The Purrfect Murder (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries) by Rita Mae Brown
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Book Reviews of The Purrfect Murder (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries)
Book Review: fast & fun, a bit sloppy
Summary: 3 Stars
I've been reading this series since it started, and it's been a fun ride most of the time. While I do agree that Brown has begun to use her books as a soapbox for her views on current events--oh, well, c'est la vie. That's her choice, and it also can make the characters come more alive. I do concede that she'd be better off sharing most of her opinions in essays or a blog, however. These books are not quite the correct vehicle.
In this latest installment, Harry is once again intrigued by mysterious events, especially since her good friend Tazio Chappers seems to be the cut-and-dried murderer of a wealthy newcomer--and Harry does not for a second believe Tazio did it! I always find Harry's interest in solving crimes and her love for her friends and community endearing. The sloppiness of the plot comes from its transparency and its too-fast ending. Brown spent a lot of time on her soapbox that could perhaps have been better spent properly developing the plot and the characters in question.
I also wanted to see a bit more of the old coziness of Crozet and its townfolk. For instance, while I love Harry's new life with Fair, growing her grapes and sunflowers, not struggling quite as much for money any longer, I do miss seeing the relationship she had with Miranda, her time at the post office, etc. Seems all the characters are getting new interests that go outside of Crozet and into the wider world. Not that that's a bad thing, at all--people need to grow. But could they grow while still retaining their closeness to their home and its people?
Overall, this was a typical fun Sneaky Pie mystery, with the same loving animals, uniquely Southern name-calling (Mrs. Murphy and Pewter get into a hissy fight in the back of a car around a discussion of their nether regions, which is hilarious--I think my cats have done the same thing), and small-town community connections I've become accustomed to. Perhaps just a bit more focus on tightening the plotting of the actual mysteries in the future would be in order? This ending was not quite as dramatic as some in the past. But I'm still going to keep reading the series!
Book Review: Quite a few holes.
Summary: 3 Stars
I have been finding that the Mrs. Murphy mystery series is getting a bit sloppy. There appears to be a lot of holes in the plot in this one as well. The book starts out with two storylines, that appear to meld together, and then ends up with two storylines again. It makes it a bit difficult to follow the plot. But we do have the people of Crozet (although not so much of Miranda), and that helps, and we have the animal characters which help to carry this story along. I just feel a bit disappointed because the book seemed rushed, and so much didn't make sense. I do hope that Ms. Brown will pick up in the next book because I have enjoyed Harry and her animal companions.Book Review: The devil's in the details.
Summary: 3 Stars
Aside from the preaching, I found the errors in the book to be so glaringly obvious that they were distracting (not to mention repeated over and over). I very strongly suggest that Ms. Brown research more carefully in the future, starting with the difference between veins and arteries and carotid artery v. jugular vein.
Sadly, I'm finding this more and more commonly among mystery authors or their editors.
Book Review: Some things don't add up
Summary: 2 Stars
I enjoyed the early books in this series, but like many other reviewers, am getting tired of the politics involved. Also, while I appreciate the descriptions of life in rural Virginia, is it necessary for Ms. Brown to trash people from other areas?
I'm also noticing inconsistencies, some of which have already been pointed out by others. One that I noticed that hasn't been brought up yet is that Big Mim states to Little Mim that she never had an abortion, but in an earlier book in which a doctor is poring through old medical records, it is revealed that Big Mim did, in fact, have an illegal abortion. Either Ms. Brown is getting sloppy or Big Mim lied to her daughter. Hmmm....
Please, RMB, be more thorough and get back to the plain old mystery telling and animal banter that got you your fans in the first place.
Book Review: Dissapointed With RMB
Summary: 2 Stars
I was anticipating this new installment to the Mrs. Murphy series. After reading it I am again disappointed by the lack of mystery, story line and character development. Ms. Brown has begun to use her books as a soapbox for her views on politics, and society. I have no problem with current events woven into a storyline it makes for interesting reading. What I would like returned to this series is the warmth of the people and town of Crozet Virginia. It would be nice to have a storyline with a tightly plotted mystery. Instead the auther has written a hastily developed plot that allows her a forumn to espouse views on everything from abortion to the conservatives in todays society. I have not enjoyed this series since the "Tail of the Tipoff." I am sorry to say this is the last time I will read the Mrs. Murphy books.