This is my first (and probably only) Sneaky Pie (Rita’s cat) murder mystery. It's cute, but…

The Virginia town of Crozet is in the middle of a nasty winter, which is warmed somewhat by public love for basketball. One of those basketball fans is H.H. Donaldson, the town builder and philanderer. But things take a nasty turn when H.H. drops dead of a heart attack in the parking lot. And then a deep puncture wound is found on his neck -- but no one can figure out how H.H. wouldn't have noticed a needle jabbing into his throat, or where the needle went.

Since H.H. was about to dump his long-suffering wife, she seems like the most likely suspect. But postmistress Mary "Harry" Haristeen (and her loyal pets Mrs. Murphy, Pewter and Tucker) suspect foul play. Was it really the wife? Or his mysterious girlfriend -- or a spurned ex-lover? When a second victim is found horribly killed, Harry and her fuzzy detectives set out to unravel the mystery...

Rita Mae Brown's mysteries aren't too taxing, especially with the love-it-or-hate-it gimmick of talking animals. They don't talk out loud, but they have long arguments and debates. The animals are a bit too cutesy at times, especially when Brown uses them to point out human absurdities, but newly-adopted puppy Brinkley is an adorable addition.

The biggest problem with "Tail" is that it feels unfinished (I know this is the middle of a series). While the mystery is dealt with nicely, the ending is too abrupt. And the whole matter of Harry and her ex-husband Fair's maybe-they-will-maybe-they-won't relationship is just left dangling. But Brown has a pleasant if undetailed way of writing. Except for a few dud lines ("Stop. Or I'll give you the third eye of prophecy!"), the dialogue tends to be funny and even cute. And Brown keeps it light with some funny scenarios, like the animals raiding a store of communion wafers.

Harry seems no closer to deciding whether to get back together with her loving ex-husband Fair. She does grow up a little, accepting that the woman who broke up her marriage isn't pure evil (even if she is called "Boom Boom"). Fair is likable as the repentent ex who desperately wants to get back with Harry. But the other human characters are a bit two-dimensional, with a few exceptions like the friendly minister Herb.

Amusing if vaguely unsatisfying, "Tail of the Tip-Off" is a pleasant mystery with a cutesy gimmick and a likable heroine. Fun for a light beach read.