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Mrs. Murphy #18
Cat of the Century: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery
Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen’s beloved, tart-tongued neighbor Aunt Tally is about to turn the big 1-0-0, and the alumnae association of Tally’s alma mater is throwing a big fund-raising bash in her honor. The plan is to celebrate Tally’s centennial and recoup some much-needed school revenue lost in the cratered economy, but when a killer blizzard bears down and a board member goes missing, it falls to Harry and her menagerie of mystery solvers to track down the truth behind what is rapidly becoming a perfect storm of embezzlement, political corruption, and the kind of long-smoldering enmity that can explode into murder. Does the key lie in a forty-year-old unsolved death? If so, Harry and her four-legged friends better find it or—even at a hundred years old—Aunt Tally may outlive them all.
299 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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1174 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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July 16, 2018
“No. I mean this is about human catnip.”
Pewter expanded on her theme.
“Sex. Love or money. That’s their catnip.” Mrs. Murphy agreed with the gray cat. (page 101)
For the eighteenth time, Rita Mae Brown has teamed up with her dependable tabby, Sneaky Pie Brown, to pen another mystery starring her favorite humans and furry friends. I settled in to read Cat of the Century with my little sixteen-year-old tabby, Rainey Mae Dylan, AKA “Cupcake”, lovingly snuggled up on my lap. What could be more purrfect?
I know there have been some reviewers who grumbled about the mention of politics in this book, calling it preachy. Honestly, I’ve found some of her subsequent books (up to number 25 so far) to be more tedious in that regard, so I was able to take these comments with a grain of salt. After all, this book was written in 2010, and compared to the intense political gulf in our country today, this seems a mere annoyance to me. And I’ve found that in real life, people, at least in my sphere, do talk politics.
Even the story interested me more than some of the later ones, although not as much as the earlier ones. Harry, always one to express – um, curiosity – about the affairs of others, piles her corgi Tucker and her two cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter into her new car and drives the long stretch from Crozet, Virginia, to Fulton, Missouri, to attend the 100th birthday celebration for Aunt Tally at William Woods University that the alumnae association is putting on for her. It’s early April, but the weather is more like early February, cold and very, very snowy. I love a mystery that involves snow! And count on the critters to put their keen senses to work before the humans have a clue. This time it’s not the high-and-mighty Pewter who proves to be the best detective. It’s Tucker. But it will be days before her discovery is noted.
This mystery involves some “catty” women on the alumnae board of directors who just can’t see eye-to-eye. But do they hate each other enough to resort to murder? Or could there be another motive. Suddenly, one of my suspects is dead. Then another. And another. There appears to be a different motive. Will Harry figure it out, or will she leave it to law enforcement. Or purrhaps it will all come down to her brilliant pets?
I loved this series originally because of the back-and-forth snide remarks among the animals and their underlying affection for each other and for their humans. Harry (Mary Minor Harristeen) is a likable busybody who has a nose for trouble but always seems to be in the middle of solving a mystery or two. As noted above, I’ve read several books beyond this one simply because I enjoy the characters. Like other authors who seem to carry on despite the fact that their series seems to be fading into the sunset, Ms. Brown and her sidekick Sneaky Pie may well be doing the same. As a loyal reader, I just keep reading because somehow I can’t help myself. I find Pewter amusing. She reminds me of our Topsy, who died several years ago. I know there are other pet lovers out there who can relate. I found Cat of the Century one of the better books in the series that I’ve read lately.
4 stars
“Sex. Love or money. That’s their catnip.” Mrs. Murphy agreed with the gray cat. (page 101)
For the eighteenth time, Rita Mae Brown has teamed up with her dependable tabby, Sneaky Pie Brown, to pen another mystery starring her favorite humans and furry friends. I settled in to read Cat of the Century with my little sixteen-year-old tabby, Rainey Mae Dylan, AKA “Cupcake”, lovingly snuggled up on my lap. What could be more purrfect?
I know there have been some reviewers who grumbled about the mention of politics in this book, calling it preachy. Honestly, I’ve found some of her subsequent books (up to number 25 so far) to be more tedious in that regard, so I was able to take these comments with a grain of salt. After all, this book was written in 2010, and compared to the intense political gulf in our country today, this seems a mere annoyance to me. And I’ve found that in real life, people, at least in my sphere, do talk politics.
Even the story interested me more than some of the later ones, although not as much as the earlier ones. Harry, always one to express – um, curiosity – about the affairs of others, piles her corgi Tucker and her two cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter into her new car and drives the long stretch from Crozet, Virginia, to Fulton, Missouri, to attend the 100th birthday celebration for Aunt Tally at William Woods University that the alumnae association is putting on for her. It’s early April, but the weather is more like early February, cold and very, very snowy. I love a mystery that involves snow! And count on the critters to put their keen senses to work before the humans have a clue. This time it’s not the high-and-mighty Pewter who proves to be the best detective. It’s Tucker. But it will be days before her discovery is noted.
