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Mrs. Murphy #32
Feline Fatale: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery
Politicians fight like cats and dogs, but when things take a deadly turn at the Virginia House of Delegates, Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen calls on her beloved pets to help her crack the case and stop the fur from flying in this latest mystery from Rita Mae Brown and her feline co-author Sneaky Pie Brown.
Spring flowers may be about to bloom in Crozet, Virginia, but Harry is thinking about snow. Her dear friend Ned Tucker is in the House of Delegates, advocating for a bill to improve road clearing during bad weather, and Harry and Ned’s wife, Susan, have gone down to the statehouse to support him. Tensions are high between political parties, and no one can agree on anything for long enough to get something done.
The bill’s chief detractor is the glamorous Amanda Fields, a former newscaster turned delegate whose flair for the dramatic has earned her a formidable reputation—and made her more than a few enemies. Amanda’s claws-out approach to politics might have some of her colleagues wishing she was dead, but the statehouse is rocked when one of the young pages who assists the delegates dies under mysterious circumstances.
Could his death be related to the political infighting? Or is something even more sinister threatening the lives of Virginia’s finest representatives? With help from her feline sidekicks, Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, as well as Tee Tucker the corgi and Irish Greyhound Pirate, Harry is determined to find the answers and restore order once more to the Capitol.
Spring flowers may be about to bloom in Crozet, Virginia, but Harry is thinking about snow. Her dear friend Ned Tucker is in the House of Delegates, advocating for a bill to improve road clearing during bad weather, and Harry and Ned’s wife, Susan, have gone down to the statehouse to support him. Tensions are high between political parties, and no one can agree on anything for long enough to get something done.
The bill’s chief detractor is the glamorous Amanda Fields, a former newscaster turned delegate whose flair for the dramatic has earned her a formidable reputation—and made her more than a few enemies. Amanda’s claws-out approach to politics might have some of her colleagues wishing she was dead, but the statehouse is rocked when one of the young pages who assists the delegates dies under mysterious circumstances.
Could his death be related to the political infighting? Or is something even more sinister threatening the lives of Virginia’s finest representatives? With help from her feline sidekicks, Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, as well as Tee Tucker the corgi and Irish Greyhound Pirate, Harry is determined to find the answers and restore order once more to the Capitol.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published April 16, 2024
About the author
Rita Mae Brown
131 books2,036 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
December 11, 2023
Feline Fatale is the 52 book in the Mrs. Murphy mystery series. I have read this series from the beginning, This book was different in it's theme as it dealt with the politics in congress. Mary Minor Haristeen, (Harry) is the main character who is married to Pharamond Haristeen (Fair) an equine vet who specialises in reproduction. Susan Tucker is her best friend whose husband, Ned, is the district's delegate for the lower house. Harry's animals, Mrs. Murphy and Pewter are her two cats and Tucker and Pirate are her two dogs. They talk to each other and are with Harry throughout the story. The other characters add to the story.
Susan and Harry are on their way to DC to hear Susan's husband, Ned, introduce a bill. While watching the lower house in session Aidan Harkness, an up and coming Democrat and Amanda Fields, also an up and coming Republican who wore Christian Louboutin shoes got into a name calling fight on the floor with Aidan Harkness which when she came and hit him with her shoe shocked the delegates. Lucas Dennison is Amanda's right hand man.
When Harry is visiting Aunt Tally who is now 93, get into a discussion about her grandfather and his using the ham radio on the destroyer during the war. Aunt Tally told her that she also had a ham radio and she and her grandfather use to communicate on them. Harry was very interested and went back home and found her grandfather's radio which she did. Harry found out that Miranda Hogendobber who she worked for in the post office also uses the ham radio. She teaches Harry how to use it and about how they did morse code.
News comes back that one of the school pages, Reid Ryder, was killed in an automobile accident. There was drugs in his system. He had borrowed Ellis Barfield's car.
This is where I will leave the story for the reader to enjoy. There is so much going on that it would be hard to put it all on paper. The build up at the end leaves the reader anxious to find out what the ending holds.
I love this series and look forward to the next adventure for Harry and her friends.
Thank you NetGalley and Bantam Books for the ARC.
