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Mrs. Murphy #7
Cat on the Scent
Rita Mae Brown and her feline collaborator, Sneaky Pie Brown, have won a loyal readership with their six novels featuring that fearless investigator of mischief and mayhem, the tiger cat Mrs.Murphy. Now, in their most entertaining mystery yet, murder comes close to home. As the men and women of Crozet, Virginia, prepare for a local Civil War reenactment, popular Tommy Van Allen is reported missing. No one's seen his single-engine plane, either — no one but Mrs. Murphy, who spotted it during a foggy evening's mousing in Tally Urquhart's abandoned barn. Even if fat cat Pewter insists that "nothing ever happens in May, " Mrs. Murphy is certain that something sinister did occur that night on the Urquharts' deserted airstrip.But how can Mrs. Murphy prove it when everyone in town is preoccupied with the debate over the region's new reservoir — and the money and power that are at stake. Even Mrs.M's favorite human, postmistress Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen, bored by politics, can sense the dangerous anger brewing in some of Crozet's most prominent citizens.
Local tensions are set aside for the day when the gang — including Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker the corgi — assembles for the reenactment of the battle of Oak Ridge. But when the smoke finally clears, someone is lying on the ground with three very real bullets in his back. While the clever tiger cat and her friends sift through clues that just don't fit together, more than a few locals fear that the ensuing scandal will force well-hidden secrets into the harsh light of day.
In the end, Mrs. Murphy's relentless tracking has consequences even she cannot imagine. When her efforts place loved ones in danger,it takes more than a canny kitty and her team of animal sleuths to set things right again.
Local tensions are set aside for the day when the gang — including Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker the corgi — assembles for the reenactment of the battle of Oak Ridge. But when the smoke finally clears, someone is lying on the ground with three very real bullets in his back. While the clever tiger cat and her friends sift through clues that just don't fit together, more than a few locals fear that the ensuing scandal will force well-hidden secrets into the harsh light of day.
In the end, Mrs. Murphy's relentless tracking has consequences even she cannot imagine. When her efforts place loved ones in danger,it takes more than a canny kitty and her team of animal sleuths to set things right again.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1999
252 people are currently reading
1179 people want to read
About the author
Rita Mae Brown
173 books2,232 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
August 31, 2019
This volume in the Mrs. Murphy series is about a reenactment event, somebody getting shot, somebody being drugged and killed and several murderous attacks.
Unfortunately I found this book quite boring and very much discriminating.
I read a whole bunch of the Mrs. Murphy series in the past and I used to like the books much more than this volume. So either my taste has changed considerably or this one is not up to the other volumes qualitywise.
Unfortunately I found this book quite boring and very much discriminating.
I read a whole bunch of the Mrs. Murphy series in the past and I used to like the books much more than this volume. So either my taste has changed considerably or this one is not up to the other volumes qualitywise.
February 27, 2018
Another great story with the gang of three: Mrs. Murphy, Tucker and Pewter. In the seventh book in the series, the identity of the murderer does not interest me as much as the 3 animals interactions with each other. They never fail to amuse me. I have 3 cats and I could tell you which of my cats most mirrors in personality the 2 cats and a dog that help their human and the citizen of their town. I have # 8 sitting on my coffee table and still feel the enthusiasm and momentum of making my way through the entire series!
June 17, 2020
This one was different. The animals seemed meaner for the first half of the book, as well as some of the characters. It was a bit of a darker cozy mystery, rather than the usual light ones I've read. The ending was a big change from the norm as well, and hopefully more will be done in later books, but the reality is, some things happen like this in real life. There was also a totally over the top incident close to the end of the book that was cute, but so very impossibly unrealistic.
