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Murphy Murphy: And The Case of Serious Crisis
Murphy Murphy comes from a long line of male Murphys. All were named Murphy and all were cops. This Murphy heads the Department of Redundancy Department and his superior officer, Captain David "Dud" Hill has found him a case. The Captain's niece is in a rock 'n roll band called Serious Crisis, and it seems items belonging to members of the band have started to disappear. Were these items stolen? Were they simply lost? As Murphy Murphy works the case, he must chase down the clues all the while dealing with grammatical anomalies that drive him crazy. As Murphy gets closer to the answers he seeks, one more "thing" goes missing; the Captain's niece. Suddenly, in an instant, the stakes in the case of Serious Crisis become a lot more dire.
Part Jasper Fforde, part Michael Connelly; Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis combines humor, mystery, and grammar goofs as the detective pursues clues and suspects from coast to coast. It's an entertaining and educational read for all ages.
Part Jasper Fforde, part Michael Connelly; Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis combines humor, mystery, and grammar goofs as the detective pursues clues and suspects from coast to coast. It's an entertaining and educational read for all ages.
308 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2020
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900 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 14, 2020
If you like wordplay you are going to like this book. I can't imagine how much time the author, Keith Hirshland spends thinking up clever puns and different wordplay gags to use in this novel. Or, maybe it all just comes naturally to him, as it seems to as I read. He has done this in his other novels but not to this extent. Either way, 'Murphy Murphy and the Case of the Serious Crisis' is a zany delight that reminds me of something from Jasper Fforde or Douglas Adams.
The protagonist, Murphy Murphy (named after his father and grandfather and grandfather's father and, oh, you get the picture) is a detective who works with the Department of Redundancy Department, a Monty Python-esqe sector within the police who exclusively detect and destroy redundancies. Murphy Murphy loves his job, that is, when his Captain isn't purposefully torturing him with redundancies in wordplay. But he is lonely and a little unsure of what his future holds.
Meanwhile, across town, the lead singer of a band named Serious Crisis wakes in his hotel room to discover that his very expensive lighter is missing. After several more things go missing over the course of the next few days, the guitarist of the band mentions the disappearances to her mother, who mentions them to her brother who happens to be Murphy Murphy's Captain. Murphy Murphy is immediately put on the case, and things get drastically more serious as the disappearances switch from random items to people. Murphy Murphy must do his job while simultaneously deciding whether or not to court attention from one very beautiful and potentially flirty bartender named Charlie Carlucci.
This is the kind of book that I could re-read multiple times and never tire of. An instant cult classic for lovers of humor and quirky characters and universes, this is a must read!
The protagonist, Murphy Murphy (named after his father and grandfather and grandfather's father and, oh, you get the picture) is a detective who works with the Department of Redundancy Department, a Monty Python-esqe sector within the police who exclusively detect and destroy redundancies. Murphy Murphy loves his job, that is, when his Captain isn't purposefully torturing him with redundancies in wordplay. But he is lonely and a little unsure of what his future holds.
Meanwhile, across town, the lead singer of a band named Serious Crisis wakes in his hotel room to discover that his very expensive lighter is missing. After several more things go missing over the course of the next few days, the guitarist of the band mentions the disappearances to her mother, who mentions them to her brother who happens to be Murphy Murphy's Captain. Murphy Murphy is immediately put on the case, and things get drastically more serious as the disappearances switch from random items to people. Murphy Murphy must do his job while simultaneously deciding whether or not to court attention from one very beautiful and potentially flirty bartender named Charlie Carlucci.
This is the kind of book that I could re-read multiple times and never tire of. An instant cult classic for lovers of humor and quirky characters and universes, this is a must read!
May 27, 2020
Murphy Murphy: And The Case of Serious Crisis by Keith Hirshland is one cool mystery. It entertains readers, like me, from the beginning. This investigation asks a lot of questions. The five w's: who, what, where, and when. As Murphy Murphy, a police detective, digs into the case, things get more mysterious with every page. I loved the humor and intrigue. As an educator, I highly recommend this novel. It's perfect for all ages. The cast of characters brought this story alive. Keith Hirshland's superb writing has once again succeeded. This was fun and easy to read. The plot flew by fast.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
July 21, 2020
Keith Hirshland - Murphy Murphy: And the Case of Serious Crisis – Reviewed 7/7/20 - Read 6/24/20
A family line continues with Murphy Murphy, including being a police officer!
