that Mother Goose has secrets, and the search for the killer is on. The plot takes many turns and the ending is unexpected and exciting.

Mood This is not a violent book...more of a cozy read. Fowler charms us with her detailed writing, and the book moves along without any slow parts. Her characters come alive, and the situations are realistic.

I would highly recommend this book and the whole series to anyone who likes a good light mystery.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Tuggy Curan - RAM

Book Review: Goose in the Pond