Book 86, 2023

[chez_jae]

Hiss of Death: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery by Rita Mae Brown

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I finished another book today. Hiss of Death by Rita Mae Brown. This is the 19th book in the "Mrs Murphy" cozy mystery series, starring Mary "Harry" Harristeen and her cats and dog.

Springtime in Crozet is a time for celebration, but Harry isn't in a celebratory mood. A health scare sends her into the confusing jumble of hospitals and treatments. Determined to overcome this crisis, Harry begins visiting a local gym to improve her strength and cardio. Her problems are put into perspective, however, when a young nurse is found dead without a mark on her. After another woman who works at the same hospital is murdered, Harry begins to suspect the first death may have been murder, as well. Focusing on the mystery helps keep her mind off of her own health issues, but delving too deeply may be a bigger risk to her health.

I love these books, but I'd like to read one where only one murder occurs. Instead, several people usually end up dead by the end. Plus, it seems Harry usually finds the bodies. The author taking a tangent in this story with Harry's health scare was certainly different, and it added a more somber tone to things. It was heartening to see how Harry tackled this new problem with the same grit and determination that she brings to everything she does.

Favorite lines:
♦ Opening the door, Harry beheld kitty wrath. Been there, done that.
♦ "We're both busy as cat's hair."
♦ "The last thing to die on me will be my mouth."
♦ "Two wrongs don't make a right." // "No, but three will get you back on the freeway."
♦ "I like fall. I'm not built for hot weather."

Excellent, with characters who seem like someone you know or would want to know, and a fast, engrossing plot. Five stars.