The 'Mrs. Murphy' cozy mystery series began over three decades ago, with the charming premise that animals could speak amongst themselves and help their owner solve crimes. In recent years author Rita Mae Brown has used the Mrs. Murphy novels to promote her politics and to discuss American history, and I've enjoyed the books less and less. For that reason, I decided to reach back and read this first novel in the series, just for fun.
*****
Thirtysomething Harry Haristeen is a postmistress in the town of Crozet, Virginia, which contains 3,000 residents.
Harry has a tiger cat named Mrs. Murphy, a Welsh corgi named Tucker, and a regular visitor named Pewter - a gray cat who lives in the butcher store near the post office. The animals regularly converse among themselves, often ruminating about human foibles and the superiority of cats and dogs.
As the story opens Harry is hauling in mailbags and stewing about her divorce from equine veterinarian Fair Haristeen.
Though both Harry and Fair agree the marriage has run its course, Fair is playing the victim and garnering the sympathy of the Crozet community - much to Harry's chagrin.
Harry puts Fair out of her mind as she sorts the mail and sneakily reads people's postcards. One postcard in particular catches Harry's attention. Addressed to wealthy cement contractor Kelly Craycroft, the postcard shows a beautiful Paris cemetery and contains the message 'Wish you were here'.....with no signature. The message seems prophetic later on, when Kelly is found dead.
A few days later, a similar postcard is received by another Crozet resident, Maude Bly Modena. Afterwards Maude Bly - who owns a successful packaging supply business - is also found dead.
As postmistress, Harry is the first person to make the connection between the postcards and the killings. Harry confides her observations to Deputy Sheriff Cynthia Cooper, and goes on the lookout for more 'warning cards.'
Moreover, Harry, being a natural born busybody, starts investigating the murders herself. This greatly concerns Mrs. Murphy and Tucker, who dearly love Harry and fear for her safety.
The townsfolk are alarmed by the murders, and speculate they might be connected to rumors of hidden treasure stashed in (now closed) railroad tunnels blasted through the Blue Ridge Mountains by Claude Crozet.
For their part, the cops theorize that Kelly and Maude Bly might have been running drugs. No one really knows what's going on, and the crime spree continues.
As it happens, Mrs. Murphy and Tucker discover important clues about the killings, and - by their behavior - are able to communicate SOME of their findings to Harry. The pets are also on hand when the killer is finally exposed, which is a lucky thing all around.
In the meantime, there's a lot going on in Crozet. Harry's estranged husband Fair is 'friendly' with the gorgeous widow of murder victim Kelly Craycroft;
the wealthy Queen of Crozet (Big Marilyn), sends out invitations to her daughter (Little Marilyn's) wedding, but snubs Marilyn's brother and his African-American wife;
Harry's best friend Susan has problems with her teenage children;
Mrs. Murphy and Tucker cause havoc in the mailroom; and more.
This is a promising start to the 'Mrs. Murphy' series, and a good place for interested readers to begin. The animal characters are especially fun, and - as the series goes on - come to include horses, owls, foxes, mice, and more.
Recommended to fans of quirky cozy mysteries.
Rating: 3 stars
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