This mystery involves some “catty” women on the alumnae board of directors who just can’t see eye-to-eye. But do they hate each other enough to resort to murder? Or could there be another motive. Suddenly, one of my suspects is dead. Then another. And another. There appears to be a different motive. Will Harry figure it out, or will she leave it to law enforcement. Or purrhaps it will all come down to her brilliant pets?
I loved this series originally because of the back-and-forth snide remarks among the animals and their underlying affection for each other and for their humans. Harry (Mary Minor Harristeen) is a likable busybody who has a nose for trouble but always seems to be in the middle of solving a mystery or two. As noted above, I’ve read several books beyond this one simply because I enjoy the characters. Like other authors who seem to carry on despite the fact that their series seems to be fading into the sunset, Ms. Brown and her sidekick Sneaky Pie may well be doing the same. As a loyal reader, I just keep reading because somehow I can’t help myself. I find Pewter amusing. She reminds me of our Topsy, who died several years ago. I know there are other pet lovers out there who can relate. I found Cat of the Century one of the better books in the series that I’ve read lately.
4 stars
December 31, 2010
It hurts so very much to write this review. I have read several of these books and it is exciting that this particular mystery is set at a college located only thirty minutes from where I live but this book was just not good. I found the anti-tax and anti-government diatribes unnecessary and annoying. Though all authors have biases I don't like it to be so apparant; or so overly blatant that it distracts from the story. Any character with liberal leanings was either described as unlikeable or killed off; and when one of the feline characters starts complaining about taxes (she is wondering to herself why humans allow themselves to be taxed) I almost laughed out loud. When I mentioned this to my husband he commented that perhaps Rita Mae Brown was being audited. I halfway expected that we would find in the end that the murder victims had been killed by an IRS agent. Unfortuntely I am going to have to suggest people skip this one; or choose instead to read ones from much earlier in the series. They are usually very charming and I think it would have been much better if the animals had been in it much more because frankly in this one the human characters drove me absolutely bananas.
April 26, 2010
I have read almost all of Rita Mae Brown's books since I first discovered her book "Rubyfruit Jungle" in a multicultural literature class in undergrad. I picked up the Mrs. Murphy series and it became a guilty pleasure. Unfortunately this book will be my last. The amount of political preaching which in her earlier books provided some texture to the storyline in this book reads like a disjointed rant.
April 14, 2010
This book decided me to give up on the series. The rather slender plot of murders involving members of a college alumnae board is defaced with wooden writing, and the author's apparent belief that her audience is interested in her political views. Since a note indicates the author is starting a new mystery series, out in October 2010, perhaps she's come to realize that these characters have been milked dry. Pity.
May 30, 2010
I have a soft spot for the Mrs Murphy books as this was the series that got me addicted to cozy mysteries, but the last five books haven’t been so great – a trend that has continued with this recent addition.
The plot is that Aunt Tally is turning 100 and there are an abundance of celebrations, mostly centred around William Woods University alumnae association, one of whom gets murdered. She is joined by her best friend and Fair’s mentor, Inez, who is a vet and an active member of the University alumnae activities and they try to figure out the murder.
I cannot say how much of a let down this book was for me. It seems that it is just a vehicle for political soap boxing about the environment, the government, politics, culture and drugs. While some authors bring up certain issues as a way of educating the reader and broadening awareness (for example the Booktown mysteries), I get the feeling that Rita Mae Brown likes a damn good rant, but forgets that there is a time and a place for such things. I’d like to think that I am informed in political and environmental matters, but I don’t read cozy books to have a lecture and it seems that the mystery part of Cat of the Century is just a tenuous link between rants.
There was an absence of the usual characters such as Miranda, the Rev, Blair and Susan, with just the briefest appearance of Coop, Little Mim and Mim. The bulk of the story centred around the alumnae association, all of whom were instantly irritating. One of the benefits of a series is that the reader has a connection and invested interest with the characters which works in the favour of the author when forming the different strands of a mystery. Introducing a new cast of characters means that you need a really strong plot line to maintain this connection, which this book didn’t have and when it came down to it, the new characters were so one-dimensional that I didn’t care who got murdered, who was falsely accused or who the murderer was.
Frustratingly I had figured out who the murderer was half way through the book. When this happens I always feel a little cheated and the whole ‘white sand’ nonsense as a concept was just idiotic. If only Rita Mae Brown put as much effort into creating a decent mystery plot as she did with her heavy-handed political lectures.
What it boils down to, is that every book in a series that is substandard, takes the shine off of the other books that were good and after a while, the whole series becomes tainted. It doesn’t feel like Rita Mae Brown actually likes writing these books anymore and if that is the case, then she should just move on.
With great sadness, I am not sure that I’d want to read any future books in the series, and if I did, then I’d get a copy from the library – there are far better books for me to spend my money on. Fans of the series, stay away.
http://murdersheread.wordpress.com
The plot is that Aunt Tally is turning 100 and there are an abundance of celebrations, mostly centred around William Woods University alumnae association, one of whom gets murdered. She is joined by her best friend and Fair’s mentor, Inez, who is a vet and an active member of the University alumnae activities and they try to figure out the murder.
