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Mrs. Murphy #26
A Hiss Before Dying
Rita Mae Brown and her feline co-author Sneaky Pie Brown are back chasing mystery with their unique circle of Southern sleuths. And though the changing colors of fall are a beauty to behold, this year the scattered leaves hide a grim surprise.
Autumn is in the air in the Blue Ridge Mountain community of Crozet, Virginia--and all the traditions of the changing seasons are under way. Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen cleans her cupboards, her husband, Fair, prepares the horses for the shorter days ahead, and the clamorous barking of beagles signals the annual rabbit chase through the central Virginia hills. But the last thing the local beaglers and their hounds expect to flush out is a dead body.
Disturbingly, it's the second corpse to turn up, after that of a missing truck driver too disfigured to identify. The deaths seem unrelated--until Harry picks up a trail of clues dating back to the state's post-Revolutionary past.
The echoes of the Shot Heard Round the World pale in comparison to the dangerous shootout Harry narrowly escapes unscathed. Next time, it may be the killer who gets lucky. But not if Harry's furry friends Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker can help it. Lending their sharp-nosed talents to the hunt, they'll help their mistress keep more lives from being lost--and right an injustice buried since the early days of America's independence.
"As feline collaborators go, you couldn't ask for better than Sneaky Pie Brown."--The New York Times Book Review
Autumn is in the air in the Blue Ridge Mountain community of Crozet, Virginia--and all the traditions of the changing seasons are under way. Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen cleans her cupboards, her husband, Fair, prepares the horses for the shorter days ahead, and the clamorous barking of beagles signals the annual rabbit chase through the central Virginia hills. But the last thing the local beaglers and their hounds expect to flush out is a dead body.
Disturbingly, it's the second corpse to turn up, after that of a missing truck driver too disfigured to identify. The deaths seem unrelated--until Harry picks up a trail of clues dating back to the state's post-Revolutionary past.
The echoes of the Shot Heard Round the World pale in comparison to the dangerous shootout Harry narrowly escapes unscathed. Next time, it may be the killer who gets lucky. But not if Harry's furry friends Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker can help it. Lending their sharp-nosed talents to the hunt, they'll help their mistress keep more lives from being lost--and right an injustice buried since the early days of America's independence.
"As feline collaborators go, you couldn't ask for better than Sneaky Pie Brown."--The New York Times Book Review
359 pages, Hardcover
First published May 30, 2017
451 people are currently reading
1380 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 209 reviews
March 22, 2017
The story in the present time is good, but I am getting really tired of paying money to read about my favorite characters, only to find them in half the book. The other half is history that takes place more than a hundred years ago. I want the books to go back to my favorite characters. The author may be tired of them, but I am not.
July 23, 2021
In this 26th book in the 'Mrs. Murphy' series, farmer/amateur sleuth Harry Haristeen becomes involved in the investigation of two deaths.
As usual, Harry's 'talking pets' - the cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter and the corgi Tucker - add their comments to the story.
The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Harry Haristeen, a lifelong resident of Crozet - in Albemarle County, Virginia - has a lot going on.
She's married to a large animal veterinarian; she takes care of her farm and horses; she's on a committee to preserve Virginia wildlife; she's in charge of buildings and preservation at St. Luke's Church; and she pokes into homicides being investigated by her friend, Deputy Sheriff Cynthia Cooper.
Harry's fur babies, Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker, accompany Harry everywhere, discuss her activities, and sometimes find clues to murders being probed. Unfortunately the animals can't communicate this to people, which frustrates them greatly.
The story opens when Harry's pets observe an eagle flying off with an eyeball hanging from it's beak. Soon afterward Deputy Sheriff Cooper gets a call about an abandoned car-hauler - a truck that transports automobiles around the country. The vehicle is found on the side of the road, with no driver in sight.
When the driver is discovered, he's dead, and one of his eyeball's is missing. It looks like death by misadventure, but murder can't be ruled out.
Soon afterwards, another body is discovered, with two bullet holes in the back. This time it's clearly murder, and the victim is an African-American man wearing a slave tag on a chain. The historic tag, which has the plantation name and a number, would have been carried by a slave out and about doing the master's bidding.
The dead Black man is identified as a private detective, but his business is unknown.....as is his possible connection to the dead truck driver.
While these deaths are being investigated, there's a burglary at a Crozet shop that sells Native American garb adorned with fur/feathers from endangered species.
The use of endangered species is illegal, but Indians get special dispensation for religious reasons. Additionally, someone is setting traps for animals whose body parts are sold as aphrodisiacs and the like.
While Harry and her friends discuss the felonious occurrences in Crozet, Harry speculates that the dead men may be connected with the trade in illegal animal parts. Soon afterwards, someone starts shooting at Harry as she drives around in her truck.
The investigation into the current crimes in Crozet alternates with scenes set in the 1780s, a decade after the Revolutionary War. The newly independent colonies are rivals for trade and commerce, can't get their currency aligned, and have different attitudes about slavery. All this is the subject of discussion among local Virginians, so the reader gets a little lesson in American history.
Historic Albemarle County has two large plantations, one owned by newly widowed (and re-married) Maureen Selise Holloway - a cruel, vain woman who mistreats her slaves;
and one run by Ewing Garth and his married daughters, who are kindly slave owners.
(I'm uncomfortable with the author's somewhat rosy-ish depiction of the slave-owning Garth family - which has nothing but the slaves' best interests at heart. Really?? I suspect the author's loyalty to Virginia influenced the writing.)
In the chapters set in the old days, a young kitchen slave named Mignon, who belongs to brutal Maureen, is unfairly accused of stealing jewelry and runs away.
A bounty is put on Mignon's head, and she lives in fear of being discovered.
This drives much of the historic action, and - in the end - connects the past and present in an ingenious way.
