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Mrs. Murphy #28
Whiskers in the Dark
The discovery of a body in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains dredges up mysteries that have lingered from Revolutionary Virginia through the Civil War and beyond, in a supernaturally thrilling new tale from Rita Mae Brown and her feline co-author Sneaky Pie Brown.
A trial is underway in Albemarle County, where Mary Minor "Harry" Harristeen and her trusty crew of two- and four-legged friends hope to catch a killer--who may not be the person accused of the crime.
Since an old friend's body was discovered by the hunting club's faithful beagles, it has been up to Harry--with her crime-solving cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, and Tee Tucker the corgi--to sniff out a trail of clues. Meanwhile, bloodshed dating back generations continues to haunt the current grounds of the National Beagle Club of America. Are past claims of ghost sightings still to be ignored? And what do these paranormal apparitions have to do with the very modern drama unfolding in court and the all-too-real threats confronting Harry and her companions at every turn?
A trial is underway in Albemarle County, where Mary Minor "Harry" Harristeen and her trusty crew of two- and four-legged friends hope to catch a killer--who may not be the person accused of the crime.
Since an old friend's body was discovered by the hunting club's faithful beagles, it has been up to Harry--with her crime-solving cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, and Tee Tucker the corgi--to sniff out a trail of clues. Meanwhile, bloodshed dating back generations continues to haunt the current grounds of the National Beagle Club of America. Are past claims of ghost sightings still to be ignored? And what do these paranormal apparitions have to do with the very modern drama unfolding in court and the all-too-real threats confronting Harry and her companions at every turn?
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First published June 4, 2019
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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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September 14, 2021
Ricki Lake as 'Harry Haristeen' with Mrs. Murphy (cat) and Tucker (dog)
In this 28th book in the 'Mrs. Murphy' series, amateur sleuth Harry Haristeen investigates several unnatural deaths with the help of her cadre of 'talking pets': the cats - Mrs. Murphy and Pewter; the corgi - Tucker; and the half-grown Irish wolfhound - Pirate.
*****
The story, set in northern Virginia, ping pongs between the present (2018) and the time right after the Revolutionary War (1787).
In the present, Harry Haristeen and her best friend Susan Tucker are helping prepare the grounds at the 'Institute Farm' in Aldie, Virginia. The Institute will be the site of a fundraiser called 'Hounds F4R Heroes', being held to benefit veterans. The fundraiser will consist of a beagle hunt and a basset hound hunt, and fallen trees need to be cleared to make the area safe for running dogs and the humans that follow them.
A large number of Virginians are involved in the upcoming hunt, including prominent citizens who were formerly in the armed services or diplomatic corps. These include Arlene Billeaud -'Master of Blastoff Beagles', and Jason Holzknect and his wife Clare Holzknect- 'Joint Masters of Chesapeake Beagles.' Many other people will attend the hunt as well, either entering their dogs or just running along for fun.
In the meantime, a grave in the cemetery of St. Luke's Lutheran Church has been vandalized, and - when the grave is opened - a woman's body is found on top of two long buried caskets.
The caskets were interred in the late 1700s, and it's assumed the body (just bones by now) was thrown in at about the same time. What's really shocking, however, is that the body is wearing a pearl necklace and pearl and diamond earrings estimated to be worth at least $600,000.
Of course amateur sleuth Harry, who's intensely curious about odd occurrences, wonders about the dead woman - and hopes to figure out what happened to her.
The bejeweled body leads to flashbacks from 1787, when two large farms - called Cloverfields and Big Rawly - occupied the area.
The property owners, in addition to running their farms, constantly discuss the Constitutional Convention (occurring at the time) - and we get a big dose of history. Moreover a British prisoner who was captured during the American Revolution married one of the farmer's daughters, and - being an architect - designed St. Luke's Church.
Constitutional Convention
As was usual in the 1700s, both Cloverfields and Big Rawly used slaves. Some of the slaves in the story - like the butler, cook and weaver - seemed relatively content and some of the slaves - like the stable boys - became runaways. I was uncomfortable with the author's somewhat rosy-ish depiction of a slave-owning family - which has nothing but the slaves' best interests at heart. Really?? I suspect the author's loyalty to Virginia influenced the writing.
As we follow the 1787 storyline, we learn how the bejeweled woman came to be in St. Luke's cemetery.
In the chapters that jump back to the present, we find that events take an ominous turn and Harry soon has a lot on her plate. First Harry finds a body with a slit throat and later a body that APPEARS to have died from natural causes.....but Harry suspects foul play.
In between investigating the three deaths (one ancient and two current), Harry spends a lot of time talking about the Revolutionary War and the Civil War with her friends - all of whom are knowledgeable about the battles that occurred in Virginia. There's lots of chit-chat about where the soldiers' bodies are buried and whether ghosts haunt the battlefields. In fact the book is MUCH MORE historical novel than mystery.....with a good dose of basset hound hunting and beagle hunting thrown in.
Ghost soldier
Basset hound hunt
Beagle hunt
I was unsatisfied with the VERY skimpy mystery in this cozy, but I did enjoy the historical perspective - and I loved the cute animals and their antics. I'd recommend the novel to readers interested in American history as well as fans of Rita Mae Brown.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Rita Mae Brown), and the publisher (Bantam) for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
May 15, 2019
This was an interesting mystery set in two time periods - present day and 1787. There are suspicious murders in both time periods. In the present day scenario Harry Harristeen and her pets - cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter (love this name for a cat) and two dogs Tucker and Pirate - investigate both the present day and the 1787 murders. The talking animals are adorable - I enjoyed them. The setting is against a backdrop of an annual Hounds F4R Heroes beagle and basset hunting competition at an estate in Virginia.
Unfortunately I didn't find the ending to either scenario very satisfying, but did find the investigation interesting. There's quite a bit of historical discussion that history buffs may enjoy. The descriptions of the dogs competing was enjoyable as well.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Unfortunately I didn't find the ending to either scenario very satisfying, but did find the investigation interesting. There's quite a bit of historical discussion that history buffs may enjoy. The descriptions of the dogs competing was enjoyable as well.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy.
May 3, 2019
As a cozy mystery,
Whiskers in the Dark
may seem cute with cats and dogs that talk to one another and try to help their person, Mary Minor Haristeen (known affectionately as Harry), when trouble comes her way. Having read most of Rita Mae Brown’s 28 books in this series, I have grown quite fond of Harry, her cats Pewter and Mrs. Murphy, and her Corgi, Tee Tucker. Now there is a new pup in the family as well, Pirate. We don’t see much at all of Harry’s veterinarian husband Fair in this one, but we do see her friend, Susan Tucker, who accompanies her as she journeys to the Blue Ridge Mountains to help with the cleanup in preparation for the Hounds for Heroes benefit event. The dogs and cats accompany Harry, naturally.
