Book 58, 2023

[chez_jae]

Cat of the Century: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery by Rita Mae Brown

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Earlier today I finished reading Cat of the Century by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown. It's the 18th book in the "Mrs Murphy" series of cozy cat mysteries. The main characters are Mary "Harry" Harristeen, her husband Fair, and their pets, Mrs Murphy, Tee Tucker, and Pewter.

Harry and Fair's beloved neighbor, sassy Aunt Tally, is on the verge of turning 100. To celebrate, her alma mater is hosting a fundraising gala in her honor. Harry and the cats and dog make the trip to Missouri to attend, while Fair remains at home with his veterinary practice. A blizzard bears down on campus during the festivities, and one of the alumnae association's board members goes missing. When her shady business dealings come to light, everyone assumes she skipped town. However, after another board member is murdered speculation runs wild. Harry and the Crozet contingent return home to Virginia, but Harry can't help but mull the situation over. As Aunt Tally and several other women begin receiving taunting email messages from the woman who initially went missing, Harry and Fair insist on hosting Tally's BFF, 98-year old Inez. In the meantime, the cats and dog are sniffing out various clues, but they have no way to communicate their findings to the humans. When the missing woman is found dead and a third woman is murdered, the race is on to find a killer before anyone else comes to harm.

I was utterly engrossed in this story. The writing is taut and superb, as per usual with this series, and the twists and turns kept me riveted. I was sure I had things figured out, only to realize I didn't. LOL! Characterizations were amazing, and I especially enjoyed feisty Tally and Inez, the real heroines of the story.

Favorite lines:
♦ Men had to prove they were men. Women did not have to prove they were women. This anxiety could make weak men either silly or downright dangerous. Strong men sailed right through.
♦ "I love a good snow, but by March I'm ready for the change."
♦ "I never thought I'd live to see my country topsy-turvy, the lunatics running the asylum. Drugs, a fence at the border with Mexico, religious nuts. Crazy."
♦ "There are some people you can't satisfy even if you blow a fan on them in hell."
♦ "You're getting a little heiferous."
♦ "Isn't it funny how something that happened back when Christ lost His sandals still bugs you?"

Excellent book, five stars!

Comments

[felaine]

I've read quite a few of those but missed that one.
Sounds fun, I'll try it.

[chez_jae]

I sure enjoy these books and the authors' writing.