Author Rita Mae Brown
As in her other recent books, Rita Mae Brown injects her personal politics, opinions, and interests into the story by way of discussions among the characters. Thus we read about the need for a profit-making economy; politicians serving their own self-interests; the welfare of wild creatures; correct farming practices; restoration of slave schools; art forgery; church renovation; southern manners; and more.
In truth, this really isn't much of a mystery, but more a book about central Virginia then and now. Still, I'd recommend the book to fans of the Mrs. Murphy series and/or historic novels.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
July 23, 2017
It had been some time since I'd read a book by Rita Mae Brown. When I saw this title, it was like seeing an old friend who I had missed and was happy to spend time with. Since it has been so long, I don't know if the author had changed her methodology in more recent books, but loved that the story wove back and forth between present day and the late 18th century. It was easy to read, but kept me wondering how the two stories would finally come together. Although I tend to think of Rita Mae Brown as a mystery writer, I think we can add historical fiction to her list of genres.
There were references in the book to historical fiction. I had finished shortly before a work by Philippa Gregory! Harry says, "Some people have the knack of making history come to life. Academics are snotty about historical fiction. I think it's a great way to learn." I agree completely! For example, even though I lived in Charlottesville for over 5 years, I had never given much thought to the reason for the name of Barracks Rd. In this book I learned that during the Revolutionary War, British prisoners were held there in the Albemarle Barracks. And I believe that Rita Mae Brown is one of those people who has a "knack of making history come to life."
Her characters from the 18th c. are well developed. I feel like if I met any of them, I would know them instantly. The recurring characters are all old friends. The relationships between characters went perfectly with the personalities.
I am happy that the animals still communicate with each other and the wild animals that appear in the story line. I do wish that the cats weren't such smarty-pants, but I guess that is just the nature of cats.
There were references in the book to historical fiction. I had finished shortly before a work by Philippa Gregory! Harry says, "Some people have the knack of making history come to life. Academics are snotty about historical fiction. I think it's a great way to learn." I agree completely! For example, even though I lived in Charlottesville for over 5 years, I had never given much thought to the reason for the name of Barracks Rd. In this book I learned that during the Revolutionary War, British prisoners were held there in the Albemarle Barracks. And I believe that Rita Mae Brown is one of those people who has a "knack of making history come to life."
Her characters from the 18th c. are well developed. I feel like if I met any of them, I would know them instantly. The recurring characters are all old friends. The relationships between characters went perfectly with the personalities.
I am happy that the animals still communicate with each other and the wild animals that appear in the story line. I do wish that the cats weren't such smarty-pants, but I guess that is just the nature of cats.
June 2, 2017
I have been a fan of the Mrs. Murphy series by Rita Mae Brown (with the assistance of Sneaky Pie Brown) since the very beginning when Mary Minor "Harry'' Harristeen was the postmaster of Crozet, Virginia and took her lovely pets to work with her at the post office. The series now has 26 books! Alas, I have not read all of them.....life got in the way and somewhere back just after Harry remarried her ex-husband Fair (the local vet) I lost track of the series. Now that I'm a bit older (just how old I refuse to admit discuss lol) and no longer have little ones getting in to everything, I have more time to read. I've come back to one of my most favorite mystery series! When I saw this newest book as available for review, I jumped right on it! I wanted to know just what Harry, Fair, Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker, Pewter, Boom Boom and all the other lovely folks in Crozet have been up to in my absence.
A Hiss Before Dying is a mystery within a mystery. Two men are murdered in present day Crozet. One of the men had just purchased a bronze slave pass medallion dating from the post-revolution era in Virginia. That medallion ties in with events that occurred in the 1780s. The story switches back and forth between present and past. At first it was a bit difficult keeping the characters straight with all the switching back and forth, but luckily the author included a list of all the characters in the front of the book. When I got confused about who was who in the post-revolutionary story line, I just paged back to the list and got a reminder.
While I'm not normally a big fan of stories that jump back and forth in time, I enjoyed the double-mystery. I didn't know what a slave pass (or chit) was and I found the historical information the author provided to be very interesting. The story is well-written and paced. I enjoyed how the two mysteries intertwined. The antics of Harry's furry pals are still much the same as earlier in the series, adding a bit of humor and animal wisdom to the story. Harry is still her pragmatic, hard-working, spunky self, surrounded by a cast of friends and citizens of Crozet who make these stories so enjoyable. I definitely need to backtrack a bit and read the books in the series that I missed. All 11 of them! :) I have a lot of reading to do!
It really isn't necessary to read the other books before this one. It's enough of a stand-alone story that a reader could jump in at book 26 and still enjoy the story. The series is great though, so I highly recommend reading the earlier books.
Rita Mae Brown is the author of many books including Rubyfruit Jungle and the Sister Jane series. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: http://www.ritamaebrownbooks.com/
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Random House Publishing via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
A Hiss Before Dying is a mystery within a mystery. Two men are murdered in present day Crozet. One of the men had just purchased a bronze slave pass medallion dating from the post-revolution era in Virginia. That medallion ties in with events that occurred in the 1780s. The story switches back and forth between present and past. At first it was a bit difficult keeping the characters straight with all the switching back and forth, but luckily the author included a list of all the characters in the front of the book. When I got confused about who was who in the post-revolutionary story line, I just paged back to the list and got a reminder.
While I'm not normally a big fan of stories that jump back and forth in time, I enjoyed the double-mystery. I didn't know what a slave pass (or chit) was and I found the historical information the author provided to be very interesting. The story is well-written and paced. I enjoyed how the two mysteries intertwined. The antics of Harry's furry pals are still much the same as earlier in the series, adding a bit of humor and animal wisdom to the story. Harry is still her pragmatic, hard-working, spunky self, surrounded by a cast of friends and citizens of Crozet who make these stories so enjoyable. I definitely need to backtrack a bit and read the books in the series that I missed. All 11 of them! :) I have a lot of reading to do!