Murphy Murphy’s family has a history that includes the fact that the males are all called Murphy Murphy and there is only one male per generation. As of now though, Murphy Murphy has just passed his 31st birthday and has no plans for marriage in his future. He does love his job, even though his Captain David “Dud” Hill drives him crazy. Knowing that Murphy Murphy is obsessed with grammatical errors and redundancy, he promoted Murphy Murphy into a department of his own, called, now wait for it! Department of Redundancy Department!!! Captain Hill overplays this fact by using redundancy all the time, causing immense aggravation to Murphy Murphy. The story continues….
Now with the message left on his phone while he was in the shower, the captain wants him “standing at attention, in front of my desk, at 8 AM in the morning.” Murphy Murphy cringed after hearing the redundancy, even though he knew it was coming. So, besides the fact that he had worked late tonight for the captain, making sure all the reports for the next day were correct, he now requests him to be back to the office early tomorrow!! Although now it is auspicious that he does have a case just for him. And now the story still continues….
What did I like? It is easy to see why people enjoy books like this, it is whimsical and so humorous…. I laughed till I had tears running down my face but bear in mind this also has a profoundly serious side to it. The case not only includes the disappearance of the articles but also the captain’s niece. Murphy Murphy is a man of great pride in his work and will not give up until he has solved the case.
What will you like? OMG, the humor, exceptional characters, unique storyline, and an explosive ending that you will not see coming. The author does a wonderful job of concealing the ending in the beautifully written work. The descriptions woven throughout keeps your attention playing the words over your head and through your heart. His research on grammatical errors shows on every page. Taking all that a step further and creating this enchanting story that will keep you in stitches till the very end. His work is an exceptional read that will certainly earn a place in your library.
• File Size: 2162 KB
• Print Length: 308 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Publishing Group (May 1, 2020)
• Publication Date: May 1, 2020
• ASIN: B085L29T8B
• Genre: Mysteries
A family line continues with Murphy Murphy, including being a police officer!
Murphy Murphy’s family has a history that includes the fact that the males are all called Murphy Murphy and there is only one male per generation. As of now though, Murphy Murphy has just passed his 31st birthday and has no plans for marriage in his future. He does love his job, even though his Captain David “Dud” Hill drives him crazy. Knowing that Murphy Murphy is obsessed with grammatical errors and redundancy, he promoted Murphy Murphy into a department of his own, called, now wait for it! Department of Redundancy Department!!! Captain Hill overplays this fact by using redundancy all the time, causing immense aggravation to Murphy Murphy. The story continues….
Now with the message left on his phone while he was in the shower, the captain wants him “standing at attention, in front of my desk, at 8 AM in the morning.” Murphy Murphy cringed after hearing the redundancy, even though he knew it was coming. So, besides the fact that he had worked late tonight for the captain, making sure all the reports for the next day were correct, he now requests him to be back to the office early tomorrow!! Although now it is auspicious that he does have a case just for him. And now the story still continues….
What did I like? It is easy to see why people enjoy books like this, it is whimsical and so humorous…. I laughed till I had tears running down my face but bear in mind this also has a profoundly serious side to it. The case not only includes the disappearance of the articles but also the captain’s niece. Murphy Murphy is a man of great pride in his work and will not give up until he has solved the case.
What will you like? OMG, the humor, exceptional characters, unique storyline, and an explosive ending that you will not see coming. The author does a wonderful job of concealing the ending in the beautifully written work. The descriptions woven throughout keeps your attention playing the words over your head and through your heart. His research on grammatical errors shows on every page. Taking all that a step further and creating this enchanting story that will keep you in stitches till the very end. His work is an exceptional read that will certainly earn a place in your library.
