Customer Reviews

Rest in Pieces (Mrs. Murphy Mysteries)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The second in the Mrs. Murphy series... "Rest in Pieces" is equally as cute as the first one, "Wish You Were Here." The plot is very simple, the ending predictable... but fun nonetheless.
The relationships between the animals (and this book includes more than just the cat and the dog... but a possum, 2 horses, a snake, and an owl as well) is fun and cute to read. And the relationships between the characters are developing well... the reader is introduced to everyone in the first book... and reading the second one is like being re-united with old friends. And i am looking forward to the third one to see if the budding romance from this novel continues.

Whereas i'd hardly call this book quality literature... it was a lot of fun for a rainy saturday afternoon... and for [money] is a lot better than most of the movies in theaters now! It's a great read for animal/mystery lovers.

I enjoyed this second book in the Mrs. Murphy series much more than the first, and the main reason for that is that the author has painted a true-to-life picture of what it's like to live in the country and in a small town. I certainly could see parallels to my own life in the descriptions of country living and folks helping others. Also, I didn't find the animals as distracting this time (maybe because I knew what to expect this time round). Anyway, the mystery in this book is a good one and it will keep you guessing until the end. In it we get to know Harry a little better, as well as her numerous wonderful friends. Ms. Brown does a good job of characterization for her somewhat eccentric cast of characters. The story starts with various human body parts showing up in very strange places. It certainly puts the citizens of Crozon on the alert and sets the stage for more murder and mayhem. All in all a pretty good read.

Rest in Pieces, the second in the Mrs. Murphy mystery series, begins when Blair Bainbridge, a male model, moves into Crozet. The cast of female characters immediately begin to matchmake, particularly with Mary Minor "Harry" Harristeen, postmistress and recently divorced. But as has become the norm in the small town, murder gets in the way of everyone's plans. It all begins when Tee Tucker, Harry's corgi, finds a body part in the family burial plot on Blair's farm.

As the mystery unfolds, the readers learn more and more about Harry, her neighbors, and their pets. At the top of the pyramid are Marilyn Sanburne and her recently married daughter, Little Marilyn. Although not a marriage of love, at first, she and Fitz-Gilbert have come to care for each other in a short time. But as usual in Crozet, things are not as they appear.

While no one in the small town wants to believe that one of them is a murderer, another body turns up. Each is beginning to believe he or shee may be in danger. But why? The end is surprising and satisfying. This is a good quick read and leads the reader into the next in the series.

Crozet, Virginia, is indeed a small town full of secrets and spite, and never more so than in this book. A dismemebered corpse turns up all over town in the most unlikely places. A new man, Blair Bainbridge, has moved to town. Everyone thinks he and Harry should get together, and emotions are running high. In fact, high enough for someone to kill? As Harry and the townspeople try and figure out who and why, the animals, as uaual, are a step ahead of everyone else. The climax is more suspenseful and dramatic than usual. Equally entertaining are the conversations in the post office when half the town is gathered together. Brown takes you on a humorous adventure, similar to a roller coaster, with half a town involved.

When you live in a town as small as Crozet, Virginia, everyone is privy to your private affairs. No one knows that better than postmistress Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen. After a bad divorce with resident veterinarian Pharamond "Fair" Haristeen, thanks to the affair he had with Virginia's very own vixen, BoomBoom Craycroft, Harry's life was put on display. But she's a strong woman, determined to prove to the folks of Crozet that she's quite happy without Fair, and doing well on her own. But the appearance of newcomer Blair Bainbridge in town makes her wonder if she's ready to hop back into the relationship boat.