I cannot say how much of a let down this book was for me. It seems that it is just a vehicle for political soap boxing about the environment, the government, politics, culture and drugs. While some authors bring up certain issues as a way of educating the reader and broadening awareness (for example the Booktown mysteries), I get the feeling that Rita Mae Brown likes a damn good rant, but forgets that there is a time and a place for such things. I’d like to think that I am informed in political and environmental matters, but I don’t read cozy books to have a lecture and it seems that the mystery part of Cat of the Century is just a tenuous link between rants.
There was an absence of the usual characters such as Miranda, the Rev, Blair and Susan, with just the briefest appearance of Coop, Little Mim and Mim. The bulk of the story centred around the alumnae association, all of whom were instantly irritating. One of the benefits of a series is that the reader has a connection and invested interest with the characters which works in the favour of the author when forming the different strands of a mystery. Introducing a new cast of characters means that you need a really strong plot line to maintain this connection, which this book didn’t have and when it came down to it, the new characters were so one-dimensional that I didn’t care who got murdered, who was falsely accused or who the murderer was.
Frustratingly I had figured out who the murderer was half way through the book. When this happens I always feel a little cheated and the whole ‘white sand’ nonsense as a concept was just idiotic. If only Rita Mae Brown put as much effort into creating a decent mystery plot as she did with her heavy-handed political lectures.
What it boils down to, is that every book in a series that is substandard, takes the shine off of the other books that were good and after a while, the whole series becomes tainted. It doesn’t feel like Rita Mae Brown actually likes writing these books anymore and if that is the case, then she should just move on.
With great sadness, I am not sure that I’d want to read any future books in the series, and if I did, then I’d get a copy from the library – there are far better books for me to spend my money on. Fans of the series, stay away.
http://murdersheread.wordpress.com
October 4, 2021
Years ago, a telefilm titled Murder, She Purred: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery appeared on the Wonderful World of Disney on ABC. It wasn't until well about a decade later, while volunteering at my local library, that I discovered there was a whole book series about the mystery-solving feline. This is my first time with such a novel, though I was reminded of the old-school TV movie time and again while reading this.
For the most part, it was good; it was lighthearted and charming, as you'd expect a cozy mystery to be. However, some unnecessary bits--profanity, criticism of God--kept this from being as good as it could have been. Still, I plan on checking out more of these.
For the most part, it was good; it was lighthearted and charming, as you'd expect a cozy mystery to be. However, some unnecessary bits--profanity, criticism of God--kept this from being as good as it could have been. Still, I plan on checking out more of these.
July 16, 2011
It wasn't the best book in the series, but it was like visiting old friends. It was good to see some of the characters such as Mrs. Murphy, Harry, Pewter, Tucker, Aunt Tally, and Fair. I was disappointed, however, that there wasn't any real sleuthing action on the part of Harry; also, Susan and Miranda were both absent (the former shows up in a very brief phone conversation, and the latter is very conspicuously absent). Even the Rev. Jones, Jim Sanbourne, and Blair were only mentioned but not actually "seen." As for characters such as Market Shifflett, Courtney Shifflet, Brooks, and Danny, it seems as though they have all fallen off into the Bermuda Triangle.
I'm worried that this may be the beginning of the end for my beloved series, since I've read that the next book also sets aside sleuthing in favor of sermonizing. I hate it when authors get to the "grocery list" point (meaning, that they could turn in nothing more than their shopping list to a publisher, and it would be published).
I'm worried that this may be the beginning of the end for my beloved series, since I've read that the next book also sets aside sleuthing in favor of sermonizing. I hate it when authors get to the "grocery list" point (meaning, that they could turn in nothing more than their shopping list to a publisher, and it would be published).
March 25, 2013
I downloaded this book after having read about 17 titles in the series, one after another, having become a bit attached to the characters and accustomed to a good bedtime yarn. Took a look at the reviews a nanosecond before the final step, and found it had been rather thoroughly panned, but I was willing to form my own opinion. Well, I hate to report that the review was sadly spot on. I had been skimming over some rather overt political sentiments intruding clumsily and pointlessly into the characters' dialog for a couple of titles before this one; it was annoying but didn't interfere unduly with the plot. In this title, the grandstanding pretty much took over and sapped all the life out of this fictional world. It was not remotely possible to imagine people speaking as they do in this book. It's as if the author figured that the audience has been established and now the characters can serve as sock puppets to express her political views, at the expense of plot and character development.
After slogging through to the end of "Cat of the Century", I read the reviews of the next volume, which reported more of the same, and reluctantly took my final leave. Sad. And I see that I am far from alone in my objections.
After slogging through to the end of "Cat of the Century", I read the reviews of the next volume, which reported more of the same, and reluctantly took my final leave. Sad. And I see that I am far from alone in my objections.
