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Mrs. Murphy #8
Pawing Through the Past
"You'll never get old." Each member of the class of 1980 has received the letter. Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen, who is on the organizing committee for Crozet High's twentieth reunion, decides to take it as a compliment. Others think it's a joke. But Mrs. Murphy senses trouble. And the sly tiger cat is soon proven right ... when the class womanizer turns up dead with a bullet between his eyes. Then another note followed by another murder makes it clear that someone has waited twenty years to take revenge. While Harry tries to piece together the puzzle, it's up to Mrs. Murphy and her animal pals to sniff out the truth. And there isn't much time. Mrs. Murphy is the first to realize that Harry has been chosen Most Likely to Die, and if she doesn't hurry, Crozet High's twentieth reunion could be Harry's last.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
149 people are currently reading
1129 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 159 reviews
March 5, 2018
This was another good story with 3 of my favorite characters: Mrs. Murphy, Tucker and Pewter. This tale revolves around Harry's high school reunion and I was amused that her 2 cats and dog went along with her to the school. I can't even imagine the chaos that would ensue if I brought my furry trio to a public event. However, everyone in this town seems to accept the animals presence here, there and everywhere (as it should be.) I enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed the previous 7 and will continue working my way through the series. I find few things as relaxing as lying on my couch visiting the characters in this series as my own animals take turns jumping on me, lying on my lap, laying next to me, nudging the book in my hands, patting my face for attention, etc.
July 6, 2009
hated it. Trite and demonizes a transsexual character. Really a disappointment.
February 27, 2020
Though I enjoy others in the series, this is another one that has not aged well. I saw the "Who Dunnit" coming, and boy did I hope I was wrong....
January 29, 2008
The thing you have to know about Rita Mae Brown is that she is a social activist first and a writer second. If you do not know this going into her books, you are going to find them preachy.
The cats and dogs in her stories talk to each other (though not to humans), and she will often put words in their mouths, such as how Congress is ruining this country, and why don't people get off their duffs and exercise through the noble sport of fox hunting? And I read it and go, "Oh, really, I will have to take my cat's advice on how to vote next time, and run right out and buy some thoroughbred foxhounds right away."
Once you've read it all so many times, you get tired of it and start to think, "Shut up, Rita Mae, and tell us who the killer is!"
That said, her books are page-turners. While her commentary is annoying, the Mrs. Murphy mystery books are all really good.
I have started to read a couple of Brown's other novels but found them too boring and/or full of social commentary to finish. One of them was Outfoxed and I can't remember the title of the other.
My favorite book in this series is Pawing through the Past, above.
I would rate any of her books PG-13. She never has explicit sex scenes, but there is a book that deals with child exploitation (I think it's Cat on the Scent) and in the later books in the series, there is a lesbian couple. Some of the murders are quite violent and bloody, and the language is generally pretty strong.
The cats and dogs in her stories talk to each other (though not to humans), and she will often put words in their mouths, such as how Congress is ruining this country, and why don't people get off their duffs and exercise through the noble sport of fox hunting? And I read it and go, "Oh, really, I will have to take my cat's advice on how to vote next time, and run right out and buy some thoroughbred foxhounds right away."
Once you've read it all so many times, you get tired of it and start to think, "Shut up, Rita Mae, and tell us who the killer is!"
That said, her books are page-turners. While her commentary is annoying, the Mrs. Murphy mystery books are all really good.
I have started to read a couple of Brown's other novels but found them too boring and/or full of social commentary to finish. One of them was Outfoxed and I can't remember the title of the other.
My favorite book in this series is Pawing through the Past, above.
I would rate any of her books PG-13. She never has explicit sex scenes, but there is a book that deals with child exploitation (I think it's Cat on the Scent) and in the later books in the series, there is a lesbian couple. Some of the murders are quite violent and bloody, and the language is generally pretty strong.