It really isn't necessary to read the other books before this one. It's enough of a stand-alone story that a reader could jump in at book 26 and still enjoy the story. The series is great though, so I highly recommend reading the earlier books.
Rita Mae Brown is the author of many books including Rubyfruit Jungle and the Sister Jane series. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: http://www.ritamaebrownbooks.com/
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Random House Publishing via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
May 15, 2017
I have read all of the Sneaky Pie mysteries and, overall, have enjoyed every one - some more than others. I still do enjoy the characters of the present day mysteries - Harry and all of her friends, family and assorted pets. Yes, I also like learning American history. However, I am not really enjoying her new formula with these last books, that of two stories alternating chapters. Honestly, I want one or the other. It's confusing and, as a reader of her stories from the very first book, those are the stories I want to read. Having said that, I will add that this mystery can be read as a stand alone and both periods are good mysteries. I just would rather she would write either contemporary or historical mysteries.
My thanks to the publisher, Bantam and to NetGalley for an advance review copy in return for my honest review.
My thanks to the publisher, Bantam and to NetGalley for an advance review copy in return for my honest review.
August 23, 2017
In 1933 the first Welsh Corgis were brought to the United States by American breeder Mrs Lewis Roesler (from Wikipedia) which means there wasn't one in the US in the 18th century. The other problem I have with this is the total tin ear or insensitivity Brown displays when she discusses the slave "chits" (they were like a dog tag that showed your owner) used to identify slaves that had permission to leave their plantation on an errand for their owner. I've always thought that Brown has a black deputy sheriff in her stories just to show how open-minded she is and this books proves she isn't. She has an African-American woman say she doesn't have any problem with white people wearing one of the chits. I think that if you asked any black person if they think it's ok for a white person to wear a slave's chit as jewelry they wouldn't like it. As a white person I find it offensive. She also has the owners and slaves socializing together as they have a birthday party for one of the slaves- another example of the sugar-coating of slavery by a southerner.
This book continues the dual story line of Tall Tail with Harry in the present and Garths etc. in the 18th century. I see no reason for the 2 stories being together in this one since there is no connection between the two except for a finding in the present at the very end.
This book continues the dual story line of Tall Tail with Harry in the present and Garths etc. in the 18th century. I see no reason for the 2 stories being together in this one since there is no connection between the two except for a finding in the present at the very end.
June 13, 2018
Not my favorite. Too much history. I like history, but not the back and forth. Not enough from the main characters. I also missed the antics of all the animals.😩😩
June 20, 2017
I have to say this is not what I expected. The animals are a contrived idea and they do not contribute anything to the solving of the mystery. As for the plot, at first I thought that the interwoven plot lines could have stood alone. Upon reflection I see that it is the hasty ending that makes it seem like so.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the ride and I am not entirely convinced I will not give Brown another shot in the future.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the ride and I am not entirely convinced I will not give Brown another shot in the future.
June 19, 2017
Looking at history of Virginia and the life of slaves, as interludes between modern day crime solving. The two periods are interlinked by tokens such as a slave pass which a slave could use to leave the plantation on an errand.
We meet Harry and her cats and dog, and many of the usual cast of locals. I always enjoy the animals and chatter and the friendship of local people. We see much of the countryside in autumn.
I was less interested in the past section which, though well realised, felt like padding at times. But well done for looking at history bravely.
I downloaded an ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
We meet Harry and her cats and dog, and many of the usual cast of locals. I always enjoy the animals and chatter and the friendship of local people. We see much of the countryside in autumn.
I was less interested in the past section which, though well realised, felt like padding at times. But well done for looking at history bravely.
I downloaded an ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
July 18, 2017
It is autumn 2016 and in Crozet Virginia people are beginning to prep for the long winter ahead. Mary Minor “Harry” Harristeen certainly has enough chores to do as well as her work on various committees but Harry being Harry, she can't help getting involved when not one but two bodies turn up. Harry thinks the deaths may be related but how? In 1785 Virginia it is winter and folks are just trying to make it through - both slaves and their owners. Life is not easy, especially for the slaves who work for Maureen Selise at Big Rawly. Maureen is always losing slaves - the latest is Mignon who may have stolen some of Maureen's jewelry. Little does anyone realize that events in the past will influence events in the present day.
I admit I always approach a new Rita Mae Brown book with a bit of trepidation. I love her characters - Harry, Fair, the rest of the humans, as well as Harry’s pets Mrs. Murphy, Tucker, and Pewter - but I dislike the preachiness the creeps into each book. I have also had mixed feelings about the Revolutionary War flashbacks that have been in her last few books along with the modern mystery.
To my surprise and delight I really enjoyed “A Hiss Before Dying”. Yes, the preachiness is there - particularly in the current day story and solution to that mystery - but it didn't overshadow the book like it has in other books in the series. Brown does an excellent job of writing both the Revolutionary war storyline and current storyline. If I did have to pick a favorite of the two, I would pick the Revolutionary war storyline. Readers have followed several characters throughout the past few books in the series and I have mostly enjoyed the storylines. Brown manages to let us realize how awful slavery was without getting preachy about it. I don't know if this is the last book that will feature flashbacks to the Revolutionary War but if it is Brown did an excellent job of wrapping up the story arc and this may be one of the rare times that I have clapped for a murderer! Unfortunately, Brown does not do as neat a job of wrapping up the modern storyline. This is deliberate not sloppy writing but, while I realize not everything in real life is tied up neatly, I want more closure when reading this type of mystery.
“A Hiss Before Dying” is not perfect but for the most part I really enjoyed it.
I admit I always approach a new Rita Mae Brown book with a bit of trepidation. I love her characters - Harry, Fair, the rest of the humans, as well as Harry’s pets Mrs. Murphy, Tucker, and Pewter - but I dislike the preachiness the creeps into each book. I have also had mixed feelings about the Revolutionary War flashbacks that have been in her last few books along with the modern mystery.