October 8, 2025
The town of Crozet is gearing up for their Civil War re-enactment, but when one of their townspeople, Tommy Van Allen goes missing, the town starts to stir. It only gets worse when another member of the community is literally shot at the re-enactment. Mrs. Murphy with her band of furry friends are on the case, ready to sniff out trouble ahead of their human friends. This novel was a lot of fun; it was a lot more engaging then the previous novel, so it brought the reader back in and reminded them why they love this series. The use of the animals was definitely a step above, too. They were utilized a lot more and they weren’t just added in for the sake of it, but to actually give the story good plot progression. They had a purpose and they thickened the plot. Some of their plots were a little out there, but the reader really enjoyed that because it was hilarious and brought some lightness to a murder mystery. As for the overall plot, this novel had a bit of a different feel in terms of pacing and even the characters. It was good that Brown shook things up a bit because after seven novels you don’t want your audience to get tired and start predicting the formula. This one was unpredictable in where it was going to go and it was a fun ride to be on. The way this ended left the reader wondering if we’ll see some of these new characters again for more scandals. The new characters were so interesting and really brought some life to this small town. They were very mysterious and we just want to know more about them. We also got to dig deeper into the history of the town and we saw some family tree history for some of our staple characters. That was riveting to read because it gave us more perspective on the characters we already know. Blair seems to have done a complete 180 because his character went from being the cute model next door into a guy caught up in crime and scandals; that seemed to come out of left field, but it also wasn’t bad, it was just very unexpected. The reader is really wondering what Brown might be brewing in the upcoming novels. In the end though, this was a fast-paced and adventurous continuation to a fun series.
September 6, 2017
See, always trust Grandma. I should know this by now.
I am very close to my paternal Grandmother, she's always been my rock and my sunshine -she's laughed and cried with me through my whole life. We exchange books regularly. I will admit that she sends more my way than I send her - often times when I find something I want to share, she's already read it. That happens when you're 84 and a lifelong reader. When I visit there's always a tote bag by the door with books that she's selected for me to try. One such bag had two Sneaky Pie Brown paperbacks - perfectly worn in with the spine creased just right for supple handling. Honestly, I don't think there are many things that illustrate my relationship with my Grandma more perfectly than an old, comfortable paperback. Anyway, once I inspected the blurb on these I immediately thought that a cozy mystery from the point of view of a cat sounded a bit too cheesy. I have since left them to the stacks.
When Halloween bingo was announced and the art for the Cozy Mystery square was a graceful feline, I felt it was my sign to rescue Sneaky Pie from the crushing weight of the mountain.
My experience was pretty uncomplicated - it's no feat of great literature but it was a deliciously easy read for a relaxing Labor Day.
Cat on the Scent is the seventh book in the series and I don't think a whole lot was lost by not reading them in order. The story is told in third person so you never really had to wade through long bits of cat inner-monologueing, thank goodness (we know cats could probably out-monologue Shakespeare). It's decidedly not cheesy and has an edge for a Southern set cozy. It's not all sweet tea and honey darlings this and that, it's small town Virginia politics and old Southern bloodlines. I think that's why it works. We're not lost in the cuteness of talking animals, and in many ways, the animals are in a better position to solve the mystery. They are wiser and less emotional and inquisitive. I think my Grandma threw these in the tote because she knew I'd appreciate the questions about human nature and what silly creatures we are sometimes especially from the point of view of a cat. (Maybe I should note here that the animals only talk to each other- there's not supernatural element that allow the humans to talk to the animals, or anything of the like)
I feel like the motivations are a little less typical of a cozy with some honest to goodness darkness to its villains. It worked with the more serious nature of the animals and their pragmatic owner, Harry. I thought I had the who-dun-it solved, only to be half right in the end.
All in all, I'll be reading the additional paperback from the series that I have lying around and perhaps will start from the beginning at some point too.
I am very close to my paternal Grandmother, she's always been my rock and my sunshine -she's laughed and cried with me through my whole life. We exchange books regularly. I will admit that she sends more my way than I send her - often times when I find something I want to share, she's already read it. That happens when you're 84 and a lifelong reader. When I visit there's always a tote bag by the door with books that she's selected for me to try. One such bag had two Sneaky Pie Brown paperbacks - perfectly worn in with the spine creased just right for supple handling. Honestly, I don't think there are many things that illustrate my relationship with my Grandma more perfectly than an old, comfortable paperback. Anyway, once I inspected the blurb on these I immediately thought that a cozy mystery from the point of view of a cat sounded a bit too cheesy. I have since left them to the stacks.
When Halloween bingo was announced and the art for the Cozy Mystery square was a graceful feline, I felt it was my sign to rescue Sneaky Pie from the crushing weight of the mountain.