February 17, 2021
Rita Mae Brown is starting to become as disappointing as M.C. Beaton. This is the second book in her series where a victim of sexual assault goes on a killing spree. This time the citizen's of Crozet are at least a little horrified by the crime that sparked the revenge killings, but then we get some lovely trans-demonization as topping. The killer is a young man who faked his death by suicide, transitions to female, steals a random woman's identity, then returns to her hometown to exact revenge. Yes it was written twenty years ago, and the characters go out of their way to cite statistics about how non-violent homosexuals are as a group, but using a plot twist from Ace Ventura was unacceptable then and did not improve with age.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2019
Not a review. These notes are for my own reference and may contain spoilers!
Reread on audio.
Takes place August through October (2001?)
Crozet is preparing for the 50th reunion of the class of 1950, and the 20th reunion of the class of 1980. Harry is in that class, so she is ~38. Fair is a year ahead, so 39.
Regulars:
The usuals: Harry, Fair, Mrs. Hogendobber, Susan Tucker, Boom Boom, Cynthia and Rick (police). Tee Tucker, Mrs. Murphy, and Pewter. Pewter gets to be a bit of a hero finally.
New characters:
Classmate and love interest of Mrs. Hogendobber (class of 1950) - Tracy Razz.
Book description: Classmates (1980) receive anonymous letters with a simple message: "You'll never get old." Some take the note as a compliment, others think it's a harmless practical joke. But when the class womanizer turns up dead, the message suddenly has a far more sinister meaning.
3 stars because the sending letters through the mail thing has been used before. No one actually solves the crime - the killer is just revealed at the end when he/she finally makes a mistake. I still enjoy the antics of the animals, though it stretches credibility that the cats would actually attack someone to protect their owner. Mine would be under the bed.
Reread on audio.
Takes place August through October (2001?)
Crozet is preparing for the 50th reunion of the class of 1950, and the 20th reunion of the class of 1980. Harry is in that class, so she is ~38. Fair is a year ahead, so 39.
Regulars:
The usuals: Harry, Fair, Mrs. Hogendobber, Susan Tucker, Boom Boom, Cynthia and Rick (police). Tee Tucker, Mrs. Murphy, and Pewter. Pewter gets to be a bit of a hero finally.
New characters:
Classmate and love interest of Mrs. Hogendobber (class of 1950) - Tracy Razz.
Book description: Classmates (1980) receive anonymous letters with a simple message: "You'll never get old." Some take the note as a compliment, others think it's a harmless practical joke. But when the class womanizer turns up dead, the message suddenly has a far more sinister meaning.
3 stars because the sending letters through the mail thing has been used before. No one actually solves the crime - the killer is just revealed at the end when he/she finally makes a mistake. I still enjoy the antics of the animals, though it stretches credibility that the cats would actually attack someone to protect their owner. Mine would be under the bed.
September 3, 2009
Wow. I can't express how disappointed I am in this book. These mysteries are like comfort food, always good to curl up with and enjoy. But the lack of minority characters has always been of concern. And now finally, a gay person comes to Crozet, and they turn out to be a transsexual serial killer!
Way to play into all those tired stereotypes! What makes it worse is that the author is gay, and should know better. There is some heavy sermonising at the end of the story as the main characters all nod their heads and say how hard life can be for gay people and they shouldn't be demonised - when the book itself has just done that.
Leaves a bad taste in the mouth for the next book.
Way to play into all those tired stereotypes! What makes it worse is that the author is gay, and should know better. There is some heavy sermonising at the end of the story as the main characters all nod their heads and say how hard life can be for gay people and they shouldn't be demonised - when the book itself has just done that.
Leaves a bad taste in the mouth for the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2016
Although the writing is on par with the preceding books in the series, the plot of this one and its twist are disappointing. Even viewing this through the lens of its time, by the dawn of the 21st century Brown should have known and done better than to pander to harmful stereotypes regarding sexual orientation and gender.
I'm going to give the series the opportunity to redeem itself, to what measure redemption is possible given the particular offense, but it's unfortunate Brown would sully what had otherwise been a fun series with this storyline.