Did I say mystery? During the cleanup, one of the volunteers is found brutally slain. Harry, of course, is right in the thick of things. Did I say “mystery”? Make that “mysteries.” Harry also assists at her church, where an eighteenth century skeleton is found. The victim was murdered , most likely a black woman. What makes this even more strange is that the skeleton is wearing what appear to be very expensive pearls. What was her story?
In recent “Mrs. Murphy” books, Rita and her feline co-author Sneaky Pie have delved into the past. This time, the discovery of the skeleton segues into a tale of two plantations, Big Rawly and Cloverfields. Ms. Brown and Sneaky Pie don’t tell us that slavery was difficult, that it was wrong. They show us. We see the contrast between the treatment of slaves by the two owners, Maureen Selisse Holloway at Big Rawley and Ewing Garth at Cloverfields. I was struck, too, by the portrayal of the slaves. They are not perfect human beings. They are, simply, human. Some are good to the core. Some are untrustworthy thieves. Unlike some other works of literature, Brown’s slaves do not speak in a dialect that distinguishes them from their white owners, even though they lack education. Some care deeply for their white families, and it is mutual. There is even the opportunity for love between slaves from different estates. How will that be dealt with? Both owners have individual slaves upon whom they depend for the operation of their properties. Is someone among them a murderer?
Back to the present day, a rare April snowstorm makes the cleanup challenging. When another death occurs, Harry is convinced that it is no accident. In fact, she is certain that it is related to the first one. Her animals are concerned. They know what their mom is like! Everyone, including the cats and dogs, knows that Harry is a busybody who loves playing amateur sleuth. She just can’t help herself. There is another little mystery tucked in here too – a ghost beagle named Ruffy appears. Is he from the eighteenth century, or did he die more recently? Will he be reunited with the ghost of his person?
As mysteries go, Whiskers in the Dark is just average. There are just a few modern-day political digs, fewer than in some of Brown’s recent books. However, she focuses on more enduring concepts, like equality and justice. Harry, and ultimately, the reader, must decide whether the surprise ending is acceptable. It took me by surprise, and I am still not sure...
I missed some of the banter that is a hallmark of these stories, but I did like the addition of Pirate to the critter family. I also have to mention, once again, that the illustrations are marvelous, as always!
My thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and the author(s) for this ARC in return for my unbiased review.
4 stars
Did I say mystery? During the cleanup, one of the volunteers is found brutally slain. Harry, of course, is right in the thick of things. Did I say “mystery”? Make that “mysteries.” Harry also assists at her church, where an eighteenth century skeleton is found. The victim was murdered , most likely a black woman. What makes this even more strange is that the skeleton is wearing what appear to be very expensive pearls. What was her story?
In recent “Mrs. Murphy” books, Rita and her feline co-author Sneaky Pie have delved into the past. This time, the discovery of the skeleton segues into a tale of two plantations, Big Rawly and Cloverfields. Ms. Brown and Sneaky Pie don’t tell us that slavery was difficult, that it was wrong. They show us. We see the contrast between the treatment of slaves by the two owners, Maureen Selisse Holloway at Big Rawley and Ewing Garth at Cloverfields. I was struck, too, by the portrayal of the slaves. They are not perfect human beings. They are, simply, human. Some are good to the core. Some are untrustworthy thieves. Unlike some other works of literature, Brown’s slaves do not speak in a dialect that distinguishes them from their white owners, even though they lack education. Some care deeply for their white families, and it is mutual. There is even the opportunity for love between slaves from different estates. How will that be dealt with? Both owners have individual slaves upon whom they depend for the operation of their properties. Is someone among them a murderer?
Back to the present day, a rare April snowstorm makes the cleanup challenging. When another death occurs, Harry is convinced that it is no accident. In fact, she is certain that it is related to the first one. Her animals are concerned. They know what their mom is like! Everyone, including the cats and dogs, knows that Harry is a busybody who loves playing amateur sleuth. She just can’t help herself. There is another little mystery tucked in here too – a ghost beagle named Ruffy appears. Is he from the eighteenth century, or did he die more recently? Will he be reunited with the ghost of his person?
As mysteries go, Whiskers in the Dark is just average. There are just a few modern-day political digs, fewer than in some of Brown’s recent books. However, she focuses on more enduring concepts, like equality and justice. Harry, and ultimately, the reader, must decide whether the surprise ending is acceptable. It took me by surprise, and I am still not sure...
I missed some of the banter that is a hallmark of these stories, but I did like the addition of Pirate to the critter family. I also have to mention, once again, that the illustrations are marvelous, as always!
My thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and the author(s) for this ARC in return for my unbiased review.
4 stars
July 29, 2020
The only mystery worth solving in this book is the question of how it came to be published.
It’s not that the central mystery was actually two central mysteries, that never seemed to touch one another across the 240-year time gap, a squandering of the work the reader puts in over 300 pages alternating between two Virginia plantations in the 18th century and a 514 acre beagle club in the current day, waiting for the payoff when the two storylines converge. They don’t. Weird choice, Brown, but okay.
It’s not even that the two central mysteries—comprising three murders, with one body unidentified and dripping in expensive jewelry—are so profoundly uninteresting to the novel’s characters as well as to its author as to be offhandedly solved by confessions so much in the vein of asides that I breezed past one of them totally unaware and had to backtrack. Literally no one in the novel seems to care that any of these three people died, or who murdered them, and wondersleuth and series heroine Harry, on discovering the perpetrator of the two current day murders, does not so much as flinch, let alone alert the authorities. Her domestic menagerie—two cats, Pewter and Mrs Murphy, and two dogs, Tee Tucker and a ‘half grown Irish Wolfhound’—collectively evince a greater curiosity than anyone, spurred on by their new friend, a ghost dog. Yes.
It’s not there are talking house pets—that’s a selling point of this series, and I can see why. The talking house pets, unlike every human in this damnable book, do not engage in short speeches disguised as dialogue on such irrelevant and deeply out-of-scope questions as: Benghazi actually being Obama’s fault; why sending mail in the 18th century was so incredibly expensive and why did the new draft constitution not contain anything about a federal postal service; Nixon, ah yes, now Richard Nixon, THAT man was a real diplomat; how to use a chainsaw. The house pets also do not bog down the proceedings with excruciatingly lengthy and pointless exegesis on the care, breeding, training, and competing of hunting dogs. The house pets, may god bless them, have actual conversations that advance the plot, add comic relief, or both. They are carrying this novel and perhaps this is attributable to efforts and talents of the book’s second, author Sneaky Pie Brown, AN ACTUAL CAT.
If it’s not clear yet, I find this a plodding, ill-paced, poorly-plotted, deeply boring book. But lots of those get published. Fine.
The mystery here is how a book with such an astonishingly incorrect, lost-cause-supporting, deeply historically revisionist, actually egregiously offensive account of 18th century plantation life could, in 2019, be published: it’s racist as fuck.