My experience was pretty uncomplicated - it's no feat of great literature but it was a deliciously easy read for a relaxing Labor Day.
Cat on the Scent is the seventh book in the series and I don't think a whole lot was lost by not reading them in order. The story is told in third person so you never really had to wade through long bits of cat inner-monologueing, thank goodness (we know cats could probably out-monologue Shakespeare). It's decidedly not cheesy and has an edge for a Southern set cozy. It's not all sweet tea and honey darlings this and that, it's small town Virginia politics and old Southern bloodlines. I think that's why it works. We're not lost in the cuteness of talking animals, and in many ways, the animals are in a better position to solve the mystery. They are wiser and less emotional and inquisitive. I think my Grandma threw these in the tote because she knew I'd appreciate the questions about human nature and what silly creatures we are sometimes especially from the point of view of a cat. (Maybe I should note here that the animals only talk to each other- there's not supernatural element that allow the humans to talk to the animals, or anything of the like)
I feel like the motivations are a little less typical of a cozy with some honest to goodness darkness to its villains. It worked with the more serious nature of the animals and their pragmatic owner, Harry. I thought I had the who-dun-it solved, only to be half right in the end.
All in all, I'll be reading the additional paperback from the series that I have lying around and perhaps will start from the beginning at some point too.
August 13, 2014
Cat on the Scent is not my favorite Mrs. Murphy book. I just felt that this book wasn't quite as - focused or interesting as some of the others in the series. I figured out parts of the mystery but it wasn't difficult - what really irritated me is that the villainous parties just got away scot-free. I mean, I realize this happens in real life but if we're talking about reality - what about the animals ability to not only understand but be able to drive a stick shift? I really wanted to see them get what was coming to them - to think that they just get to go on in their perfect little world, after taking other's lives (not to mention destroying their reputations) for such insipid reasons is enough to piss me off.
On the other hand we did get a look into some of Harry's own family history and how it unexpectedly intertwines with Mim's. I wouldn't have minded unravelling that mystery instead of it being a simple side plot. Overall it was okay. There isn't any particular growth with any of the characters in this book (or much in any of the preceding books) but that doesn't bother me too much, the animals usually make up for it - though Blair who rarely makes much of an impression, both impressed me in some ways and fell on my like-meter. But I was left feeling disappointed, I mean the villains are clearly destined for each other - they are both master manipulators with a complete disregard for anyone but themselves, still I'm disappointed they didn't get thrown in jail or at least suffer some horrible fate. 2.5 stars.
On the other hand we did get a look into some of Harry's own family history and how it unexpectedly intertwines with Mim's. I wouldn't have minded unravelling that mystery instead of it being a simple side plot. Overall it was okay. There isn't any particular growth with any of the characters in this book (or much in any of the preceding books) but that doesn't bother me too much, the animals usually make up for it - though Blair who rarely makes much of an impression, both impressed me in some ways and fell on my like-meter. But I was left feeling disappointed, I mean the villains are clearly destined for each other - they are both master manipulators with a complete disregard for anyone but themselves, still I'm disappointed they didn't get thrown in jail or at least suffer some horrible fate. 2.5 stars.
January 30, 2022
A Civil War reenactor really killed, a missing plane and pilot, just another day in Crozer, VA for that all American feline sleuth, Mrs. Murphy and her four-legged friends.
Having 3 felines of my own, who I'm certain talk to me and each other, I really enjoy these mysteries. Very easy reads after a hard day of being retired.
Having 3 felines of my own, who I'm certain talk to me and each other, I really enjoy these mysteries. Very easy reads after a hard day of being retired.
January 28, 2025
Mrs. Murphy, Tucker, Pewter, and the gang are on the prowl yet again to solve the most murderous quaint little town in the south.
Is the story utterly ridiculous? Of course. But so are all of those romance books people read. I'd rather read books where cats (and a Corgi) are the talking heroes than read about eye-rolling romps in sack where everything is just ridiculously unrealistic and yet totally predictable in a book. This is at least fun.