I'm going to give the series the opportunity to redeem itself, to what measure redemption is possible given the particular offense, but it's unfortunate Brown would sully what had otherwise been a fun series with this storyline.
March 3, 2023
TW
Transphobie, Homophobie
Ich mag die Mrs Murphy Bücher, finde sie unterhaltsam wegen der Tiere und der beteiligten Personen, die einem nach und nach ans Herz wachsen. Einige Parts sind ja schon auch problematisch immer wieder. Aber diese Folge war besonders enttäuschend.
Die Autorin ist oder war(?) selbst Teil der queeren community und geht hier äußerst unsensibel und reißerisch mit ihren queeren Charakteren um. Auch das Thema Suizid wird höchst unsensibel behandelt.
Transphobie, Homophobie
Ich mag die Mrs Murphy Bücher, finde sie unterhaltsam wegen der Tiere und der beteiligten Personen, die einem nach und nach ans Herz wachsen. Einige Parts sind ja schon auch problematisch immer wieder. Aber diese Folge war besonders enttäuschend.
Die Autorin ist oder war(?) selbst Teil der queeren community und geht hier äußerst unsensibel und reißerisch mit ihren queeren Charakteren um. Auch das Thema Suizid wird höchst unsensibel behandelt.
Read
July 29, 2015I have read a good portion of the Mrs. Murphy series and have enjoyed them all. They are wonderful light reading and Rita Mae and Sneaky Pie Brown write with a lovely sense of humor. The characters are engaging and the you always learn a little something about the south with every book. Great books to get your mind off your troubles.
July 17, 2022
These stories used to be my favourites. Recently, I found them on a shelf and dug them back out. Urgh. Let's say, sometimes memories are better than the real thing. Maybe it's me. Maybe I have changed.
I still enjoy the setting, the rendering of a very specific Southern Society. It's nicely done.
But the plot is so obvious, it hurts.
What's worse - the way the story is told is - jarring? Inept? Boring? Telling all over the place, Echoes, monotone sentence rhythm, flat characters and adverbs ambushing the reader every step on the way. If this story were written now and by someone not as famous as Brown, the author wouldn't ever get past the slush pile.
Yes, it's a cozy, but it also is so twee, it hurts. Well, at least we get some ghastly corpses complete with maggots, and Brown never disappoints when it comes to social criticism. Hence the three stars.
I still enjoy the setting, the rendering of a very specific Southern Society. It's nicely done.
But the plot is so obvious, it hurts.
What's worse - the way the story is told is - jarring? Inept? Boring? Telling all over the place, Echoes, monotone sentence rhythm, flat characters and adverbs ambushing the reader every step on the way. If this story were written now and by someone not as famous as Brown, the author wouldn't ever get past the slush pile.
Yes, it's a cozy, but it also is so twee, it hurts. Well, at least we get some ghastly corpses complete with maggots, and Brown never disappoints when it comes to social criticism. Hence the three stars.
February 3, 2019
I almost didn’t figure out the killer’s identity in this Mrs. Murphy title, and I had a lot of fun trying to solve this mystery. The time has come for Harry’s 20-year high school reunion, and along with the arrivals of classmates from far away, murder descends upon the Virginia town of Crozet. In addition, the town is also celebrating the 50-year high school reunion of Miranda Hogendobber’s class, and a handsome high school sweetheart of Miranda’s arrives in the town.
I adore this book. Every installment in the series makes me love the characters even more than the previous one, and this book was a joy to read. We get to see Miranda dating, and there is a fantastic scene involving her riding a skateboard with Tracy, her long-lost flame. We also learn more about the history of Boom Boom Craycroft, the beautiful widow who never passes up an opportunity to be the center of attention. After being the butt of many jokes, Boom finally stands up for herself and reminds her neighbors that she can’t steal husbands unless they want to be stolen, and her neighbors are rightfully stunned silent. It’s great to see her nuances and quirks in this story.