Susan and Harry are on their way to DC to hear Susan's husband, Ned, introduce a bill. While watching the lower house in session Aidan Harkness, an up and coming Democrat and Amanda Fields, also an up and coming Republican who wore Christian Louboutin shoes got into a name calling fight on the floor with Aidan Harkness which when she came and hit him with her shoe shocked the delegates. Lucas Dennison is Amanda's right hand man.
When Harry is visiting Aunt Tally who is now 93, get into a discussion about her grandfather and his using the ham radio on the destroyer during the war. Aunt Tally told her that she also had a ham radio and she and her grandfather use to communicate on them. Harry was very interested and went back home and found her grandfather's radio which she did. Harry found out that Miranda Hogendobber who she worked for in the post office also uses the ham radio. She teaches Harry how to use it and about how they did morse code.
News comes back that one of the school pages, Reid Ryder, was killed in an automobile accident. There was drugs in his system. He had borrowed Ellis Barfield's car.
This is where I will leave the story for the reader to enjoy. There is so much going on that it would be hard to put it all on paper. The build up at the end leaves the reader anxious to find out what the ending holds.
I love this series and look forward to the next adventure for Harry and her friends.
Thank you NetGalley and Bantam Books for the ARC.
January 1, 2024
I haven't read every book in this long-running cozy-mystery series, co-written by the author and her cat, but I have read quite a few. In years past, I shared them with my elderly mother, who really enjoyed them. In this outing, Ms Brown has dropped the dual timelines that she has had in her most recent books in which she explored early Virginian history in the area where her stories are set and has gone back to concentrating on a modern-day mystery.
A lot of this story is about state politics. The main character, Mary Minor Haristeen, aka Harry, is a farmer whose best friend Susan Tucker is married to Ned, a state delegate to the Virginia statehouse, the House of Delegates. He has become so overwhelmed with paperwork that Susan has pitched in to help and enlisted Harry's help too.
A fellow Democrat named Aidan Harkness is currently at loggerheads with Amanda Fields, a first-term Republican delegate, over her doctrine of fiscal conservatism. Interesting since she has spent $1000 on a very fancy pair of red-soled high heels, which she wields as a weapon when Aidan calls her the b-word during a recent session. Both delegates are gaining a great deal of publicity for their antics. But all that is overshadowed when a young page is found dead with drugs in his system after a car accident. Have drugs invaded the statehouse?
The fun thing about these mysteries is that the animals are characters too. Harry's two cats and two dogs watch over Harry and can be quite hilarious as they squabble and debate, just like humans.
I found the issues brought up in this story to be quite interesting. This book could definitely be read as a standalone.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc through NetGalley. My review is voluntary and opinions expressed are my own.
A lot of this story is about state politics. The main character, Mary Minor Haristeen, aka Harry, is a farmer whose best friend Susan Tucker is married to Ned, a state delegate to the Virginia statehouse, the House of Delegates. He has become so overwhelmed with paperwork that Susan has pitched in to help and enlisted Harry's help too.
A fellow Democrat named Aidan Harkness is currently at loggerheads with Amanda Fields, a first-term Republican delegate, over her doctrine of fiscal conservatism. Interesting since she has spent $1000 on a very fancy pair of red-soled high heels, which she wields as a weapon when Aidan calls her the b-word during a recent session. Both delegates are gaining a great deal of publicity for their antics. But all that is overshadowed when a young page is found dead with drugs in his system after a car accident. Have drugs invaded the statehouse?
The fun thing about these mysteries is that the animals are characters too. Harry's two cats and two dogs watch over Harry and can be quite hilarious as they squabble and debate, just like humans.
I found the issues brought up in this story to be quite interesting. This book could definitely be read as a standalone.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc through NetGalley. My review is voluntary and opinions expressed are my own.
May 8, 2024
Thank you, Goodreads and author, for the book. Too much politics in the plot. Enjoyed the animals. 3 stars
Stacey Bankey
Stacey Bankey
April 25, 2024
I'm very glad the author got rid of the dual story line she has been using in the last several books. I felt it was disruptive to the main plot and thinned it out. Now if she would only get the rid of the political rigamarole and go back to more animals and country ways the books would be much more enjoyable, as her earlier ones were.