To my surprise and delight I really enjoyed “A Hiss Before Dying”. Yes, the preachiness is there - particularly in the current day story and solution to that mystery - but it didn't overshadow the book like it has in other books in the series. Brown does an excellent job of writing both the Revolutionary war storyline and current storyline. If I did have to pick a favorite of the two, I would pick the Revolutionary war storyline. Readers have followed several characters throughout the past few books in the series and I have mostly enjoyed the storylines. Brown manages to let us realize how awful slavery was without getting preachy about it. I don't know if this is the last book that will feature flashbacks to the Revolutionary War but if it is Brown did an excellent job of wrapping up the story arc and this may be one of the rare times that I have clapped for a murderer! Unfortunately, Brown does not do as neat a job of wrapping up the modern storyline. This is deliberate not sloppy writing but, while I realize not everything in real life is tied up neatly, I want more closure when reading this type of mystery.
“A Hiss Before Dying” is not perfect but for the most part I really enjoyed it.
June 27, 2017
This is the second book in the Mrs. Murphy series which alternates between present time and long long ago. I don't enjoy those time jumps, I don't enjoy the storyline about the slaves and their (mis)treatment.
When I pick up a Mrs. Murphy book, I want to read about Harry, Faith, their animals, their friends and a well written present day mystery.
I don't want to read about some historical stuff which happens to cause some bad things today, but is finished off in a way I can't even remember the conclusion a week after finishing the book.
If this way of writing continues, I won't be picking up any more of the books in the series.
When I pick up a Mrs. Murphy book, I want to read about Harry, Faith, their animals, their friends and a well written present day mystery.
I don't want to read about some historical stuff which happens to cause some bad things today, but is finished off in a way I can't even remember the conclusion a week after finishing the book.
If this way of writing continues, I won't be picking up any more of the books in the series.
September 15, 2018
Issues with this book:
1. Breast Cancer run in April - usually held in October as that is the pink ribbon month.
2. Have surgery and starts doing weighted lifting before 6 weeks have passed.
3. All the radiation treatments so close together (I have a friend who just did these).
On the whole, the book was fun, but I had so many issues that I had to just ignore them and let the book move on. I felt like the book was going over 6 to 8 weeks, but it was all taking place in 8 days. It just was not a good timeline. I liked that it dealt with cancer and the aftermath, but in order to move the book along, she shortened how long everything took and made it hard to believe that they were dealing with one of their own battling cancer.
The story was okay but was unrealistic for the timeline.
1. Breast Cancer run in April - usually held in October as that is the pink ribbon month.
2. Have surgery and starts doing weighted lifting before 6 weeks have passed.
3. All the radiation treatments so close together (I have a friend who just did these).
On the whole, the book was fun, but I had so many issues that I had to just ignore them and let the book move on. I felt like the book was going over 6 to 8 weeks, but it was all taking place in 8 days. It just was not a good timeline. I liked that it dealt with cancer and the aftermath, but in order to move the book along, she shortened how long everything took and made it hard to believe that they were dealing with one of their own battling cancer.
The story was okay but was unrealistic for the timeline.
November 4, 2024
I really do miss all the original characters. Also, the less political soapboxing would be nice. The animals used to do a lot of the crime solving, but they are only in the story now to insult each other. There was one scene that just did not to be in here. That is where Harry is looking outside and comments very aggressively about someone's weight. Some people have medical issues which keep weight in no matter what you do. I am one of those people and comments like this are offensive. The big scene at the end is very far fetched. One car is doing 80 miles an hour down the highway and another is doing 60, sometimes less, and yet they are able to keep up and see everything that's happening. Not likely.
June 15, 2017
Sneaky Pie' s editing shows that cats can make mistakes, such as the sentence "an elderly men". In whole the book presented many facets of life in Virginia through the eyes of animals and the people. I love the adage the "idle hands do the Devil's work." The lack of a centralized currency shows one of the many problems facing the "new" United States. No matter what, greed and cunning dominate the quest to control. I felt that the animals talked too often, and I missed hearing from their humans. I enjoyed the alternating chapters set in current times and in 1786. The illustrations by Michael Gellatly enhanced the story.
June 16, 2017
This is the second of her recent mysteries that include historical segments. (I haven't read the first one, and I don't recall the title.) I preferred the current storyline with Harry and her companions. (I confess that I skimmed some of the historical interludes.) Lots of background about slavery, politics, and the environment; but I love most the interplay between Tucker and the cats, the hounds, and the wildlife. Exciting climax, and I appreciated the wrap up on the plantations and back in the current time (Afterword). Be sure to read the notes at the end from Pewter, Sneaky Pie, Tucker (love that Corgi), and Rita Mae.
March 18, 2019
My 26th Mrs. Murphy and only one more to go before I am current and caught up with this wonderful series! I have come to like the dual stories that have recently begun to appear in the most recent Mrs. Murphy's. The story of the 1700's families have grown interesting in their little piece of Americana they impart about those days. As usual, there were lots of fun with Pewter and Tucker fighting with each other. I hope Rita Mae Brown continues to write them for many more years. I know there is a new one coming out this May, so hopefully the fans will not have to wait much more than a year to have more adventures of the animals and their companions!!
September 10, 2018
Confusing
I am a big Rita Mae Brown fan but this book tried to include too much in it. It was confusing at times in its attempt to merge history with the present day. This was a bit disappointing.
I am a big Rita Mae Brown fan but this book tried to include too much in it. It was confusing at times in its attempt to merge history with the present day. This was a bit disappointing.
January 24, 2021
Post publishes February 19 2021
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June 20, 2017
I'm not really a fan of the split timeline books. There's too many characters and plot lines, and I didn't see much connection between the two stories. I'd rather read about more of the present-day characters from the earlier books who seem to have disappeared in these later books. What's happening with Miranda, Big Mim, Little Mim, and others that I remember? Even Harry's animals had smaller parts this time, mainly spats between Pewter and Tucker.
