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Mrs. Murphy #12
Whisker of Evil
Book by Rita Mae Brown
Audio CD
First published January 1, 2004
130 people are currently reading
1135 people want to read
About the author
Rita Mae Brown
173 books2,231 followersRita Mae Brown is a prolific American writer, most known for her mysteries and other novels (Rubyfruit Jungle). She is also an Emmy-nominated screenwriter.
Brown was born illegitimate in Hanover, Pennsylvania. She was raised by her biological mother's female cousin and the cousin's husband in York, Pennsylvania and later in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Starting in the fall of 1962, Brown attended the University of Florida at Gainesville on a scholarship. In the spring of 1964, the administrators of the racially segregated university expelled her for participating in the civil rights movement. She subsequently enrolled at Broward Community College[3] with the hope of transferring eventually to a more tolerant four-year institution.
Between fall 1964 and 1969, she lived in New York City, sometimes homeless, while attending New York University[6] where she received a degree in Classics and English. Later,[when?] she received another degree in cinematography from the New York School of Visual Arts.[citation needed] Brown received a Ph.D. in literature from Union Institute & University in 1976 and holds a doctorate in political science from the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C.
Starting in 1973, Brown lived in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. In 1977, she bought a farm in Charlottesville, Virginia where she still lives.[9] In 1982, a screenplay Brown wrote while living in Los Angeles, Sleepless Nights, was retitled The Slumber Party Massacre and given a limited release theatrically.
During Brown's spring 1964 semester at the University of Florida at Gainesville, she became active in the American Civil Rights Movement. Later in the 1960s, she participated in the anti-war movement, the feminist movement and the Gay Liberation movement.
Brown took an administrative position with the fledgling National Organization for Women, but resigned in January 1970 over Betty Friedan's anti-gay remarks and NOW's attempts to distance itself from lesbian organizations. She claims she played a leading role in the "Lavender Menace" zap of the Second Congress to Unite Women on May 1, 1970, which protested Friedan's remarks and the exclusion of lesbians from the women's movement.
In the early 1970s, she became a founding member of The Furies Collective, a lesbian feminist newspaper collective in Washington, DC, which held that heterosexuality was the root of all oppression.
Brown told Time magazine in 2008, "I don't believe in straight or gay. I really don't. I think we're all degrees of bisexual. There may be a few people on the extreme if it's a bell curve who really truly are gay or really truly are straight. Because nobody had ever said these things and used their real name, I suddenly became [in the late 1970s] the only lesbian in America."
Brown was born illegitimate in Hanover, Pennsylvania. She was raised by her biological mother's female cousin and the cousin's husband in York, Pennsylvania and later in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Starting in the fall of 1962, Brown attended the University of Florida at Gainesville on a scholarship. In the spring of 1964, the administrators of the racially segregated university expelled her for participating in the civil rights movement. She subsequently enrolled at Broward Community College[3] with the hope of transferring eventually to a more tolerant four-year institution.
Between fall 1964 and 1969, she lived in New York City, sometimes homeless, while attending New York University[6] where she received a degree in Classics and English. Later,[when?] she received another degree in cinematography from the New York School of Visual Arts.[citation needed] Brown received a Ph.D. in literature from Union Institute & University in 1976 and holds a doctorate in political science from the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C.
Starting in 1973, Brown lived in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. In 1977, she bought a farm in Charlottesville, Virginia where she still lives.[9] In 1982, a screenplay Brown wrote while living in Los Angeles, Sleepless Nights, was retitled The Slumber Party Massacre and given a limited release theatrically.
During Brown's spring 1964 semester at the University of Florida at Gainesville, she became active in the American Civil Rights Movement. Later in the 1960s, she participated in the anti-war movement, the feminist movement and the Gay Liberation movement.
Brown took an administrative position with the fledgling National Organization for Women, but resigned in January 1970 over Betty Friedan's anti-gay remarks and NOW's attempts to distance itself from lesbian organizations. She claims she played a leading role in the "Lavender Menace" zap of the Second Congress to Unite Women on May 1, 1970, which protested Friedan's remarks and the exclusion of lesbians from the women's movement.
In the early 1970s, she became a founding member of The Furies Collective, a lesbian feminist newspaper collective in Washington, DC, which held that heterosexuality was the root of all oppression.
Brown told Time magazine in 2008, "I don't believe in straight or gay. I really don't. I think we're all degrees of bisexual. There may be a few people on the extreme if it's a bell curve who really truly are gay or really truly are straight. Because nobody had ever said these things and used their real name, I suddenly became [in the late 1970s] the only lesbian in America."
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January 17, 2016
2 stars for general mystery
3 stars if you like talking animal books
Disclaimer up front: Rita Mae Brown thinks genteel rural Virginia is the pinnacle of lifestyle possibilities and this series is written as outright propaganda to that end. All her characters are good-looking, intelligent, articulate and hard-working, no one lacks for money (even the wage-slaves) and the one or two less-genteel characters are usually tossed in to provide victim-fodder. That's just how this series rolls and that combined with the (strangely human-sounding) talking animals puts this firmly in the Cozy Mystery camp.
If you're allergic to Cozy this series will put you into anaphylactic shock by 3 pages into Chapter Two of any of its books and you'll need to go get an injection, so be forewarned.
Whisker of Death is #12 of the Mrs. Murphy murder series, of which I read about the first six or seven before starting to develop an allergy. I skipped the series for 10 years or so, but picked this up because I like a cozy mystery every once in a while and really enjoy some of Brown's other works ( Southern Discomfort , Six of One , High Hearts , etc.). Unfortunately the Mrs. Murphy series appears to be Brown's potboiler retirement fund.
The mystery itself entails a lot of knowledge of the thoroughbred horse world but the problem is that Brown's delivery is pedantic, either she as narrator or her characters are constantly telling us how the thoroughbred world runs. Granted, this is specialized knowledge so someone has to tell it somehow, but in this book folks who know this stuff in their blood tend to over-explain things to one another which leads to some very awkward, stilted storytelling. (This tends to be a series characteristic which also contributed to my not following it years ago.) Also, everyone likes each other a little too much and while that's part of what makes up a Cozy it gets boring, particularly when Brown can write such terrific zingers.
Still, the native Rita Mae wit does come out in a few places.