April 29, 2024
What a fascinating story - Loved it. I am sorry that the 18th century story line wasn't included - I have enjoyed that, and become attached to those characters, as well. My primary love is Harry and her animals, though. Can't believe I have to wait a year for the next Mrs. Murphy Mystery, even though they are well worth the wait!
March 29, 2024
This has been a terrific series, but this addition to the series missed the mark for me. The plot was to much politics and not enough mystery. I liked the fact that she was setting a mystery in the General Assembly of Virginia, and a little politics mixed with a whole lot of mystery and mayhem would have made this book so much better. I understand what the author was trying to say, but I don’t care to read it in my cozy mystery.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.
December 1, 2023
Enjoyed the book but I missed the story from back in the days that spoke of the history of that area.
March 21, 2024
“Feline Fatale” is the thirty-second book in Rita Mae Brown’s Mrs. Murphy Mystery series. While the past several books in the series have featured a dual story line set in both the present and the Revolutionary War era – this book takes place in just the present. While I had gotten used to the dual storylines (and think the Revolutionary War storyline would make a fine series in itself) I much prefer the single storyline – especially since it brings back characters who had been MIA – Big Mim, Miranda, Aunt Tally, even Boom Boom makes a cameo appearance. Brown’s books have always had a touch of politics to them but this book is totally about politics – Harry’s best friend’s husband is in the House of Delegates and much of this book, including the murder, involves politics. The mystery is well done – this isn’t one of those try to guess whodunit type of mysteries but one where you sit back and watch as Brown cleverly works clues into the book – even the most innocent things can turn out to be important. While I wasn’t surprised at who turned out to be guilty, I did feel terribly bad for one of the characters and hope this character shows up in future books in the series.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
February 23, 2024
I know the Mrs. Murphy Mysteries are popular so I am excited to give FELINE FATALE a read. I soon realize I am not a fan of anthropomorphism. I read on, despite the talking animals, in anticipation of solving a mystery. Harry (Mary Minor Haristeen) and her best friend, Susan Tucker, travel to Washington D.C. to support Susan’s husband, Ned, who is introducing a bill in the House of Delegates to get roads cleared during bad weather.
The characters freely express their opinions regarding politics in this book, giving me much to ponder. The narrative and dialogue flows well and is comfortable to read. There seems to be a lot of background leading up to the murder. After that, things move along slowly to an unusual, yet satisfying, conclusion. There are cute sketches interspersed throughout the pages of this cozy mystery. While this book isn’t exactly my “cup of tea,” I can see why many people like Rita May Brown’s writing. Thank you, Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review FELINE FETALE.
The characters freely express their opinions regarding politics in this book, giving me much to ponder. The narrative and dialogue flows well and is comfortable to read. There seems to be a lot of background leading up to the murder. After that, things move along slowly to an unusual, yet satisfying, conclusion. There are cute sketches interspersed throughout the pages of this cozy mystery. While this book isn’t exactly my “cup of tea,” I can see why many people like Rita May Brown’s writing. Thank you, Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review FELINE FETALE.
January 30, 2024
I liked this one but not as much as previous books in the series. It was alot of politics and not much cozy.
January 30, 2024
We are back in Crozet, Virginia with farmer "Harry" Harristeen and her husband and friends, not to mention her furry pets Mrs. Murphy and Pewter (the cats), Tucker and Pirate (the dogs). Harry is braving the last of winter when the threat of another snowstorm prevails, making everyone wonder how long winter is going to last. But it is also the time when the state house representatives meet in Richmond, and both Harry and her best friend, Susan Tucker, travel there to support Susan's husband Ned while he presents a bill to the house.
Unfortunately, it isn't received well by the other side, and a heated argument ensues where delegate Amanda Fields reacts violently to a slur by Aiden Harkness of the other side, which causes more problems along the way. Amanda seems obsessed with Aiden and his antics, and Ned is just trying to keep the peace. But when a young page is killed while in the car of the videographer, questions arise. What was he doing, and was he murdered?
Harry wants answers, and if it lies in the state house, then she's going to find it. But along the way she's learning Morse code, as an elderly town resident still uses a ham radio and Harry wants to be able to speak with her on days she can't get over to see her. But what is going on in the house, and does anyone know the truth?...