Brown describes two plantations. One is Big Rawly, with an overbearing, excruciatingly rich, deeply awful mistress, afloat on a sea of money in holdings all over the world and suspiciously from the Carribbean. She is cruel to her slaves, among whom seem to number a surprisingly deep bench of ruffians, thiefs, killers, and hopeless dependents. The other is Cloverfields, whose enlightened patriarch immerses himself in the new republic’s drive to craft a constitution, allows his clever daughter to learn the business side of things, and chooses to let a runaway slave keep running, because bringing him back would just cause more trouble. The enslaved persons at Cloverfield sit on benches with their mistress, contemplating tombstones and planning a big wedding… for the enslaved woman. The white plantation owners depend on the expertise of the enslaved workers, and respect them. The enslaved members of the plantation work together with the white family to ensure that those troublemaking slaves are dealt with. Everyone knows slaves move between the two plantations at night, but this is a matter or mirthful tolerance. The big wedding (another climactic event we do not witness) across the two properties is supported by both households, as a Christian right and duty. Of course, the benevolent patriarch at Cloverfield. will secure the freedom—the manumission—of the married slaves in part by spending three years planting and cultivating an orchard at Big Rawly. And then training Big Rawly enslaved persons to run it. And then paying outright to purchase the enslaved husband. And then signing manumission papers for both enslaved husband and wife, the loss of whose labour and expertise he is sure to feel keenly. Or would feel keenly, if his daughter hadn’t rushed to assure him that of course the newly freed couple would never leave Cloverfield. Also, yeah, “slavery” exited in ancient Greece and Rome, but it was not chattel slavery. It was not racialized slavery. Look it up.
Look. If you don’t see how all of this is not only hugely dishonest, historically, but actively racist, in perpetuating the myth that American slavery “wasn’t that bad” or that “house servants had a pretty good life” or that “slave labour was amply compensated in room and board,” I probably can’t help you, and this book is part of the reason why. Chattel slavery was racial violence of the highest order. There. Were. No. Good. Slave. Owners. The transatlantic trade in human beings sold as slaves was a historical wrong. Full stop. To recast it as a matter of good masters versus bad masters, to recast human beings literally and legally reduced to the status of property (that is what the “chattel” in chattel slavey means) as cheerful members of plantation households is to extend that racial violence into the current day. To suggest that only “bad” slaves ran away, and that owners just let the bad apples remove themselves from the barrel is so immediately disprovable (there are reams and reams of archival newspaper advertisements putting bounties on runaways, entire new occupational categories—slave catchers!—were devised to support this sytem) that this Vaseline-lensed cozy revisionism feels intentional and dangerous.
Shame on Brown for writing this harmful nonsense. And double shame on Bantam, for publishing it. How. Why. It’s not just that these depictions are a slap in the face of all Black Americans whose descendants survived chattel slavery. It is a curriculum for Karens: it is a primer on white supremacy, keeping white people from knowing their own history. I was astonished to read a high number of reader reviews on this very site lauding the author for teaching readers about history. Teaching! Readers! About! History! I begin to see why Americans continue to book plantation weddings, continue to fight for the Rebel Flag as an emblem of Southern pride, continue to romanticize the antebellum South of states rights to violently hold human beings in bondage, subjected to brutal physical discipline, family rupture, suppression of ancestral languages, and pervasive rape. That’s what your plantation wedding is, a celebration of that history, the one smoothed over to the point of erasure in this kind of ridiculous, racist book.
It’s not that the central mystery was actually two central mysteries, that never seemed to touch one another across the 240-year time gap, a squandering of the work the reader puts in over 300 pages alternating between two Virginia plantations in the 18th century and a 514 acre beagle club in the current day, waiting for the payoff when the two storylines converge. They don’t. Weird choice, Brown, but okay.
It’s not even that the two central mysteries—comprising three murders, with one body unidentified and dripping in expensive jewelry—are so profoundly uninteresting to the novel’s characters as well as to its author as to be offhandedly solved by confessions so much in the vein of asides that I breezed past one of them totally unaware and had to backtrack. Literally no one in the novel seems to care that any of these three people died, or who murdered them, and wondersleuth and series heroine Harry, on discovering the perpetrator of the two current day murders, does not so much as flinch, let alone alert the authorities. Her domestic menagerie—two cats, Pewter and Mrs Murphy, and two dogs, Tee Tucker and a ‘half grown Irish Wolfhound’—collectively evince a greater curiosity than anyone, spurred on by their new friend, a ghost dog. Yes.
It’s not there are talking house pets—that’s a selling point of this series, and I can see why. The talking house pets, unlike every human in this damnable book, do not engage in short speeches disguised as dialogue on such irrelevant and deeply out-of-scope questions as: Benghazi actually being Obama’s fault; why sending mail in the 18th century was so incredibly expensive and why did the new draft constitution not contain anything about a federal postal service; Nixon, ah yes, now Richard Nixon, THAT man was a real diplomat; how to use a chainsaw. The house pets also do not bog down the proceedings with excruciatingly lengthy and pointless exegesis on the care, breeding, training, and competing of hunting dogs. The house pets, may god bless them, have actual conversations that advance the plot, add comic relief, or both. They are carrying this novel and perhaps this is attributable to efforts and talents of the book’s second, author Sneaky Pie Brown, AN ACTUAL CAT.
If it’s not clear yet, I find this a plodding, ill-paced, poorly-plotted, deeply boring book. But lots of those get published. Fine.
The mystery here is how a book with such an astonishingly incorrect, lost-cause-supporting, deeply historically revisionist, actually egregiously offensive account of 18th century plantation life could, in 2019, be published: it’s racist as fuck.
Brown describes two plantations. One is Big Rawly, with an overbearing, excruciatingly rich, deeply awful mistress, afloat on a sea of money in holdings all over the world and suspiciously from the Carribbean. She is cruel to her slaves, among whom seem to number a surprisingly deep bench of ruffians, thiefs, killers, and hopeless dependents. The other is Cloverfields, whose enlightened patriarch immerses himself in the new republic’s drive to craft a constitution, allows his clever daughter to learn the business side of things, and chooses to let a runaway slave keep running, because bringing him back would just cause more trouble. The enslaved persons at Cloverfield sit on benches with their mistress, contemplating tombstones and planning a big wedding… for the enslaved woman. The white plantation owners depend on the expertise of the enslaved workers, and respect them. The enslaved members of the plantation work together with the white family to ensure that those troublemaking slaves are dealt with. Everyone knows slaves move between the two plantations at night, but this is a matter or mirthful tolerance. The big wedding (another climactic event we do not witness) across the two properties is supported by both households, as a Christian right and duty. Of course, the benevolent patriarch at Cloverfield. will secure the freedom—the manumission—of the married slaves in part by spending three years planting and cultivating an orchard at Big Rawly. And then training Big Rawly enslaved persons to run it. And then paying outright to purchase the enslaved husband. And then signing manumission papers for both enslaved husband and wife, the loss of whose labour and expertise he is sure to feel keenly. Or would feel keenly, if his daughter hadn’t rushed to assure him that of course the newly freed couple would never leave Cloverfield. Also, yeah, “slavery” exited in ancient Greece and Rome, but it was not chattel slavery. It was not racialized slavery. Look it up.