3 stars if you like talking animal books
Disclaimer up front: Rita Mae Brown thinks genteel rural Virginia is the pinnacle of lifestyle possibilities and this series is written as outright propaganda to that end. All her characters are good-looking, intelligent, articulate and hard-working, no one lacks for money (even the wage-slaves) and the one or two less-genteel characters are usually tossed in to provide victim-fodder. That's just how this series rolls and that combined with the (strangely human-sounding) talking animals puts this firmly in the Cozy Mystery camp.
If you're allergic to Cozy this series will put you into anaphylactic shock by 3 pages into Chapter Two of any of its books and you'll need to go get an injection, so be forewarned.
Whisker of Death is #12 of the Mrs. Murphy murder series, of which I read about the first six or seven before starting to develop an allergy. I skipped the series for 10 years or so, but picked this up because I like a cozy mystery every once in a while and really enjoy some of Brown's other works ( Southern Discomfort , Six of One , High Hearts , etc.). Unfortunately the Mrs. Murphy series appears to be Brown's potboiler retirement fund.
The mystery itself entails a lot of knowledge of the thoroughbred horse world but the problem is that Brown's delivery is pedantic, either she as narrator or her characters are constantly telling us how the thoroughbred world runs. Granted, this is specialized knowledge so someone has to tell it somehow, but in this book folks who know this stuff in their blood tend to over-explain things to one another which leads to some very awkward, stilted storytelling. (This tends to be a series characteristic which also contributed to my not following it years ago.) Also, everyone likes each other a little too much and while that's part of what makes up a Cozy it gets boring, particularly when Brown can write such terrific zingers.
Still, the native Rita Mae wit does come out in a few places.
"Shootings occurred in Brown's Cove, Boonesville, and Sugar Hollow, places where impulsive action independent of law enforcement was not unknown…"Sadly, it just doesn't come out often enough.
September 11, 2019
Not a review. Comments are for my own recollection and may contain spoilers...
Time: Takes place over June. Harry is still "late 30s". Four years since her divorce. Harry and Fair are in love again, but Harry isn't ready to commit. Lots of tension over the pending new post office, and Harry ends up quitting her job. So does Mrs. Hoggendobber.
Characters: All the usual, Susan Tucker, Big Mim, Little Mim, Boom Boom, Mrs. Hoggendobber, Tally, Rick and Cynthia, Fair, Blair, and new from the last book Tazio.
Animals: Tee Tucker, Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, Brinkley (now owned by Tazio), Simon, lots of horses.
Book Description: This balmy summer in Crozet, Virginia, postmistress Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen has a lot to think about. Things have been pretty cozy between her and her ex-husband, Fair and her beloved old post office is in danger of being replaced with a modern building—and modern rules. Harry’s thoughtful contemplation is shattered the day she stumbles over a dead body near Potlicker Creek. Barry Monteith, the handsome local horse breeder, has been savagely murdered. A true ladies’ man, Barry was known to have left a string of broken hearts behind him. But could a spurned lover be responsible for his untimely demise? The plot only thickens when an autopsy reveals that Barry was infected with rabies weeks before he was killed. As usual, Harry can’t resist doing a little digging—with Mrs. Murphy close by to warn of approaching danger. Harry makes a remarkable discovery in the creek—the class ring of Mary Pat Reines, a local woman who disappeared thirty years earlier along with her prized Thoroughbred stallion. Like Barry, Mary Pat was a successful horse breeder—and now all of Crozet is wondering if the two cases are linked. As the police struggle with the evidence, the pressure gets hotter than a June afternoon—especially when another person is found dead of less-than-natural causes. As usual, Mrs. Murphy and her crew are the first to sniff out the truth.
Time: Takes place over June. Harry is still "late 30s". Four years since her divorce. Harry and Fair are in love again, but Harry isn't ready to commit. Lots of tension over the pending new post office, and Harry ends up quitting her job. So does Mrs. Hoggendobber.
Characters: All the usual, Susan Tucker, Big Mim, Little Mim, Boom Boom, Mrs. Hoggendobber, Tally, Rick and Cynthia, Fair, Blair, and new from the last book Tazio.
Animals: Tee Tucker, Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, Brinkley (now owned by Tazio), Simon, lots of horses.
Book Description: This balmy summer in Crozet, Virginia, postmistress Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen has a lot to think about. Things have been pretty cozy between her and her ex-husband, Fair and her beloved old post office is in danger of being replaced with a modern building—and modern rules. Harry’s thoughtful contemplation is shattered the day she stumbles over a dead body near Potlicker Creek. Barry Monteith, the handsome local horse breeder, has been savagely murdered. A true ladies’ man, Barry was known to have left a string of broken hearts behind him. But could a spurned lover be responsible for his untimely demise? The plot only thickens when an autopsy reveals that Barry was infected with rabies weeks before he was killed. As usual, Harry can’t resist doing a little digging—with Mrs. Murphy close by to warn of approaching danger. Harry makes a remarkable discovery in the creek—the class ring of Mary Pat Reines, a local woman who disappeared thirty years earlier along with her prized Thoroughbred stallion. Like Barry, Mary Pat was a successful horse breeder—and now all of Crozet is wondering if the two cases are linked. As the police struggle with the evidence, the pressure gets hotter than a June afternoon—especially when another person is found dead of less-than-natural causes. As usual, Mrs. Murphy and her crew are the first to sniff out the truth.
August 3, 2019
When a local man is found dead (by Harry Haristeen, no less!) of an apparent animal attack, people become alarmed. When it is discovered that he dies with, if not of, rabies, the alarm deepened, and when a second man dies horribly of rabies, the alarm become panic, with the populace all too willing to take potshots at anything on four legs! But Harry is convinced that there is a human behind the deaths, and no matter the danger, she will discover the culprit with the help of her remarkable pets, Mrs. Murphy (a tabby cat), Pewter (a gray, rather plump cat) and Tee Tucker (a Pembroke Welsh Corgi). They only hope that they can keep Harry safe as the danger rises. And if that weren't enough, Harry's beloved post office is going to be moved into a new building with stricter enforcement of regulations...can Harry bear to work without her pets?
May 9, 2018
My 12rh visit with the gang from Crozet, Virginia was delightful, as always. Unfortunately, I had to put it aside for a while due to health issues, but once I got back on track, it was great visiting with all the animals and their humans. Now on to number 13!!!!!!!
