Whiskers in the Dark:
A Mrs. Murphy Mystery
by Rita Mae Brown
Whiskers in the Dark: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery
Cozy Mystery
28th in Series
Bantam (June 4, 2019)
Hardcover: 288 pages
ISBN-10: 0425287181
ISBN-13: 978-0425287187
Digital ASIN: B07H72MD6Z
Death stalks the Blue Ridge Mountains as a centuries-old mystery resurfaces and murder mars the lead-up to an annual beagle competition, in a thrilling new tale from Rita Mae Brown and her feline co-author Sneaky Pie Brown.
A massive nor’easter has hit northern Virginia, where Mary Minor “Harry” Harristeen joins groundskeeping efforts at the National Beagle Club at Aldie as the date for its springtime Hounds for Heroes veterans’ benefit approaches. Harry’s fellow volunteers, including her oldest friend, Susan Tucker, comprise a spirited group of hunting enthusiasts, some former service members themselves. But things take a sinister turn when, after a routine tree cleanup along the Club’s hunting trails, retired foreign services officer Jason Holzknect is found dead, throat slit from ear to ear. Soon enough, another murder in their midst jolts the preparations, convincing Harry that the killer is familiar with the Club—and must be close by, masked in plain sight.
The intrigue extends to the grounds of Harry’s beloved local church, where the identity of an eighteenth-century skeleton wearing precious pearls remains a mystery. The anonymous woman’s neck had been snapped, and marks on the grave where her body was secreted indicate that someone recently tried to remove it, leading Harry to question how well she really knows those around her.
As always, Harry’s crime-solving cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, and Tee Tucker the Corgi share her determination to sniff out the foes among friends, even those long buried. Harry will need her four-legged companions’ help more than ever: a ghostly beagle only they can see may hold the key to the culprit.
About the Author
Rita Mae Brown is the bestselling author of the Sneaky Pie Brown mysteries; the Sister Jane series; the Runnymede novels, including Six of One and Cakewalk; A Nose for Justice and Murder Unleashed; Rubyfruit Jungle; and In Her Day; as well as many other books. An Emmy-nominated screenwriter and a poet, Brown lives in Afton, Virginia, and is a Master of Foxhounds and the huntsman.
Sneaky Pie Brown, a tiger cat born somewhere in Albemarle County, Virginia, was discovered by Rita Mae Brown at her local SPCA. They have collaborated on numerous Mrs. Murphy mysteries—in addition to Sneaky Pie’s Cookbook for Mystery Lovers and Sneaky Pie for President.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RitaMaeBrown
The Sneaky Pie Brown mysteries are some of the first books that got me into cat cozies over a decade ago. So many series have come and gone over the years that I've ended up losing track of Mrs. Murphy and the gang, making Whiskers in the Dark the first I've read in quite awhile.
I've seen a lot of reviews of this series mention that these books feature a lot of political commentary, which I was glad wasn't particularly prevalent in this book. I'm always a huge fan of stories that feature a modern day mystery alongside an unsolved murder from the past, and that's exactly what we have here. I will admit to finding the story line from 1787 a bit complicated and more detailed than necessary in a cozy mystery, but it's certainly something history buffs will find fascinating. I found both mysteries to be solved in a satisfying way, and also enjoyed a behind the scenes look at preparations for a National Beagle Club event. Of course my favorite parts of the book feature conversations among the animal characters.
If you're new to the world of Mrs. Murphy you may want to start from the beginning in order to get a better introduction to these characters, but for longtime readers of the series this 28th book is certain to provide hours of enjoyment with a familiar cast of two-legged and four-legged friends.
Books wif cats are da best books!
ReplyDeleteA feline co-author? SOLD!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance. Love her books.
ReplyDeleteSue B
Sounds like another winner from Rita Mae Brown.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa and Mudpie!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good book and a good series!
ReplyDeleteA friend gave us several of the early ones years ago but we never had time for them as you said there are many others to read and... Only so much time for Dad to turn the pages. Thanks for a good review.
ReplyDeleteI admit I've never read one of these books before, but have wondered about them.
ReplyDeleteI really should start this series at the beginning; I read so many, that I've avoided it because there are so many books! But the local library has every single one, so maybe I should pull on my big girl pants and get cracking.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds good and I love the cover :)
ReplyDeleteIt's about time for me to begin reading books again. I'll put this series on my list.
ReplyDeleteI've never read a Rita Mae Brown book, but I really should!
ReplyDeleteBooks and cats are two of the best things in existence, so posts like this always make me so happy. Thank you for sharing these reads with us!
ReplyDeleteWith their distinctive circle of Southern sleuths, Rita Mae Brown and her feline co-author Sneaky Pie Brown pick up the mystery. nursing essay help uk
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