My big issue was that a big plot point was that the town was doing a Civil War reenactment. I'm from the North, and they do those up here sometimes. But this series is set in Virginia...so, hearing the town praise the glories of the Confederates breaks my heart. The author certainly puts in her snippets about the evils of war and of the foolishness of mankind, but it was with done in the voice of a Southern character, so it still gave me that grimace. Apparently, Rita Mae Brown's other series is set in Maryland. The author was raised in Pennsylvania/Florida by a Republican aunt, but she was expelled from college because of her involvement in the Civil Rights movement, so, clearly, we can see what side of the Mason Dixon Line Brown's allegiance lies. As Archie Bunker showed us, sometimes you have to show [even subtle] racism in order to change racism.
Is the story utterly ridiculous? Of course. But so are all of those romance books people read. I'd rather read books where cats (and a Corgi) are the talking heroes than read about eye-rolling romps in sack where everything is just ridiculously unrealistic and yet totally predictable in a book. This is at least fun.
My big issue was that a big plot point was that the town was doing a Civil War reenactment. I'm from the North, and they do those up here sometimes. But this series is set in Virginia...so, hearing the town praise the glories of the Confederates breaks my heart. The author certainly puts in her snippets about the evils of war and of the foolishness of mankind, but it was with done in the voice of a Southern character, so it still gave me that grimace. Apparently, Rita Mae Brown's other series is set in Maryland. The author was raised in Pennsylvania/Florida by a Republican aunt, but she was expelled from college because of her involvement in the Civil Rights movement, so, clearly, we can see what side of the Mason Dixon Line Brown's allegiance lies. As Archie Bunker showed us, sometimes you have to show [even subtle] racism in order to change racism.
April 20, 2023
I really messed up the order of the books I got, I read 8 before 7, but it's not much of a deal. I loved 8, but this one was not it. Pretty boring, not much happened, but I just love the world Brown has created, so I'll give it one more star than I normally would. Still excited to read more from this line! 💜
August 5, 2019
Crozet, Virginia is a small town that is about to get a lot more exciting. The whole town seems to be a buzz about the Civil War reenactment. But, a local man, Tommy Van Allen, has disappeared and no one has seen his plane in a few days. Things get worse when during the reenactment, a man gets shot. Mrs. Murphy along with her friends seem to be the only ones to solve the case.
The best part of this story was the interaction between Mrs. Murphy, Pewter and Tucker. The two cats and a dog worked well together and were entertaining together. They were smart, probably far too smart for their own good. They even figured out how to drink a cat and took it for a little ride. Ridiculous? Yes, definitely. But, a little entertaining? Yeah for sure.
Story wise, I didn't find it as compelling. It seemed a little mixed up. The disappearance of Tommy Van Allen was introduced early in the story, but then was completely forgotten about until around 50% through the book when everything when wrong at the Civil War reenactment. It took far too long for me to feel involved in the plot and even then I still wasn't involved in the plot. I continued to be bored and didn't care who did it.
The ending was frustrating without a satisfying conclusion. It left me even more frustrated that I had slogged through this book. On top of that, there were a lot of Bible verses quoted within here, which isn't always a bad thing, but I didn't sign up for that. Anytime the Bible was quoted I shut down a little bit.
Overall, this wasn't a cozy mystery that has me eager to read more in this series. Despite the interactions between the animals, the chaotic feel of the plot left a lot to be desired.
The best part of this story was the interaction between Mrs. Murphy, Pewter and Tucker. The two cats and a dog worked well together and were entertaining together. They were smart, probably far too smart for their own good. They even figured out how to drink a cat and took it for a little ride. Ridiculous? Yes, definitely. But, a little entertaining? Yeah for sure.
Story wise, I didn't find it as compelling. It seemed a little mixed up. The disappearance of Tommy Van Allen was introduced early in the story, but then was completely forgotten about until around 50% through the book when everything when wrong at the Civil War reenactment. It took far too long for me to feel involved in the plot and even then I still wasn't involved in the plot. I continued to be bored and didn't care who did it.
The ending was frustrating without a satisfying conclusion. It left me even more frustrated that I had slogged through this book. On top of that, there were a lot of Bible verses quoted within here, which isn't always a bad thing, but I didn't sign up for that. Anytime the Bible was quoted I shut down a little bit.