Look. If you don’t see how all of this is not only hugely dishonest, historically, but actively racist, in perpetuating the myth that American slavery “wasn’t that bad” or that “house servants had a pretty good life” or that “slave labour was amply compensated in room and board,” I probably can’t help you, and this book is part of the reason why. Chattel slavery was racial violence of the highest order. There. Were. No. Good. Slave. Owners. The transatlantic trade in human beings sold as slaves was a historical wrong. Full stop. To recast it as a matter of good masters versus bad masters, to recast human beings literally and legally reduced to the status of property (that is what the “chattel” in chattel slavey means) as cheerful members of plantation households is to extend that racial violence into the current day. To suggest that only “bad” slaves ran away, and that owners just let the bad apples remove themselves from the barrel is so immediately disprovable (there are reams and reams of archival newspaper advertisements putting bounties on runaways, entire new occupational categories—slave catchers!—were devised to support this sytem) that this Vaseline-lensed cozy revisionism feels intentional and dangerous.
Shame on Brown for writing this harmful nonsense. And double shame on Bantam, for publishing it. How. Why. It’s not just that these depictions are a slap in the face of all Black Americans whose descendants survived chattel slavery. It is a curriculum for Karens: it is a primer on white supremacy, keeping white people from knowing their own history. I was astonished to read a high number of reader reviews on this very site lauding the author for teaching readers about history. Teaching! Readers! About! History! I begin to see why Americans continue to book plantation weddings, continue to fight for the Rebel Flag as an emblem of Southern pride, continue to romanticize the antebellum South of states rights to violently hold human beings in bondage, subjected to brutal physical discipline, family rupture, suppression of ancestral languages, and pervasive rape. That’s what your plantation wedding is, a celebration of that history, the one smoothed over to the point of erasure in this kind of ridiculous, racist book.
June 10, 2019
In the 28th outing of this mystery series set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, 'Harry' Haristeen and her friend Susan have joined a crew of workers who are cleaning up the weather-damaged site belonging to the National Beagle Club of America in Aldie, Virginia which is about to host an annual competition put on by Hounds F4R Heroes. Just days before the event occurs, one of the volunteer workers is found brutally murdered, but his wife insists the annual event must go on. When another death occurs, Harry starts putting her considerable mental skills into solving the case.
The area itself has seen many deaths, as it was a site involved in the Civil War, and many think it is haunted, including Harry's pets who actually meet the ghost of a beagle. Yes, the animals are a fun addition to the cast of characters of these books.
Ms Brown has begun weaving a bit of historical fiction into her mysteries in alternating chapters, giving us a sense of what life was like for both plantation owners and slaves of this area in the years following the Revolutionary War.
I recommend this as a quick summer read. If you enjoy an intriguing mystery mixed with a bit of historical fiction, this series is perfect for you. The animals are quite amusing too. Don't worry too much about jumping in in the middle of a series--Ms Brown thoughtfully includes a 'Cast of Characters.' And as always, there are some delightful pen and ink drawings that enhance the enjoyment of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with an arc of this new mystery for an honest review. It was a delight to spend some time with old 'friends.'
The area itself has seen many deaths, as it was a site involved in the Civil War, and many think it is haunted, including Harry's pets who actually meet the ghost of a beagle. Yes, the animals are a fun addition to the cast of characters of these books.
Ms Brown has begun weaving a bit of historical fiction into her mysteries in alternating chapters, giving us a sense of what life was like for both plantation owners and slaves of this area in the years following the Revolutionary War.
I recommend this as a quick summer read. If you enjoy an intriguing mystery mixed with a bit of historical fiction, this series is perfect for you. The animals are quite amusing too. Don't worry too much about jumping in in the middle of a series--Ms Brown thoughtfully includes a 'Cast of Characters.' And as always, there are some delightful pen and ink drawings that enhance the enjoyment of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with an arc of this new mystery for an honest review. It was a delight to spend some time with old 'friends.'
June 28, 2019
I rarely DNF a book--maybe twice in several years--but I couldn't get past p. 30. The first rule of writing is, don't bore the reader, either with meaningless chit-chat between characters or by using dialogue to provide the reader with backstory or historical detail both characters already know. (It's nice the two women cutting wood know exactly how to safely use a chainsaw, but do I need to be told in an aside that this is how one does it?) This is supposed to be a mystery, but the only mystery so far is the ghost dog. And the only bright spot is the pets' POV. Unfortunately, they have minimal page space. Too many blah characters, not enough suspense led me to not only give up but to also hunt up a book by this author on my TBR pile and donate it. This author has a large following; let someone else enjoy the book.
May 14, 2019
3.5/5 stars
Four murders, two time periods, a lovely Virginia estate, a hunting hound competition and a bunch of retired former members of the diplomatic corps, military and CIA. Sound interesting? Sure enough, it truly was.
A fully clothed African American woman's body bedecked with a stunning pearl necklace and pearl earrings surrounded by diamonds, had been hastily buried atop two freshly buried caskets...back in 1787 in the local graveyard. In 2018, with so little information on which to draw, her identity remained a mystery. The reader is treated to the 18th century background story in alternating chapters to the main story taking place in 2018 Loudoun Co., Virginia.
Meanwhile, members of the local chapter of the National Beagle Club of America are out on their grounds at the Institute in Aldie, clearing paths and trails of fallen trees and brush in preparation for the annual hunting basset and beagle competition hosted by Hounds F4R Heroes. At days end, as a storm is forming, another dead body is found and on the next day, another. They're members of the Club and now it's all looking rather personal.
Protagonist "Harry", (Mary Minor Haristeen), and her cadre of felines and canines are on it. Curiosity is her weakness and unsolved murders on the competition grounds is just bad for business.
Although this is my first foray into the Mrs. Murphy mystery series, I found the story solid as a stand-alone. With its excess of 34 characters, thankfully, there's a roster for both the current and the 18th century time periods. Ms. Brown is a whiz at educating her readership with her engaging tales and this story was no exception. One learns about colonial plantation life of Virginia, the beagling hobby, bits about regional Civil War history and the Battle of Aldie. There's also an interesting discussion regarding diplomatic corps service which sometimes appears to be at cross-purposes with the intelligence gathering community.
This was definitely an informative and most enjoyable read. I look forward to catching up on other installments in this series.
I am grateful to Bantam Books and NetGalley for having provided an advance uncorrected proof of this book. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Four murders, two time periods, a lovely Virginia estate, a hunting hound competition and a bunch of retired former members of the diplomatic corps, military and CIA. Sound interesting? Sure enough, it truly was.
A fully clothed African American woman's body bedecked with a stunning pearl necklace and pearl earrings surrounded by diamonds, had been hastily buried atop two freshly buried caskets...back in 1787 in the local graveyard. In 2018, with so little information on which to draw, her identity remained a mystery. The reader is treated to the 18th century background story in alternating chapters to the main story taking place in 2018 Loudoun Co., Virginia.
