Customer Reviews

The Tail of the Tip-Off (A Mrs Murphy Mystery)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Life in rural Virginia seems simple, committee meetings to determine whether the church can afford new carpeting, snowfall, University of Virginia woman's basketball, and casual meetings of women to discuss the weather, children, and relationships. But these superficial goings on don't completely hide the reality of adultery, crime, and murder. When post office manager Harry Harristeen sees a construction contractor die of an apparent heart attack, and then learns that it was a cleverly disguised murder, she resolves to find out the truth. Harry is aided in her relentless curiosity by her two cats and one dog, all superhumanly intelligent but saddened by humans' inability to understand what they say oh too clearly.

Harry has her own problems--problems relating to her ex-husband, Fair, and the woman that Fair once had an affair with (Boomboom). She can't get Fair's unfaithfulness out of her system, but she doesn't want to let him go either. As for Boomboom, Harry likes to believe the worst of her, despite Boomboom's assurances that the affair happened only after Harry and Fair had separated.

Author Rita Mae Brown, along with her cat, Sneaky Pie Brown, create a compelling tone of rural life and death. Brown details a social structure that seems to have survived intact from pre-civil war days with women dominating the important events of the society and men providing entertainment and heartache. Pets, of course, are hugely important and the animal insights into humanity, religion, and nature, add to the enjoyment.

Brown resrains her pets in this story--there are no pet-driven vehicles, for example, but the animals manage to save the day once again as Harry's impetuous curiosity comes close to getting her killed.

It looks as if I'm in the minority here but I was not overly impressed with "The Tail of the Tip-Off." This latest Mrs. Murphy mystery novel is not a terrible read, but it is not vintage Rita Mae Brown either. For me, this book lacked focus. The mystery was an interesting one with plenty of promise, with lots of really interesting character realizations, and the usual humourous antics of Mrs. Murphy, Tucker and Pewter (plus their assorted friends) -- but I still finished the book feeling fairly unsatisfied.

The town of Crozet, Virginia is currently in the grip of both winter and basketball mania. And while tempers are running a little high, no one expected murder to work its way into the latest University of Virginia's women's basketball game. But that's exactly what happens when building contractor H. H. Donaldson suddenly collapses and dies after a game, and an autopsy soon reveals that he was mysteriously poisoned during the game. Bored and restless, Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen (post mistress of Crozet, amateur sleuth and owner of Mrs. Murphy, Tucker and Pewter) is eager to figure out the who, why and how of the murder. (Anything is better than trying to decide once and for all if she should allow her ex-husband, Fair, to work his way back into her life on a more intimate footing.) Was H. H. murdered because of some past project and because he crossed someone in business? Or was he murdered because of his extracurricular marital affairs? How did the murderer manage to poison him in the full view of everyone at the stadium? Was his murderer his long suffering wife, Anne? Or a spurned lover? Harry and her furry friends, Mrs. Murphy, Tucker and Pewter are determined to get to the bottom of this latest murder...

There were loads of things I liked about this novel -- like the descriptions of the Virginian countryside in all its glory; the conversations that the animals had with each other; the (hopefully) new characters that Ms Brown has added to the series; and the murder plot premise. But, there were also (for me at least) things that detracted -- like the fact the plot was not quite tight enough, and the pacing a little off, and the fact even to the very end, the motives and actions of some characters (like the H. H. & the murderer) were never really clearly explained/realised. And there was the fact that the authour doesn't really deal with the fact that the second murder victim might have been saved. Oh, Tucker feels the guilt and the remorse, but the humans never really talk about this. I found this very baffling, and a little disconcerting.

All in all, while "The Tale of the Tip-Off" was not a bad read, it was not one of the better Mrs. Murphy mystery novels either (at least no where near "Rest in Pieces" & "Wish You Were Here"), and as a fan, I was a tad disappointed with this book.

I just realized that selling a house in Harry's hometown of Crozet would be very hard to do given the amount of people who manage to get themselves killed there. Maybe the residents hold grudges a bit more than most, or maybe the area just seems to attract irritating people. I have to admit, many of the people who get killed there would drive me batty, but resorting to murder seems a little over the line answer to the problems.