February 2, 2021
Woah, didn't see that one coming. I still really enjoy the animals talking to each other. I'm anxiously waiting to see how Harry and Fair get on, among other things.
June 22, 2013
I sense that Rita Mae Brown was growing bored with the series at this point. Part of that suspicion is the major life changes she throws at the characters. Even though I consider this series total fluff (talking cats, dogs, mice, etc? Total fluff, but just what I need sometimes), at some point even here some character development is a good thing. But in this installment, it's not just that that hints to boredom. It's been increasingly sneaking in as the series goes on, but this book was as of yet far the worst: she is using the books as her personal soapbox to rail against the government. Its as though she's bored with creating conversations, so she just writes tangents instead. Ok. Fine. We got it, Ms. Brown. You don't like taxes and regulation. You really do not need to have every single character bemoan the effect of taxes and regulation on Every. Little. Thing. In Every. Single. Book. It's to the point that "No Government" seems like a character that should be listed in the cast. I almost put the book down, and I've been faithfully reading through the series. For a while it was drugs--everyone was using drugs or scared of drugs. Then it was AIDS (which still sneaks in). Everyone was convinced they were one second away from a raging case of AIDS. Now it's government ruining everything, including horse racing. If those damn taxes weren't so high, the horses would run faster!!! She must have gotten a particularly high tax bill just before starting this book. Enough--if I'm reading a book about talking animals who solve mysteries, I obviously do not want to think that hard or feel like I'm getting lectured. It's beginning to feel like I'm reading Fox News transcripts. And for the love of god.....it's the Civil War, not the War Between the States. Nobody I know under the age of 90 calls it that, and I'm from the south. The plot itself was fine, although the ending wrapped up a little quickly--like she realized she needed to go run an errand but had to finish the book first. If I weren't totally annoyed by her soapboxing it probably would have gotten 3 stars. By all means, authors should be able to write in their observations and opinions, but it needs to be smoothly done instead of assaulting the reader with it. I hate thinking, "Oh boy, here we go again" and rolling my eyes when I'm trying to relax with a book.
January 21, 2008
This is, I believe, the worst book I have ever finished. A full catalog of its crimes would take several pages, but I shall try to restrain myself.
It is written in cliche-ridden, awkward English that is often incorrect; its characters are thinly drawn and tiresome, and its heroine verges on Mary-Sueism, so competent, virtuous, and beautiful is she. After all, if she cared about dressing well, she'd be the prettiest gal in town, and her blond, muscular, broad-chested veterinarian ex-husband wants her back sooooo much! Ah well, so much for restraining myself.
Perhaps most unforgiveable, after the ear-grating language, is the idealized setting in rural Northern Virginia, which comes with a pervasive assumption that people in rural N. VA have discovered the One True Way to live, and are nicer, more civilized, and just generally better than all others. I suppose no one told Rita Mae and her cat that the book would be distributed in many other places.
Anyway, the 'mystery' is not horrible, but I solved it fairly early on, and finished the book largely to see how long it would take Mary Sue to do so. The payoff was worth it, since she discovered so late in the game, and the consequences of her discovery were so appallingly melodramatic and badly thought out that my combined rage and laughter nearly caused me to crash my car when I got to that point in the audiobook.
About the reading: The reader was dreadful too. I guess her accents were nice enough, but her own awkward understanding of grammatical structure compounded the problems of the book, and her lack of proper emotional tone layered with that of the characters. ("I just found a man I know and like dying of a gushing neck wound! Ho-hum! How was YOUR day, strangely-named cardboard cutout character 3A?")
It is written in cliche-ridden, awkward English that is often incorrect; its characters are thinly drawn and tiresome, and its heroine verges on Mary-Sueism, so competent, virtuous, and beautiful is she. After all, if she cared about dressing well, she'd be the prettiest gal in town, and her blond, muscular, broad-chested veterinarian ex-husband wants her back sooooo much! Ah well, so much for restraining myself.
Perhaps most unforgiveable, after the ear-grating language, is the idealized setting in rural Northern Virginia, which comes with a pervasive assumption that people in rural N. VA have discovered the One True Way to live, and are nicer, more civilized, and just generally better than all others. I suppose no one told Rita Mae and her cat that the book would be distributed in many other places.
Anyway, the 'mystery' is not horrible, but I solved it fairly early on, and finished the book largely to see how long it would take Mary Sue to do so. The payoff was worth it, since she discovered so late in the game, and the consequences of her discovery were so appallingly melodramatic and badly thought out that my combined rage and laughter nearly caused me to crash my car when I got to that point in the audiobook.
About the reading: The reader was dreadful too. I guess her accents were nice enough, but her own awkward understanding of grammatical structure compounded the problems of the book, and her lack of proper emotional tone layered with that of the characters. ("I just found a man I know and like dying of a gushing neck wound! Ho-hum! How was YOUR day, strangely-named cardboard cutout character 3A?")
June 21, 2018
As a fan of RMB & SPB mysteries I have to say this writers series is going down hill. There are a few bits and pieces that are intriguing and series changing in whiskers of evil, but over all it is very easy to put this book down. Not sure if something is going on with our writer or if a ghost writer has stepped in, but the style is less mystery and more soapbox than ever before. On a humorous note, it is funny to see Fair go back and forth between 6’4 and 6’5. Also funny to see ages of some stand still and others go from first summer high school job to collage with-in a couple novels. The mystery in this novel is really no mystery which seems to be a merging pattern with RMB.
April 11, 2012
I've always loved this series. Everything I love about cozies is involved - animals (particularly cats), a good mystery, a small town and great characters. I've come to love the people of Crozet from Mrs. Murphy to Pewter to Tucker to their "mom" Harry (the rest of the town isn't bad either).
The only problem I had is that the audio version is a bit more difficult for me to focus on then the printed book. I'm not sure if I'll try the next book as an audio or read it instead. I might give the next audio a try. It was nice company for my trip to work each day.
The only problem I had is that the audio version is a bit more difficult for me to focus on then the printed book. I'm not sure if I'll try the next book as an audio or read it instead. I might give the next audio a try. It was nice company for my trip to work each day.
October 19, 2015
This is one of my favorite series and this installment was also very interesting because it delves into rabies and the effect on both animals and humans. The other theme that was important to the plot was horse breeding. I learned a lot from this fun cozy.