This is the latest book in the Mrs. Murphy series, and I have read as many as I can. I simply love the writing style of Ms. Brown. Although in the beginning I was disappointed to learn that this was not a mystery where we travel back in time to Revolutionary days, I also read the back where she stated that not everyone enjoyed that. (Really? It's part of the charm of the books, but just my humble opinion on that! I also love history, so it's again, part of the charm of reading these novels.) Anyway, since I was already invested, I continued to read on.
In this installment, as you've probably already gathered, Harry and pals are concerned with what is happening in Richmond. Ned Tucker is too concerned with what is going on in his own office to even take time to wonder -- and here is where he avails himself of both Harry and Susan's help -- because they are trying to finish the session and that means endless paperwork (don't we all have that?).
When the young page is killed, his girlfriend and family both insist that it must have been murder, and Harry tends to believe them. So does Amanda's assistant, Lucas. But what can be done? No one is going to admit it, and someone's sudden disappearance points to them as the prime suspect.
There is a lot going on in this book; a lot about politics (and honestly, I don't read political books as there is so much in the world right now that is wrong and I read to relax, not have everything shoved at me), but I will tell you that this book doesn't do any of that, and I appreciate it. While we may not agree on our politics, the book is subtle about it and you don't feel that you are getting a lecture on what to believe or not believe. And that, my friends, is all the difference.
Once again, Ms. Brown has written another mystery that will keep you reading merely to get to the final outcome, if nothing else. It is a wonderful read, and I look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.
Unfortunately, it isn't received well by the other side, and a heated argument ensues where delegate Amanda Fields reacts violently to a slur by Aiden Harkness of the other side, which causes more problems along the way. Amanda seems obsessed with Aiden and his antics, and Ned is just trying to keep the peace. But when a young page is killed while in the car of the videographer, questions arise. What was he doing, and was he murdered?
Harry wants answers, and if it lies in the state house, then she's going to find it. But along the way she's learning Morse code, as an elderly town resident still uses a ham radio and Harry wants to be able to speak with her on days she can't get over to see her. But what is going on in the house, and does anyone know the truth?...
This is the latest book in the Mrs. Murphy series, and I have read as many as I can. I simply love the writing style of Ms. Brown. Although in the beginning I was disappointed to learn that this was not a mystery where we travel back in time to Revolutionary days, I also read the back where she stated that not everyone enjoyed that. (Really? It's part of the charm of the books, but just my humble opinion on that! I also love history, so it's again, part of the charm of reading these novels.) Anyway, since I was already invested, I continued to read on.
In this installment, as you've probably already gathered, Harry and pals are concerned with what is happening in Richmond. Ned Tucker is too concerned with what is going on in his own office to even take time to wonder -- and here is where he avails himself of both Harry and Susan's help -- because they are trying to finish the session and that means endless paperwork (don't we all have that?).
When the young page is killed, his girlfriend and family both insist that it must have been murder, and Harry tends to believe them. So does Amanda's assistant, Lucas. But what can be done? No one is going to admit it, and someone's sudden disappearance points to them as the prime suspect.
There is a lot going on in this book; a lot about politics (and honestly, I don't read political books as there is so much in the world right now that is wrong and I read to relax, not have everything shoved at me), but I will tell you that this book doesn't do any of that, and I appreciate it. While we may not agree on our politics, the book is subtle about it and you don't feel that you are getting a lecture on what to believe or not believe. And that, my friends, is all the difference.
Once again, Ms. Brown has written another mystery that will keep you reading merely to get to the final outcome, if nothing else. It is a wonderful read, and I look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.
April 16, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Feline Fatale is the 32nd book in the Mrs. Murphy mystery series by Rita Mae Brown (& Sneaky Pie Brown). Released 16th April 2024 by Random House on the Bantam imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
This is another one of those anthropomorphic animal cozy mystery series which is like a visit with an old friend. It's a perennial, long running series (since 1990), and always like a beloved sweater; comfortable and warm. Happily the series quality has always been good, and unlike most decades long series, it's never felt "phoned in" or stale. There certainly is a soothing quality to the plotting and the returning characters; it's safe and escapist reading, something that is therapeutic and necessary given the current state of the world. This one sees the animal and human crew delving into politics to solve the death of a page/assistant to the state delegates.