April 3, 2021
I found this book at a little free library near my house and was excited to find a new murder mystery series. Unfortunately, the book has proven painful to read. It's extremely overcomplicated with over 50 characters split between two timelines. These characters include talking animals, which frankly feels very hokey (p.14 "Mrs. Murphy, in Harry's lap, added her two cents. 'Corgi fur isn't as soft as ours.'"). The conversations between characters are slow moving and boring; the handling of the crime scenes is completely inaccurate and would render any evidence null (p.32 "Seeing a glitter around the dead man's neck, Cooper knelt down, pulled a pencil from her coat pocket, and gingerly hooked it under the chain." And then... "Harry, not backed off by the sight of a murderer man, knelt down as did Cooper, who again lifted the brass rectangle with her pencil."); the way that the author writes about the Black characters is cringe worthy (p.16 "Liz, never having been in Harry's old farmhouse, observed the preening cat. 'That may be the biggest cat I've ever seen'. 'And you could open a beer can with your nose,' Pewter sassed." - Liz is the one Black character in modern day.) Slavery is romanticized - in chapter 4, the slave owners are described as toasting the new year with three of their slaves. It's shockingly bad for something written in 2017. Writing a lot of words does not automatically mean the words are worth reading. This will be my first and last Mrs. Murphy mystery.
July 2, 2017
Hooboy, I could not even finish. Rita Mae Brown is a brilliant author and I have enjoyed many of her books over the years. This particular book did not grab me. By the time I got to page 161 I realized I was slogging my way through, and not enjoying myself. Not good. So many characters between both stories and I was not seeing any hope of the stories weaving together. At my age, I just don't have time to make myself read a book just because I have the book to read. Let's put it this way, this book doesn't even come close to Six of One. So, I gave in, gave up, put it down. I have read other reviews by many folks who enjoyed this book. Glad for 'um. It just didn't work for me this time.
September 22, 2017
This book was okay; it was nowhere near great like the series used to be. I have liked them less since Harry left the post office. And there was a part that really ticked me off and almost made me give the book one star. Page 277 of the hard back edition, Harry makes fun of a fat woman outside the store and when one of her friends admonish her for it, another one defends her and says that no one speaks up is a problem. No, being a bitch is a problem which was what Harry was being. Unless she is the woman's doctor, she has no right to comment. Do we all make such comments to our friends? Yes. Does that make it right? No. I wanted to slap Harry then and slap Liz twice for saying it was okay to make fun of people behind their backs.
March 25, 2017
This is a long running series with animals narrating the story. Usually a murder to solve has Sneaky Pie and her friends helping Mary solve the case. The last couple of books in this series have been using the duel timeline which is not my favorite style of reading. Set in the Blueridge mountains the story is always good and animal lovers will enjoy the cats, dogs, horses and wild animals interacting. Rita Mae Brown also writes the Sister Jane books which share the animal interaction.
August 20, 2025
I always enjoy reading about what's happening with Harry, Fair and the assorted animals. I have also enjoyed the throw-back to the 18th century. I had to stop and think to remember some of the references from the previous books, but it's good to read about and learn a bit about what life was like back then.
As one other reviewer mentioned, I missed Big Mim, Aunt Lolly, and Miranda. Miranda was mentioned but only one sentence. Very entertaining. I look forward to the next one.
As one other reviewer mentioned, I missed Big Mim, Aunt Lolly, and Miranda. Miranda was mentioned but only one sentence. Very entertaining. I look forward to the next one.
March 3, 2017
Two mysteries in one. Always enjoy the animal perspectives in this series.
May 29, 2024
Besides the recurring characters throwing in some history always makes these books a page turner
September 6, 2020
So difficult to give a review of this book as it was with the previous two. I have been a fan of Rita Mae Brown and her Sneaky Pie series since the very beginning and I love them for all the usual reasons given by readers: I love the characters, the setting, but most of all, the animals and their take on the world. Being an animal lover and living in the country myself, the best things about these novels has always been the humans' interaction with the animals.
However, in this novel as well as the last two, the author seems to be taking a different approach to writing this series. She has included an alternate time line in the eighteenth century and a complete new mystery, new characters and animals in that one. Therefore, the book really entails two books in one and two complete mysteries in one. I suppose the author would say that the two timelines are necessary and that the reader can find clues in the eighteenth century timeline to help solve the mystery in the current century. I find this to be only minimally correct and pretty much altogether unnecessary in most instances.
I actually do love history and grew up in a household where my father was a military officer, but a lover of history and geography and after retirement, he spent many years teaching the same in various universities. As a child, I couldn't go on a trip anywhere with him without him giving a history lesson. BUT, history is NOT the reason I read Mrs. Murphy mysteries and I am really missing the animals in these current novels.
Furthermore, Ms. Brown's books have gotten all too political. Ironically, even though I don't like reading the constant pontificating of the characters, I do agree with most of their politics. It's just that reading political views and history is not the reason I loved the quirky characters in Mrs. Murphy books. Especially in this time period, there are plenty political books I can pick up and read--and have--without missing one of my favorite mystery series.
I always enjoy the way she describes the south, the people and customs. She really gets the "nail on the head" and is even spot on about how most Southerners (stereotype, yes) feel about Northerners. I have lived in Virginia and in South Carolina during my husband's and my career and definitely experienced those views as we are actually Yankees. So, it is always with a smile that I read the statements that sometimes flow about we northerners. Funny.
Once I saw that this book too was going to be in two timelines (and I have not now nor will ever be a fan of going back and forth in timelines in a book EXCEPT for the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon), I didn't even read the eighteenth century part of the book. I skimmed a very, very little and mostly in the last chapter of the eighteenth century bit and by the last chapter of the entire novel, I understood from that very little bit what the connection was between the two centuries. But, I didn't even read that entire timeline. So what does it say that I get to the end of this novel and the synopsis makes sense and I don't feel like I have missed absolutely anything? What it say to me is that there were about 150 pages too many in this novel and the other timeline was completely unnecessary other than the fact that Rita Mae Brown has decided she likes to add this history in her books. (I do appreciate all the time it must have taken her to do research to add this history.)