Overall, this wasn't a cozy mystery that has me eager to read more in this series. Despite the interactions between the animals, the chaotic feel of the plot left a lot to be desired.
August 19, 2022
Cat on the Scent is one of my least favorite Mrs. Murphy mysteries. Roller coaster: the beginning is a long slow slog up the hill in preparation for the excitement to start, then comes the crazy fast downhill of murders, shootings, and unearthed dead bodies that ends the ride before you know it. I couldn’t figure out the motive for the murders; it seemed to me that there was plenty of money to go around so no need to kill anyone for more. And this being the eighth book in the series, you’d think they’d run out of people to kill in such a small town as Crozet, or that the residents would notice the high murder rate and want to do something about it.
Other readers complained about the heroic and unlikely way the animals save one of my favorite characters, Blair Bainbridge, but I thought that scene was a hoot. I hope Blair appears in a later book so I can find out what happens to him. However, I greatly disliked the ending and was surprised that Rita Mae Brown would conclude with such an injustice.
Other readers complained about the heroic and unlikely way the animals save one of my favorite characters, Blair Bainbridge, but I thought that scene was a hoot. I hope Blair appears in a later book so I can find out what happens to him. However, I greatly disliked the ending and was surprised that Rita Mae Brown would conclude with such an injustice.
January 5, 2024
Great book
March 7, 2015
With most cozy series, my enjoyment increases with each one. However, in this series, that has not been the case. I found this novel ridiculous and even annoying. Ms. Brown put far too much of her own far right wing political views in for one thing. I might as well have been reading Ayn Rand! Then, too, the antics of the animals went too far into the stuff of fantasy for my tastes. Perhaps the greatest sin of all, however, is that there was no resolution or perhaps it was that the resolution was no resolution. Spoiler alert: The bad guys got away with it. Again, I believe this was a case of Ms. Brown's allowing her political views, and disdain for authority, including local police forces, to bleed into her writing. If I wanted to read a political diatribe, I would choose non-fiction rather than a cozy mystery. My advice: Don't waste your time on this one!
January 23, 2016
Well, the police did not get this one. So they pretty much let two (sort of 3) murders go without a fight. Disappointing. Well, this book didn't have a lot of suspense, and you know Sarah had to be involved and then H. Vane-Tempest to because the rest were dropping like flies. Not an ending I enjoyed. The part with the animals driving the Porche to Harry was my favorite by far! That part was great!
September 2, 2015
This is the book where you start meeting some real crazies who (MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!!) get away with certain crimes. This is a first and while that's real life, it didn't sit well with me. I want justice to prevail! But then again, you don't know whether the crazies will come back in the future to finish what they've started...
May 6, 2010
This was bad. Boy was this bad. This was embarrassingly bad. It was so bad it took me two weeks to read the 200+ pages. That's pretty bad. And I finished it more out of sense of guilt than interest. Plus it helped with insomnia.
I can't begin to express how bad this was.
I can't begin to express how bad this was.
November 19, 2013
I enjoyed this book, but the ending felt a bit unfinished. Also, the author got into much more personal political opinions than was necessary or interesting.
April 4, 2014
This book would have been more enjoyable had the plot been tighter and had the book not been peppered with gratuitous Libertarian claptrap.
August 29, 2015
Not her best. Others are better by Rita Mae. The audio is fun to listen to.
May 13, 2018
Love the animals. The humans were just kind of bland in this one. The mystery didn't thrill me and the ending stunk. Not one of the better Mrs. Murphy mysteries.
October 30, 2024
This book is the Seventh in the series featuring Mrs. Murphy, a Grey tiger short-hair cat who, along with a Welsh corgi dog named Tee Tucker, solves mysteries with the assistance of Mary Minor Haristeen, the young 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.