The language is clean, the murders are bloodless, the denouement and resolution are satisfying and well done. Everything that readers could want from a cozy mystery. Yes, it's a known quantity, and that is a positive benefit.
The monochrome illustrations by Michael Gellatly give a sweetly nostalgic feel to the book. This is the same artist who illustrated earlier books in the series.
Four stars, I love Ms. Brown's work, and her ability to combine deep social commentary with humor and wit is always a joy to read. For readers who are new to the series, nearly all of them work very well as standalone reads, with the codicil that the characters develop over the series and their relationships change, so there may be spoilers if read out of order.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Feline Fatale is the 32nd book in the Mrs. Murphy mystery series by Rita Mae Brown (& Sneaky Pie Brown). Released 16th April 2024 by Random House on the Bantam imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
This is another one of those anthropomorphic animal cozy mystery series which is like a visit with an old friend. It's a perennial, long running series (since 1990), and always like a beloved sweater; comfortable and warm. Happily the series quality has always been good, and unlike most decades long series, it's never felt "phoned in" or stale. There certainly is a soothing quality to the plotting and the returning characters; it's safe and escapist reading, something that is therapeutic and necessary given the current state of the world. This one sees the animal and human crew delving into politics to solve the death of a page/assistant to the state delegates.
The language is clean, the murders are bloodless, the denouement and resolution are satisfying and well done. Everything that readers could want from a cozy mystery. Yes, it's a known quantity, and that is a positive benefit.
The monochrome illustrations by Michael Gellatly give a sweetly nostalgic feel to the book. This is the same artist who illustrated earlier books in the series.
Four stars, I love Ms. Brown's work, and her ability to combine deep social commentary with humor and wit is always a joy to read. For readers who are new to the series, nearly all of them work very well as standalone reads, with the codicil that the characters develop over the series and their relationships change, so there may be spoilers if read out of order.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
May 15, 2024
Feline Fatale is a cozy mystery featuring Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen and her pets -- cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, corgi Tucker, and Irish Wolfhound puppy Pirate. Harry's best friend Susan is married to a man who serves in the Virginia legislature. When a young page dies tragically from a drug overdose, Harry, Susan, and of course Harry's pets work to solve the mystery.
I wanted to read this mystery because I love the Mrs. Murphy mystery series -- it is probably my favorite cozy series. It is always comforting and enjoyable to be back in Crozet, Virginia for a while with these familiar characters. I love both cats and corgis, so that is another big draw for this series.
The mystery in this book, while tragic, felt a little more distant because there was not a lot of background about the young page before he tragically died. I still enjoyed Harry's clever sleuthing though!
There is a lot of state politics in this book, which is not a great interest of mine, but there was a surprising sub-plot featuring older friends who loved ham radio. I know nothing about ham radio but that sub-plot was so interesting to me! I even wondered for a moment if I have the time and energy to learn how to operate a ham radio. (The answer, for now, is no.) I also really liked the older ladies that Harry is friends with - Aunt Tally and Miranda.
As always, the pets are an important part of the book and they are charming. As well as the story, there are some sweet illustrations of the cats and Tucker together. (And an elderly dachshund even appears in the story!)
I recommend this series for fans of cozy mysteries featuring small town life, cats and dogs. It is a charming series that truly personifies cozy fiction.
I wanted to read this mystery because I love the Mrs. Murphy mystery series -- it is probably my favorite cozy series. It is always comforting and enjoyable to be back in Crozet, Virginia for a while with these familiar characters. I love both cats and corgis, so that is another big draw for this series.
The mystery in this book, while tragic, felt a little more distant because there was not a lot of background about the young page before he tragically died. I still enjoyed Harry's clever sleuthing though!
There is a lot of state politics in this book, which is not a great interest of mine, but there was a surprising sub-plot featuring older friends who loved ham radio. I know nothing about ham radio but that sub-plot was so interesting to me! I even wondered for a moment if I have the time and energy to learn how to operate a ham radio. (The answer, for now, is no.) I also really liked the older ladies that Harry is friends with - Aunt Tally and Miranda.
