Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Book Review: The Saddlemaker's Wife by Earlene Fowler

Title: The Saddlemaker's Wife
Series: Standalone
Author: Earlene Fowler
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Published: 05/01/2007
Publisher: Berkley
Genre(s): Contemporary Mystery

DESCRIPTION

Ruby McGavin has inherited part of a cattle ranch from her late husband, only to discover that his family is very much alive, in contrast to what he told her. Even as she is drawn to handsome saddlemaker Lucas McGavin, she learns more about her late husband's family-and wonders if she ever really knew him.

Piecing together the truth, Ruby uncovers a legacy of pain and denial that has pursued the McGavin family for too long.


MY THOUGHTS

Although I am glad that I have finally sought this book out and read it, I found myself comparing the characters to those of Ms. Fowler's Benni Harper Mysteries (of which I've read all), and found them lacking. Give me those colorful and familiar characters every time. As in all of her other books, The Saddlemaker's Wife, features California history—particularly that related to Western influences, ranching, horses, and the cowboy culture. Although you're not exactly left hanging at the end of the story, I would have preferred the story wrap-up more solidly, and possibly feature an epilogue.