Meanwhile, members of the local chapter of the National Beagle Club of America are out on their grounds at the Institute in Aldie, clearing paths and trails of fallen trees and brush in preparation for the annual hunting basset and beagle competition hosted by Hounds F4R Heroes. At days end, as a storm is forming, another dead body is found and on the next day, another. They're members of the Club and now it's all looking rather personal.
Protagonist "Harry", (Mary Minor Haristeen), and her cadre of felines and canines are on it. Curiosity is her weakness and unsolved murders on the competition grounds is just bad for business.
Although this is my first foray into the Mrs. Murphy mystery series, I found the story solid as a stand-alone. With its excess of 34 characters, thankfully, there's a roster for both the current and the 18th century time periods. Ms. Brown is a whiz at educating her readership with her engaging tales and this story was no exception. One learns about colonial plantation life of Virginia, the beagling hobby, bits about regional Civil War history and the Battle of Aldie. There's also an interesting discussion regarding diplomatic corps service which sometimes appears to be at cross-purposes with the intelligence gathering community.
This was definitely an informative and most enjoyable read. I look forward to catching up on other installments in this series.
I am grateful to Bantam Books and NetGalley for having provided an advance uncorrected proof of this book. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
July 27, 2019
This book was a disappointment. I very much enjoyed the earlier mysteries in this series for the banter between the animals and their somewhat limited interaction with their humans, to get the humans on the right track to solve the murders. Now, the books have two storylines going, one present day and one taking place in the 1700s, and the animals are almost forgotten. The author also raises the problems of social injustices and politics, both then and now. Not what I am looking for in a cozy mystery. That being said, both past and present mysteries in this installment had unsatisfying conclusions. I’m sure the author will continue the past storyline in the next book, but the present mystery was just not that intriguing. Perhaps Ms. Brown should have started a new historical mystery series and kept her Sneaky Pie Brown one as it had always been, an animal cozy.
April 20, 2019
Rita Mae Brown is so much more than just a writer of mysteries. Social commentator, rabble rousing feminist, and long time resident of Virginia. She brings a great depth to her long running Mrs Murphy series. All lovers of this series know it is co-authored by Sneaky Pie Brown (her cat.)
The 28th volume of the Mrs Murphy Mysteries is set primarily at the headquarters of the National Beagle Club in Aldie VA. The Beagle club will soon be hosting a fundraiser called Hounds F4r Heroes. This is an actual event, and Brown's descriptions of the preparations and the hunt are so well researched, the reader feels they could be watching a documentary. Except for the ghost beagle, and the corpse. One person is missing, two people are dead, and Harry's curiosity won't let her alone. Susan and Harry carry the body of the present day plot; their husbands are off-stage.
Brown frequently speaks of the vast history of Virginia. In this book, the Civil War is mentioned in passing. Aldie was the site of a Civil War battle that was almost a massacre for the Union Forces.
The discovery of a skeleton that was buried within an 18th century grave allows long passages
telling of Virginia in 1788 and 1789 to become part of the story. In flashback form we learn of the lives of slaves, both runaways and house servants. We see plantation owners portrayed in a realistic manner living in a manner true to their time.
Brown frequently considers the idea of justice in her novels. Is it ever okay for someone to commit a crime and not be punished? Why was it acceptable to buy a human being? Is it acceptable to purchase a husband? What happens when justice and duty are in conflict? The characters share their ideas, Brown allows the reader to find their own conclusions.
Well done Big Brown, as Sneaky Pie lovingly calls Ms. Brown.
Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book from netgalley.com and Random House in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.
The 28th volume of the Mrs Murphy Mysteries is set primarily at the headquarters of the National Beagle Club in Aldie VA. The Beagle club will soon be hosting a fundraiser called Hounds F4r Heroes. This is an actual event, and Brown's descriptions of the preparations and the hunt are so well researched, the reader feels they could be watching a documentary. Except for the ghost beagle, and the corpse. One person is missing, two people are dead, and Harry's curiosity won't let her alone. Susan and Harry carry the body of the present day plot; their husbands are off-stage.
Brown frequently speaks of the vast history of Virginia. In this book, the Civil War is mentioned in passing. Aldie was the site of a Civil War battle that was almost a massacre for the Union Forces.
The discovery of a skeleton that was buried within an 18th century grave allows long passages
telling of Virginia in 1788 and 1789 to become part of the story. In flashback form we learn of the lives of slaves, both runaways and house servants. We see plantation owners portrayed in a realistic manner living in a manner true to their time.
Brown frequently considers the idea of justice in her novels. Is it ever okay for someone to commit a crime and not be punished? Why was it acceptable to buy a human being? Is it acceptable to purchase a husband? What happens when justice and duty are in conflict? The characters share their ideas, Brown allows the reader to find their own conclusions.
Well done Big Brown, as Sneaky Pie lovingly calls Ms. Brown.
Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book from netgalley.com and Random House in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.
May 31, 2019
I just really didn't like it. For a cozy mystery, it's neither cozy or much of a mystery. A significant amount of the story was focused on teaching the reader historical facts about American history and how hound hunting works. The mystery didn't even begin until I was one-third into the book and even then it seemed to remain on the back burner until the last 20 pages or so. I really enjoyed the animals and thought the way the author wrote their dialogue alongside the humans was really neat but there's not enough of that to carry me through the book. The ending was interesting as well; even though I picked the killer I was surprised by Harry's response.
But those two things I liked were only a handful of pages overall and not nearly enough for me to want to pick it back up. Nothing propelled me forward through the explanatory dialogue (I was a history major. I love history but not when someone recounts facts for multiple paragraphs of dialogue.) or vast amount of names of characters that seemed not to matter. Maybe it's because I haven't read any of the other books in the series but other than the animal sections I didn't like it. I'm sorry to leave such a review but I promised to always write honest reviews for what I read. I really adore cozy mysteries but without the mystery what even is it?
Note: I received a free Kindle edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher Random House, and the author Rita Mae Brown for the opportunity to do so.
But those two things I liked were only a handful of pages overall and not nearly enough for me to want to pick it back up. Nothing propelled me forward through the explanatory dialogue (I was a history major. I love history but not when someone recounts facts for multiple paragraphs of dialogue.) or vast amount of names of characters that seemed not to matter. Maybe it's because I haven't read any of the other books in the series but other than the animal sections I didn't like it. I'm sorry to leave such a review but I promised to always write honest reviews for what I read. I really adore cozy mysteries but without the mystery what even is it?
Note: I received a free Kindle edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher Random House, and the author Rita Mae Brown for the opportunity to do so.
April 22, 2019
I have been a fan of the Mrs. Murphy series by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown from the very beginning, and I always look forward to the latest story.
As with several recent Mrs. Murphy books, this one features a dual story line: a new, current story in April, 2018, the other an ongoing story from September 1787, resulting in a multi-layered, multi-century piece that brings historical perspective to the present day.