As always, the pets are an important part of the book and they are charming. As well as the story, there are some sweet illustrations of the cats and Tucker together. (And an elderly dachshund even appears in the story!)
I recommend this series for fans of cozy mysteries featuring small town life, cats and dogs. It is a charming series that truly personifies cozy fiction.
May 14, 2024
This is the 32nd book in this long-running series. It’s very politically oriented, as the husband of one of the main characters is in the Virginia House of Delegates, and is trying to get a bill passed. A young page dies under dubious circumstances, but it almost seems like it’s only a minor part of the plot. Back in Crozet, where most of the books take place, Harry Haristeen is learning to use a ham radio in order to communicate with an elderly neighbor. This part of the book harkens back to years gone by, as Harry learns more about her grandfather’s service during WWII. It also brings back Miranda Hogendobber, who was Harry’s co-worker at the post office in the series’ earlier books. That was nice. One thing I appreciate about this book is that it does not include the second storyline that takes place in the 18th century. That was confusing and distracting. As with any long series, it’s nice to revisit characters that are old friends. I didn’t quite enjoy the political storyline, and I don’t think the death was really solved.
May 1, 2024
I was glad to see that the eighteenth-century story line was dropped from this novel, but so much of the story revolved around politics and so little around the animals or a mystery that it wasn’t an improvement. And to call this story a mystery is really a stretch. Susan’s husband, Ned, is trying to get a bill passed in the House of Delegates for snow removal. Amanda Fields is against it. An unfortunate death occurs, a hit and run car accident hurts someone else, another person is rum-running, and a secret affair is going on. And that’s about it. The animals put in a couple of brief appearances. I have read this series from the beginning, and really enjoyed the earlier books, the ones with an actual mystery where the animals got a jump on the humans in solving it. I may read another book in this series because hope springs eternal that possibly the author will return to her former writing style, but it will be at the bottom of my TBR stack.
January 11, 2024
#FelineFatale #NetGalley is an interesting addition to this well known series.
Harry and her sidekicks are back in this fantastic story by Rita Mae Brown.
Harry accompanies her long time friend Susan to a political hearing as Susan's husband is presenting a new bill for approval.
Things get heated quickly and two other delegates seem to disagree on everything.
Harry doesn't suspect anything until she begins learning about Ham Radio and Morse Code, thanks to a long time friend.
When Harry hears suspicious clicks, she realizes what's happening, but who is going to believe her?
Join Harry, Susan, Tucker, Pirate, Pewter and Mrs. Murphy as they sort out the clues and solve a diabolical mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for asking me to read and review this advanced copy of #FelineFatale #NetGalley.
Harry and her sidekicks are back in this fantastic story by Rita Mae Brown.
Harry accompanies her long time friend Susan to a political hearing as Susan's husband is presenting a new bill for approval.
Things get heated quickly and two other delegates seem to disagree on everything.
Harry doesn't suspect anything until she begins learning about Ham Radio and Morse Code, thanks to a long time friend.
When Harry hears suspicious clicks, she realizes what's happening, but who is going to believe her?
Join Harry, Susan, Tucker, Pirate, Pewter and Mrs. Murphy as they sort out the clues and solve a diabolical mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for asking me to read and review this advanced copy of #FelineFatale #NetGalley.
March 14, 2024
I was very excited to read this book. I have read the complete Mrs. Murphy series and had been struggling with the split time lines from the few books before. I was very excited to see that this book is all in one timeline. It also had a lot more of the original characters making an appearance. It was very exciting to visit with Aunt Tally, Big Mim and Miranda Hogendobber. We find Harry getting swept up in Virginia politics as her best friend since birth, Susan's, husband is a representative and is involved with a bill that causes some uproar and a fight between two representatives. This is an intricately woven mystery that is very well researched and in touch with a lot of modern political themes.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group.