May 30, 2024
A mysterious death in a Virginia farm town has the locals scratching their heads—while frisky feline Mrs. Murphy and her friends, fat-cat Pewter and corgi Tee Tucker, uncover clues as they curl their way around a cold-blooded killer.
This balmy summer in Crozet, Virginia, postmistress Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen has a lot to think about. Things have been pretty cozy between her and her ex-husband, Fair and her beloved old post office is in danger of being replaced with a modern building—and modern rules. Harry’s thoughtful contemplation is shattered the day she stumbles over a dead body near Potlicker Creek. Barry Monteith, the handsome local horse breeder, has been savagely murdered. A true ladies’ man, Barry was known to have left a string of broken hearts behind him. But could a spurned lover be responsible for his untimely demise?
The plot only thickens when an autopsy reveals that Barry was infected with rabies weeks before he was killed. As usual, Harry can’t resist doing a little digging—with Mrs. Murphy close by to warn of approaching danger. Harry makes a remarkable discovery in the creek—the class ring of Mary Pat Reines, a local woman who disappeared thirty years earlier along with her prized Thoroughbred stallion. Like Barry, Mary Pat was a successful horse breeder—and now all of Crozet is wondering if the two cases are linked. As the police struggle with the evidence, the pressure gets hotter than a June afternoon—especially when another person is found dead of less-than-natural causes. As usual, Mrs. Murphy and her crew are the first to sniff out the truth.
But if they don’t find a way to help Harry piece together the puzzle, she could become the killer’s next target—and even Mrs. Murphy’s slinkiest moves won’t be able to save her.
This balmy summer in Crozet, Virginia, postmistress Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen has a lot to think about. Things have been pretty cozy between her and her ex-husband, Fair and her beloved old post office is in danger of being replaced with a modern building—and modern rules. Harry’s thoughtful contemplation is shattered the day she stumbles over a dead body near Potlicker Creek. Barry Monteith, the handsome local horse breeder, has been savagely murdered. A true ladies’ man, Barry was known to have left a string of broken hearts behind him. But could a spurned lover be responsible for his untimely demise?
The plot only thickens when an autopsy reveals that Barry was infected with rabies weeks before he was killed. As usual, Harry can’t resist doing a little digging—with Mrs. Murphy close by to warn of approaching danger. Harry makes a remarkable discovery in the creek—the class ring of Mary Pat Reines, a local woman who disappeared thirty years earlier along with her prized Thoroughbred stallion. Like Barry, Mary Pat was a successful horse breeder—and now all of Crozet is wondering if the two cases are linked. As the police struggle with the evidence, the pressure gets hotter than a June afternoon—especially when another person is found dead of less-than-natural causes. As usual, Mrs. Murphy and her crew are the first to sniff out the truth.
But if they don’t find a way to help Harry piece together the puzzle, she could become the killer’s next target—and even Mrs. Murphy’s slinkiest moves won’t be able to save her.
April 6, 2017
I love mysteries and I especially love mysteries where cats take place in assisting to solve them. This book not only had two cats, but a Corgi as well! All the animals talked, but of course the humans couldn't understand, as we never do. I would love to read more of these as the town is sweet and quaint and I fell in love with the characters.
August 15, 2020
Oh I love Mrs. Murphy, Pewter and Tucker! These two critters get into so much trouble and help solve murders for their human. I just love how the entire town is accepting of all of Harry's pets and let them even come to church!
The small Virginia town has people dying of Rabies but they can't find any animals that have Rabies...What is going on?
The small Virginia town has people dying of Rabies but they can't find any animals that have Rabies...What is going on?
May 2, 2025
Another great Crozet mystery, this one dredging up a crime from many years ago, with repercussions in the present. Lots of information about the high dollar world of horse breeding, and the rabies virus. A wild, fast paced mystery!
August 25, 2017
I did not figure out who committed the crime. Was really surprised. Pretty good book. I like Harry. She is very independent.
April 20, 2019
Really like these cozy mystery series.
February 23, 2017
I read this for the popsugar reading challenge prompt "A book with a cat on the cover" I like doing reading challenges to try out books and genres that I typically don't read. Sometimes I find something different that I really like, sometimes well... this was just not my cup of tea.
My grandmother lived for a while in North Carolina near the Blue Ridge Mountains. One time I was there visiting and I brought her and my aunts to the doctors office for their appointments. I remember sitting in the waiting room and overhearing the other people talking to each other. It was a bit about small town life, which churches they went to and rather candid thoughts on the ways of Baptists vs Methodists.
I remember feeling like I'd landed in another world. Not discriminated against or unwelcome. Just clearly not part of their community and not much of a common background. I had that same sense of detachment as I read this story.
Didn't find the horse breeding and foxhunting at all interesting. The mystery part seemed swallowed up entirely by all the other picnics and shed building and glorifying days gone by. I also could not find a way to enjoy the banter between the animals. Yeah I know, talking animals is fantasy to begin with but c'mon... as if critters are really going to know and care about how much a professional football players earns?
My grandmother lived for a while in North Carolina near the Blue Ridge Mountains. One time I was there visiting and I brought her and my aunts to the doctors office for their appointments. I remember sitting in the waiting room and overhearing the other people talking to each other. It was a bit about small town life, which churches they went to and rather candid thoughts on the ways of Baptists vs Methodists.
I remember feeling like I'd landed in another world. Not discriminated against or unwelcome. Just clearly not part of their community and not much of a common background. I had that same sense of detachment as I read this story.
Didn't find the horse breeding and foxhunting at all interesting. The mystery part seemed swallowed up entirely by all the other picnics and shed building and glorifying days gone by. I also could not find a way to enjoy the banter between the animals. Yeah I know, talking animals is fantasy to begin with but c'mon... as if critters are really going to know and care about how much a professional football players earns?
December 15, 2016
I love all of her Mrs. Murphy mysterys, but this one was really good!
November 24, 2024
This book is the twelfth in the series featuring Mrs. Murphy, a Grey tiger short-hair cat who, along with a Welsh corgi dog named Tee Tucker, and the stout grey cat Pewter, solves mysteries with the assistance of Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen, the Postmistress of the small town of Crozet, Virginia, some ten miles west of Charlottesville. (It should be noted that all animals can talk to each other, and that they all understand humans, but humans, being dense imperfect beings, cannot understand the animals.) And these are fun mysteries to read.