I've read the reviews and feelings appear to be absolutely split on her last three novels. Either the reader loves having all the history, politics and two timelines in the novels or the reader is not a fan. Count me as not a fan. In fact, I am so discouraged after reading this one because I want to read all of this series, but I just don't think I can carry on reading two timelines. And, unfortunately, since I'm reading these books in 2020 during the most divisive United States in history, perhaps I am just not interested in reading anymore politics. I miss the antics of Tucker, Pewter, and Mrs. Murphy. I miss the relationships between Harry and all her friends, without the politics. I just don't know if I can stomach the next novel.
However, in this novel as well as the last two, the author seems to be taking a different approach to writing this series. She has included an alternate time line in the eighteenth century and a complete new mystery, new characters and animals in that one. Therefore, the book really entails two books in one and two complete mysteries in one. I suppose the author would say that the two timelines are necessary and that the reader can find clues in the eighteenth century timeline to help solve the mystery in the current century. I find this to be only minimally correct and pretty much altogether unnecessary in most instances.
I actually do love history and grew up in a household where my father was a military officer, but a lover of history and geography and after retirement, he spent many years teaching the same in various universities. As a child, I couldn't go on a trip anywhere with him without him giving a history lesson. BUT, history is NOT the reason I read Mrs. Murphy mysteries and I am really missing the animals in these current novels.
Furthermore, Ms. Brown's books have gotten all too political. Ironically, even though I don't like reading the constant pontificating of the characters, I do agree with most of their politics. It's just that reading political views and history is not the reason I loved the quirky characters in Mrs. Murphy books. Especially in this time period, there are plenty political books I can pick up and read--and have--without missing one of my favorite mystery series.
I always enjoy the way she describes the south, the people and customs. She really gets the "nail on the head" and is even spot on about how most Southerners (stereotype, yes) feel about Northerners. I have lived in Virginia and in South Carolina during my husband's and my career and definitely experienced those views as we are actually Yankees. So, it is always with a smile that I read the statements that sometimes flow about we northerners. Funny.
Once I saw that this book too was going to be in two timelines (and I have not now nor will ever be a fan of going back and forth in timelines in a book EXCEPT for the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon), I didn't even read the eighteenth century part of the book. I skimmed a very, very little and mostly in the last chapter of the eighteenth century bit and by the last chapter of the entire novel, I understood from that very little bit what the connection was between the two centuries. But, I didn't even read that entire timeline. So what does it say that I get to the end of this novel and the synopsis makes sense and I don't feel like I have missed absolutely anything? What it say to me is that there were about 150 pages too many in this novel and the other timeline was completely unnecessary other than the fact that Rita Mae Brown has decided she likes to add this history in her books. (I do appreciate all the time it must have taken her to do research to add this history.)
I've read the reviews and feelings appear to be absolutely split on her last three novels. Either the reader loves having all the history, politics and two timelines in the novels or the reader is not a fan. Count me as not a fan. In fact, I am so discouraged after reading this one because I want to read all of this series, but I just don't think I can carry on reading two timelines. And, unfortunately, since I'm reading these books in 2020 during the most divisive United States in history, perhaps I am just not interested in reading anymore politics. I miss the antics of Tucker, Pewter, and Mrs. Murphy. I miss the relationships between Harry and all her friends, without the politics. I just don't know if I can stomach the next novel.
May 30, 2017
It is always a pleasure to open a new Mrs. Murphy mystery! A Hiss Before Dying is exciting, a charming blend of 18th and 21st century Crozet, plantations and farms, slaves and hired hands. We meet many 18th century people while enjoying the ‘regulars’ – Harry and Fair, Susan and Ned, Reverend Jones, and Mrs. Hoggendobber, and of course, Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tee Tucker.
Mignon, a young slave, runs away in 1786. How will her story and resulting actions effect Harry and her friends today? Of the two plantations we visit, one family cares about their slaves and treats them well while the other allows even the head female slave to browbeat and betray those she doesn’t like. Her disappearance will affect Reverend Jones and friends in present-day Virginia. There is also a talented young horseman who will go far; he also leaves a footprint on future generations.
Murder and mayhem are afoot in Crozet, Virginia as truck driver who died mysteriously and the body of a murdered man are discovered a few days apart. Harry, best friend Susan, and other long-time friends seek solutions to local wildlife conservancy. Harry, notorious for getting involved with mysteries in the past tries hard to keep her curiosity at bay, somewhat satisfied with hearing what morsels their deputy friend, Cynthia aka Coop, can share. A robbery occurs, then Harry begins to catch bullets when she isn’t looking for them. Minding one’s business can be just as dangerous! I miss her sleuthing adventures, yet I see even more depth to her in this novel than in previous ones.
Harry, Fair, Susan, and Reverend Jones are the most well-defined in the mystery; many characters are or become three-dimensional as the novel progresses. Even some of the new people from 1786 become well-known, people who this reader appreciated and enjoyed. They would be fascinating to follow through changes in legislation and the Civil War years.
It is a delight to see sketches throughout, especially those of our furry friends. The history of Virginia and various aspects of government and wildlife management will delight those who appreciate the time line. Learning about lifestyles of those in the post-Revolutionary War era is enlightening. Even hearing the creatures communicate (or bicker) adds to the tale. One historical item this reader noted is that in the West family (1700’s) attending St. Luke’s Lutheran because of Charles’ designs for the new church, then studied about Martin Luther and his beliefs and joined the church; it is interesting as this novel is published in a special anniversary year.
