Spring fever comes to the small town of Crozet, Virginia. As the annual Dogwood Festival approaches, postmistress Mary Minor “Harry” Ha...
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reviews
Feb 08, 2010
Korynn
rated it: 
This book was what I can only describe as "precious." Perhaps it was the fantasy world of Virginia small town life as according to the author/goddess, but more likely it the idea of pets calling their owner "Mom." That made me want to yak profusely. Equally disturbing to me was that discovery that in this book animals talk. All the time. To each other. At the same level of intelligence as middle school girls who announce their cell phone conversations on public buses. I ignor
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Mar 10, 2011
AnEyeSpy
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* "Catch as cat can" is a feline Mrs. Murphy mystery by Rita Mae Brown, requiring a leisurely, gossipy chin-wag frame of mind. The afore-mentioned Mrs. M., a fellow cat, and a corgi converse copiously, while their pretty owner postmistress Harry gets set up on a double date by her vet ex's voluptuous ex-girlfriend Boom-Boom with an exotic South American, for the Virginia small-town spring festival. After extensively detailed events: a woodpecker corpse delivered to the taxidermist, st
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Aug 17, 2010
Marlaina
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Catch as Cat Can by Rita Mae Brown must be a lonely 40 year old women whose only friend is a cat since the co-auther is a cat. This Murder, She Wrote and Doctor Dolittle combo does not try very hard to make a murder mystery. It was very cuties and laid back, more along the lines for somebody who has nothing better to do than pet her 20 kitties. In the Beginning it actually lists all of the character and vast conversations between the 3 pets and other animals. Of course Harry is just your average
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Dec 17, 2009
Oceana2602
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Rita Mae Brown's cat mysteries are my guilty reading pleasure. From what I hear she is quite successful with her thrillers. I've read one and was bored to death. I was just like any other common crime story I've ever read, nothing special, not even a special mystery, and the writing style was trivial. But her cat mysteries are charming. Brown knows how to create characters and how to tell a story. Sure, the more well-read among us will see the tricks she uses to get the reader where she wants th
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Aug 03, 2011
I adore Rita Mae Brown and I absolutely love the settings of all of her novels. However, the subject matter in this easy-to-read murder mystery wasn't extremely interesting this time around.
While I love her books, this one wasn't my favorite. Of course, her characters and style will keep me coming back, ready for more.
While I love her books, this one wasn't my favorite. Of course, her characters and style will keep me coming back, ready for more.
Jan 04, 2009
Susan
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I tried, honestly. After all, anyone who reads Meg Langslow Mysteries should like these but I found it trite at best, and not all that clever with the cat who supposedly writes along with the mistress. As many times as I've heard this author's name, she's not someone I've read and doubt I'll be doing so in the future.
Jan 03, 2011
Susan
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The mystery plot was not that grabbing but enjoyed the setting in Crozet, VA and the usual lineup of characters, including Mrs Murphy, Tee Tucker and Pewter. There is also something very true in how Harry comes to forgive the woman who had an affair with her ex-husband.
Jan 17, 2010
Sean
rated it: 
(3.5 / 5) The only way the bodycount could get higher in Crozet is if Jessica Fletcher moved there. Another comfortable addition to the series, although one can assume Harry's new love interest won't stick around for long.
Oct 22, 2011
Leslie
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The animals act more like animals in this mystery of the series, to my relief. Still entertaining and the humans manage to solve the mystery, with the help of the clever critters.
Mar 01, 2010
Susan
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Mrs Murphy mystery #10. Finished this. What does this say about me? I guess the fact that I haven't read any more of these Mrs. Murphy mysteries says plenty.
Jan 16, 2010
Les
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Not bad....if only the cats didn't talk! I'm halfway through...nothing else to read...LIBRARY tomorrow!
Well I didn't so much mind the cats talking but when the dog and the rat started getting into the conversation I HAD to put the book down. I kept wondering what type of person would enjoy reading this book and who in the world would EVER read any more of this series!
Well I didn't so much mind the cats talking but when the dog and the rat started getting into the conversation I HAD to put the book down. I kept wondering what type of person would enjoy reading this book and who in the world would EVER read any more of this series!
Jan 29, 2009
Mrs.Y.
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These wonderful Mrs. Murphy mystery books are written from the point of view of two cats and a Welsh Corgi dog! I have read them all!
Apr 16, 2011
Diane
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This series of light mysteries are a delight! You miss the characters when the story ends.
Dec 01, 2008
Jen
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The first book in the series-- a mystery she co-wrote with her cat-- was pretty clever and cute in a fluffy-mystery way. I thoroughly enjoyed THAT one. Then they kept coming, and we had a "Murder She Wrote" kind of thing going on-- I mean really: if you have that many murders EVERY year in the small town,committed by people you've known your whole life, wouldn't you give up and move eventually?? As for this one, it's still a fluffy little mystery, and Rita Mae Brown is always an eng
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Jul 06, 2009
Jul 07, 2008
Becky
rated it:
I read 30 pages of this & couldn't stand to read any more because it's not at all realistic. The animals communication (talking) is in italics. The other thing is that the animals go everywhere with their "mom" (aka owner) - they ride in the car & get out at the different places she visits. It's just a little weird, maybe because I'm not imaginative enough.
Mar 24, 2010
Lynn
rated it:
Another rollicking adventure with Mrs. Murphy and gang. Like all the others, this installment was an interesting but still light mystery. How can it not be with Mrs. Murphy and Tee Tucker at the helm? The mystery is not so important in these books as the character interaction. They are always a good visit with friends and I can't wait for more.
Apr 26, 2009
Allison
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Not one of the best ones - the end seemed just like some of the others (dramatic car chase after a party), and I didn't really follow the logic of the murder's solution.
Oct 25, 2007
George
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Another in the "Harry" Haristeen and her two cats and Welsh corgi rural Crozet, Virginia mysteries. The plot involves three murders and trying to decipher what the illegal activity was. Usual cast of local characters, local color, and animal dialogue between the various animal characters who contribute to the solution.
Feb 18, 2008
Cayr
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I really wanted to like this book, but I've just concluded that I don't care for Rita Mae Brown's writing style. The character of Harry was very endearing, as were the pets that help her solve crimes...but there was quite a bit of it that was predictable.
Dec 20, 2011
Jeremy
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I have been enjoying my stress-free, non-professional life, and part of that is reading silly mysteries where cats solve crimes with the bumbling assistance of their humans. I like this series just fine for that purpose.
May 13, 2008
Anne
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Anyone in the mood for mind-candy? If you are, I'd recommend one of the fun reads in Rita Mae Brown's detective series. Her animals (a Corgi and two cats) solve crimes and take care of their humans with humor and style.
Jul 02, 2008
Natalie
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Not my favorite...earlier books of hers are better. Same characters but way too much political narative by the animals. If you have an agenda, be open about it rather than have cats and dogs discuss it.
Aug 11, 2010
Misshkey
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Always fun to learn about the animals and how they communicate and how they get the humans to understand. Always enjoyable.
Sep 30, 2008
a fun read ... so far. but i'm not sure i understand cats well enough to fully appreciate this book.