The book begins with a bang with Harry discovering Barry Monteith dying from a jagged wound to his throat down by the creek; Barry, with his business partner Sugar Thierry, had been running a thoroughbred operation at the St. James Farm (and Barry was a heartbreaker among the ladies). When she goes back to the creek later, Harry discovers the class ring of Mary Patricia Reines; she had run the St. James operation with her partner Alicia Palmer, and when Alicia left for Hollywood, Reines disappeared in 1974, along with her prize stud stallion, Ziggy Flame (a chestnut). (Alicia, having had a great career in the movies, is moving back home to Crozet.) The discovery that Barry was infected with rabies scares everyone, and Fair Haristeen and his fellow equine vet Tavener Heyward check all the horses in the county. Meanwhile, Harry has learned that the brand new post office will be built in Crozet, and worries that the rules against animals (except for service animals) will be enforced, so that she cannot bring Mrs. Murphy, Tucker, and Pewter to work with her. And Fair, who has been divorced from Harry for four years, is trying to convince her that they should marry again. But one more death, and a murder, makes the animals worry, as usual, that their person Harry will get herself into positive danger as Harry tries to find the answers to the mysteries around her.
I enjoyed reading this entry in the series. In the front of every book is a List of Characters and after the usual people in Crozet are the people who are particular to this book; usually, one of the new characters is the murderer. Even knowing that, I had picked the wrong suspect, which is fun. And I look forward to the next book in the series.
The book begins with a bang with Harry discovering Barry Monteith dying from a jagged wound to his throat down by the creek; Barry, with his business partner Sugar Thierry, had been running a thoroughbred operation at the St. James Farm (and Barry was a heartbreaker among the ladies). When she goes back to the creek later, Harry discovers the class ring of Mary Patricia Reines; she had run the St. James operation with her partner Alicia Palmer, and when Alicia left for Hollywood, Reines disappeared in 1974, along with her prize stud stallion, Ziggy Flame (a chestnut). (Alicia, having had a great career in the movies, is moving back home to Crozet.) The discovery that Barry was infected with rabies scares everyone, and Fair Haristeen and his fellow equine vet Tavener Heyward check all the horses in the county. Meanwhile, Harry has learned that the brand new post office will be built in Crozet, and worries that the rules against animals (except for service animals) will be enforced, so that she cannot bring Mrs. Murphy, Tucker, and Pewter to work with her. And Fair, who has been divorced from Harry for four years, is trying to convince her that they should marry again. But one more death, and a murder, makes the animals worry, as usual, that their person Harry will get herself into positive danger as Harry tries to find the answers to the mysteries around her.
I enjoyed reading this entry in the series. In the front of every book is a List of Characters and after the usual people in Crozet are the people who are particular to this book; usually, one of the new characters is the murderer. Even knowing that, I had picked the wrong suspect, which is fun. And I look forward to the next book in the series.
August 25, 2020
This is the 12th book in the "Mrs Murphy" mystery series, in which Harry Harristeen's cat, Mrs Murphy, figures prominently.
Harry has a lot on her mind. There's talk of a new Post Office being built in Crozet, which will bring in new people and new rules. Harry is also still dithering over her complicated relationship with her ex-husband, Fair. Things become more complicated when she stumbles across a local horse breeder who is literally dying in front of her. Although it appears that an animal tore out Barry's throat, an autopsy reveals that isn't the case. However, the autopsy also indicates that Barry had been infected with rabies. Harry, of course, can't resist doing some poking around of her own, and while she's searching the area where she found Barry, she uncovers the class ring of Mary Pat Reines, a local woman who, along with her prize stallion, disappeared decades ago. Now the entire town is buzzing. Harry can't help but think that Barry's death is related to Mary Pat's disappearance, but the police don't see a connection. It will be up to Harry, along with help from Fair, Mrs Murphy, Tee Tucker, and Pewter to figure out who's been getting away with murder.
I've delighted in every book in this series. This one was especially enjoyable. I liked all of the horse lore that was covered, the slow (re)build of Harry and Fair's relationship, the interactions of Harry's animals among themselves and with other animal characters, and the smooth flow of the plot. I had many things figured out before Harry did, which is always fun. I appreciate it when an author drops just enough clues to allow the reader to connect the dots along with the characters. The one thing I didn't like is that Harry up and quit her job at the PO because she would no longer be allowed to take her animals to work with her. I was happy for her, but the entire series has sort of revolved around her job at the PO, as it enabled her to be in the midst of all the local gossip. It will be interesting to see where the author takes this.
Excellent book, five stars
Harry has a lot on her mind. There's talk of a new Post Office being built in Crozet, which will bring in new people and new rules. Harry is also still dithering over her complicated relationship with her ex-husband, Fair. Things become more complicated when she stumbles across a local horse breeder who is literally dying in front of her. Although it appears that an animal tore out Barry's throat, an autopsy reveals that isn't the case. However, the autopsy also indicates that Barry had been infected with rabies. Harry, of course, can't resist doing some poking around of her own, and while she's searching the area where she found Barry, she uncovers the class ring of Mary Pat Reines, a local woman who, along with her prize stallion, disappeared decades ago. Now the entire town is buzzing. Harry can't help but think that Barry's death is related to Mary Pat's disappearance, but the police don't see a connection. It will be up to Harry, along with help from Fair, Mrs Murphy, Tee Tucker, and Pewter to figure out who's been getting away with murder.
I've delighted in every book in this series. This one was especially enjoyable. I liked all of the horse lore that was covered, the slow (re)build of Harry and Fair's relationship, the interactions of Harry's animals among themselves and with other animal characters, and the smooth flow of the plot. I had many things figured out before Harry did, which is always fun. I appreciate it when an author drops just enough clues to allow the reader to connect the dots along with the characters. The one thing I didn't like is that Harry up and quit her job at the PO because she would no longer be allowed to take her animals to work with her. I was happy for her, but the entire series has sort of revolved around her job at the PO, as it enabled her to be in the midst of all the local gossip. It will be interesting to see where the author takes this.