There is so much to enjoy in this mystery! At times it seems like a new series as we go between the two centuries and see Virginia during the early days of our nation. It is sure to be enjoyed by those who love historical fiction, well-researched and relayed with fabulous descriptions allowing the reader to feel a part of the action in either century. Rita Mae Brown has outdone herself by keeping the series fresh and exciting with beloved characters and pets integrated with history and its mysteries. The bad guy(s)/ gals(s) are difficult to determine, one of whom was a complete surprise as Harry and Coop face the explosive denouement. The ending satisfying, and as others in the series, totally leaving me looking forward to the next. Love and highly recommend it!
From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest review.
Mignon, a young slave, runs away in 1786. How will her story and resulting actions effect Harry and her friends today? Of the two plantations we visit, one family cares about their slaves and treats them well while the other allows even the head female slave to browbeat and betray those she doesn’t like. Her disappearance will affect Reverend Jones and friends in present-day Virginia. There is also a talented young horseman who will go far; he also leaves a footprint on future generations.
Murder and mayhem are afoot in Crozet, Virginia as truck driver who died mysteriously and the body of a murdered man are discovered a few days apart. Harry, best friend Susan, and other long-time friends seek solutions to local wildlife conservancy. Harry, notorious for getting involved with mysteries in the past tries hard to keep her curiosity at bay, somewhat satisfied with hearing what morsels their deputy friend, Cynthia aka Coop, can share. A robbery occurs, then Harry begins to catch bullets when she isn’t looking for them. Minding one’s business can be just as dangerous! I miss her sleuthing adventures, yet I see even more depth to her in this novel than in previous ones.
Harry, Fair, Susan, and Reverend Jones are the most well-defined in the mystery; many characters are or become three-dimensional as the novel progresses. Even some of the new people from 1786 become well-known, people who this reader appreciated and enjoyed. They would be fascinating to follow through changes in legislation and the Civil War years.
It is a delight to see sketches throughout, especially those of our furry friends. The history of Virginia and various aspects of government and wildlife management will delight those who appreciate the time line. Learning about lifestyles of those in the post-Revolutionary War era is enlightening. Even hearing the creatures communicate (or bicker) adds to the tale. One historical item this reader noted is that in the West family (1700’s) attending St. Luke’s Lutheran because of Charles’ designs for the new church, then studied about Martin Luther and his beliefs and joined the church; it is interesting as this novel is published in a special anniversary year.
There is so much to enjoy in this mystery! At times it seems like a new series as we go between the two centuries and see Virginia during the early days of our nation. It is sure to be enjoyed by those who love historical fiction, well-researched and relayed with fabulous descriptions allowing the reader to feel a part of the action in either century. Rita Mae Brown has outdone herself by keeping the series fresh and exciting with beloved characters and pets integrated with history and its mysteries. The bad guy(s)/ gals(s) are difficult to determine, one of whom was a complete surprise as Harry and Coop face the explosive denouement. The ending satisfying, and as others in the series, totally leaving me looking forward to the next. Love and highly recommend it!
From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest review.
June 15, 2017
Fans of Mary Haristeen (Harry), her family and friends, and her animals–cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, and Corgi Tee Tucker–will find all of them up to their usual activities in A HISS BEFORE DYING, the twenty seventh in the Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown series. She adds people and pets who lived in the same Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia locale in 1785. At the beginning of the book, here is a list of main characters, human and animal, divided by time and location.
The plot of the 2016 story begins with the discovery of two bodies, at different times: A automobile transport driver who left his running truck on the road and disappeared and an unidentified man in a hoodie. The investigation quickly turns to protecting the environment and animals.
The 1785 story’s main plot is about slavery and its effects on the people involved, both free and slaves.
A HISS BEFORE DYING alternates between the two stories with seemingly no connection except the location. It eventually does converge briefly. Merging their stories doesn’t advance either one. It would have been more interesting comparing the differences in their concerns. The book must have been written before last November 8 and not edited afterwards. The election is mentioned on that date but there is no follow up, even on November 9. That was much too big a story to be omitted.
While generally well-written in a grammatical sense, the plots are a bit thin and stretched out. There was no real excitement. I resent the overuse of fat shamming. Pewter may be overweight, but that doesn’t have to be mentioned in almost every conversation involving the other animals. A couple of human characters are also described by their size or looks more than once. The title had no connection to the story.
Tidbits: The animals in conversation: “Humans attach theories and ideologies to habits, some correct, some not correct. The two cats and dogs never did that. They always looked life square in the eye, which doesn’t mean they always liked what they saw.��� But they do talk about how they are superior to humans and find clues that the humans miss.
“People love to talk and they don’t much care if it’s the truth or not. What they care about is looking as though they have the real story.” Very true, especially on the internet social media.
In the 1786 sections, it explains the needs for national programs.. Individual locations (cities, counties, states) didn’t have the consistency and authority to work with other areas and countries about financial matters. States raised and supported militias but only Congress could declare war.
“Council meeting droned on and on....Show me a political meeting where there isn’t hand-wringing and finger pointing.” “What we need is a good sex scandal. That will wake us up.”
“Like many women, she appreciated a super-strong man.” NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!
“When I was at Smith, I’d stay up all night for bull sessions. I thought that was friendship, you know, all this talk. Then one day I realized I wasn’t as smart as I thought I was. I felt closer to people by working with them instead of showing off how smart I thought I was. I like accomplishing something. Talk doesn’t do that.
I haven’t read any of the books in this series for quite awhile and thought I would get back into it. I don’t think I’ll try again.
This book was a preview copy from LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
The plot of the 2016 story begins with the discovery of two bodies, at different times: A automobile transport driver who left his running truck on the road and disappeared and an unidentified man in a hoodie. The investigation quickly turns to protecting the environment and animals.
The 1785 story’s main plot is about slavery and its effects on the people involved, both free and slaves.
A HISS BEFORE DYING alternates between the two stories with seemingly no connection except the location. It eventually does converge briefly. Merging their stories doesn’t advance either one. It would have been more interesting comparing the differences in their concerns. The book must have been written before last November 8 and not edited afterwards. The election is mentioned on that date but there is no follow up, even on November 9. That was much too big a story to be omitted.
