Curiosity just might be the death of Mrs. Murphy--and her human companion, Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen. Small towns are like ...
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reviews
Jan 03, 2011
Harmonybites
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I didn't get far in this one before giving up. This novel fits the subgenre of "cozy mystery" which I'm not very fond of. Basically, the kind of mystery that could fit a network movie of the week or series without anything graphic or too dark, and an amateur sleuth who finds so much murder landing at the doorstop of her small town you'd think the FBI would put her on a list of suspected serial killers.
And, of course, such a work needs a gimmick. Herbs, dogs, recipes, quilts. More...
And, of course, such a work needs a gimmick. Herbs, dogs, recipes, quilts. More...
May 05, 2009
Samantha
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I absolutely love this series of books. I started the series with the first book "Wish You Were Here" in week 39 of my pregnancy. I needed something light and fluffy and fun to read and, most importantly, something that would be easy to pick back up were I to suddenly 'calve.' (Love you Judy!) Wish You Were Here takes place is beautiful, tranquil Crozet, VA (not too terribly far from where I am typing this review) who's tranquility is shattered by a string of murders. The Postmistress
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Apr 08, 2011
Kelly
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This was my first mystery book by Rita Mae Brown; I read Rubyfruit Jungle in college which is a rather different kind of novel indeed. I loved this mystery novel! I'm sure it has a lot to do with my own love of cats, but I adore the sassy, snooty Mrs. Murphy and her silly dog friend Tucker. The heroine of the book, Harry Haristeen, is a wonderfully strong and courageous female character without the toughness and (lonely) independence of female characters like Warshawski, Millhone, or Plum. Don't
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Jul 27, 2011
Alleluialu
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I chose this book because it takes place in Crozet, VA not far from Charlottesville. I love that area and the author, Rita Mae Brown actually lives in the area, so I was intrigued by that. Secondly, my book club decided to read a "cat mystery" for July AND I love my cat. The mystery of the murderer lasted to the very end of the book and it wasn't obvious until...say...3/4 of the way through. I liked that. The murders were kind of gruesome, however they weren't described in detail and y
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Jan 23, 2011
Chelsea
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I decided to read this book based mainly on the fact that the main character owned a welsh corgi. I own a corgi, so of course I had to look into the story. I was a bit disappointed though. The characters did not seem well developed to me, and what is with all of their names being so odd..(boomboom craycroft, anyone?) The "mystery" was not very mysterious. It was an extremely quick read, and i still plan to try and read the next couple books in the series, as i have heard they are a bit
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Jul 23, 2009
Leah
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I will add to this when I finish, but basically I'm reading this because I recently moved to the town where it's set! I had heard of the series before, way before considering moving here. It never grabbed my attention because I hate cats, and the fact that the woman's cat gets co-author credit makes me ill.
OK, now I've finished reading it. Yes, it was a quick read. No, I didn't really like it and probably won't read any others of hers (and her cat, ugh). I found it predictable a More...
OK, now I've finished reading it. Yes, it was a quick read. No, I didn't really like it and probably won't read any others of hers (and her cat, ugh). I found it predictable a More...
Feb 06, 2012
Stewie's Mom
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This was a nice enough book. This wasn't one of those books that stood up and shouted "This is a Great Book", but I did enjoy it. I particularly enjoyed the banter and conversation of Mrs. Murphy and Tucker. I liked that the animals in the story talked. (I suspect that has more to do with the fact that, as a child, I would have loved having a pet who could talk than it has to do with advancement of the storyline). No matter, I found it an enjoyable portion of the story, in any cas
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Oct 12, 2009
Jaime
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I’ve long meant to read Rita Mae Brown’s Mrs. Murphy series, for two reasons — 1. one of the main characters is a cat, and 2. they’re set outside of Charlottesville, VA (not so far from where I live). Despite a few faults, I enjoyed this. Though I like the conversations the animals have amongst themselves, I think I could have done without the philosophical discussions of how humans are not as good as animals because they kill each other for no good reason. I just don’t buy animals as philosop
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Sep 22, 2010
Diane
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A great "animal" series of mysteries. Rita Mae Brown does an excellent job of marrying imaginative sleuthing abilities to the natural behaviors of animals. The humans sleuths are equally well-portrayed. The books are fun without being silly. You'll find yourself smiling at the animal antics. My only complaint is that some of the books have long passages of explanation of background information like the cultivation of grapes. Bear with it; the stories are worth the effort. Kate Forbes d
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Jan 24, 2009
Angela
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This is the second in the series of cat books given to me by my cats for Christmas. I liked this, but couldn't help but compare it to "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards", which was much better in every way.
Not that they deserve comparison - Wish You Were Here is a modern mystery, written in a sassy style, where "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards" is more of a cozy mystery. But they both prominently feature cats, and they are mysteries, so there you go.
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Not that they deserve comparison - Wish You Were Here is a modern mystery, written in a sassy style, where "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards" is more of a cozy mystery. But they both prominently feature cats, and they are mysteries, so there you go.
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Jul 19, 2007
Sarah
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Buellton is another one of those cities on our list of "pit stops." Before I married Ian, I had never been to Buellton except when en route to it's next door neighbor, Solvang. Solvang was on my family's short list of vacation spots when I was a child.
Meanwhile, Ian grew up going to Buellton en route to other places to stop at Pea Soup Anderson's for the Traveler's Special. So when we were making our initial move up to the Bay Area from South Pasadena we ate a lot of soup a More...
Meanwhile, Ian grew up going to Buellton en route to other places to stop at Pea Soup Anderson's for the Traveler's Special. So when we were making our initial move up to the Bay Area from South Pasadena we ate a lot of soup a More...