Excellent book, five stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
Detectives come in all shapes and sizes—and sometimes species. Such is the case in small-town Crozet, Virginia, home of “Harry” Haristeen: postmistress, farmer, and amateur sleuth. Crozet is smack-dab in the middle of horse country, but they’re not the most interesting animals in this series “co-written” by the human author’s cat. That honor goes to Harry’s pets, Mrs. Murphy, an incredibly intelligent tiger tabby; Pewter, a gray chunk of feline laziness and attitude; and Tee Tucker, a sweet, loyal, and spirited Corgi pup.
I’ve read several novels in this series but none lately. This one went the usual way: a murder happens, Harry sticks her nose into the investigation, and the animals, who have sources humans don’t, solve the mystery and do their best to steer Harry in the right direction.
The animals discover Barry Monteith barely alive with his throat ripped out, but it’s Harry’s arms he dies in. His wound is odd. It looks like an animal bite, but the absence of saliva rules that out. Before his death can be solved, his partner in a new horse venture turns up dead. Later it’s determined Barry was infected with rabies—very strange since he hadn’t been bitten. A ring belonging to a local horse breeder who disappeared decades earlier shows up close to the crime scene. The woman’s prized Thoroughbred stallion disappeared with her. Could the cases be related?
Both old and new characters kept me on my toes. The murderer isn’t revealed until the final few pages—at a party of sorts—and it was a big surprise. What set this book apart is how much I learned about rabies! It can take up to three months for symptoms to appear, but if the disease isn’t treated within the first week, it’s 100% fatal. Yikes! I also learned there’s a very pricey preventative rabies vaccine for humans.
If any murder mystery can be described as light-hearted, this book/series is a serious contender. The animals play a key role, and their interactions with each other are a hoot. I enjoyed the book but didn’t love it.
I’ve read several novels in this series but none lately. This one went the usual way: a murder happens, Harry sticks her nose into the investigation, and the animals, who have sources humans don’t, solve the mystery and do their best to steer Harry in the right direction.
The animals discover Barry Monteith barely alive with his throat ripped out, but it’s Harry’s arms he dies in. His wound is odd. It looks like an animal bite, but the absence of saliva rules that out. Before his death can be solved, his partner in a new horse venture turns up dead. Later it’s determined Barry was infected with rabies—very strange since he hadn’t been bitten. A ring belonging to a local horse breeder who disappeared decades earlier shows up close to the crime scene. The woman’s prized Thoroughbred stallion disappeared with her. Could the cases be related?
Both old and new characters kept me on my toes. The murderer isn’t revealed until the final few pages—at a party of sorts—and it was a big surprise. What set this book apart is how much I learned about rabies! It can take up to three months for symptoms to appear, but if the disease isn’t treated within the first week, it’s 100% fatal. Yikes! I also learned there’s a very pricey preventative rabies vaccine for humans.
If any murder mystery can be described as light-hearted, this book/series is a serious contender. The animals play a key role, and their interactions with each other are a hoot. I enjoyed the book but didn’t love it.
April 14, 2019
My favorite Mrs. Murphy books are the ones that educate me on topics with which I’m unfamiliar. This one had a lot of fascinating information on thoroughbred horse breeding and horrifying facts about the rabies virus.
The sudden death of Barry Monteith, a local horse breeder, rattles the small town of Crozet, Virginia, when it’s discovered that he was infected with rabies. Shortly after, his associate Sugar Thierry becomes feverish, delirious, and weak, and he is also diagnosed with rabies before succumbing to the awful disease. Is it an epidemic? Or is it some malicious plot related to the discovery of a class ring that belonged to the beautiful and powerful Mary Pat Reines, a horse breeder who disappeared decades ago? Mary Minor Harristeen, her tabby cat Mrs. Murphy, her plump gray kitty Pewter, and her devoted corgi Tee Tucker, are determined to find out the truth.
I really love the books in this series that focus on mysteries dating back decades or even centuries. Rita Mae Brown is a master at weaving Virginia’s history into her books, and it’s s joy to learn about real people and events. Mary Pat, though not present physically, was the most interesting and likable new character in the book, and I found myself really hoping that her disappearance would turn out to be an accident and not outright murder. We also meet Carmen Gamble, the owner of the beauty parlor Shear Delight, Tavener Heyward, an equine veterinarian, and Alicia Palmer, one of the most talented Hollywood actresses of her generation. Their dynamics with the static characters of the series are interesting and keep the reader questioning what really happened to Mary Pat Reines.
Another marvelous title in an endearing series!
The sudden death of Barry Monteith, a local horse breeder, rattles the small town of Crozet, Virginia, when it’s discovered that he was infected with rabies. Shortly after, his associate Sugar Thierry becomes feverish, delirious, and weak, and he is also diagnosed with rabies before succumbing to the awful disease. Is it an epidemic? Or is it some malicious plot related to the discovery of a class ring that belonged to the beautiful and powerful Mary Pat Reines, a horse breeder who disappeared decades ago? Mary Minor Harristeen, her tabby cat Mrs. Murphy, her plump gray kitty Pewter, and her devoted corgi Tee Tucker, are determined to find out the truth.
I really love the books in this series that focus on mysteries dating back decades or even centuries. Rita Mae Brown is a master at weaving Virginia’s history into her books, and it’s s joy to learn about real people and events. Mary Pat, though not present physically, was the most interesting and likable new character in the book, and I found myself really hoping that her disappearance would turn out to be an accident and not outright murder. We also meet Carmen Gamble, the owner of the beauty parlor Shear Delight, Tavener Heyward, an equine veterinarian, and Alicia Palmer, one of the most talented Hollywood actresses of her generation. Their dynamics with the static characters of the series are interesting and keep the reader questioning what really happened to Mary Pat Reines.
Another marvelous title in an endearing series!
November 11, 2019
Es gibt manche Autorinnen von denen ich jedes Buch lese. Rita Mae Brown gehört absolut dazu.
Die Serie die sie zusammen mit ihrer Katze Sneaky Pie Brown schreibt, ist eine Krimireihe die nicht blutrünstig ist, sondern wunderbare Beobachtungen von den Menschen an dem Ort Crozet enthält.
Mrs Murphy ist die Katze von Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen und zusammen mit ihrem Frauchen klärt sie Mordfälle auf. Und das auf eine sehr eigene Katzenart ;)
Rita Mae Brown versteht es die Menschen in ihren ganzen Facetten zu erfassen. Und so wird dieser Ort in jedem Buch wieder lebendig mit allen die dieses Dörfchen bevölkern.