Anyhow, having two cats and a dog myself, I can testify to their general nosiness and their tendency to get 'into' things you don't want them to get into. Over the years I've come to realize that scientists are definitely wrong about a lot of things concerning animals and their abilty to understand. When I was growing up I remember a rather famous scientist stating that animals don't 'play' and we should stop anthromorphizing them (meaning: don't give them human characteristics). Since then, I've seen significant amount of evidence that animals do 'play', and do many other things we don't understand. I won't go so far as to give them the ability to solve crime...but I am willing to suspend judgement so I can enjoy Brown's books.

Part of the reason Brown's books are enjoyable is the fact that she characterizes well. It would be lovely if we could all live in small towns where people really know each other and their quirks. But the reality is that most of us don't stop to take the time to get to know people and enjoy them, as well as the animals around us.

Harry always manages to be involved some way or another in these crimes. In this case the guy who was sitting behind her during Crozet's beloved basketball games, manages to keel over in the parking lot. Harry is nosy and very observant, and not only does she notice a needle-sized hole in the man's neck, she feels something 'whoosh' past her during the game. Funny thing is that, Brown never seems to go back to that particular clue...I kept waiting for it and it never was mentioned again (the 'whooshing'), though the cops and Harry did manage to figure out how the poison was administered to the man without leaving a needle or some other trace.

Other than that, this was typical fun with Harry and her beloved animals, who she can't live without. I know the feeling. My house will never be free of animal life completely while I have any say in it...much to the chagrin of my very neat mother!

Karen sAdler

When there is no murderer on the loose, there is no better place to be than Crozet, Virginia. It is a magical place where animals talk to each other crossing species lines. The only ones who can't understand the animals are the dumb human beings and the animals believe that is because have gotten away from nature. The tiger cat Mrs. Murphy, the large gray Cat Pewter, and Tucker the Corgi, owns Mary Minor Haristeen, known as Harry to her friends. The trio loves Harry and will do anything to protect her and keep her safe when she is busy sleuthing.

Following a women's basketball game at the University of Virginia, HH Donaldson collapses and dies. An autopsy shows a one and a half-inch piercing in the back of his neck so the tentative conclusion is he was poisoned. A few days later, Mychelle Burns, a building code inspector is found in the closet inside the woman's basketball locker room with a knife wound through the chest. Harry, who has to be in the middle of a homicide investigation, tries to figure out who the murderer is and almost winds up as victim number three.

One of the most charming facets of the Mrs. Murphy mysteries is the conversation the animals have with each other. The heroine's animals go to great lengths to save her from her actions and their love and tender displays of affections would warm the heart of pre-ghostly Scrooge. THE TAIL OF THE TIP-OFF is a not to be missed exciting cozy.

Harriet Klausner

Winter has hit the small town of Crozet, Virginia with quite a blow, but Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen, the town postmistress, isn't shocked, or perturbed by the abrupt change in weather. After all, she and her friends (both furry and human) know exactly how to keep warm by indulging in warm treats, working hard, and...rooting for the University of Virginia's women's basketball team, in an effort to keep their spirits high, and bring the gold home for the team. But when local contractor, H.H. Donaldson, dies in the parking lot after one of the spirited games, word quickly spreads that it wasn't your average death...H.H. was killed, and his murderer's trail is cold. Harry is shocked to believe that one of her fellow basketball fans, and acquaintances is a cold-blooded killer, finding it hard to let H.H.'s death sit right with her. And everyone knows, best of all Harry's tiger cat Mrs. Murphy, that when something doesn't agree with Harry, she has a tendency to start poking her nose where it doesn't belong. Even if she risks putting herself, and her feline (and canine) friends in danger. Now, in an attempt to ensure that their curious (okay, downright nosy) mother doesn't waste one of her nine lives, Mrs. Murphy, along with her feisty feline pal, Pewter, and their canine relative, Tee Tucker have decided to join the amateur sleuth in uncovering who exactly H.H.'s killer is, and why he (or she) did him in. But with Harry constantly gallivanting off at all kinds of odd hours of the day and night, it's becoming complicated for the feisty furballs to keep their eyes on her 24/7, leaving Harry wide open for discovery, or, even worse...gambling with her own life.