In this book, a Civil War Reenactment is taking place, to the bemusement of Harry Haristeen, who does not see the point in rich white people dressing up to reenact battles of a war that was lost. Among the rich white people taking part are Tommy Van Allen (who is actually not at the event, as he and his plane are missing, though Mrs. Murphy knows that it is in old Tally Urquhart’s unused barn), Sir H. Vane Tempest, an Englishman who is richer than Midas, his young beautiful wife Sarah Vane, Blair Bainbridge, Harry’s friend and neighbor who is a male model in New York, and Archie Ingram, who is a county commissioner who is not rich, but who has influence when he is not pitching fits. At the reenactment Sir H. is shot in the back but survives, and Sarah is going all over town accusing Archie Ingram of having done the deed. Mrs. Murphy, Tucker, and their friend Pewter (a grey overweight cat) think this all has to do with plans for the new reservoir, as persons unknown seem to be buying up a lot of property in the county. This book ended a bit unsatisfactorily, as while we have dead and injured bodies littering the stage, the actual villain appears to not be brought to justice.
I will now begin reading the next book in the series, and I mildly hope that the dangling ends left at the end of this book eventually get resolved.
In this book, a Civil War Reenactment is taking place, to the bemusement of Harry Haristeen, who does not see the point in rich white people dressing up to reenact battles of a war that was lost. Among the rich white people taking part are Tommy Van Allen (who is actually not at the event, as he and his plane are missing, though Mrs. Murphy knows that it is in old Tally Urquhart’s unused barn), Sir H. Vane Tempest, an Englishman who is richer than Midas, his young beautiful wife Sarah Vane, Blair Bainbridge, Harry’s friend and neighbor who is a male model in New York, and Archie Ingram, who is a county commissioner who is not rich, but who has influence when he is not pitching fits. At the reenactment Sir H. is shot in the back but survives, and Sarah is going all over town accusing Archie Ingram of having done the deed. Mrs. Murphy, Tucker, and their friend Pewter (a grey overweight cat) think this all has to do with plans for the new reservoir, as persons unknown seem to be buying up a lot of property in the county. This book ended a bit unsatisfactorily, as while we have dead and injured bodies littering the stage, the actual villain appears to not be brought to justice.
I will now begin reading the next book in the series, and I mildly hope that the dangling ends left at the end of this book eventually get resolved.
January 25, 2019
Rita Mae Brown and her fantastic feline co-author Sneaky Pie Brown have delivered another wonderful cozy mystery in the Mrs. Murphy series. Cat on the Scent features a Civil War re-enactment that results in the shooting of H. Vane-Tempest, one of Crozet's wealthiest citizens, who amazingly survives. From there, the residents (both two- and four-legged) of the town seek to find out if H.'s wounds were caused intentionally or accidentally. But when another wealthy neighbor named Tommy Van Allen turns up in the industrial freezer of a food distribution plant with a bullet wound in his head, it becomes clear that something more sinister is afoot.
This installment of the Mrs. Murphy series was whimsical, fun, and endearing. Pewter, the chubby gray cat who has moved in with Harry, Tucker, and Mrs. Murphy, wages a war against the blue jays in her backyard. We are introduced to Tally Urquhart, the feisty aunt of Crozet's first lady Mim Sanburne, and Tally brings with her some interesting history and tales of the town's residents of long ago, including Harry's great-grandfather. Along the way, Rita Mae Brown slips philosophical tidbits about life, love, nature, and religion, and the whole story is entertaining and warm. These books are a real treat and I look forward to reading all of them.
This installment of the Mrs. Murphy series was whimsical, fun, and endearing. Pewter, the chubby gray cat who has moved in with Harry, Tucker, and Mrs. Murphy, wages a war against the blue jays in her backyard. We are introduced to Tally Urquhart, the feisty aunt of Crozet's first lady Mim Sanburne, and Tally brings with her some interesting history and tales of the town's residents of long ago, including Harry's great-grandfather. Along the way, Rita Mae Brown slips philosophical tidbits about life, love, nature, and religion, and the whole story is entertaining and warm. These books are a real treat and I look forward to reading all of them.
May 5, 2019
Local politics have gotten exciting in Crozet, VA, when disagreements turn ugly. That's not the only excitement in town, however. Popular ladies' man, Tommy Van Allen, seems to have disappeared, and everyone is gearing up for a Civil War reenactment. Things get more exciting than they need to when one of the reenactors ends up shot for real during the "battle". When Van Allen is found dead, the local police struggle to find clues. Mrs Murphy and Tee Tucker are on the case, sniffing out and digging up clues and trying to point the humans in the right direction.
Fun and lively, as per usual with this series. Buuuuuut...