Angefangen vom Tierarzt (dem früheren Ehemann von Harry, der das ex sehr gern rückgängig machen würde) über den Bürgermeister und die ansässigen Pferdezüchter. Big Mim ist die Grande Dame am Ort und verkörpert den Reichtum des Südens.
In diesem Buch dreht sich alles um eine Leiche über die Harry buchstäblich stolpert. Barry, ein ansässiger Pferdezüchter, wird ermordet aufgefunden.
Es ist am Anfang gar nicht so einfach seine Todesursache festzustellen und in diesem ganzen Zusammenhang tun sich auch auf einmal Hinweise auf eine vor vielen Jahren verschwundene Frau auf.
Die Figuren in diesem Buch werden von Rita Mae Brown auf ihre ganz eigene Art wunderbar gezeichnet. Sie stellt den Süden und seine Besonderheiten fast als eigene Person in den Roman mit dazu.
Ich will gar nicht mehr über den Inhalt verraten, wenn du gerne Geschichten liest, die Porträts von liebenswerten Menschen und ihren Eigenheiten enthalten, kombiniert mit einer immer interessanten Geschichte rund um einen Mordfall, dann kannst du bei den Büchern von Rita Mae Brown nichts verkehrt machen.
Ich mag daran ebenfalls sehr, dass sie komplett ohne blutrünstige Szenen auskommt.
Die Serie die sie zusammen mit ihrer Katze Sneaky Pie Brown schreibt, ist eine Krimireihe die nicht blutrünstig ist, sondern wunderbare Beobachtungen von den Menschen an dem Ort Crozet enthält.
Mrs Murphy ist die Katze von Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen und zusammen mit ihrem Frauchen klärt sie Mordfälle auf. Und das auf eine sehr eigene Katzenart ;)
Rita Mae Brown versteht es die Menschen in ihren ganzen Facetten zu erfassen. Und so wird dieser Ort in jedem Buch wieder lebendig mit allen die dieses Dörfchen bevölkern.
Angefangen vom Tierarzt (dem früheren Ehemann von Harry, der das ex sehr gern rückgängig machen würde) über den Bürgermeister und die ansässigen Pferdezüchter. Big Mim ist die Grande Dame am Ort und verkörpert den Reichtum des Südens.
In diesem Buch dreht sich alles um eine Leiche über die Harry buchstäblich stolpert. Barry, ein ansässiger Pferdezüchter, wird ermordet aufgefunden.
Es ist am Anfang gar nicht so einfach seine Todesursache festzustellen und in diesem ganzen Zusammenhang tun sich auch auf einmal Hinweise auf eine vor vielen Jahren verschwundene Frau auf.
Die Figuren in diesem Buch werden von Rita Mae Brown auf ihre ganz eigene Art wunderbar gezeichnet. Sie stellt den Süden und seine Besonderheiten fast als eigene Person in den Roman mit dazu.
Ich will gar nicht mehr über den Inhalt verraten, wenn du gerne Geschichten liest, die Porträts von liebenswerten Menschen und ihren Eigenheiten enthalten, kombiniert mit einer immer interessanten Geschichte rund um einen Mordfall, dann kannst du bei den Büchern von Rita Mae Brown nichts verkehrt machen.
Ich mag daran ebenfalls sehr, dass sie komplett ohne blutrünstige Szenen auskommt.
September 10, 2023
To sum it up, it’s a repeat of other Mrs. Murphy novels. I mean, how many times can a townsperson mysteriously die or disappear decades earlier in a tiny town in West Virginia and it later be connected to a more recent murder? If you’re Brown, the answer is at least three.
I find Brown’s language to be really obnoxious as well. She seems to latch on to a word or phrase and use it to death. For example, “nonagenarian” or “the exception that proves the rule”. The THIRD time she referred to an elderly lady as a “nonagenarian”, I almost puked.
Yeah, so, the mystery itself has promise and the unraveling part is neat, but what is with freaking Harry always waiting until she is alone with the killer with no help in sight, so she can yell, “you’re the murderer!” And guess what the murderer attempts to do? Omg, you guessed it! Kill her.
I want so badly to like these books! And I’ve made it through so many of them, but getting past the issues I mentioned above and all the blah, blah, blah between the mystery’s revelations is seriously like trudging through mud. (By that I mean, it’s hard to get through.) I like the characters, but I don’t like them enough to read page after page of them discussing gaining weight (and how Harry never puts on a pound because of farm chores) in each and every single book.
Another thing—if I LOVED horses, I’d probably like these books more. As it stands, horses are fine and all, but mygod pages and pages and pages of discussions on horses and breeding is just too much for me.
Final verdict? Good books for someone else, glad I gave them a fighting chance, but I’m over it.
I find Brown’s language to be really obnoxious as well. She seems to latch on to a word or phrase and use it to death. For example, “nonagenarian” or “the exception that proves the rule”. The THIRD time she referred to an elderly lady as a “nonagenarian”, I almost puked.
Yeah, so, the mystery itself has promise and the unraveling part is neat, but what is with freaking Harry always waiting until she is alone with the killer with no help in sight, so she can yell, “you’re the murderer!” And guess what the murderer attempts to do? Omg, you guessed it! Kill her.
I want so badly to like these books! And I’ve made it through so many of them, but getting past the issues I mentioned above and all the blah, blah, blah between the mystery’s revelations is seriously like trudging through mud. (By that I mean, it’s hard to get through.) I like the characters, but I don’t like them enough to read page after page of them discussing gaining weight (and how Harry never puts on a pound because of farm chores) in each and every single book.
Another thing—if I LOVED horses, I’d probably like these books more. As it stands, horses are fine and all, but mygod pages and pages and pages of discussions on horses and breeding is just too much for me.
Final verdict? Good books for someone else, glad I gave them a fighting chance, but I’m over it.
June 14, 2021
This Mrs. Murphy mystery starts with Harry finding a local horse breeder dead in a creek. It seems like it might have been an animal attack, and then it turns out he had rabies. Meanwhile, a ring belonging to a local woman who disappeared in the 1970s with her prize stallion. The partner of the horse breeder soon comes down with rabies and dies of it.