April 22, 2024
Rita Mae Brown has penned another great cozy mystery. Once again, Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen stumbles into a mystery. This story takes us out of small town Crozet into Richmond and the Virginia statehouse. Harry's friend Ned is busy trying to enact legislation and the poor behavior of his fellow statesmen reflect politics as usual. When a young page ends up dead, Harry's curiosity is peaked. The main plot includes drugs and politics. But the book also has a subplot with Harry learning about Ham Radio in an effort to ease the loneliness of an elderly friend. Although Brown's recent novels have had dual timelines that intertwined stories about the town in the late 18th century and now, this one returns to her earlier format and stays in the twenty-first century. This story makes a fun quick read and the ending is quite clever. Although I had a large part of the story figured out, the ending took me completely by surprise. Harry and Susan are a fun duo, but all the long time fans know that the animals are really the favorite characters in Brown's stories. The conversations between the pets are always good for a laugh or two. Curiosity can kill the cat, but fans know that friends and family will be safe when Mrs. Murphey is around.
April 25, 2024
The series takes a break from the throwback connections to revolutionary times for a setting in modern-day Virginia state politics, with endless debates in the legislature and two of Ned's colleagues at odds over almost everything. Things begin to look suspicious when one of the delegates' teenaged pages is found dead in mysterious circumstances.
Best part: the return of some of my favorite characters, even if briefly - and I can only hope we'll see more of them in future installments, with some "starring" roles.
Biggest disappointment: the ending was left with too many threads left untied.
I also missed the revolutionary times characters and plot development, and hope the series returns to it, at least to wrap things up and tie it all in to modern day Crozet, Va. (not just leave it with Brown's afterword in this one).
All-in-all, not one of Brown's finest.
Best part: the return of some of my favorite characters, even if briefly - and I can only hope we'll see more of them in future installments, with some "starring" roles.
Biggest disappointment: the ending was left with too many threads left untied.
I also missed the revolutionary times characters and plot development, and hope the series returns to it, at least to wrap things up and tie it all in to modern day Crozet, Va. (not just leave it with Brown's afterword in this one).
All-in-all, not one of Brown's finest.
May 3, 2024
I would have preferred a horse based mystery, but this was good. Always like visiting old friends. VERY GLAD to see Miranda back, and hope she will be in future books. The plot was really interesting. The cover art is TERRIBLE. I guess? it's supposed to be a caricature of a cat, but it's really bad. The inside illustrations (done by a different artist) are great. Though I would have rather have had another picture of the animals than a woman's high heels. (And yes, I understand why the picture of the shoes was there)
And shame on the people who complained about the 1700's stories that were interspersed in previous books. If they found them confusing, they should work on their reading comprehension. I really enjoyed that we more or less got 2 stories out of one book.
Will be waiting on the next one, and I hope the author will continue writing for a long time!
And shame on the people who complained about the 1700's stories that were interspersed in previous books. If they found them confusing, they should work on their reading comprehension. I really enjoyed that we more or less got 2 stories out of one book.
Will be waiting on the next one, and I hope the author will continue writing for a long time!
March 9, 2024
Harry and her long-time friend Susan are helping Susan's husband, Ned, at his office at the Virginia House of Delegates. One of the pages is found dead as the battle heats up between the parties over the snow-removal bill sponsered by Ned. Is it related to the feud between Ned's co-sponser and their opposing delegate, Amanda Fields?
I didn't like either Amanda with her trademark Louboutins or Ned's supposed ally, Aiden Harkness. They seem to represent the very worst of self-serving politicians.
I love that the clues for Harry to solve the mystery came from the beloved old ladies. Just shows that wisdom of the past is still relevant today.
This is really a clever mystery in a political setting.
A really great addition to a wonderful series.
I didn't like either Amanda with her trademark Louboutins or Ned's supposed ally, Aiden Harkness. They seem to represent the very worst of self-serving politicians.
I love that the clues for Harry to solve the mystery came from the beloved old ladies. Just shows that wisdom of the past is still relevant today.
This is really a clever mystery in a political setting.
A really great addition to a wonderful series.
May 11, 2024
Good to be back with the old gang. Naturally there’s political talk in this one, since it involves the House of Delegates, but that made it more ok than some of the other Mrs. Murphy books with a lot of political talk, because those times it had nothing to do with the plot, whereas this time it was germane to the plot. The animals don’t contribute to solving the mystery, as they did at the beginning of the series, they’re just there for the feeling of “old home week”. The Morse Code bit was interesting (all of it, don’t want to spoil it 😊). I’d never heard of this number shorthand. I do feel like the outcome of the guilty parties was left hanging tho.
