Earlene Fowler - Goose in the pond

Praise for Earlene Fowlers BENNI HARPER MYSTERIES

SEVEN SISTERS

Fowlers regular characters all show significant growth; the mystery itself is satisfying both as a puzzle... and as a story about secrets buried in a familys past.

Booklist

As in all of Earlenes previous books, in addition to the mystery there are numerous other threads cleverly interwoven in the plot... Enjoyable... Well-written.

San Luis (CA) Obispo Magazine

Benni is feisty, caring, loving, and one heck of a part-time sleuth... A not-to-be-missed view into the worlds of crime and the elite.

Rendezvous

MARINERS COMPASS

Winner of the Agatha Award for Best Novel

Captivating... [An] excellent addition to a notable series.

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Fowlers plots can be as outrageous as Ellery Queens, her turf is Ross Macdonalds, and her tone is heir to Grafton and Paretsky... [She is] an up-and-comer worth watching.

Nashville Scene

Fowlers best work to date... Mariners Compass points the way to quality reading for the heart, mind, and soul.

Ventura County Star

DOVE IN THE WINDOW

Nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Novel

Excellent... While the characters are perhaps the most vivid feature, setting nearly edges them out. Best of all is Bennis sharp, sassy voice.

Booknews

Fowler writes beautifully about the picturesque Central Coast, ranching, and local cuisine.

Booklist

GOOSE IN THE POND

Nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Novel

Engaging.

Booklist

Brilliantly crafted romantic suspense... waiting to be devoured by the reader.

The Mystery Zone

A fast, fun read that jumps into the action right from the get-go.

The San Luis Obispo (CA) Telegram-Tribune

KANSAS TROUBLES

Nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Novel

Mayhem, murder, chaos, and romance... Well-paced mystery... Fun reading.

The Kansas Daily Reporter

Fowlers story about a sassy ex-cowgirl and quilter who loves to solve crimes... is a lot of fun to read. Fowler has a deft touch.

The Wichita Eagle

IRISH CHAIN

A terrific whodunit! The dialogue is intelligent and witty, the characters intensely human, and the tantalizing puzzle keeps the pages turning.

Jean Hager, author of The Redbirds Cry and Blooming Murder

A blue-ribbon cozy... This well-textured sequel to Fools Puzzle ... intricately blends social history and modern mystery.

Publishers Weekly

FOOLS PUZZLE

Nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Mystery

Characters come to full three-dimensional life, and her plot is satisfyingly complex.

The Jackson (MS) Clarion-Ledger

Breezy, humorous dialogue of the first order.

Chicago Sun-Times

I loved Fools Puzzle .... [Earlene Fowler] made me laugh out loud on one page and brought tears to my eyes the next.... I cant wait to read more.

Edgar Award-winning author Margaret Maron

Berkley Prime Crime Books by Earlene Fowler

THE SADDLEMAKERS WIFE

The Benni Harper Mysteries

FOOLS PUZZLE
IRISH CHAIN
KANSAS TROUBLES
GOOSE IN THE POND
DOVE IN THE WINDOW
MARINERS COMPASS
SEVEN SISTERS
ARKANSAS TRAVELER
STEPS TO THE ALTAR
SUNSHINE AND SHADOW
BROKEN DISHES
DELECTABLE MOUNTAINS
TUMBLING BLOCKS

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

GOOSE IN THE POND

A Berkley Prime Crime Book / published by arrangement with the author

Copyright 1997 by Earlene Fowler. The Edgar name is a registered service mark of the Mystery Writers of America, Inc.

All rights reserved.

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eISBN : 978-1-101-50122-1

BERKLEY PRIME CRIME
Berkley Prime Crime Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
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For Allen
your love sustains me

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Always my thanks to:

The Father, Son, and Holy SpiritIsaiah 53:5; Deborah Schneideran agent with grace and class; Judith Palaiseditor extraordinairecan I call you Wonder Woman, can I?; Christine Hillbookseller and my first friend in San Luis Obispofor feeding me, housing me, comforting me, and making me laughand to her family, Jim, Kate, and Adam Hill, for welcoming me into their lives; Joy Fitzhughrancher, good friend, and rebel general in the War of the Westfor sharing with me her life, her home, and her delicious homemade jerky; Abbott and Lorna Fitzhughfor their kindness and wonderful stories; Karen Graydear friend, expert quilter, and the best dang deputy district attorney in San Luis Obispo (or anywhere)for opening her home and her heartand to David Gray, her husband, who always kept smiling when dead bodies were discussed (in detail) over dinner; Jim Gardiner, Chief of Police, San Luis Obispofor good-naturedly answering my sometimes convoluted questions, and to Elaine Gardinerfor her hospitality and friendship, and giving me the real scoop on being a chiefs wife; the fine folks at the San Luis Obispo Police Department, District Attorneys Office, and County Sheriffs Department; for moral support and patient endurance of my whiningGinger Matthews, Jo-Ann Mapson, and Doris Land; Debra Jackson, my sisterfor generously creating quilt squares on demand; my TLC groupfor their prayers and friendshipStu Anthony, John Catlett, Kay & Marvin Foster, Marguerite & Lorin Zechiel, Steve Zinner; my husband, Allencause I wouldnt have nothin if I didnt have you.