While generally well-written in a grammatical sense, the plots are a bit thin and stretched out. There was no real excitement. I resent the overuse of fat shamming. Pewter may be overweight, but that doesn’t have to be mentioned in almost every conversation involving the other animals. A couple of human characters are also described by their size or looks more than once. The title had no connection to the story.
Tidbits: The animals in conversation: “Humans attach theories and ideologies to habits, some correct, some not correct. The two cats and dogs never did that. They always looked life square in the eye, which doesn’t mean they always liked what they saw.��� But they do talk about how they are superior to humans and find clues that the humans miss.
“People love to talk and they don’t much care if it’s the truth or not. What they care about is looking as though they have the real story.” Very true, especially on the internet social media.
In the 1786 sections, it explains the needs for national programs.. Individual locations (cities, counties, states) didn’t have the consistency and authority to work with other areas and countries about financial matters. States raised and supported militias but only Congress could declare war.
“Council meeting droned on and on....Show me a political meeting where there isn’t hand-wringing and finger pointing.” “What we need is a good sex scandal. That will wake us up.”
“Like many women, she appreciated a super-strong man.” NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!
“When I was at Smith, I’d stay up all night for bull sessions. I thought that was friendship, you know, all this talk. Then one day I realized I wasn’t as smart as I thought I was. I felt closer to people by working with them instead of showing off how smart I thought I was. I like accomplishing something. Talk doesn’t do that.
I haven’t read any of the books in this series for quite awhile and thought I would get back into it. I don’t think I’ll try again.
This book was a preview copy from LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
August 30, 2017
Title: A Hiss Before Dying - Mrs Murphy Mystery Book 26
Author: Rita Mae Brown - & Sneaky Pie Brown
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 5-30-2017
Pages: 384
Genre: Thriller & Mystery
Sub-Genre: Cozy Mystery, Animals, Suspense, Amateur Sleuths, Humor & Satire, Adventure
ISBN: 9780554492494
ASIN: B01LK9H976
Reviewed For NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Autumn is in the air in the Blue Ridge Mountain community of Crozet, Virginia—and all the traditions of the changing seasons are under way. Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen cleans her cupboards, her husband, Fair, prepares the horses for the shorter days ahead, and the clamorous barking of beagles signals the annual rabbit chase through the central Virginia hills. But the last thing the local beaglers and their hounds expect to flush out is a dead body.
Disturbingly, it’s the second corpse to turn up, after that of a missing truck driver too disfigured to identify. The deaths seem unrelated—until Harry picks up a trail of clues dating back to the state’s post-Revolutionary past.
The echoes of the Shot Heard Round the World pale in comparison to the dangerous shootout Harry narrowly escapes unscathed. Next time, it may be the killer who gets lucky. But not if Harry’s furry friends Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker can help it. Lending their sharp-nosed talents to the hunt, they’ll help their mistress keep more lives from being lost—and right an injustice buried since the early days of America’s independence.
Uniquely to this story is the corresponding murder from the 1700's. Harry's role is not front and center in the investigation this time. Coop steps up and shows his talents and expertise. Both past and present times have the input from their animal counterparts and make the story richer and a more fun read. The tie in between the two keeps you turning the pages as you try and find the solution before the reveal.
I have to admit Mrs. Murphy, Pewter and Tucker are one of the reasons I started and continue to read the series. I fell in love with them in book one and our love affair continues. Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie bring the characters, bot two and four-legged to life and I can't get enough. I eagerly await the next book in the series.
My rating of "A Hiss Before Dying - Mrs Murphy Mystery Book 26" is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LK9H976/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-hi...#
Books-A-Million Link: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Hiss-B...
Google Play Link: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
Indigo Link: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/...
Kobo Link: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-hi...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
Author: Rita Mae Brown - & Sneaky Pie Brown
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 5-30-2017
Pages: 384
Genre: Thriller & Mystery
Sub-Genre: Cozy Mystery, Animals, Suspense, Amateur Sleuths, Humor & Satire, Adventure
ISBN: 9780554492494
ASIN: B01LK9H976
Reviewed For NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Autumn is in the air in the Blue Ridge Mountain community of Crozet, Virginia—and all the traditions of the changing seasons are under way. Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen cleans her cupboards, her husband, Fair, prepares the horses for the shorter days ahead, and the clamorous barking of beagles signals the annual rabbit chase through the central Virginia hills. But the last thing the local beaglers and their hounds expect to flush out is a dead body.
Disturbingly, it’s the second corpse to turn up, after that of a missing truck driver too disfigured to identify. The deaths seem unrelated—until Harry picks up a trail of clues dating back to the state’s post-Revolutionary past.
The echoes of the Shot Heard Round the World pale in comparison to the dangerous shootout Harry narrowly escapes unscathed. Next time, it may be the killer who gets lucky. But not if Harry’s furry friends Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker can help it. Lending their sharp-nosed talents to the hunt, they’ll help their mistress keep more lives from being lost—and right an injustice buried since the early days of America’s independence.
Uniquely to this story is the corresponding murder from the 1700's. Harry's role is not front and center in the investigation this time. Coop steps up and shows his talents and expertise. Both past and present times have the input from their animal counterparts and make the story richer and a more fun read. The tie in between the two keeps you turning the pages as you try and find the solution before the reveal.
I have to admit Mrs. Murphy, Pewter and Tucker are one of the reasons I started and continue to read the series. I fell in love with them in book one and our love affair continues. Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie bring the characters, bot two and four-legged to life and I can't get enough. I eagerly await the next book in the series.
My rating of "A Hiss Before Dying - Mrs Murphy Mystery Book 26" is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LK9H976/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-hi...#
Books-A-Million Link: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Hiss-B...
Google Play Link: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
Indigo Link: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/...
Kobo Link: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-hi...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews