CLAWS AND EFFECT
Winter puts tiny Crozet, Virginia, in a deep freeze and everyone seems to be suffering from the winter blahs, including pos... read full description
Winter puts tiny Crozet, Virginia, in a deep freeze and everyone seems to be suffering from the winter blahs, including pos... read full description
reviews
Jul 21, 2010
Oceana2602
rated it: 
Ok, I'm going to do a standard review for the rest of the Mrs. Murphy books I read, because I really can't think of something smart to say about every single one of them. Actually, it's hard to come up with something smart to say about any one of them, because they are not really smart books.
Though, no, that's not true. They aren't trivial as such, they aren't too easy - or, in other words, they don't hurt my brain while I read them. But I think we can all agree that they are also n More...
Though, no, that's not true. They aren't trivial as such, they aren't too easy - or, in other words, they don't hurt my brain while I read them. But I think we can all agree that they are also n More...
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Jun 09, 2009
Samantha
rated it: 
Not my favorite of the Mrs. Murphy Mysteries. These are not exceptionally brainy mysteries. Very often one can figure it out before the end and even more often belief must be suspended to imagine the cats and dog are solving the crime and then leading the humans to the answer. I mean, I believe my cats and dogs are more than they seem, but I am fairly sure they would be unable to drive a car---a standard shift, in particular.
In this installment yet another Crozet resident (it's such More...
In this installment yet another Crozet resident (it's such More...
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Mar 21, 2010
Dolly
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I brought this book along for a relaxing getaway weekend on Lana'i (at the Four Seasons, Manele Bay no less!) It was very nice to read some brain candy on the lanai (porch, actually balcony) of our hotel room, occasionally looking up to watch about a hundred dolphins spin and play in the bay. And to relax by the pool and read while the kiddos splash and play. Such luxury.
So I hate to say the book wasn't absolutely great. Decent brain candy, but nothing more. I get the feeling th More...
So I hate to say the book wasn't absolutely great. Decent brain candy, but nothing more. I get the feeling th More...
Jun 11, 2010
Jess
rated it:
As my first Mrs. Murphy mystery, I have to admit that this was definitely the cute, cozy mystery I was looking for.
I picked this one up at my grandma's library sale because I had been hearing about Rita Mae Brown and wanted to try her out. I wasn't disappointed, even though I can't say that I loved this book. I genuinely enjoyed it though and will probably read the other Mrs. Murphy mysteries.
First of all, I thought they way she involved Harry's pets Mrs. Murphy, Pewter More...
I picked this one up at my grandma's library sale because I had been hearing about Rita Mae Brown and wanted to try her out. I wasn't disappointed, even though I can't say that I loved this book. I genuinely enjoyed it though and will probably read the other Mrs. Murphy mysteries.
First of all, I thought they way she involved Harry's pets Mrs. Murphy, Pewter More...
Dec 02, 2011
Paul
rated it: 
In "Claws & Effect", Rita Mae Brown explores a murder that occurs in Crozet Hospital & our cast of characters are there to help solve the crime. The story is set around Valentine's Day & there really isn't much of a plot outside of 3 murders & foxhunting. The animals which tend to steal the show in most of these books do the best they can within yet another relatively weak plot. The book itself is as easy to read as previous installments in the series although at times Brown seems to e
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Nov 10, 2010
Originally saw this series on the "Best books about cats" list or something. As a crazy cat lady in the making, I found the idea charming. So yesterday, Mr. MayberryAfterMidnight and I were at the Strand (him, inside, me, outside in the chilly air perusing the $1 carts on the street) and I found an only slightly used copy. Being as frugal as I am, I often wouldn't buy something I truly want, even for only $1, but when I saw this takes place in Crozet, VA (very near to my alma mater in
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Jun 09, 2009
Why do I read these? It's a casserole series with a few staples and a dash of spices. The recipe: Southern town in fox & hounds country; "cracker-barrel" P.O.; one Lutheran minister; a few eccentrics; cheerful, fearless protagonist horsewoman with loyal pals and a vet for a friendly ex-husband; domesticated and wild critters including two cats and a Corgie who help solve the mysteries. Enough clues are dropped so the intellect isn't strained and there's a brief bio of characters fo
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Oct 20, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
As usual, it's another cute mystery about Harry and her "talking" animals. I get made fun of for reading this, but they're cute stories, there's a decent mystery (although this one was real easy to figure out), and the animals are always fun. Is it going to win any prizes? No. Will you enjoy reading it? Probably. If you want a fun easy "cozy" mystery, this is a good one.