September 25, 2010
I have enjoyed these mysteries but this one must have just been an obligation in Browns' contract. The main plot is centered around the 100 birthday of Aunt Tally and her University Alumni group use this occasion as a fund raiser. This adds lots of characters that we haven't met before and so didn't care about when they end up dead or accused of the crime. Also this just seemed like one rant after another. Everything from Anti - big government, anti big business, anti taxes etc. Her characters weren't even consistent. Harry's hubby wants everyone to be "green" yet he buys her a new Volvo instead of an energy efficient car when she wants drive to Aunt Tally's gala. Harry feels taxes are unconstitutional yet thinks if you legalize drugs crime would drop and then you can tax the industry. I am commenting on the ranting because they at least were a little more interesting then the actual mystery which I had figured out half way through the book. The characters, including the cats and corgi, needed a better outing than this.
June 7, 2010
This is the book I read to recover from Sam Lipsyte's "The Ask" while on vacation. The four star review is skewed up by that fact. Brown's mystery's are not deep, hard or challenging reads. Rita Mae Brown is unapologetic about writing books to sell books to support her lifestyle, but I do enjoy her output.
I've lived in both Virginia and Missouri so the settings in this book are very, very familiar. She place-name drops throughout her books, and having spent time in Charlottesville eating Crozet pizza, I still snort with delight that some of the places and things I knew make it into her books. And - she writes about her animals knowingly and slyly.
This book is written with the fiscal crisis as a backdrop - which gives Brown an excuse to preach her brand of libertarianism. She opines about some complex rural vs. urban, big government vs. local government issues from a decidedly rural, anti-big government viewpoint. Even though I'm not sure I agree with her across the board, I was so happy to read about someone thinking about solutions to big issues after Lipsyte's characters' nihilistic, end-of-an-era views. Inotherwords, I'd have Ms. Brown over to dinner anytime.
I've lived in both Virginia and Missouri so the settings in this book are very, very familiar. She place-name drops throughout her books, and having spent time in Charlottesville eating Crozet pizza, I still snort with delight that some of the places and things I knew make it into her books. And - she writes about her animals knowingly and slyly.
This book is written with the fiscal crisis as a backdrop - which gives Brown an excuse to preach her brand of libertarianism. She opines about some complex rural vs. urban, big government vs. local government issues from a decidedly rural, anti-big government viewpoint. Even though I'm not sure I agree with her across the board, I was so happy to read about someone thinking about solutions to big issues after Lipsyte's characters' nihilistic, end-of-an-era views. Inotherwords, I'd have Ms. Brown over to dinner anytime.
May 11, 2014
Having been a fan of the Mrs. Murphy mysteries for years, I really wanted to like this one more. On the positive side, I liked the setting of the college far away from Crozet, Virginia. I enjoyed the idea of Aunt Tally's one hundredth birthday celebration, and I liked the focus on the trouble in the alumnae committee. The change of focus was refreshing. And of course, the animals' dialogue with each other is fun. I always crave more of that!
However, the ambiance of the story was marred by the constant political blah-blah-blah. The characters seemed to take every opportunity to turn conversation to some sort of rant about taxes, government, and various agendas. Because of this, the dialogue continuously jarred me away from the story and made me aware I was being preached at...again. If the author wants to take a political stance, fine, but there are far less clumsy ways to do it than having the characters spout unnatural dialogue.
The potential for a really good read, but IMO, should have concentrated more on characterization than on agenda.
However, the ambiance of the story was marred by the constant political blah-blah-blah. The characters seemed to take every opportunity to turn conversation to some sort of rant about taxes, government, and various agendas. Because of this, the dialogue continuously jarred me away from the story and made me aware I was being preached at...again. If the author wants to take a political stance, fine, but there are far less clumsy ways to do it than having the characters spout unnatural dialogue.
The potential for a really good read, but IMO, should have concentrated more on characterization than on agenda.
June 19, 2010
The Cat of the Century, the 18th in the line of Sneaky Pie Browne mysteries, concerns, as usual, murder.
I enjoyed the plot-line part of this mystery, as always--a little light and not too hard to figure out who did it, but enjoyable.
I am coming more and more to object, however, to the endless preaching of Rita Mae Brown on whatever her current political agenda happens to be. This book was by far the worst in that respect, and while I think it's proper as an author to include your own political/environmental/criminal justice/racial/gay agendas, to name but a few, after awhile it gets real old. Especially as each view is not integrated into the plot, but takes the form of a diatribe given by whatever character comes to hand.
I hope Ms. Brown tones down her soap-box preaching in future novels, or I'll have to start thinking about whether it's worth the effort (and boredom) to read them.
I enjoyed the plot-line part of this mystery, as always--a little light and not too hard to figure out who did it, but enjoyable.
I am coming more and more to object, however, to the endless preaching of Rita Mae Brown on whatever her current political agenda happens to be. This book was by far the worst in that respect, and while I think it's proper as an author to include your own political/environmental/criminal justice/racial/gay agendas, to name but a few, after awhile it gets real old. Especially as each view is not integrated into the plot, but takes the form of a diatribe given by whatever character comes to hand.
I hope Ms. Brown tones down her soap-box preaching in future novels, or I'll have to start thinking about whether it's worth the effort (and boredom) to read them.