The animals are cunning and cute, as always, and Mrs. Murphy comes to an entertaining agreement with Flatface, the cranky owl that lives in Harry’s barn, even though the two have never gotten along. They offer philosophical insights on human nature, including their opinions on the silliness of people who become emotionally attached to vehicles. Harry buys a new truck and becomes distraught at the idea of selling her old truck, which belonged to her father, and the critters can’t quite understand her emotions because she’ll always have the memories of her dad with or without the truck. Everything works out in the end, though, and this story explores some new elements like homophobia, the AIDS virus, and the impact of great wars on entire generations. This is a wonderful installment in the Mrs. Murphy series.
I adore this book. Every installment in the series makes me love the characters even more than the previous one, and this book was a joy to read. We get to see Miranda dating, and there is a fantastic scene involving her riding a skateboard with Tracy, her long-lost flame. We also learn more about the history of Boom Boom Craycroft, the beautiful widow who never passes up an opportunity to be the center of attention. After being the butt of many jokes, Boom finally stands up for herself and reminds her neighbors that she can’t steal husbands unless they want to be stolen, and her neighbors are rightfully stunned silent. It’s great to see her nuances and quirks in this story.
The animals are cunning and cute, as always, and Mrs. Murphy comes to an entertaining agreement with Flatface, the cranky owl that lives in Harry’s barn, even though the two have never gotten along. They offer philosophical insights on human nature, including their opinions on the silliness of people who become emotionally attached to vehicles. Harry buys a new truck and becomes distraught at the idea of selling her old truck, which belonged to her father, and the critters can’t quite understand her emotions because she’ll always have the memories of her dad with or without the truck. Everything works out in the end, though, and this story explores some new elements like homophobia, the AIDS virus, and the impact of great wars on entire generations. This is a wonderful installment in the Mrs. Murphy series.
December 9, 2017
Naja.
In Anbetracht der Tatsache, dass Rita Mae Brown eine wichtige Rolle in der lesbischen Frauenbewegung gespielt hat, wundert es mich sehr, wie mit LGBTQIA-Charakteren in diesem Buch umgegangen wird. Auch waren zahlreiche sexistische Aussagen zu finden, die mir bitte aufgestoßen sind ("wie alle Frauen hatte sie eine sehr mütterliche Ader"). Die einzigen Dinge, die von Rita Mae Browns aktivistischem/politischem Background zeugen, sind einige agitierende Kommentare der drei Tiere, die sich wundern, dass Menschen so sind, wie sie sind. Sexismus und seltsame Aussagen über LGBTQIA finden sich aber sowohl in der Erzählstimme als auch in den Aussagen aller Menschen. Gewagte Entscheidung.
Zweitens war der Fall auch einfach nicht gut konstruiert. Die (menschliche) Hauptfigur Harry schien keinerlei Interesse daran zu haben, Ermittlungen anzustellen. Die Tiere haben eigentlich auch nicht allzuviel geleistet, sondern nur irgendwelche ominösen Ahnungen ausgesprochen und die den Menschen überlegenen Sinne angestrengt. Es gab viel zu wenige Hinweise und Verdachtsmomente, wie sie einer_m sonst bei Krimis begegnen und zum Miträtseln anregen. Und die Auflösung ist einfach nur schrecklich, so viel sei gesagt.
In Anbetracht der Tatsache, dass Rita Mae Brown eine wichtige Rolle in der lesbischen Frauenbewegung gespielt hat, wundert es mich sehr, wie mit LGBTQIA-Charakteren in diesem Buch umgegangen wird. Auch waren zahlreiche sexistische Aussagen zu finden, die mir bitte aufgestoßen sind ("wie alle Frauen hatte sie eine sehr mütterliche Ader"). Die einzigen Dinge, die von Rita Mae Browns aktivistischem/politischem Background zeugen, sind einige agitierende Kommentare der drei Tiere, die sich wundern, dass Menschen so sind, wie sie sind. Sexismus und seltsame Aussagen über LGBTQIA finden sich aber sowohl in der Erzählstimme als auch in den Aussagen aller Menschen. Gewagte Entscheidung.