The historical material is thought-provoking. For me, it strikes a chord as my own ancestors settled in Virginia in the 18th century. So many themes appear--including the process that created our country, the effects of slavery, the impact of war on the South--and indeed, on all of us. I learned about hunting with beagle hounds, which is quite a different process than foxhunting (another topic that is dear to Ms. Brown--Rita Mae, that is).
As always, we are given an intriguing mystery to solve, we meet again our favorite characters, human and animal. There is an endearing new animal character here, the devoted beagle ghost Ruffy, waiting patiently for his ghostly human to be at peace.
I found this an absorbing and touching story. Once again both Browns have woven an intricate and absorbing tale for us to enjoy, even as they move us to ponder some important subjects, both past and present.
My thanks to authors, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an advance copy to read and review.
As with several recent Mrs. Murphy books, this one features a dual story line: a new, current story in April, 2018, the other an ongoing story from September 1787, resulting in a multi-layered, multi-century piece that brings historical perspective to the present day.
The historical material is thought-provoking. For me, it strikes a chord as my own ancestors settled in Virginia in the 18th century. So many themes appear--including the process that created our country, the effects of slavery, the impact of war on the South--and indeed, on all of us. I learned about hunting with beagle hounds, which is quite a different process than foxhunting (another topic that is dear to Ms. Brown--Rita Mae, that is).
As always, we are given an intriguing mystery to solve, we meet again our favorite characters, human and animal. There is an endearing new animal character here, the devoted beagle ghost Ruffy, waiting patiently for his ghostly human to be at peace.
I found this an absorbing and touching story. Once again both Browns have woven an intricate and absorbing tale for us to enjoy, even as they move us to ponder some important subjects, both past and present.
My thanks to authors, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an advance copy to read and review.
June 6, 2019
Rita Mae Brown has a very loyal following. Her mysteries have been enjoyed and loved for years.
Her characters have been adopted by readers. Especially endearing to them are the chattering animals.
This book fits the Amateur Sleuth genre, but has elements of a harder, classic mystery. With elements of historical fiction, political intrigue, it tells the tale of two time periods. The reader does have to focus and may need to read between the lines. In the end, each reader must draw their own ethical conclusions.
I enjoyed the varied aspects of this book. Not everything is neatly wrapped up at the end. It leaves much to consider and contemplate. I am curious how this book will affect Harry and the continuation of the series. The storyline is not an event a character can experience and come through unchanged.
Her characters have been adopted by readers. Especially endearing to them are the chattering animals.
This book fits the Amateur Sleuth genre, but has elements of a harder, classic mystery. With elements of historical fiction, political intrigue, it tells the tale of two time periods. The reader does have to focus and may need to read between the lines. In the end, each reader must draw their own ethical conclusions.
I enjoyed the varied aspects of this book. Not everything is neatly wrapped up at the end. It leaves much to consider and contemplate. I am curious how this book will affect Harry and the continuation of the series. The storyline is not an event a character can experience and come through unchanged.
May 3, 2019
I found an easy to read text and a nice flow between the the two time periods. Very little about animals for which I read the series. There are a number of excellent pictures showing some of the events. The graveyard near St Luke's church is vandalized an in the grave an unburied skeleton is found with a rope of pearls around her neck.
Mary Minor “Harry” Harristeen joins the volunteers at Aldie, the National Beagle Club for spring clean up before the trials. There was a damaging spring storm that badly damage the area. She is accompanied by the cats and Tucker. Susan is also volunteering and they share a cabin. A ghost dog joins the animals. Harry and Susan find one the workers with his throat cut. There is evidence that the foreign service is responsible for the current deaths.
Back in the 1870's we learn more of story of the plantations. There are a couple of incidents that focus that effects the present day. These factors are nicely brought together. I recommend this book.
Disclosure: Thanks to Random House Publishing Group Ballentine for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
Mary Minor “Harry” Harristeen joins the volunteers at Aldie, the National Beagle Club for spring clean up before the trials. There was a damaging spring storm that badly damage the area. She is accompanied by the cats and Tucker. Susan is also volunteering and they share a cabin. A ghost dog joins the animals. Harry and Susan find one the workers with his throat cut. There is evidence that the foreign service is responsible for the current deaths.
Back in the 1870's we learn more of story of the plantations. There are a couple of incidents that focus that effects the present day. These factors are nicely brought together. I recommend this book.
Disclosure: Thanks to Random House Publishing Group Ballentine for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
June 5, 2019
Mary Minor "Harry" Harristeen and her best friend, Susan Tucker, have traveled to northern Virginia to help with a clean-up effort at a local Beagle club in preparation for the annual Hounds for Heroes benefit event. The weather is definitely not cooperating and the hunt trails are in a real mess. While preparing to move a large tree root, Jason Holzknect, one of the volunteers and a club member, goes to get a tractor to haul the tree roots away from the trail area. When Jason fails to return, the group goes looking for him. He is found dead, with his throat cut.
At the same time, a skeleton with an expensive set of pearls has been found lying on top of another grave in the St. Luke's Cemetery. The skeleton is that of an African-American woman from the era of the American Revolution. The unknown woman's neck had been broken. Mixing in snippets of history from the fall of 1787 really adds to the overall mystery.
Who killed Jason Holzknect? Why was he killed? Were the pearls found on the skelton stolen? Who was the person before she died? Who killed her? Can Harry and her animals solve the mysteries without endangering their own lives?
Rita Mae Brown does a fantastic job of creating memorable characters and situations. In addition, knowing what the animals are thinking and saying to each other really adds to the story.
At the same time, a skeleton with an expensive set of pearls has been found lying on top of another grave in the St. Luke's Cemetery. The skeleton is that of an African-American woman from the era of the American Revolution. The unknown woman's neck had been broken. Mixing in snippets of history from the fall of 1787 really adds to the overall mystery.
Who killed Jason Holzknect? Why was he killed? Were the pearls found on the skelton stolen? Who was the person before she died? Who killed her? Can Harry and her animals solve the mysteries without endangering their own lives?
Rita Mae Brown does a fantastic job of creating memorable characters and situations. In addition, knowing what the animals are thinking and saying to each other really adds to the story.
July 6, 2019
I am now hooked on the parallel story that runs in the last few Mrs. Murphy books about the families back in the 1700's. In this story, I was more interested in them than the goings on of Harry and Susan at the hound hunting contest. Funny how things change. The first time the story was introduced, I remember feeling a mild annoyance that the antics of Mrs. Murphy, Tucker and Pewter were being interrupted but it has grown on me to the point that I look forward to reading the latest chapter of that time and place. Mrs. Murphy was hardly featured at all this time around and I hope the next book will have more of the three reasons I read this series: Mrs. Murphy, Tucker and Pewter!
June 23, 2019
Once again Miss Rita Mae has taken me on a journey of adventure and exploration into an amazing mystery. I've spent the last 24 hours reading it, because it was too good to put down. The ending will remain a mystery until you also pick up this book.
