Book Review - Puss n Cahoots
The Lastest Mrs. Murphy Mystery from Rita Mae Brown
Harry, Mrs. Murphy, and the gang are off to a Kentucky saddlebred horse show, but unfortunately they haven't left murder behind.
Puss 'n Cahoots, the 15th mystery novel in the Mrs. Murphy series, a series Rita Mae Brown co-authors with her tiger cat, Sneaky Pie Brown. This novel finds newly re-married Mary Minor ("Harry") and Pharamond ("Fair") Hairsteen on their honeymoon at the saddlebred horse show in Shelbyville, Kentucky. With them are their two cats, Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, and their corgi, Tucker. (Doesn't everyone take their pets on their honeymoon?)
Mrs. Murphy Investigates
No sooner than the group arrives in Kentucky, strange things start happening. Their host, Joan Hamilton's, valuable heirloom pin is stolen; Harry hears trucks arriving at the barn in the middle of the night; a prize horse disappears; and one of the grooms is violently murdered. So much for a peaceful getaway.
With their superior sense of smell, the animals, led by Mrs. Murphy, find clues to the murder almost immediately. But, none of the clues seem to make sense. As the horse show continues, albeit under the cloud of murder, strange things continue to happen. Will the group be able to finish the show and get back home without running into danger?
Jealousy and Greed in Shelbyville
Puss 'n Cahoots is an enjoyable read for fans of the series and newcomers as well. Ms. Brown does a good job of explaining the characters to new readers while not boring existing fans. She evens includes a "who's who" of the main characters -- human and animal -- at the beginning of each novel for easy reference.
This latest installment of the Mrs. Murphy series is a fun romp through Kentucky horse territory with just a few subtle editorials about Ms. Brown's favorite (animal) causes thrown in for good measure. The plot is well-developed and believable and Harry's new Kentucky friends add some different faces to the series.
About Rita Mae Brown
Rita Mae Brown is the author of over 35 novels, the most famous of which are her Mrs. Murphy series and the four "Sister Jane" foxhunting mysteries. Ms. Brown is also an Emmy-nominated screenwriter, a poet, and has written a "Mrs. Murphy" cookbook. In addition to writing, Ms. Brown is an avid horsewoman and animal rights advocate. She lives in Afton, Virginia with her cats, horses, and other critters.
About Sneaky Pie Brown
Sneaky Pie Brown is a tiger cat, rescued by Rita Mae from the Albemarle County (Virginia) animal shelter. She has collaborated on all of the 15 Mrs. Murphy novels and gets more fan mail than her human.
Related Links
- Rita Mae Brown Official Web site
- Cat Fiction
- The Cat who had 60 Whiskers by Lilian Jackson Brown
- Cat Pay the Devil by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
