Earlene Fowler
Encyclopedia
Earlene Fowler is the author of a number of mystery novels set in the fictional city of San Celina, California. She was raised in La Puente, California
.
Earlene has written 12 books in the Benni Harper series of mysteries. The sixth book, Mariner's Compass, won the Agatha Award for Best Novel in 1999. The lead character, Benni Harper, is curator of a folk art museum and quilting figures prominently in many of the storylines. Each book in the series has been given the name of a traditional quilt
block pattern. Recurring characters include Police Chief Gabe Ortiz, Benni's friend Elvia Aragon, Grandma Dove, Aunt Garnet, and cousin Emory.
San Celina is a fictionalized and slightly modified version of San Luis Obispo, California
. The books include many local landmarks and recognizable places from throughout San Luis Obispo County
, although many of the names have been altered slightly. The name "San Celina" is improper Spanish
(improper gender agreement between the subject and article) and was meant as a joke, but is now a decision the author regrets due to the large number of letters she receives about it.
In November, 2004 Benni Harper's Quilt Album was published. Co-written with Margrit Hall, this book features quilt patterns inspired by early books in the series. The book includes photographs and new stories to fill in some missing plot details from the book series.
Earlene was a short story writer for more than ten years before her first novel was published. Writing classes at Orange Coast College
in Costa Mesa, California
led to the submission of her first book to a publisher. Within a week, a three-book contract was signed.
The Saddlemaker's Wife, not a part of the Benni Harper series, was nominated for the 2006 Agatha Award for Best Novel. Ms. Fowler was nominated along with authors Nancy Pickard
(winner), L. C. Hayden
, Julia Spencer-Fleming
, and Jacqueline Winspear
.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Earlene has written 12 books in the Benni Harper series of mysteries. The sixth book, Mariner's Compass, won the Agatha Award for Best Novel in 1999. The lead character, Benni Harper, is curator of a folk art museum and quilting figures prominently in many of the storylines. Each book in the series has been given the name of a traditional quilt
Quilt
A quilt is a type of bed cover, traditionally composed of three layers of fiber: a woven cloth top, a layer of batting or wadding and a woven back, combined using the technique of quilting. “Quilting” refers to the technique of joining at least two fabric layers by stitches or ties...
block pattern. Recurring characters include Police Chief Gabe Ortiz, Benni's friend Elvia Aragon, Grandma Dove, Aunt Garnet, and cousin Emory.
San Celina is a fictionalized and slightly modified version of San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo is a city in California, located roughly midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the Central Coast. Founded in 1772 by Spanish Fr. Junipero Serra, San Luis Obispo is one of California’s oldest communities...
. The books include many local landmarks and recognizable places from throughout San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo County, California
San Luis Obispo County is a county located along the Pacific Ocean in the Central Coast of the U.S. state of California, between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2010 census its population was 269,637, up from 246,681 at the 2000 census...
, although many of the names have been altered slightly. The name "San Celina" is improper Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
(improper gender agreement between the subject and article) and was meant as a joke, but is now a decision the author regrets due to the large number of letters she receives about it.
In November, 2004 Benni Harper's Quilt Album was published. Co-written with Margrit Hall, this book features quilt patterns inspired by early books in the series. The book includes photographs and new stories to fill in some missing plot details from the book series.
Earlene was a short story writer for more than ten years before her first novel was published. Writing classes at Orange Coast College
Orange Coast College
Orange Coast College is a community college in Orange County, California. It was founded in 1947, with its first classes opening in the fall of 1948. It provides two-year associate of art and science degrees, certificates of achievement, and lower-division classes transferable to other colleges...
in Costa Mesa, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
led to the submission of her first book to a publisher. Within a week, a three-book contract was signed.
The Saddlemaker's Wife, not a part of the Benni Harper series, was nominated for the 2006 Agatha Award for Best Novel. Ms. Fowler was nominated along with authors Nancy Pickard
Nancy Pickard
Nancy Pickard is a US crime novelist. She has won five Macavity Awards, four Agatha Awards, an Anthony Award, and a Shamus Award. She is the only author to win all four awards. She also served on the board of directors of the Mystery Writers of America...
(winner), L. C. Hayden
L. C. Hayden
L. C. Hayden is an American mystery novelist whose 2006 novel Why Casey Had to Die was a finalist for the Agatha Award for Best Novel. Hayden was also a high school English teacher for 26 years, having retired in 2001....
, Julia Spencer-Fleming
Julia Spencer-Fleming
Julia Spencer-Fleming is an American novelist.She lives in Maine with her husband, 3 children, a dog, and two cats.-Rev. Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne series :...
, and Jacqueline Winspear
Jacqueline Winspear
Jacqueline Winspear is a mystery writer, author of the ‘Maisie Dobbs’ series of books which explore the aftermath of World War I. She has won several mystery writing awards for books in this popular series....
.