Zweitens war der Fall auch einfach nicht gut konstruiert. Die (menschliche) Hauptfigur Harry schien keinerlei Interesse daran zu haben, Ermittlungen anzustellen. Die Tiere haben eigentlich auch nicht allzuviel geleistet, sondern nur irgendwelche ominösen Ahnungen ausgesprochen und die den Menschen überlegenen Sinne angestrengt. Es gab viel zu wenige Hinweise und Verdachtsmomente, wie sie einer_m sonst bei Krimis begegnen und zum Miträtseln anregen. Und die Auflösung ist einfach nur schrecklich, so viel sei gesagt.
November 1, 2014
Pawing Through the Past is the eighth entry in the Mrs. Murphy series. It is a bit darker than her previous titles with some trigger issues that may bother some readers .
This particular installment focuses on Harry's 20th high school reunion, and the male senior superlatives from her graduating class that are being picked off. The book starts off a bit slow and I figured out who the killer was relatively early on - but I still enjoyed watching it all unfold. Return readers of the series will enjoy seeing familiar faces and banter (both human and animal). We also get a great new arrival in the form of Tracy Raz, and catch up with our favorite characters.
It was an interesting and tragic murder mystery filled with mostly likable characters (well with some exceptions). It's not particularly stand out but it certainly isn't the worst of the worst.
This particular installment focuses on Harry's 20th high school reunion, and the male senior superlatives from her graduating class that are being picked off. The book starts off a bit slow and I figured out who the killer was relatively early on - but I still enjoyed watching it all unfold. Return readers of the series will enjoy seeing familiar faces and banter (both human and animal). We also get a great new arrival in the form of Tracy Raz, and catch up with our favorite characters.
It was an interesting and tragic murder mystery filled with mostly likable characters (well with some exceptions). It's not particularly stand out but it certainly isn't the worst of the worst.
December 10, 2020
I had read several of the books in this series when they first came out. I wonder if they were all this bad? First of all, it took forever to get started. Maybe since it is #8 in the series it is assumed we have deep interest in the people involved. Also, all these people, especially the women, talk about is romantic or sexual relationships. I found the characters to be pretty petty and unappealing people.
After reading 1/3 of the book I decided to DNF it. I did go to the last chapter and found the solution to be really incredible, so I am glad I did not persist.
The only reason for 2 stars instead of one is the presence of the dog and cats. who keep trying to talk to the humans. Even so, she overdoes that.
After reading 1/3 of the book I decided to DNF it. I did go to the last chapter and found the solution to be really incredible, so I am glad I did not persist.
The only reason for 2 stars instead of one is the presence of the dog and cats. who keep trying to talk to the humans. Even so, she overdoes that.
June 28, 2020
2.5 stars rounded up.
While there were two things I liked in this book: 1) Harry starts to move forward with giving Fair another chance, and 2) Miranda and an old flame/friend start a new relationship; there were a couple things that really bothered me. The first being, how the hell were the "good people" of Crozet not MORE horrified by the act in the past that started the chain of events in this book. The second being the treatment of Ron/Chris once her identity is discovered. I don't know, I had a hard time with this one. I loved the animals as always and I'm always rooting for Harry and Fair. They're two good people who deserve to be happy.
While there were two things I liked in this book: 1) Harry starts to move forward with giving Fair another chance, and 2) Miranda and an old flame/friend start a new relationship; there were a couple things that really bothered me. The first being, how the hell were the "good people" of Crozet not MORE horrified by the act in the past that started the chain of events in this book. The second being the treatment of Ron/Chris once her identity is discovered. I don't know, I had a hard time with this one. I loved the animals as always and I'm always rooting for Harry and Fair. They're two good people who deserve to be happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2015
The ending left a bad taste to an otherwise okay murder mystery. I mean really, without giving away spoilers, one would think that a gay activist author would know better. The idea itself might have worked if approached differently, but seriously, no, not this way.