As to the 18th century story line that was omitted this time, I hope she brings it back as a separate book.
As to the 18th century story line that was omitted this time, I hope she brings it back as a separate book.
February 18, 2024
Some really serious stuff here that reflects the life happenings of 2023 in politics and the infiltration of the drug trade into too much of daily life. The historical learning (for those of us who geek history) relates to the use of Ham Radios and Morse Code from WW2 to the present as it pertains to the regular characters. There are several mysteries to solve and the furry ones continue to be essential. Always a good read from this author!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam via NetGalley. Thank you!
Pub Date 16 Apr 2024
#MrsMurphyMysteriesNo32 #Anthropomorphism
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam via NetGalley. Thank you!
Pub Date 16 Apr 2024
#MrsMurphyMysteriesNo32 #Anthropomorphism
March 17, 2024
Join Harry Haristeen and her animals in a new mystery. Harry and Susan are off to the legislature to support Susan’s husband in some new legislation. His suggested bill is not taken well which wasn’t a surprise. What is a surprise is a fight between his fellow bill sponsor and a popular former newscaster Republican. High heels do enter into the battle. As the story progresses and a teenage aid is found dead, Harry wonders about what is going on in the legislature. There’s a lot more going on than should be, but you’ll have to read the book and find out. I enjoyed this book and who doesn’t enjoy the talking animals.
May 4, 2024
I, too, missed the Revolutionary co-story that has been part of the last number of books. They loved their animals and the connections to the 21st century makes clear sense. I hope the next book has the storyline back in it.
My only complaint was the ending. There really wasn’t one. I hope Ms. Brown has a new story next book but I also want to see references to what happened to Amanda and Aiden. I’ve been reading her books since they first became available and I’ve never been left at the edge of a cliff before. All the animals were as delightful as usual and make the book extra fun.
I look forward to book 33!
My only complaint was the ending. There really wasn’t one. I hope Ms. Brown has a new story next book but I also want to see references to what happened to Amanda and Aiden. I’ve been reading her books since they first became available and I’ve never been left at the edge of a cliff before. All the animals were as delightful as usual and make the book extra fun.
I look forward to book 33!
May 1, 2024
I enjoy all of the Mrs. Murphy mysteries with Harry and her friends. This one reaches further than the farm, with some scenes at the Virginia state Capitol. The time is now after covid with Harry and furry friends visiting friend Ned a state legislator. All kinds of mischief ensues as crimes involve some legislators. As usual Mrs Murphy and the crew help Harry and Susan search for the culprits.
I must say I really missed the colonial characters appearing in alternating chapters. I always look forward to their adventures.
I must say I really missed the colonial characters appearing in alternating chapters. I always look forward to their adventures.
March 14, 2024
I received this book through NetGalley. It’s the first book I have read from Rita Mae Brown and definitely will not be the last. Harry and her best friend Susan are helping Ned, Susan’s husband, go through paperwork. Ned and Aiden, both state delegates, are trying to get a bill passed and are butting heads with Amanda Fields, who is opposing their bill. An accident or maybe a murder happens and Harry tries to figure it out and it takes learning about her grandfather to solve the mystery.
May 22, 2024
The mystery kind of seemed unfinished/unresolved at the end, but it was made up for by the backstory and the residents of Crozet who feel like visiting family after so many books. So excited to see several long absent characters again, especially my beloved Mrs. H. For some reason I thought Aunt Tally was referenced in an earlier book as having passed but I guess I need to reread. Good to see her, and even a brief bit of Boom-Boom Craycroft :)
December 26, 2023
Feline Fatale by Rita Mae Brown is a cute addition to the series, filled with feline charm and cozy mystery. However, for newcomers, I'd recommend starting with an earlier book to fully appreciate the characters and their dynamics. Brown's storytelling is delightful, but a bit more context from previous installments could enhance the overall experience.
January 21, 2024
I’m a huge Rita Mae Brown fan and have been for many years. While I liked the new aspects in this book, I did miss some of the cozy characteristics of previous stories. This was a quick, engaging read and is always heartwarming with the personable pets!
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for the opportunity to read this ARC.
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