Nov 22, 2008
Kitty
rated it:
Part of a series, though I haven't been reading them in order.
Just a good murder mystery. Cat solves the mystery. Written so you know what the people are thinking, and what the animals are thinking (though the animals don't actually talk). It's cute to see how the animals "nudge" their human to solve the crime. A good "light" cozy mystery series.
Just a good murder mystery. Cat solves the mystery. Written so you know what the people are thinking, and what the animals are thinking (though the animals don't actually talk). It's cute to see how the animals "nudge" their human to solve the crime. A good "light" cozy mystery series.
Nov 01, 2011
Newport YA Librarians
rated it:
This book was "okay". She was a little repetitive on the character development, mentioning some facts 3 and 4 times. This is a slower paced mystery than most I've read, but that and the filler details gave it a small town feel that I liked. As for the mystery itself, I got a little lost in the details, but she pulled it together in a logical, easy to follow manner and included a few interesting twists and turns. I wouldn't recommend against this book, but there are others I'd recom
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Dec 17, 2009
sherry
rated it:
Rita Mae Brown is another one of those mystery writers who indulge in the use of animals to help solve crime. But my sensibilities became insulted when the main crime was the slashing of a man's throat in the basement of a hospital. It doesn't bother me so much...in fact it's kind of fun...to actually know what the animals are saying one to another, but to try solving such a bloody and horrendous murder suspended my disbelief beyond its capacity. This piled on top of the fact that the murder
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Dec 15, 2009
Sean
rated it:
A big improvement from the last book "Pawing Through the Past", which happened to be both homophobic and transphobic. In the end, this book is really nothing to write home about, not being one of the better Mrs Murphy mystery but still being cozy enough to make you enjoy it.
Jan 05, 2010
Patt
rated it:
This series by Rita mae Brown will be a pleasure to anyone who has lived with a pet and enjoys mysteries that are of the "cozy" variety. The animal characters are fun; the characters engaging and the books an easy and pleasurable read.
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Sep 11, 2010
Virginia
rated it:
It was a really busy month, which means it's time for.....animal themed murder mysteries! I liked this at the time, but entering these reviews in 2010, I do not remember one iota of any of the plot. Good brainless reading.
Feb 21, 2009
Cathy
rated it: 
Mediocre. Premise sounds good but the story is disorganized and hard to follow, but is simplistic at the same time. Two cats and a dog help their owner solve mysteries. This one is about a hospital.
Feb 11, 2009
Nancy
rated it:
Cute, but maybe a bit too cute. I figured out who the murderer was
about a third of the way through the book, when Coop and Rick visit his home, so I wouldn’t call this a great mystery.
about a third of the way through the book, when Coop and Rick visit his home, so I wouldn’t call this a great mystery.
Aug 05, 2011
Cynthia
rated it:
I didn't like this one as well as the other Mrs. Murphy title I've read. Perhaps the more she writes, the better she gets at crafting story.
Jan 29, 2009
Mrs.Y.
rated it: 
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!
May 09, 2010
Alexia
rated it:
Typical, boilerplate "cozy mystery" - one really does not have to think while reading these books. Which can be a good thing. I had been a tad underwhelmed by the previous two books in this series and was pleasantly surprised to find this book to be more enjoyable. While there is a formula to these books, the author mixes things up a bit and in this book no character is safe. Marilyn attempts to stand up to her parents. Harry opens her mind a bit to Fair. The only part I found la
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Apr 16, 2011
Diane
rated it:
This series of light mysteries are a delight! You miss the characters when the story ends.
Jul 06, 2009
May 01, 2009
Joseph
rated it:
Rita Mae Brown's Mrs. Murphy mysteries are getting better as the series ages. I'm reading them in order and this one and the previous one were two of the best so far.
Nov 11, 2007
George
rated it:
Another in the "Harry" Haristeen and her two cats and Welsh corgi mystery series set in rural Crozet, Virginia. The background for this story is the local hospital and a series of murders. As usual, Harry and her pets are in the middle of solving the mystery. Story is filled with the series local characters, local color, and humor making it an enteraining read.