Spoiler alert
1. It always seems that there ends up being more than one murder in these books. There will be no one left in town, at this rate!
2. This may be the first time ever that I've read a cozy mystery, wherein someone gets away with murder. I finished this book several days ago, and I'm still bitter about it. One person literally got away with murder, while another got away with attempted murder. Everything was conveniently blamed on the final victim, who was no longer able to defend himself against the charges. I am Not Happy with the ending of this book. My only hope is, the pair of them will get their comeuppance in a future book.
These books usually get five stars from me, but I'm knocking one off for that dismal ending.
Fun and lively, as per usual with this series. Buuuuuut...
Spoiler alert
1. It always seems that there ends up being more than one murder in these books. There will be no one left in town, at this rate!
2. This may be the first time ever that I've read a cozy mystery, wherein someone gets away with murder. I finished this book several days ago, and I'm still bitter about it. One person literally got away with murder, while another got away with attempted murder. Everything was conveniently blamed on the final victim, who was no longer able to defend himself against the charges. I am Not Happy with the ending of this book. My only hope is, the pair of them will get their comeuppance in a future book.
These books usually get five stars from me, but I'm knocking one off for that dismal ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2022
Rating: 7/10
Pages: 321
Well, I couldn't resist--I jumped right into the other Mrs. Murphy novel I had that had been loaned to me. I had read one novel that took place a bit later, and this one, #7, certainly shows a more "shit show" Harry. So while I am jumping around, I am enjoying seeing the character arcs.
This mystery was so totally different than the X-mas one I had read, that I enjoyed it. Mrs. Murphy and crew had more influence in this one, so good job Mrs. Brown! All new angles. It was a fun read, and the formula, other than having periphery characters obviously have to be the victims and the culprits, were very different. So if the same formula is not followed every time, I am really a fan. That is hard to do when I see how many are written. I will probably understand if some patterns are repeated, but in this case, totally different people and plots.
And I won't give away the ending, but some very, very good twists and interesting tie ups at the end.
Recommend
Returning to owner
Pages: 321
Well, I couldn't resist--I jumped right into the other Mrs. Murphy novel I had that had been loaned to me. I had read one novel that took place a bit later, and this one, #7, certainly shows a more "shit show" Harry. So while I am jumping around, I am enjoying seeing the character arcs.
This mystery was so totally different than the X-mas one I had read, that I enjoyed it. Mrs. Murphy and crew had more influence in this one, so good job Mrs. Brown! All new angles. It was a fun read, and the formula, other than having periphery characters obviously have to be the victims and the culprits, were very different. So if the same formula is not followed every time, I am really a fan. That is hard to do when I see how many are written. I will probably understand if some patterns are repeated, but in this case, totally different people and plots.
And I won't give away the ending, but some very, very good twists and interesting tie ups at the end.
Recommend
Returning to owner
June 30, 2024
Up until now, I have been willing to accept the premise of the super-smart pets who know exactly what is being said around them, and solve the crimes before the humans do and then struggle, sometimes with less success than others, to tip the humans off to what they know. Because they never did anything that was completely out of character as a cat or dog, even if we, as the reader, know that what they did was done for better-informed reasons than was apparent to the human characters in the story.
In this book, Mrs. Murphy brings a key piece of evidence to Deputy Cooper and drops it at her feet; this pushes the limit by more than a bit, but doesn't QUITE exceed my ability to suspend disbelief. But then, the two cats and the dog combine to DRIVE A CAR in order to get an injured person to help. And are seen doing so (admittedly, only by one person, their human) in the process. This completely shatters my ability to suspend disbelief. It's still an enjoyable story, but it has lost all pretense or realism.
In this book, Mrs. Murphy brings a key piece of evidence to Deputy Cooper and drops it at her feet; this pushes the limit by more than a bit, but doesn't QUITE exceed my ability to suspend disbelief. But then, the two cats and the dog combine to DRIVE A CAR in order to get an injured person to help. And are seen doing so (admittedly, only by one person, their human) in the process. This completely shatters my ability to suspend disbelief. It's still an enjoyable story, but it has lost all pretense or realism.