August 8, 2016
This is the first time in a long time that I have ripped a CD out of my car because I couldn't stand to listen to another word. I am sure I have read Rita Mae Brown's cat lover mysteries before but I've never noticed the story so overwhelmed by the author's political commentary. Through the discussions of her characters she blames the government for all problems. The constant complaining sounded more like the Rush Limbaugh show than a good mystery. But the last straw was when her characters decided a classmate is justified in selling fake Rolex watches at her jewelry store because the government over taxes small businesses...and the characters continue to excuse this friend even when they begin to believe she has murdered another friend. It's all the government's fault, the story says. Unbelievable drivel....
August 19, 2019
Big Mim's famous Aunt Tally is celebrating her 100th birthday with a big to-do at her alma mater. Who would have guessed that murder would be on the program? Harry and her remarkable pets must solve the secrets of an ever-growing number of bodies lest Aunt Tally become one of them!
While I enjoyed this book overall, it was not up to the standard of the previous books. Like so many others, while I do not object to occasional political conversations (Lord KNOWS they abound these days), there was just a bit too much going on. If I want to read a book on politics, I'll buy a book on politics.
However, I was, as always, delighted by Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tee Tucker, so I will still give this book a solid three stars, perhaps even 3.5 stars.
While I enjoyed this book overall, it was not up to the standard of the previous books. Like so many others, while I do not object to occasional political conversations (Lord KNOWS they abound these days), there was just a bit too much going on. If I want to read a book on politics, I'll buy a book on politics.
However, I was, as always, delighted by Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tee Tucker, so I will still give this book a solid three stars, perhaps even 3.5 stars.
February 11, 2016
Over the years, Brown has infused her own political point of view into this series, which normally doesn't bother me because 1)I tend to agree with her, 2)the opinions that are expressed are in keeping with the characters who express them, and 3)it is incorporated into the plot so as not to be jarring. That is, something has occurred that makes the character voice his or her opinion. However, in this particular novel, there seemed to be A LOT more of it than normal. The mystery was sound, and as I read the majority of this in one morning, it certainly kept me engaged. I just find it distasteful when characters start becoming more like mouth pieces than characters.
May 14, 2010
I made it to page 40 but I just couldn't take all the digs at politics. I miss the carefree and funny plots of her earlier books. Even the animals are underused in this book. This one just doesn't live up to her previous books so I'm sending it back to the library early. Maybe someone else will enjoy it more.
April 21, 2010
I was a little disappointed in this one. I've read all of these and this is the first one that did not have the "usual suspects" - regular characters as part of the story. I missed some of the regulars and the story was a little thin. I figured "who done it" before I was supposed to ---
January 11, 2022
While I still enjoy these, all the fat shaming is a bit much. There were a few sentences in this one that kind of set me off a bit. The basic generalization of these sentences is offensive. I missed the animals doing more as well. When the series first started, these books were leaning towards the animals, which made them so cute and funny. This didn't have as much of that. Just a lot of the cats hating on each other and Pewter really hating on Tucker, the corgi.
July 31, 2020
Her typical cozy mystery with the cast of characters expected. Nice, quick read.
July 15, 2013
I liked this installment of the Mrs. Murphy mystery series, but I did not love it as I have the others in the series. What was the difference?
Well, I noted in one of my status updates that this one seemed a bit preachy. The preaching didn't stop. I'd be reading along, submersed in activities of the characters, then suddenly one would make a statement about the state of the world or how we should do such and such to save energy or comment on the state of the economy, etc. When these situations arose, the action and dialogue went from smooth to stilted and choppy.
It is understandable that an author would want to convey their thoughts and ideas about a topic through their work. It is a perfect place to do it. However, it must be handled more subtly than was accomplished here. The diatribes became so annoying I had no desire to read the notes from the author about why she chose the setting she did. I skipped it went right to Sneaky Pie's notes.
Also strange was the scene where Mrs. Murphy told the Exodus story (from Passover to the Red Sea)to the barn crew. Okay, the story took place in the changing seasons from winter to spring over Easter (and Easter or Resurrection Day is one of my favorite holidays), but this was really out of character for a cat to be teaching an Easter lesson.
On thing Mrs. Murphy said did strike a chord with me...Tally and Inez were discussing why people have to be so nasty to each other and not get along as the animals do...Mrs. Murphy notes that animal minds are not filled with ideologies. That being said, this installment was filled with ideologies.
On the upside, I LOVED Tally, Inez, Doodles, and Erno. They are welcome additions to the usual cast of characters in Crozet, VA.
Harry, as always, is strong, caring, curious, and generous. Fair...I am sooooo happy they got back together...is wonderful. His buying Harry a shiny, silver Volvo station wagon made me laugh a bit. [Note: this book was released April 6, 2010.] Cooper was supportive. After that the rest of the regular characters were in the background, some really far in the background.
Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, Tea Tucker, Doodles, Erno, Simon, Flatface, et al were wonderful. I love how they interact with each other fully aware that their humans don't really understand them as they'd like. I also love how the human characters react to these little interactions.