Since being cheated on by her ex-husband, Fair, Harry is taking a sabbatical from men. She's quite content spending her days tending her farm, and working at the post office where she has a bird's eye view of all of her neighbors. When city slicker Blair Bainbridge arrives in town, however, Harry can't help but wonder if, perhaps, something could happen between the two. Blair is handsome and rugged, but he's also a kind soul who needs a lot of help learning the way farm's work. As a courteous neighbor, Harry is more than happy to show him the ropes. But not everyone in Crozet is so trusting of the newcomer. When pieces of a dismembered body begin springing up around Crozet, people begin questioning Blair's arrival. After all, things were always quaint, cozy, carefree, and safe within the Crozet city limits until Blair arrived. Now a dismembered corpse has popped up, and no one knows who it belongs to. With Christmas right around the corner, not many are interested in dwelling on the evil surrounding them. Except for Harry. Harry can't help but feel that something is quite amiss within Crozet, and she's determined to find out what, exactly, is going on - even if just to clear Blair's name. With the terrific tabby, Mrs. Murphy, along with the cuddly Welsh Corgi, Tee Tucker, by her side, Harry feels that the trio is more than enough manpower to finger the culprit. But when another body turns up - this one closer to home - Harry begins to realize that she's treading unsafe waters, and will have to watch her back, or else she may be the next Crozet citizen who ends up dead and buried.

I have been reading Rita Mae Brown's MRS. MURPHY mysteries for over ten years; but, having not started from the beginning, I had never read REST IN PIECES. If only I would have known what I was missing, I would have read it years ago. Harry seems even more fiery, spirited, and brazen within the pages of REST IN PIECES than she does in later additions to the series. She seems so youthful, and, perhaps, more carefree. While Harry's divorce from Fair is much more prevalent in REST IN PIECES, because the wounds of his whole affair are still opened, it never overshadows the story. In fact, it presents a nice bit of history that only makes the reader like Harry more. Mrs. Murphy and Tee Tucker are their usual adorable, bickering, nosy selves; and the inclusion of Simon the opossum is simply delightful, as he is so sweet and cute. The Crozet characters are both humorous and bitter - depending on when you encounter them - but their little town feels like home to the reader, and is a wonderful place to stop by every now and then. A captivating tale - Rita Mae and Sneaky Pie are quite the writing duo!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

An excellent book!! This is one of the best of the Mrs. Murphy series. As always, Tucker, Mrs. Murphy and Pewter are a riot - and in this book, we see much more of Simon the Opposum, who is another lovable character. This book has some rather grisly humor (I won't give away more) that really perked it up - as well as interesting interactions between the various humans. In these earlier books, Miranda is really a character, and she is a lot of fun that way (Brown tones her down a little too much in the later books). I would highly recommend this book - especially to pet lovers everywhere.

This is by far the best of the Ms. Murphy series. It has such a huge twist in the plot at the end. You would never suspect it. If you are a fan of Sneaky Pie, twisted endings, or Ms. Murphy, read this book.

Rita Mae Brown. What more can one say? Well written story with a serious side and a hint of whimsy and the cute Mrs Murphy and Tee Tucker for the animal lovers. I even called my Kindle Mrs Murphy. I love RMB's writing, she does it in style.

In the 2nd book in the Mrs. Murphy and Tucker mystery series, the animals once again play a huge role in solving a murder. The main character, Mary Minor Haristeen (aka Harry), along with her two animal friends Mrs. Murphy (a gray tiger cat) and Tucker (a corgi) lead the way. When newcomer, Blair Bainbridge, rolls into town a lot of folks in Crozet, Virginia believe that trouble rolled in with him. The handsome bachelor turns many female heads, and Harry tries to convince herself that she has sworn off men since her divorce. When pieces of a dead body are found on Blair's property, tongues start to wag. And when more pieces of the body are discovered during the Harvest Ball, a tragic event from Blair's past comes back to haunt him. Has this "Yankee" brought murder to this sleepy small-town?

Having just finished reading the first book in the series, I admit it was much easier for me to follow the dialogue between the animals in this second installment. At first, I had a difficult time following the discussions between the animals, as it adds to the already large cast of characters. However, I adore the way the animals speak to one another! Their antics are charming, and I find that it adds a lot to this great series.

The mystery had me guessing until the end. Normally, I am able to figure out the mysteries pretty quickly (as many cozies give a lot of clues), but I was surprised at the ending. This is a great series, and I look forward to reading the extensive collection of books by this author (and Sneaky Pie, of course!).

If you like the KoKo and Yum Yum series by Lilian Jackson Braun, give this book a try.

The first book in the series is called "Wish You Were Here". Enjoy!

This was the first of these Mrs. Murphy mysteries that I've read, and I just loved it. Something about the animals speaking and seeing things differently than the humans do gives this mystery an extra edge I think. A great read.