In this fast-paced mystery by Rita Mae Brown and her feline co-author Sneaky Pie Brown, Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen and her animal friends seek to solve a whodunit rooted in eighteenth-century Virginia—uncovering a shocking secret that refuses to stay buried. TALL TAIL At any moment a perfect summer day in Crozet, Virginia—nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains—might turn stormy and … Mountains—might turn stormy and tempestuous, as Harry knows too well when a squall suddenly sweeps in. In a blink, Harry’s pickup nearly collides with a careening red car that then swerves into a ditch. Harry recognizes the dead driver slumped over the vehicle’s steering wheel: Barbara Leader was nurse and confidante to former Virginia governor Sam Holloway.
Though Barbara’s death is ruled a heart attack, dissenting opinions abound. After all, she was the picture of health, which gives Harry and her four-legged companions pause. A baffling break-in at a local business leads Harry to further suspect that a person with malevolent intent lurks just out of sight: Something evil is afoot.
As it happens, Barbara died in the shadow of the local cemetery’s statue of the Avenging Angel. Just below that imposing funereal monument lie the remains of one Francisco Selisse, brutally murdered in 1784. Harry’s present-day sleuthing draws her back to Virginia’s slave-holding past and the hunt for Selisse’s killer. Now it’s up to Harry and her furry detectives—Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tee Tucker—to expose the bitter truth, even if it means staring into the unforgiving eyes of history and cornering a callous killer poised to pounce.
Praise for the Mrs. Murphy Mysteries by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown
“As feline collaborators go, you couldn’t ask for better than Sneaky Pie Brown.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Mrs. Murphy mysteries are fun, sweet, and beautifully adventurous.”—Bustle
“Brown [is] the queen of the talking animal cozy.”—Publishers Weekly
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love reading the Sneaky Pie Brown books, great cast and interesting mysetries
Loved it!
I have enjoyed all of Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie’s books. Keep up the good work. Look forward to the next one.
I love this author and have read many of her books. This one was equally enjoyable and just plain fun o read.
Seems the last few books are preaching to facts that can’t be changed and the author is on her soap box! The books are loosing their fun and funny aspects! After so many Sneaky Pie Brown books I may not buy any more!
Historical, as well.
Enjoyed this story a lot.
Thanks
I already reviewed it
I love these “talking animals.” They have great insight into human behavior!
I have always liked the Mrs Murphy stories. Especially liked this one with the story taking place today and back in the days of the founding fathers
I love reading this series, never fails to keep me guessing to the end.
So enjoy her books and the addition of some of the actual history of the area makes it that much more interesting. You must be a pet lover to enjoy!
Any book by Rita Mae and Sneaky Pie Brown is a great read. Hood reading, love the animals, and the interaction between them. I recommend any book by them
As always I enjoyed another visit with Mrs Murphy and friends!! Love this whole series. I would recommend you read it in order so that all the background makes sense
Was typical Sneaky Pie writing. A bit long winded but that’s Sneaky’s way of writing.certainly interesting family plots.
I love this author and the animal characters as well as the human ones. This book is a bit different, however. It provides an in-depth look at the culture in Central Virginia in the late 1700’s, without passing judgment, as well as present day. The mystery has twists and turns and isn’t solved until the very end. This book not only entertained me, it made me think! Ms Brown does her research, and tells a tale that keeps the reader “hooked” all the way through.
Enjoy this series. Light but good writing style.
I could not finish this book, it was boring and not entertaining at all.
This may be her best book yet
The book was well-enough written, but as before, Rita Mae has to get on her soapbox. All of a sudden the book went from being a mystery to being a lecture on the evils of slavery. She can’t seem to get away from letting her personal feelings cloud the story. Enough!! I’m not sure I wlll even read any more of her books, as much as I enjoy the characters.