Looking forward to reading another in the future. The best part of these novels is that there is a cast of characters in the beginning, so that if you (like I) read them out of order, you know who is who and what is what.
The premise itself was quite interesting. As I graduated from a small college, the idea of celebrating an alumna's or alumnus' 100th birthday as a fundraiser is quite plausible. Not sure how many would be as active and vociferous as Tally (loved her speech, so right on top of things) he or she would be. The unrest on the alumni board is also quite plausible.
Well, I noted in one of my status updates that this one seemed a bit preachy. The preaching didn't stop. I'd be reading along, submersed in activities of the characters, then suddenly one would make a statement about the state of the world or how we should do such and such to save energy or comment on the state of the economy, etc. When these situations arose, the action and dialogue went from smooth to stilted and choppy.
It is understandable that an author would want to convey their thoughts and ideas about a topic through their work. It is a perfect place to do it. However, it must be handled more subtly than was accomplished here. The diatribes became so annoying I had no desire to read the notes from the author about why she chose the setting she did. I skipped it went right to Sneaky Pie's notes.
Also strange was the scene where Mrs. Murphy told the Exodus story (from Passover to the Red Sea)to the barn crew. Okay, the story took place in the changing seasons from winter to spring over Easter (and Easter or Resurrection Day is one of my favorite holidays), but this was really out of character for a cat to be teaching an Easter lesson.
On thing Mrs. Murphy said did strike a chord with me...Tally and Inez were discussing why people have to be so nasty to each other and not get along as the animals do...Mrs. Murphy notes that animal minds are not filled with ideologies. That being said, this installment was filled with ideologies.
On the upside, I LOVED Tally, Inez, Doodles, and Erno. They are welcome additions to the usual cast of characters in Crozet, VA.
Harry, as always, is strong, caring, curious, and generous. Fair...I am sooooo happy they got back together...is wonderful. His buying Harry a shiny, silver Volvo station wagon made me laugh a bit. [Note: this book was released April 6, 2010.] Cooper was supportive. After that the rest of the regular characters were in the background, some really far in the background.
Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, Tea Tucker, Doodles, Erno, Simon, Flatface, et al were wonderful. I love how they interact with each other fully aware that their humans don't really understand them as they'd like. I also love how the human characters react to these little interactions.
Looking forward to reading another in the future. The best part of these novels is that there is a cast of characters in the beginning, so that if you (like I) read them out of order, you know who is who and what is what.
The premise itself was quite interesting. As I graduated from a small college, the idea of celebrating an alumna's or alumnus' 100th birthday as a fundraiser is quite plausible. Not sure how many would be as active and vociferous as Tally (loved her speech, so right on top of things) he or she would be. The unrest on the alumni board is also quite plausible.
August 17, 2019
Aunt Tally is one of my favorite characters in the Mrs. Murphy series, and this book is a wonderful example of why. As she nears her one-hundredth birthday, Aunt Tally is as fearless as ever. She runs the world, and woe be to anyone who stumbles in her way.
Aunt Tally’s alma mater, William Woods University, is hosting a celebration and a fundraiser in her honor, and an April blizzard bears down on the city of Fulton, Missouri. On her birthday, a tempestuous alumnae board member, Mariah D’Angelo, disappears, and everyone immediately looks to her rival Flo Langston nervously, wondering if she has something to do with the disappearance. But when Flo is then found shot dead, the questions fly like the blizzard snow.
I absolutely adore Tally’s best friend, Dr. Inez Carpenter, D.V.M., who is also Fair Haristeen’s mentor. At the age of ninety-eight herself, Inez offers a more quiet practicality to balance Tally’s bluster. Inez’s beautiful vizsla, Erno, gets along swimmingly with Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, Tee Tucker, and Tally’s Gordon setter Doodles. The animals realize right away that someone has been hurt, possibly murdered, and do their best to protect their human guardians. This story is cozy yet thrilling, offering a fascinating history of the university and fantastic character development. My absolute favorite part of the whole book is when Mrs. Murphy tells Simon, the sweet possum in the barn, the story of Passover and how the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, and when she finishes, poor Simon gets sad and says, “Oh, the poor horses.” Poor guy is so sensitive! I just adore him.
This is a wonderful title in the Mrs. Murphy series. Happy birthday, Aunt Tally! Here’s to one hundred more years.
Aunt Tally’s alma mater, William Woods University, is hosting a celebration and a fundraiser in her honor, and an April blizzard bears down on the city of Fulton, Missouri. On her birthday, a tempestuous alumnae board member, Mariah D’Angelo, disappears, and everyone immediately looks to her rival Flo Langston nervously, wondering if she has something to do with the disappearance. But when Flo is then found shot dead, the questions fly like the blizzard snow.
