chez_jae

Murder on the Prowl by Rita Mae Brown

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I stayed up past my self-imposed bedtime last night to finish reading Murder on the Prowl by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown. It's the 6th installment in the "Mrs Murphy" mystery series, featuring postmistress Harry Harristeen and her intrepid pets, Mrs Murphy the cat and Tee Tucker, the corgi.

When the local paper prints the obit of a popular high school headmaster, the entire town of Crozet is shocked...including the headmaster himself. Was it a joke or a threat? A second phony obituary appears shortly thereafter, leaving the entire town buzzing. However, when the obits are followed by murder, no one is laughing anymore.

As postmistress, Harry is in a unique position to hear the latest scuttlebutt and gossip, and she can't help but think the deaths are related and that they have something to do with the school. Mrs Murphy is equally convinced that something is afoot, and she conducts her own investigation, finding clues that no human could. Between the official police investigation, Harry's meddling, and the animals' deductions, they may just be able to find out whodunnit.

This book was just as fabulous, witty, and charming as the others. Harry is pragmatic and down-to-earth, and I also enjoy the other characters. My favorites are probably the animals, though. They shine in this series.

Favorite lines:
♦ "You look like the dogs got at you under the porch."*
To someone like me, who grew up on a farm with farm dogs, this was hilarious!
♦ "Don't all you men do that -- I mean, given the opportunity, you're all whores."
Preach, BoomBoom!

A wonderful addition to this series. Five stars!