September 2, 2015
While murder isn't something to be taken lightly, the reason for these is much darker than in the past books. I still don't know how I feel about it and how it portrayed some very troubling issues and topics that are very relevant right now.
November 20, 2020
Not even the cute antics of Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker, and Pewter could save this convoluted mystery. This is my least favorite of the series so far. And frankly, this mystery isn't "cozy". I still love these animal characters so much, but I think I'll put this series on the back burner for now.
January 13, 2009
Rita Mae Brown is a great mystery writer, but I didn't really like where she went with this book.
October 27, 2015
I gave up on this series a few years ago as it had totally lost its shine so it was nice to revisit one of the earlier books when the series was still quite good.
April 25, 2012
The weakest of this series. Harry is out of character and the serious crime this is all in reaction to is treated with a knd of "boys will be boys" nonchalance. Not great.
November 4, 2024
This book is the Eighth in the series featuring Mrs. Murphy, a Grey tiger short-hair cat who, along with a Welsh corgi dog named Tee Tucker, and the stout grey cat Pewter, solves mysteries with the assistance of Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen, the Postmistress of the small town of Crozet, Virginia, some ten miles west of Charlottesville. (It should be noted that all animals can talk to each other, and that they all understand humans, but humans, being dense imperfect beings, cannot understand the animals.) And these are fun mysteries to read.
It is 2000, so the Crozet High School Class of 1950 (which includes Miranda Hogendobber, the organizer) is celebrating their fiftieth anniversary, and the Class of 1980 (which includes Harry, her best friend Susan, and BoomBoom Craycroft, the organizer) is celebrating their twentieth anniversary. (Apparently, the other classes all died out, or are not interested in class reunions on major anniversaries). To Miranda’s delight, an old boyfriend, Tracy Raz, comes home for the fiftieth reunion; he is now widowed, and rekindles his romance with Miranda while living as a paid boarder at Harry’s house. Helping with the twentieth reunion are Bitsy Valenzuela (whose husband was in the class), Chris Sharpton (a newcomer to town, with no connection to anyone), and Marcy Wiggins; the three women are fairly inseparable. However, as is proper in a murder mystery, first one of the Class of 1980 guys is horribly murdered, and then another man from the same class is murdered. Rumors begin to circulate that several guys (including the murdered ones) were involved in an ugly incident against a fellow classmate, who later killed himself by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge; and as the weekend of the reunion approaches, with the Class of 1980 in the Crozet High Gym and the Class of 1950 in the cafeteria, Tucker, Mrs. Murphy, and Pewter help in the investigation, worried because their person is in the Class of 1980.
I did enjoy reading this book; I did divine who the bad guy was, but not the reason. My only objection was that there was no mention of the other classes that had graduated from Crozet High, except for Harry’s ex-husband Fair, who appears to be the only member of the Class of 1979. And I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
It is 2000, so the Crozet High School Class of 1950 (which includes Miranda Hogendobber, the organizer) is celebrating their fiftieth anniversary, and the Class of 1980 (which includes Harry, her best friend Susan, and BoomBoom Craycroft, the organizer) is celebrating their twentieth anniversary. (Apparently, the other classes all died out, or are not interested in class reunions on major anniversaries). To Miranda’s delight, an old boyfriend, Tracy Raz, comes home for the fiftieth reunion; he is now widowed, and rekindles his romance with Miranda while living as a paid boarder at Harry’s house. Helping with the twentieth reunion are Bitsy Valenzuela (whose husband was in the class), Chris Sharpton (a newcomer to town, with no connection to anyone), and Marcy Wiggins; the three women are fairly inseparable. However, as is proper in a murder mystery, first one of the Class of 1980 guys is horribly murdered, and then another man from the same class is murdered. Rumors begin to circulate that several guys (including the murdered ones) were involved in an ugly incident against a fellow classmate, who later killed himself by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge; and as the weekend of the reunion approaches, with the Class of 1980 in the Crozet High Gym and the Class of 1950 in the cafeteria, Tucker, Mrs. Murphy, and Pewter help in the investigation, worried because their person is in the Class of 1980.