I absolutely adore Tally’s best friend, Dr. Inez Carpenter, D.V.M., who is also Fair Haristeen’s mentor. At the age of ninety-eight herself, Inez offers a more quiet practicality to balance Tally’s bluster. Inez’s beautiful vizsla, Erno, gets along swimmingly with Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, Tee Tucker, and Tally’s Gordon setter Doodles. The animals realize right away that someone has been hurt, possibly murdered, and do their best to protect their human guardians. This story is cozy yet thrilling, offering a fascinating history of the university and fantastic character development. My absolute favorite part of the whole book is when Mrs. Murphy tells Simon, the sweet possum in the barn, the story of Passover and how the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, and when she finishes, poor Simon gets sad and says, “Oh, the poor horses.” Poor guy is so sensitive! I just adore him.
This is a wonderful title in the Mrs. Murphy series. Happy birthday, Aunt Tally! Here’s to one hundred more years.
January 27, 2013
I read these books a long time ago and in the last 6 months I started back again at #1 and now I'm at Cat of the Century. I guess when I was younger and didn't understand much of what the characters talked about, it didn't really matter about how biased and preachy the books have become. Man do I notice now. It's been hard to get through the last five books or so without rolling my eyes a few times.
Also, RMB needs a better editor who will check continuity. If the books generally take place in the same year they were published (for example, Puss n' Cahoots in 2008) then the continuity has just gotten way too muddled. Joan Hamilton's mother supposedly died back in 2005, however she was a character in Puss n' Cahoots. However, I didn't realize Fair and Harry had been married 4 years or more already... Cat of the Century takes place in 2009. Considering Puss n' Cahoots was the book in which their 'honeymoon' took place, I just don't understand the progression of time in the books. Also, supposedly Harry only found out about Tally's affair with Harry's grandfather a few years ago.
I don't know, the story in this one wasn't that great, and I continue to be mystified by the timelines in the books. I know continuity is not the most important thing in a cozy mystery series, but it does pull me out of it and make me a little disappointed that continuity can't even be kept in a series like this.
Also, RMB needs a better editor who will check continuity. If the books generally take place in the same year they were published (for example, Puss n' Cahoots in 2008) then the continuity has just gotten way too muddled. Joan Hamilton's mother supposedly died back in 2005, however she was a character in Puss n' Cahoots. However, I didn't realize Fair and Harry had been married 4 years or more already... Cat of the Century takes place in 2009. Considering Puss n' Cahoots was the book in which their 'honeymoon' took place, I just don't understand the progression of time in the books. Also, supposedly Harry only found out about Tally's affair with Harry's grandfather a few years ago.
I don't know, the story in this one wasn't that great, and I continue to be mystified by the timelines in the books. I know continuity is not the most important thing in a cozy mystery series, but it does pull me out of it and make me a little disappointed that continuity can't even be kept in a series like this.
October 12, 2010
Very disappointed and will probably not read any more. I’ve been a faithful follower of the series, but the last few books have gotten on my nerves and this one has put me over the top. The out-of-context diatribes are really irritating. I can hear that on the TV if I wish. It’s not what I buy the books for.
In addition, some inconsistencies are present – the college was a two-year school when Aunt Tally attended and she graduated in 1931 and Inez in 1933. There was no way that they attended school together. There’s also some inaccuracies regarding the use of the generator. In general, the book doesn’t appear to be well researched (or edited?).
Being proud that your car gets 22 mpg is pretty sad – especially if you say you are into being green. If you want to get a car that runs well in snow, then get a Subaru that gets 33 mpg or something like that. A Volvo is a status car and nothing more.
I just read the part where the women are discussing why there’s so much discension among the alumni board and put it down to women being women; that men aren’t that way. What a put down for women! Give me a break!
Definitely not my cup of tea any more – and I’ll really miss the critters. They’re the only sane ones there at this point.
In addition, some inconsistencies are present – the college was a two-year school when Aunt Tally attended and she graduated in 1931 and Inez in 1933. There was no way that they attended school together. There’s also some inaccuracies regarding the use of the generator. In general, the book doesn’t appear to be well researched (or edited?).
Being proud that your car gets 22 mpg is pretty sad – especially if you say you are into being green. If you want to get a car that runs well in snow, then get a Subaru that gets 33 mpg or something like that. A Volvo is a status car and nothing more.
I just read the part where the women are discussing why there’s so much discension among the alumni board and put it down to women being women; that men aren’t that way. What a put down for women! Give me a break!
Definitely not my cup of tea any more – and I’ll really miss the critters. They’re the only sane ones there at this point.
July 8, 2010
I have been reading this series since about 1999, so I wasn't about to pass on the latest installment. The last several books, however, show some new differences in writing style that I find very annoying. When her characters refer to things in conversation, she'll add a sentence like, "Harry mentioned a beautiful insect-eating bird..." or "Terri cited the department store..." to explain what the characters are referring to. This strikes me as both clumsy and a little insulting, as if we couldn't figure it out from the context. The characters also speak about contemporary issues like the environment and the economic situation in ways that are unnatural and somewhat preachy. If you're a longtime fan of the series, you'll be disappointed to find that many of the recurring Crozet community members make only brief appearances, if at all-- both Susan and Miranda are conveniently out of state, caring for ailing relatives.