Harry and the animals as well as the Sheriff and Deputy think the missing woman and the probably murdered horse breeders must be related. As they figure it out, we learn about horse breeding and rabies. Between the current events and those of the 70s, it's quite complicated and interesting.
There's also some local drama regarding the upcoming replacement of the old Post Office where Harry works, as well as her relationship with her ex, veterinarian Fair. Of course, they solve it all in the end, with the usual insightful and humorous commentary from the cats and dog.
The quote I liked is from the Reverend, "You don't grow up, Harry, until you thank God for your troubles as well as your joys."
Somewhere along the way in the series I also learned what a Baker Blanket (a type of turnout blanket for horses) and Barbour coats (a high end brand of British waxed jackets and outerwear for people). I don't know it it will ever come in handy, but here it is so I don't forget!
Harry and the animals as well as the Sheriff and Deputy think the missing woman and the probably murdered horse breeders must be related. As they figure it out, we learn about horse breeding and rabies. Between the current events and those of the 70s, it's quite complicated and interesting.
There's also some local drama regarding the upcoming replacement of the old Post Office where Harry works, as well as her relationship with her ex, veterinarian Fair. Of course, they solve it all in the end, with the usual insightful and humorous commentary from the cats and dog.
The quote I liked is from the Reverend, "You don't grow up, Harry, until you thank God for your troubles as well as your joys."
Somewhere along the way in the series I also learned what a Baker Blanket (a type of turnout blanket for horses) and Barbour coats (a high end brand of British waxed jackets and outerwear for people). I don't know it it will ever come in handy, but here it is so I don't forget!
March 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It was longer than most of the Mrs. Murphy mysteries, but not at all boring. In this case, the mystery of a missing person from awhile back comes forward into the present and takes on a whole new meaning. Two 'horse-people' are found to have been infected with rabies: one found with his throat cut; the other gets sick and dies from the disease. The whole county is in an uproar, with people fearing every animal they see. Harry, told by an Animal Control officer that she can't have her beloved pets with her at work anymore, quits her job as postmistress. While the sheriff and others are trying to figure out where the rabies came from & solve the murder, Harry finds a ring that once belonged to a woman who disappeared years ago, along with her horse. The twists and turns are a plenty, and when it all comes to a head, Harry is nearly killed. She is saved of course, by her beloved pets Tee Tucker, Pewter and Mrs. Murphy. All the murders are solved, the rabies issue is handled, the horses and their records are all correct, the Reverend Herb has his 30th anniversary party and Harry no longer has a job...but she has Fair, and it looks like big changes are coming for her. Nice, cozy read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2023
There are several reasons I liked Whisker of Evil better than The Tail of the Tip-Off. 1] A body is discovered almost immediately in chapter one, rather than having to read all sorts of backstory about the characters before the first murder occurs. 2] When we finally learn who did it, the motive and method are both clear and understandable. 3] This may be particular to me, but after working in genetic testing for decades, I appreciated how our sleuths used genetics to determine that one horse had been substituted for another, critical to the plot. 4] Last but not least, the two potential romances that haven't been making much progress over recent books finally make big jumps towards conclusion. I'm now looking forward to reading the next book in the Mrs. Murphy mystery series, Cat's Eyewitness
July 2, 2019
Harry, Susan and the animals are helping get Aldie ready for some big days of beagle and basset hound rabbit hunting contests. Storm damage left plenty of clean up to do. Cleaning up leaves a corpse with his throat cut.
St. Luke's is planning a homecoming for parishioners. Money is a consideration and several members are pressing to sell the very valuable string of pearls found on a corpse left on a casket back in 1786. Harry wants more time to try to find out more about this necklace and earring set.
In 1787 Cloverfields and Big Rawly are debating the newly proposed Constitution. Thievery, run away slaves and a crisis in France keep everything moving along.
The two times are related. In the last book the corpse is buried in 1786 to be found in 2018. In this one the special yellow coach is ordered in 1787 and the replica is in use at Aldie's in 2019.
Harry is stubborn and persistent. She will not let murder go unsolved if she can help it. Between that and Ruffy, the ghost beagle, the book moves along. It is a fast, easy read.
St. Luke's is planning a homecoming for parishioners. Money is a consideration and several members are pressing to sell the very valuable string of pearls found on a corpse left on a casket back in 1786. Harry wants more time to try to find out more about this necklace and earring set.
In 1787 Cloverfields and Big Rawly are debating the newly proposed Constitution. Thievery, run away slaves and a crisis in France keep everything moving along.
The two times are related. In the last book the corpse is buried in 1786 to be found in 2018. In this one the special yellow coach is ordered in 1787 and the replica is in use at Aldie's in 2019.
Harry is stubborn and persistent. She will not let murder go unsolved if she can help it. Between that and Ruffy, the ghost beagle, the book moves along. It is a fast, easy read.
October 22, 2017
I haven't read a Mrs. Murphy book in many years Reading this was like visiting old friends. Crozet is still as charming, and the usual cast of characters were all present and accounted for. The plot was solid and kept me guessing (at least part of the way), and I liked the fact the some of the characters are experiencing major life changes. I will note that, although this book can stand alone, the many characters may be confusing to the uninitiated, and I would suggest reading the early books first. And it lost a star because some of the horse racing and rabies background was way too involved. If you're up for a light-hearted read, I would definitely recommend this series. It won't be years before I visit Tucker, Murphy, and Pewter again.
July 22, 2021
Yeah you know what? Don’t ever - Do Not Ever - do not even Think of Ever reading this author’s take on a murder mystery after finishing a Dorothy Sayers. I will be honest and say I chucked this baby at page 101. I’ll suffer through the usual blotch of vintage British racism in a Christie, a Waugh or a Sayers, but, jeebus!, American Southern writers need to do better acknowledging our own shameful history when they go on and on about some beautiful farmland that’s “been in the family for generations.” Some other people’s work went into that view from the verandah, Karen!
In fairness, two cats and a chihuahua (? Or is Tucker a wiener dog?) solving a murder mystery in horse breeding country might have been okay with me if I hadn’t been reading something better first.
In fairness, two cats and a chihuahua (? Or is Tucker a wiener dog?) solving a murder mystery in horse breeding country might have been okay with me if I hadn’t been reading something better first.
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