July 30, 2020
An overly complicated plot, too much religion, and far, far too many Ayn Rand-style rants on government detract from an otherwise lovely time in Crozet VA (home of the cheesemaking nuns, who were sadly not mentioned in this book).
Perhaps my mistake was picking up the seventh book in the series (grabbed because it was cat related, and I do love a good cat-related mystery), rather than starting from the beginning, so I'll give the series another chance to see if another book has more cat and central VA and less religion and rampant libertarianism.
Perhaps my mistake was picking up the seventh book in the series (grabbed because it was cat related, and I do love a good cat-related mystery), rather than starting from the beginning, so I'll give the series another chance to see if another book has more cat and central VA and less religion and rampant libertarianism.
July 20, 2021
I would have given it a 4 if it hadn't been for the ending, this was the most disappointing and unsatisfying cozy mystery I've ever read. At first, it took me awhile to get used to all of the characters in the book, then I had to come to terms with the dialogue of humans versus animals. Harry (the human who owns the brilliants animals) didn't appear to have much to do with actually solving the mystery. The story starts with the landing of a plane on a field in the middle of the night which is observed by the cat, Mrs Murphy. During the course of the story, a man is found dead and another is shot in the back during a Civil War enactment. I didn't love the character of Miranda - a little sanctimonious (maybe she's supposed to be??) and Harry wasn't in there as much as I thought she would be. I eventually settled into the story but then I got close to the end... and, it just left a sour taste in my mouth.
September 20, 2022
Even though this is number seven out of an apparent series or collection it can be taken in as a solo narrative with relative ease.
I thought the ending came very quickly but I did enjoy how the villains seemingly got away with it it was a pretty decent twist but at the same time he relatively unfulfilling one. Essentially a rich woman is sick of her life and what she has made of herself and attempts to kill her husband and loose ends along the way. Her husband lives and attempts to kill her lover, it’s quite the tangled web.
The animals drive a cop Porsche to try and save another man who gets shot, a baby is found buried in the woods that belongs to the religious fanatic of the book, and everything just seems to follow at an even pace.
There’s some religious philosophy within the book that is a tad odd but it works relatively well. The religious fanatic did get on my nerves at times, and the topic of the Civil War reenactment was odd at times but handled with care.
I thought the ending came very quickly but I did enjoy how the villains seemingly got away with it it was a pretty decent twist but at the same time he relatively unfulfilling one. Essentially a rich woman is sick of her life and what she has made of herself and attempts to kill her husband and loose ends along the way. Her husband lives and attempts to kill her lover, it’s quite the tangled web.
The animals drive a cop Porsche to try and save another man who gets shot, a baby is found buried in the woods that belongs to the religious fanatic of the book, and everything just seems to follow at an even pace.
There’s some religious philosophy within the book that is a tad odd but it works relatively well. The religious fanatic did get on my nerves at times, and the topic of the Civil War reenactment was odd at times but handled with care.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2021
When Tommy Van Allen and his private plane disappear, no one takes it seriously. After all, there will be a Civil War reenactment in the town of Crozet and everyone is involved, either in it or planning to watch it, including Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen, the postmistress, and her friends Miranda Hogendobber and Susan Tucker. But when a participant ends up with three real bullets in his back, it’s up to Harry’s pets – Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, her cats, and Tucker, her corgi – to sift through clues that humans miss and unearth some town secrets, as well as the shooter.
I love that the tale is told through the eyes of Harry and also through the eyes of her pets, mostly Mrs. Murphy. Their lively repartee sets the tone for the story.
I love that the tale is told through the eyes of Harry and also through the eyes of her pets, mostly Mrs. Murphy. Their lively repartee sets the tone for the story.
July 18, 2019
Oh dear...so much going on! So many bodies hitting the ground! This is not my favorite Mrs. Murphy book, although I did enjoy it overall. There are sneaky politicians, greedy rich men, trophy wives, possible drug deals, a Civil War reenactment, and Mrs. Murphy and her four-legged crew trying to make sense of it all! For me, this one was a tad too easy to figure out, but once you've established "sneaky politicians" and "greedy rich men" that's to be expected, I guess. The basic story was fun, if a little too widely focused, so it's all good. It certainly would never stop me from reading more of the series. I did enjoy, just not my favorite.
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