January 17, 2020
This is more historical fiction than cozy mystery. There are two stories--one in the past and one in the present. Both end with a cliffhanger. They are connected by a necklace and a church. The animals in this story talk to each other, same as the Sister Jane series. This one has beagle and basset hound hunts, which were interesting.
April 13, 2019
Whiskers in the Dark by Rita Mae Brown has two murders—one current day and one from the eighteenth century. I loved all the animals written about and involved in this story. It took me a bit to get fully invested in the storyline, and there were several characters to keep track of, but it was relatively easy to follow. The mystery held my interest. I liked the way the author unfolded the story from current day 2018 and the older story in 1787. I enjoyed the characters in the 1787 setting and their storylines. The illustrations were a nice touch to the book.
March 30, 2019
A massive nor’easter has hit northern Virginia, where Mary Minor “Harry” Harristeen joins groundskeeping efforts at the National Beagle Club at Aldie as the date for its springtime Hounds for Heroes veterans’ benefit approaches. Harry’s fellow volunteers, including her oldest friend, Susan Tucker, comprise a spirited group of hunting enthusiasts, some former service members themselves. But things take a sinister turn when, after a routine tree cleanup along the Club’s hunting trails, retired foreign services officer Jason Holzknect is found dead, throat slit from ear to ear. Soon enough, another murder in their midst jolts the preparations, convincing Harry that the killer is familiar with the Club—and must be close by, masked in plain sight.
Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book it was a great experience
Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book it was a great experience
June 4, 2019
This is the 28th book in the Mrs. Murphy mystery series.
I should have gone with my first instinct and passed this ARC right on by. I knew I might not like talking animals in my stories and I was right. But there was so much more wrong with this than the talking animals. The author used this as a study in American History and did a pretty good job of shoving a whole lot of it down our throats every chance that came around.
History has its place in a story, I think. But I don’t think I need to relive a lot of it to understand the entire dynamic of what went down back then. Trying to wade through it all only served in giving me a headache. I hate being so down on a book. It is so not like me.
I might have been able to overlook it but the mystery was nearly non-existent. I am reading for the mystery., Not the history. Not the animals. The last few chapters is where the crux of the cozy mystery happened. And considering this book is nearly 300 pages, that is sad.
Don’t get me wrong. This book has its place in the market. If you are a hardcore Disney fan and love your talking animals, you may be into this. If you are a fan of history, this is your baby. I will let the author serve it up to you. But if you are here for the mystery, don’t waste your time.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
I should have gone with my first instinct and passed this ARC right on by. I knew I might not like talking animals in my stories and I was right. But there was so much more wrong with this than the talking animals. The author used this as a study in American History and did a pretty good job of shoving a whole lot of it down our throats every chance that came around.
History has its place in a story, I think. But I don’t think I need to relive a lot of it to understand the entire dynamic of what went down back then. Trying to wade through it all only served in giving me a headache. I hate being so down on a book. It is so not like me.
I might have been able to overlook it but the mystery was nearly non-existent. I am reading for the mystery., Not the history. Not the animals. The last few chapters is where the crux of the cozy mystery happened. And considering this book is nearly 300 pages, that is sad.
Don’t get me wrong. This book has its place in the market. If you are a hardcore Disney fan and love your talking animals, you may be into this. If you are a fan of history, this is your baby. I will let the author serve it up to you. But if you are here for the mystery, don’t waste your time.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
October 11, 2019
I always enjoy Sneaky Pie mysteries, but this one not as much as the others. Usually I don't really care for the switch between modern day and 18th century (even though I have learned some American History in this.) This time I thought the 18th century part was better than the modern story line.
I know RMB has strong political views, but she's letting some of them show too much in her books. She needs to remember who her target audience is; Southern women who live in the Bible Belt. I took extreme offense to one of her characters' opinions "The Old Testament, that paean of monotheism." Maybe I'm just an old grouch and no one else was bothered by that, but still...
As always, I enjoyed the animals' antics and the illustrations. I didn't really like the ending and I miss reading about the other characters; Big Mim, Aunt Tally, Miranda Hobgood, ect.
If you like this series in general you will probably enjoy this one, but this is not the one to start with if you haven't read any of the others.
I know RMB has strong political views, but she's letting some of them show too much in her books. She needs to remember who her target audience is; Southern women who live in the Bible Belt. I took extreme offense to one of her characters' opinions "The Old Testament, that paean of monotheism." Maybe I'm just an old grouch and no one else was bothered by that, but still...
As always, I enjoyed the animals' antics and the illustrations. I didn't really like the ending and I miss reading about the other characters; Big Mim, Aunt Tally, Miranda Hobgood, ect.
If you like this series in general you will probably enjoy this one, but this is not the one to start with if you haven't read any of the others.
June 4, 2019
It is pure delight to visit Harry, best friend Susan, and Harry’s pets and horses! The setting is interesting, with the backdrop of hunting to raise funds for a worthy cause, Hounds F4R Heroes, present day Crozet, historical events, and the intriguing mysteries occurring before and after the hunts.
We visit Aldie, VA, as Susan, Harry, and a group of huntsmen prepare the National Beagle Club of America for the upcoming event that will raise money for military veterans to have sports events. Anything that could cause harm to the hunting dogs and people had to be trimmed or cleared, including trees downed by wind and storms and repairs to buildings as needed. I enjoy our regular characters, the history, and the camaraderie of Harry, Susan, and Coop.
Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, Harry’s cats, and Tee Tucker and Pirate, her pups meet a ghost beagle. Ruffy is quiet at first but seems to be on a mission. The second weekend they are there, a tragedy occurred. Jason, a hunter who owns a Toyota and Lexus dealership, is found dead, clearly murdered, when bringing a tractor to where others are clearing a tree. It looks like he knew the person who got up close and personal enough to harm him. Jason had once worked overseas in the Diplomatic Corp, primarily in Turkey. His wife, Clare, was a retired Navy captain who had spent time in a ship outside Finland.
A couple years earlier, after some damage was done around headstones of the first two folks buried, in the 1780’s, at St. Luke’s Cemetery, a unique murder was discovered. Laid on top of the two caskets with a snapped neck, no casket of her own, is the skeleton of an African American woman. She wore $600,000 worth of pearls and diamonds. There was no record of a death among the church membership, no missing person’s records found. The question is raised – what should they do with the jewelry now locked safely away?
We return to 1787, to the family we met in other novels. Ewing Garth, his daughters and their families on Cloverfields, and the slaves who live at Cloverfields and the neighboring Big Rawley, which has been owned by Susan’s family for many generations are like old friends. I enjoy the characters and concerns of both Ewing’s family and the slaves, as well as learning about the history of the early days of our country.