I did enjoy reading this book; I did divine who the bad guy was, but not the reason. My only objection was that there was no mention of the other classes that had graduated from Crozet High, except for Harry’s ex-husband Fair, who appears to be the only member of the Class of 1979. And I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
April 14, 2022
Took this along as a vacation read on a getaway to an area not far from where the Mrs. Murphy books take place near Charlottesville, VA. From 2000, this takes place when Harry still works at the Post Office and 9/11 is still unimagined. It takes place in the fall as Harry and her classmates prepare for their 20th HS reunion and Miranda and Tracy their 50th. I hadn't realized that Harry was in my same HS class.
As they are planning the reunion, people start getting killed. The victims are all in the class of '80, but beyond that it's not immediately clear what they have in common. Various things from their pasts are revealed as the investigation continues. One of the classmates was humiliated for being at least effeminate and probably gay and killed himself in the 80s. The first murder victim had been promiscuous, was HIV positive, and rumored to have fathered a child while in HS and had it put up for adoption. In the end it all gets figured out except the adopted child, who remains a mystery - perhaps for another book.
In general, I enjoyed the book BUT, there is some commentary about a trans woman that wouldn't fly today. It wasn't meant to be offensive and I wasn't offended, but younger people might be. In the usual RMB political asides, towards the end Harry remarks that her generation hasn't suffered the hardships of others in the past and wonders how they will handle it. As someone that same age, I didn't feel particularly spared living through the Cold War, various economic hard times, and AIDS, but I'm sure things were different in horse country, VA. I also found it odd that there was no Y2K mention, although I don't recall that it specified whether the book is set in the fall of 1999 or the fall of 2000. It was enjoyable to read about the adventures of Mrs. Murphy, Tucker, Pewter, and the other animals while being so close to where it all takes place, plus all the murders and drama made me feel great about the reunions I've skipped (all of them)!
As they are planning the reunion, people start getting killed. The victims are all in the class of '80, but beyond that it's not immediately clear what they have in common. Various things from their pasts are revealed as the investigation continues. One of the classmates was humiliated for being at least effeminate and probably gay and killed himself in the 80s. The first murder victim had been promiscuous, was HIV positive, and rumored to have fathered a child while in HS and had it put up for adoption. In the end it all gets figured out except the adopted child, who remains a mystery - perhaps for another book.
In general, I enjoyed the book BUT, there is some commentary about a trans woman that wouldn't fly today. It wasn't meant to be offensive and I wasn't offended, but younger people might be. In the usual RMB political asides, towards the end Harry remarks that her generation hasn't suffered the hardships of others in the past and wonders how they will handle it. As someone that same age, I didn't feel particularly spared living through the Cold War, various economic hard times, and AIDS, but I'm sure things were different in horse country, VA. I also found it odd that there was no Y2K mention, although I don't recall that it specified whether the book is set in the fall of 1999 or the fall of 2000. It was enjoyable to read about the adventures of Mrs. Murphy, Tucker, Pewter, and the other animals while being so close to where it all takes place, plus all the murders and drama made me feel great about the reunions I've skipped (all of them)!
June 5, 2019
Harry is keeping busy with running the Post Office in Crozet, doing chores on her small farm, and helping to plan her 20th class reunion. When she and other members of her graduating class receive anonymous mailings with 'You'll never grow old' on them, Harry takes it as a compliment. However, when one of her classmates is murdered, the mailings take on a sinister tone. Another, similar mailing is followed by another murder, indicating that someone is out for revenge. Harry doesn't know why, but someone in her class does. As things become clearer, the most likely suspect disappears, leaving everyone on edge. There's no telling when the killer will strike again, nor who the target will be.
Harry's pets, Mrs Murphy, Tucker, and Pewter, begin sniffing out clues on their own, afraid that Harry may be a target. They are determined to protect her at any cost.