• File Size: 2162 KB
• Print Length: 308 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Publishing Group (May 1, 2020)
• Publication Date: May 1, 2020
• ASIN: B085L29T8B
• Genre: Mysteries
June 9, 2020
A really fun romp through a different version of a detective story. I really enjoyed the inventiveness of this story as well as all of the word play. This was definitely not what I expected and I just love when that happens!
The main character, Murphy Murphy is both a cop and the newest member of a long line of men named Murphy in his family. Working in the Department of Redundancy Department, Murphy has an obsessive hatred for redundant phrases. He hates them so much that his boss, Captain David 'Dud' Hill knowingly uses them to torture him whenever they have conversations. However, despite this (or maybe because of it) Murphy enjoys his work and does very well at it. That is, until he gets put on a new case.
See, a band called Serious Crisis has noticed that there seems to be a thief in their midst. Items keep going missing from their tour bus and hotel rooms. One of the members of the band, the new guitarist, just so happens to be Captain Dud's niece and of course, Dud puts Murphy Murphy on the case immediately. But the case ends up being a lot tougher to solve than Murphy initially thinks it will be. With the disappearance of a key suspect and increasing attention from the wrong people, Murphy Murphy has to decide if solving the case is worth risking his life.
This one is definitely worth a read if you enjoy detective stories and a good, indulgent mystery. Plus, it is chalk full of laughs and great puns. I had a great time reading this and I loved Murphy Murphy and his quirky way of looking at the world. He reminded me a lot of other detectives like 'Monk' or 'Poirot.' Just a unique and compelling character with some weirdness mixed in and an all-around fun story.
The main character, Murphy Murphy is both a cop and the newest member of a long line of men named Murphy in his family. Working in the Department of Redundancy Department, Murphy has an obsessive hatred for redundant phrases. He hates them so much that his boss, Captain David 'Dud' Hill knowingly uses them to torture him whenever they have conversations. However, despite this (or maybe because of it) Murphy enjoys his work and does very well at it. That is, until he gets put on a new case.
See, a band called Serious Crisis has noticed that there seems to be a thief in their midst. Items keep going missing from their tour bus and hotel rooms. One of the members of the band, the new guitarist, just so happens to be Captain Dud's niece and of course, Dud puts Murphy Murphy on the case immediately. But the case ends up being a lot tougher to solve than Murphy initially thinks it will be. With the disappearance of a key suspect and increasing attention from the wrong people, Murphy Murphy has to decide if solving the case is worth risking his life.
This one is definitely worth a read if you enjoy detective stories and a good, indulgent mystery. Plus, it is chalk full of laughs and great puns. I had a great time reading this and I loved Murphy Murphy and his quirky way of looking at the world. He reminded me a lot of other detectives like 'Monk' or 'Poirot.' Just a unique and compelling character with some weirdness mixed in and an all-around fun story.
June 21, 2020
‘Murphy Murphy and the Case of the Serious Crisis' was a whirlwind read for me. Which means that I read it very quickly and enjoyed it a lot! Murphy Murphy, the double-named detective is not only the most recent addition to a long line of men named Murphy Murphy, but a long line of cops, and all of them have high expectations for him. See, Murphy works with the 'Department of Redundancy Department,' a sector within the police force that focuses on finding and eliminating redundancies in things like paperwork and....eh, it wasn't very clear. But I imagine there are lots of places to find redundancies in this world. And Murphy definitely hates them. In fact, his icy relationship with his boss, Captain David 'Dud' Hill is predicated upon the latter man's need to needle and tease Murphy with redundancies in their conversations, a detail that leads to a lot of great wordplay and puns within the book.
The case of the Serious Crisis refers to a band of the same name (Serious Crisis, that is) who discover that things have been going missing from their hotels rooms and tour bus. Little things, odd's and ends....until it's suddenly a person that goes missing. The case rapidly heats up as Murphy struggles to tie it together and not lose his own life in the process.
Like I said, I enjoyed this book. Is it for everyone? Probably not. If you are a fan of Jasper Fforde you would probably like this. If puns irritate you, you would probably not. There were definitely some parts that I got a bit lost while reading. But overall, I thought it was a funny and lighthearted romp through a different world from our own and I would love to read more from Keith Hirshland in the future. I give it 4 stars.