It’s hard to imagine that this is 28th in the Mrs. Murphy series, it has fresh, new elements. I enjoy Harry’s pets and their communications. Herself a Master of Hounds and a Huntsman, the author writes about the hunt, sharing a tale rich in action. While not a hunter, I was fascinated to have a front-page seat to the competition and a setting integral to the murder. It was a learning experience as Harry considers the political climate in which Jason and his wife had met and the drug culture of past employees, then tries to understand what could be behind murder. There was no way I could have discovered the motive for murder in this complex mystery even though I did guess whodunit. There was only one thing I was disappointed by; I felt as if I was on another 1787 cliffhanger with regards to events occurring in their lives. Otherwise, I highly recommend this to those who are fans of this series and author, dogs, cats, and horses, and well-written, intriguing clean mysteries.
From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this e-ARC from the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
We visit Aldie, VA, as Susan, Harry, and a group of huntsmen prepare the National Beagle Club of America for the upcoming event that will raise money for military veterans to have sports events. Anything that could cause harm to the hunting dogs and people had to be trimmed or cleared, including trees downed by wind and storms and repairs to buildings as needed. I enjoy our regular characters, the history, and the camaraderie of Harry, Susan, and Coop.
Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, Harry’s cats, and Tee Tucker and Pirate, her pups meet a ghost beagle. Ruffy is quiet at first but seems to be on a mission. The second weekend they are there, a tragedy occurred. Jason, a hunter who owns a Toyota and Lexus dealership, is found dead, clearly murdered, when bringing a tractor to where others are clearing a tree. It looks like he knew the person who got up close and personal enough to harm him. Jason had once worked overseas in the Diplomatic Corp, primarily in Turkey. His wife, Clare, was a retired Navy captain who had spent time in a ship outside Finland.
A couple years earlier, after some damage was done around headstones of the first two folks buried, in the 1780’s, at St. Luke’s Cemetery, a unique murder was discovered. Laid on top of the two caskets with a snapped neck, no casket of her own, is the skeleton of an African American woman. She wore $600,000 worth of pearls and diamonds. There was no record of a death among the church membership, no missing person’s records found. The question is raised – what should they do with the jewelry now locked safely away?
We return to 1787, to the family we met in other novels. Ewing Garth, his daughters and their families on Cloverfields, and the slaves who live at Cloverfields and the neighboring Big Rawley, which has been owned by Susan’s family for many generations are like old friends. I enjoy the characters and concerns of both Ewing’s family and the slaves, as well as learning about the history of the early days of our country.
It’s hard to imagine that this is 28th in the Mrs. Murphy series, it has fresh, new elements. I enjoy Harry’s pets and their communications. Herself a Master of Hounds and a Huntsman, the author writes about the hunt, sharing a tale rich in action. While not a hunter, I was fascinated to have a front-page seat to the competition and a setting integral to the murder. It was a learning experience as Harry considers the political climate in which Jason and his wife had met and the drug culture of past employees, then tries to understand what could be behind murder. There was no way I could have discovered the motive for murder in this complex mystery even though I did guess whodunit. There was only one thing I was disappointed by; I felt as if I was on another 1787 cliffhanger with regards to events occurring in their lives. Otherwise, I highly recommend this to those who are fans of this series and author, dogs, cats, and horses, and well-written, intriguing clean mysteries.
From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this e-ARC from the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
June 6, 2019
Another investigating adventure for Harry Harristeen and her four four legged companions and fellow investigators. Harry is helping to clean up the grounds of the National Beagle Club Grounds to prepare for the Hounds F4 Heroes competition event. Harry discovers the body of a committee member with his throat slit. Harry is convinced that the murderer is another committee member and much to her companions' chagrin she begins investigating. Meanwhile, at Harry's church a disturbed grave leads to the body of an unidentified woman, fully dressed and wearing expensive jewelry, left on top of a casket. Harry is searching for answers while her companions are trying to keep her safe. Interspersed with in the book are chapters about life in the area in 1787. The author gives us an informative, and interesting history of the Eastern United States and some of the traditions that still continue today. As always, the conversations between the animals are entertaining and at times I laughed out loud. Thank-you to Netgalley, Random House, Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown for an ARC in exchange for a honest review. Review posted to Goodreads, Amazon and Kobo.
June 11, 2019
Set at a National Beagle Association event, Whiskers in the Dark is another satisfying entry in the Mrs. Murphy cat cozy mystery series.
Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, crime solving cats, plus Tee Tucker, a Corgi dog, and Pirate, an Irish Wolfhound puppy, get clues to two mysteries from a ghostly beagle only they can see. In current day, a man is found murdered before the annual Hounds for Heroes benefit hunt. Then, a woman’s skeleton from the 1780s is found with a broken neck and wearing an expensive necklace. What is her story?
I enjoyed the past mystery the most. It tells a story of slavery and freedom. The current day mystery seemed to be a little rushed to make room for the historic one. However, it is always a pleasure to spend a few hours with Harry and Mrs. Murphy. Whiskers in the Dark is no exception. 4 stars!
Thanks to Bantam Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, crime solving cats, plus Tee Tucker, a Corgi dog, and Pirate, an Irish Wolfhound puppy, get clues to two mysteries from a ghostly beagle only they can see. In current day, a man is found murdered before the annual Hounds for Heroes benefit hunt. Then, a woman’s skeleton from the 1780s is found with a broken neck and wearing an expensive necklace. What is her story?
I enjoyed the past mystery the most. It tells a story of slavery and freedom. The current day mystery seemed to be a little rushed to make room for the historic one. However, it is always a pleasure to spend a few hours with Harry and Mrs. Murphy. Whiskers in the Dark is no exception. 4 stars!
Thanks to Bantam Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 16, 2019
This mystery cuts back and forth between an historic antebellum cast of characters and a current storyline featuring amateur detective “Harry” Harristeen and her band of pets. Even with the interwoven plot, each side of the story fell a little short as if they did not have enough substance to stand on their own. I did appreciate that one storyline was left open at the end of the book, and the illustrations are a nice touch—I wish more adult authors would follow suit.
July 16, 2019
Reading this book was like watching an episode of a sitcom in the middle of a season. The character descriptions given at the beginning of the novel seemed to be an attempt to make up for the lack of depth in each character. Maybe I need to read the other 27 books in this series for it to be more meaningful. Or maybe this "meow-der" mystery genre is just not for me.
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October 3, 2019I've never read a cozy mystery before, and I thought this one was sweet. I enjoyed the dual timelines and found the investigations in both to be enjoyable. I wasn't as satisfied by the ending as I would hope to be, but overall it was an entertaining read!
January 26, 2020
Always love the little history in a story. The animals make for an interesting read. A murder mystery that is relaxing to read. But I this case, does anyone really get punished for murder. We will never know.
June 24, 2025
It wasn't hard to figure out who the killer was, and I'm finding that the cozy mystery aspect of this series is falling by the wayside for the author's political views, although this one wasn't as preachy as the previous ones have been.
August 8, 2019
I am sick to death of this spoiled lesbian’s genteel portrayal of slavery as an out-of-date but benign institution.
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