Apr 16, 2010
Jodi
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Have 'read' three of these lately on my way to work via the MP3 player. The heroine lives in a small Virginia town with her cats and dogs and helps solve the murders that inevitable occur. Not sure how the town will maintain its population by the end of the series.
The books are harmless although surprisingly uneven from book to book. Once in a while the animals pontificating goes on a bit and the endings comes in a rush, but what can I say, sure makes the commute more enjoyable.
The books are harmless although surprisingly uneven from book to book. Once in a while the animals pontificating goes on a bit and the endings comes in a rush, but what can I say, sure makes the commute more enjoyable.
Feb 15, 2010
Tabitha
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Disappointed....I like this series but didn't enjoy the first book as much as others. Comparatively, the author lacked the twists and character development that were present in books 2 and 3. The story does give some character background not present later but the needed background and depth of character is contained without boredom to the reader in the books that follow. As far as the mystery went, I was able to figure out the culprit early in the reading. I recommend this series...but would sug
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Aug 19, 2010
MJ
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Story told by Sneaky Pie Brown and “Harry” Haristeen (a woman) in alternate chapters. Good sense of humor and life in a small town. Harry manages the U.S.P.O. and therefore is often first to hear the news/gossip. She’s also going through a contested divorce where many of the townsfolk think she should just put up with her almost ex-husband. But Harry’s not that sort of girl!
May 08, 2011
Marissa
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First novel in a crime series featuring postmistress Harry, her cat Mrs. Murphy, and her dog Tucker, who help her solve mysteries! It was a good mystery, with the fun twist of the animals being able to communicate with one another to solve the crimes. It is set in the small town of Crozet, the fascinating history of which is revealed in part in this novel.
Jun 12, 2010
Patty
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When I started working on my program about Virginia mysteries, I was fairly sure that I had read this book. But nothing - until the end - helped me remember.
Rita Mae Brown is a talented writer and she has found a niche with these mysteries. Nothing to set the world on fire, but always a good read. Now that they are on CD, I may read more.
Rita Mae Brown is a talented writer and she has found a niche with these mysteries. Nothing to set the world on fire, but always a good read. Now that they are on CD, I may read more.
Dec 04, 2011
This was the first Sneaky Pie mystery I ever read, and it got me hooked on the series. It's always interesting to go back and re-read an author's first book, whether it was their debut or just the first in the series, and see how their style has changed. You can see how the characters and their relationships have changed as well.
Mar 12, 2008
Yi
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I think it's pretty good with a sort of charming theme. At first, I thought it's a bit weird that a cat and a dog would be trying to solve murder cases, (although it's not the first time I've read the animal detective theme) I was a bit incredulous, more so because it claims to be written by Sneaky Pie Brown :P But all in all, it's not so bad, in fact, it's pretty much fast-paced and fun. Personally, I find the parts, where the animals analyze their human companions, boring and typical, and I ab
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Apr 06, 2011
JoDee
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Adorable series. You fall in love with the creatures, both human and non. Like most series it is sweet in the beginning, then wonderful a few books in as you really build relationships with the characters, then later on as the story must change you get less fond of it.
Mar 30, 2010
Catherine
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These are extrememly light, fun reads. I read them at work where I need something that I can toss down & pick up at a moment's notice and not have to back track. They are perfect for this. I've enjoyed them whole bunches! I espeically like the dialog of the animals.
Mar 29, 2011
Paula
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Cute - nothing groundbreaking, but I enjoyed it. I did figure out "who done it" about 2/3 of the way through, but that's OK. The pets conversing with one another was hilarious. Sometimes you just want to read a fun, easy story with good characters & this is a perfect example. I'll remember Rita Mae Brown the next time I read something really heavy & need a break.
Nov 12, 2010
Sandy
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This was a quick read -- rural post-mistress solves murder with assistance of her cat & dog. I was looking for something fluffy and I got it. It was enjoyable while reading but somewhat forgettable -- would make a nice beach read.
May 03, 2010
Joni
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I am a bit surprised that on page 2 both the cat and the dog swear. That set me off already. It was totally unnecessary.
It was a fun read. It was nice to get some of the character build up that I missed when reading the later books.
I'm going to try to read the books I missed.
It was a fun read. It was nice to get some of the character build up that I missed when reading the later books.
I'm going to try to read the books I missed.
Feb 14, 2009
Kevin
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It's not the Cat Who (one of my guilty pleasure reads) but it's pretty good so far. Finished it today and really enjoyed the novel it's a good start to the series and I'll definitely read more Harry, Mrs Murphy and Tucker adventures in the future.
Sep 08, 2009
Mona
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The Mrs.Murphy series is an easy read. But ms. Brown paints a lovely picture of life in virgina. so much so I would like to visit. Plus half the time the point of view is from the cat. Very Interesting!
Nov 25, 2008
Maurean
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This was a fun, whimsical little mystery. I enjoyed it enough to keep reading to the end (I did guess whodunit before the 'slueths' did), but I doubt I'll hunt down others in this series.
Sep 08, 2011
I love this series. One time almost all the barn animals help catch the bad guy and then in another one, the horses get to help, they weren't in the barn to help catch the bad guy.
Jul 28, 2011
Sally
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I love all of the SneakyPie books, and I have even visited Crozet Va. where most Harry and her animals live. Beautiful town but I kept looking on the side of the road for a dead body lol.
Jan 11, 2011
Michelle
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I'd give it a 3.5. The characters were just hard to care about. It did become compelling, but maybe that was just me wanting to know who the killer was. And there was swearing, even by the cat, which I don't like.
Oct 17, 2011
Shawna
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My First Rita Mae Brown book ever! It was really interesting. I will be reading more of her novels. A fun, fast paced, easy read. Great for laying out in the sun and getting lost in another world book.