The case of the Serious Crisis refers to a band of the same name (Serious Crisis, that is) who discover that things have been going missing from their hotels rooms and tour bus. Little things, odd's and ends....until it's suddenly a person that goes missing. The case rapidly heats up as Murphy struggles to tie it together and not lose his own life in the process.
Like I said, I enjoyed this book. Is it for everyone? Probably not. If you are a fan of Jasper Fforde you would probably like this. If puns irritate you, you would probably not. There were definitely some parts that I got a bit lost while reading. But overall, I thought it was a funny and lighthearted romp through a different world from our own and I would love to read more from Keith Hirshland in the future. I give it 4 stars.
June 9, 2020
This is another great work from renowned author Keith Hirshland. The engaging and compelling read revolves around Murphy Murphy who comes from a long line of male Murphys, all who are cops. This particular Murphy heads the Department of Redundancy where his superior Captain David Hill has found him a case. This case revolves around a rock n roll band whose items have started to disappear. While the cool mystery unfolds Murphy Muprhy begins to prod into the case where we are introduced into the four W's; who, what where and when. While taking a great diversion from the usual 'seriousness' utilized in crime fiction the author employs a powerful plot by utilizing humor and intrigue, thus making the book fun and also easy to read.
Hirsh land’s superb writing skills, his use of great characters and the presence of great twists and turns not only bring the story alive but also make the read enjoyable. Blending the thrill and suspense while also entertaining the reader with some hilarious mystery is something the author has proven to be a master of. For an ardent reader on the prowl for some good old fashioned entertainment, this is just the perfect read. While we look forward to more from this talented author grab this copy today and thank me later.
February 3, 2021
This is a terrific mystery in and of itself, but it is even better if you love wordplay. There is an underlying theme here that adds a lot of humor and laughter to the story: redundancy. Murphy Murphy (yep, real name) hates redundancy, and obviously, beginning with his name, there are issues throughout the book. Murphy’s boss assigns him a case that concerns his boss’s niece and the music band for whom she is a guitarist. Not a super important or exciting case until the niece goes missing as well. You will enjoy the dialogue, the interesting characters, and the mystery of who is stealing the band members’ personal belongings. If you enjoy some humor with your mystery, do not miss this one!
May 11, 2021
Thanks Keith!
Enjoyable read. Believable band characters and private detectives. Interesting twist for a ‘Who Dunnit”! I think Troy Evans (Crate and Barrel) should play our hero in the movie or series. Have to rewrite the lead as an older detective but I can hear Troy delivering the dialogue.
Enjoyable read. Believable band characters and private detectives. Interesting twist for a ‘Who Dunnit”! I think Troy Evans (Crate and Barrel) should play our hero in the movie or series. Have to rewrite the lead as an older detective but I can hear Troy delivering the dialogue.
December 20, 2020
Very enjoyable detective and mystery and just plain fun!
June 6, 2022
REVIEWED FOR BEST THRILLER BOOKS
Keith Hirshland’s novel, Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis, was the novel I did not know I needed to read! This novel was different to what I normally devour, yet it spurred me to keep on unraveling it with its twists and turns, the spot on humor, and the reveal was one I did not see coming! Serious Crisis is a novel I highly recommend if you are looking for a read to keep you on your toes, and to learn a thing or two on redundancies!
The main character, Murphy Murphy, hates redundancies, yet he is the lead detective in the Department of Redundancies Department. His captain approaches him one day with a case of theft of random high priced objects from the members of his niece, Lyndsey’s, rock ‘n roll band. Murphy starts to investigate this random case, when an even more valuable object goes missing...his captain's niece. In a missing persons case, time is of the essence, and Murphy can not afford to overlook anyone. Can Murphy connect the dots in time to find Lyndsey, and the band's missing objects?
Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis was a really good read. It kept me laughing with Murphy’s disdain of redundancies in conversation; however as soon as I thought I had it figured out a new clue would pop up, and I had to keep reading to see where that would lead. Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis is a must read novel, and a gift that keeps on giving long after you put it down.