Still, I enjoyed the story and it didn't adhere too closely to the formula that many mystery series adopt. Also, the animal characters (which have always been the best part) were as excellent as ever.
Still, I enjoyed the story and it didn't adhere too closely to the formula that many mystery series adopt. Also, the animal characters (which have always been the best part) were as excellent as ever.
June 14, 2017
I've been reading this series since middle school when my mom and I discovered the audio books for our many road trips. I just started catching up on the series. The books don't really feel the same. I'm ok with politics being a part of fiction. These books are set in our world and I feel like the characters would have opinions. I'm fine with that. I've just noticed that over the past few books it feels less like detail and fleshing out of the characters and more like Rita Mae Browns soapbox. I'm not upset because I'm offended (as many were about the plot of The Purrfect Murder) but it gets a bit old after a while. It felt like half the book was Rita Mae yelling about how the government is awful, taxes are evil, "city folk" are idiotic and worthless, and that proper country people and animals are vastly superior. Honestly it's felt like that for the past four books. Once or twice is fine, she might even have a point, but going on and on is not only boring it becomes annoying.
September 22, 2013
The Mrs. Murphy books used to be humorous murder mysteries in which a Virginia post-mistress, Harry Harristeen, solved murders with the help of her "talking animals," two cats - Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, dog - Tucker, and various other pets and friends.
This book Cat of the Century has a very thin, uninteresting plot. Instead, it seems to be a vehichle for Brown to expound upon her personal and political views. The boring characters yammer on and on about the government being too big, taxes too high, the disgrace of leaving unwanted Amerasian children behind in Vietnam, obeying the ten commandments, and so on. As admirable as some of these ideas may be, they shouldn't knock you over the head in what is supposed to be a relaxing, escapist novel. Brown has been doing this more and more in her recent books but this is the worst one yet. I think I'm giving up on this author.
This book Cat of the Century has a very thin, uninteresting plot. Instead, it seems to be a vehichle for Brown to expound upon her personal and political views. The boring characters yammer on and on about the government being too big, taxes too high, the disgrace of leaving unwanted Amerasian children behind in Vietnam, obeying the ten commandments, and so on. As admirable as some of these ideas may be, they shouldn't knock you over the head in what is supposed to be a relaxing, escapist novel. Brown has been doing this more and more in her recent books but this is the worst one yet. I think I'm giving up on this author.
November 1, 2015
Like the book I read before this, Harry (Mary Minor) Haristeen is not a professional investigator - she was the former postmistress of the town, but now concentrates on farming her homestead. However, I can deal with Harry getting involved in mysteries, as she isn't as foolhardy and aggressive as most heroines of the cosy mysteries seem to be. Also, it is really her animals, two cats, Mrs. Murphy and Pewter and a dog, Tucker a Welsh Corgi, that are most interested in solving the mysteries.
I think I really like looking at life from the animal's perspective. This could be a contrived and cutesy plot device, but the author walks a fine line in her books and it works for me.
This series, I will keep on my must read list. They are enjoyable, though a bit preachy at times and certainly not silly or stupid.
I think I really like looking at life from the animal's perspective. This could be a contrived and cutesy plot device, but the author walks a fine line in her books and it works for me.
This series, I will keep on my must read list. They are enjoyable, though a bit preachy at times and certainly not silly or stupid.
August 22, 2018
In this 18th Mrs. Murphy story (I'm working my way through all of them chronologically), we learn that Mrs. Murphy, Tucker and Pewter all love egg salad. This made me laugh out loud because 2 of my three cats also love egg salad. God forbid I make an egg salad wrap and eat it by myself. No matter where JaeWook and Chanel may be (upstairs, downstairs, asleep), they come running to get their fair share (Cheddar shows no interest.) Their fair share is half a teaspoonful....I assume they like the Hellman's mayonnaise the best, although there is no question they also like eggs. I make sure their portions contains none of the green onion I snip into it. I always enjoy these stories. I know Rita Mae Brown has cats and dogs because she writes about them with what amuses me about my own pets. Now on to number 19!!!!
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June 15, 2017Taxes are bad! Taxes are bad! Taxes are bad! Oh yeah, some people got murdered, but that'll sort itself out. Definitely not my favorite of the series--way too much angry soapbox-ranting about taxes and regulations and drugs and the state of society. Enough already--we know your political opinions! The animal characters and even the murders themselves seemed to take a back seat to the ranting. I miss the early books that were just good old cozy mysteries solved by talking animals that I could read for some pure escapism. I'm fine with characters having political opinions, but it doesn't even feel like the characters' voices anymore. The last several books have been too much politics....but I keep reading them.
March 27, 2018
Books featuring animals often catch my eye, particularly when I am looking to share one with my wife, but this one disappointed both of us. Featuring an implausible storyline and unlikely characters, this book had us scoffing at the writing more often than not. I wouldn't recommend it. Besides the poor writing, the minimal involvement of the animals disappointed me, especially given the title. The plot was generally hard to follow, but the author's preferences were not: favoring cats, horses, drinking, guns, smoking, and The South; against taxes, men, and government.
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