There was a lot of action in the book, including more mundane things than murder. Harry needs a new truck and is nervous about taking on the expense, she takes in a temporary boarder, and her ex, Fair, is determined to win her back. This story was perhaps a bit darker than the others, what with the underlying theme behind the murders. Still, it was exciting and kept my attention.
Harry's pets, Mrs Murphy, Tucker, and Pewter, begin sniffing out clues on their own, afraid that Harry may be a target. They are determined to protect her at any cost.
There was a lot of action in the book, including more mundane things than murder. Harry needs a new truck and is nervous about taking on the expense, she takes in a temporary boarder, and her ex, Fair, is determined to win her back. This story was perhaps a bit darker than the others, what with the underlying theme behind the murders. Still, it was exciting and kept my attention.
August 30, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed Pawing Through the Past and its twin high school reunions. I especially appreciated seeing that Blair Bainbridge, admittedly a minor character, was doing well after being shot at the end of the previous Mrs. Murphy mystery. I also liked the growing relationship between Harry and her ex-husband. I even admit that I had some sympathy for the killer after learning why these particular victims had been chosen, but I had absolutely no idea who done it until the very end. Several other reviewers objected to the . The ending was thrilling, especially with the barn owl participating.
July 21, 2019
A high school reunion should be fun, unless, of course, you are on the planning committee. But the reunion itself should be all about catching up with old friends, and maybe even making new ones. However, when death attends, uninvited, fun goes out the window.
An innocuous incognito mailing reading "You'll never grow old" sent to Harry (Mary Minor) Haristeen's entire graduating class takes a new and sinister meaning when one of the graduating class is murdered in Crozet just before the reunion. And as if one body isn't enough, there are two more to follow at the reunion itself! But who could have such hatred, and wait 20 long years for revenge?
Harry is determined to get to the bottom of this, but it is Mrs. Murphy, Harry's redoubtable tiger cat, and Mrs. Murphy's cohorts, Pewter (plump, gray and purring) and Tee Tucker, a Pembroke Corgi, who will eventually save the day!
An innocuous incognito mailing reading "You'll never grow old" sent to Harry (Mary Minor) Haristeen's entire graduating class takes a new and sinister meaning when one of the graduating class is murdered in Crozet just before the reunion. And as if one body isn't enough, there are two more to follow at the reunion itself! But who could have such hatred, and wait 20 long years for revenge?
Harry is determined to get to the bottom of this, but it is Mrs. Murphy, Harry's redoubtable tiger cat, and Mrs. Murphy's cohorts, Pewter (plump, gray and purring) and Tee Tucker, a Pembroke Corgi, who will eventually save the day!
August 12, 2021
Harry's on the planning committee for her 20th high school reunion. Miranda is planning her 50th. In this book, some of the men harbor a dark secret from high school. And one by one, those men are killed. Unraveling the mystery takes awhile, and the whole thing unfolds into a sad and extremely bad story. The setting is 1980 in a small town in Virginia. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to be gay during that time. The author tried to put together a situation and how it affected the victim, and I have to say I felt very bad for him/her, even though he/she committed murder for revenge, and likely was so broken as to be barely sane. Harry's animals save the day, again. And Miranda's old flame is courting her. Lots going on, but this was a much darker mystery, not very cozy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2023
So, so many mixed feelings about this book. Love the characters, love the animals, love the setting. The mystery was good, taut and twisting. Due to other reviews, I had the who and why pegged pretty quickly, but still thought it was a good read.
July 14, 2019
I really liked this entry in the Southern set mystery series with the animals, most notably Pewter and Mrs. Murphy the cats, and Tee Tucker, the main character's pets figuring prominently in the series. Harry(the main character) is on the committee to put together her 1980 20th anniversary celebration of her graduation from Crozet High School. Mrs. H. also has her 50th class graduating anniversary in the same building at the same time. Unfortunately male members of the class end up dead. Who and why is this happening? The animals help to solve the mystery. There are some illustrations of the pets. I thought this was one of the best, if not THE best book in the series. Highly recommended.
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