REVIEWED FOR BEST THRILLER BOOKS
Keith Hirshland’s novel, Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis, was the novel I did not know I needed to read! This novel was different to what I normally devour, yet it spurred me to keep on unraveling it with its twists and turns, the spot on humor, and the reveal was one I did not see coming! Serious Crisis is a novel I highly recommend if you are looking for a read to keep you on your toes, and to learn a thing or two on redundancies!
The main character, Murphy Murphy, hates redundancies, yet he is the lead detective in the Department of Redundancies Department. His captain approaches him one day with a case of theft of random high priced objects from the members of his niece, Lyndsey’s, rock ‘n roll band. Murphy starts to investigate this random case, when an even more valuable object goes missing...his captain's niece. In a missing persons case, time is of the essence, and Murphy can not afford to overlook anyone. Can Murphy connect the dots in time to find Lyndsey, and the band's missing objects?
Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis was a really good read. It kept me laughing with Murphy’s disdain of redundancies in conversation; however as soon as I thought I had it figured out a new clue would pop up, and I had to keep reading to see where that would lead. Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis is a must read novel, and a gift that keeps on giving long after you put it down.
REVIEWED FOR BEST THRILLER BOOKS
August 18, 2022
This book was a fun read. The story was interesting and characters were developed. As a thriller reader I missed the action BUT the grammar aspect of this book with the main character, Murphy Murphy, despising redundancy caused me to reread the last line to analyze the phrase to find the redundancy and figure out how it could have been said better.
The number one, main purpose (see what I did there) to a book is to entertain the reader and this book did that. But it also is making my think about how to speak and write better. When a book can make that impact you have to give it 5 stars.
The number one, main purpose (see what I did there) to a book is to entertain the reader and this book did that. But it also is making my think about how to speak and write better. When a book can make that impact you have to give it 5 stars.
October 1, 2025
"Keith Hirshland has created something really unique here, a detective novel that doesn’t just poke fun at clichés, but builds an entire story around them. The writing is sharp, clever, and layered so that every time you catch a familiar expression, you’re simultaneously rolling your eyes and smiling. What impressed me most was how well-structured the mystery itself was; it would have been easy to let the humor drown out the plot, but instead, Hirshland balances the comedy with a legitimate crime story. Murphy himself is an endearing oddball, half serious detective, half satirical puppet.
It reminded me of writers like Carl Hiaasen or Jasper Fforde, except with its own little twist: a love affair with redundancy, clichés, and wordplay. If you go in expecting something traditional, you might be thrown, but if you like quirky, self-aware novels that break the fourth wall without ever losing their entertainment value, this is a perfect read. Five stars for originality, humor, and the sheer fun factor."
It reminded me of writers like Carl Hiaasen or Jasper Fforde, except with its own little twist: a love affair with redundancy, clichés, and wordplay. If you go in expecting something traditional, you might be thrown, but if you like quirky, self-aware novels that break the fourth wall without ever losing their entertainment value, this is a perfect read. Five stars for originality, humor, and the sheer fun factor."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2025
If a mystery novel combined with sharp humor and clever wordplay sounds appealing, Murphy Murphy and the Case of the Commission on Clichés is a must-read. From the very first page, Keith Hirshland pulls readers into a world that doesn’t just laugh at clichés but dissects them, plays with them, and makes them the centerpiece of an engaging detective story. Murphy Murphy, the quirky detective, isn’t your usual hardened investigator, he’s charmingly awkward, often humorous, and somehow always one step ahead even when surrounded by redundancy and nonsense. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times, especially at the inventive puns and meta-commentary on language. At the same time, the plot kept me hooked, there was a genuine mystery to solve, and the pacing was spot-on. This book successfully balances cleverness with fun, and Murphy Murphy becomes a character readers will remember fondly.
October 1, 2025
"For me, this book wasn’t just witty, it was a reminder of why I love reading. It celebrates language, pokes fun at pop culture, and still gives you a mystery to solve. I found myself underlining passages just because the phrasing was that good. Murphy Murphy is the kind of character you root for because he doesn’t take himself too seriously, even when surrounded by crime and cliches. An absolute gem."
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews