SEVEN SISTERS
by Earlene Fowler
Seven Sisters ($21.95; Apr. 10; 320 pp.; 0-425-17296-1): In six earlier adventures (Mariner’s Compass, 1999, etc.), Benni Harper never learned the knack of disentangling the travails and celebrations of domestic life from homicide. When her police chief husband Gabriel Ortiz’s son Sam announces his engagement to pregnant rookie cop Bliss Gerard, and Bliss’s forgiving family invites Benni out to their lavish ranch to celebrate, series fans will be waiting for gunshots instead of flying fur—even before the news that Gabe’s glamorous ex-wife Lydia is back in town makes Benni’s joy complete. (Author tour)