There's nothing that I love more than curling up with a cozy mystery on a cold day, especially one with felines and canines scurrying around. So, when the temperature made a quick drop, I headed directly for Mrs. Murphy and the Crozet gang, to see what new mysteries they were wrapping themselves up in. As per usual, Harry was her delightful self. A self-confident, brave, intrepid character, whose independence is admirable, as are her hard work and sleuthing skills. Accompanied by the always-hungry, often sarcastic, Pewter; the short-legged, stubby-tailed, flying solo canine, Tee Tucker; and the oft-times conceited, but lovable, Mrs. Murphy; along with handfuls of other enjoyable characters, THE TAIL OF THE TIP-OFF was certainly one-sitting-read worthy. The descriptions of the Virginian countryside were incredible; as were the additions of some new characters, who will hopefully be sticking around for awhile. The purr-fect mystery to accompany a nice, warm mug of cocoa on a cold winter's day.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

As this series has continued (now into 13 or more), the stories have come less stilted and more fanciful. In this, the 12th book in the series, more animals are added to the population of Crozet, Va., and their varied roles continue to be a large part of the mystery and the solution.

The methods of murder continue to be bizarre -- or at the very least odd -- and often brutal. This time, the focus is centered on the construction industry in Albemarle County which, like so many areas of the country, has been experiencing a years-long building boom. There is hatred between contractors and county officials, suspicion among Crozet residents, who often gather at the local post office. This community is a fluid one and relationships and love affairs grow and change. One of the most satisfying is that between Miranda Hogendobber and her high school sweetheart, Tracy Raz. Newly returned from his sojourn in Hawaii, he is being embraced by everyone, not only for his own part, but also because of the esteem in which Miranda is held by nearly everyone.

Here again, the trials of the community at large form background for two murders, both people known by Harry Harristeen and most of the residents of the small town. From worn carpet in the Episcopal Church to the stray dog adopted by Tazio Chappars. Read enough of these books and you will feel as if you are a member of the community with a personal stake in its life.

Sometimes Sneaky Pie and Ms. Brown are a little weak on the mysterious methods of murder. This is a prime example, its having been disproved that such a missile could actually be used. But suspending one's disbelief on such a thing probably comes much more easily when one accepts that animals talk. And solve crimes.

Having come this far, a new reader would probably be well advised to begin the series at the beginning with "Wish You Were Here." That way, the characters grow in a natural progression from story to story. However, each book does stand well on its own, and as some of the earliest are becoming difficult to find, that's a good thing.

Rita Mae Brown concocts a fairly pleasant little mystery in "The Tail of the Tip-Off," with quirky characters and lots of imagination. Her handling of the ending leaves something to be desired, but fans of light mystery -- not to mention fuzzy four-footed creatures -- might enjoy it.

Virginia town Crozet is in the middle of a nasty winter, which is warmed somewhat by public love for basketball. One of those basketball fans is H.H. Donaldson, the town builder and philanderer. But things take a nasty turn when H.H. drops dead of a heart attack in the parking lot. And then a deep puncture wound is found on his neck -- but no one can figure out how H.H. wouldn't have noticed a needle jabbing into his throat, or where the needle went.

Since H.H. was about to dump his long-suffering wife, she seems like the most likely suspect. But postmistress Mary "Harry" Haristeen (and her loyal pets Mrs. Murphy, Pewter and Tucker) suspect foul play. Was it really the wife? Or his mysterious girlfriend -- or a spurned ex-lover? When a second victim is found horribly killed, Harry and her fuzzy detectives set out to unravel the mystery...

Rita Mae Brown's Mrs. Murphy mysteries aren't too taxing, especially with the love-it-or-hate-it gimmick of talking animals. They don't talk out loud, but they have long arguments and debates. The animals are a bit too cutesy at times, especially when Brown uses them to point out human absurdities, but newly-adopted puppy Brinkley is an adorable addition.

The biggest problem with "Tail" is that it feels unfinished. While the mystery is dealt with nicely, the ending is too abrupt. And the whole matter of Harry and her ex-husband Fair's maybe-they-will-maybe-they-won't relationship is just left dangling. But Brown has a pleasant if undetailed way of writing. Except for a few dud lines ("Stop. Or I'll give you the third eye of prophecy!"), the dialogue tends to be funny and even cute. And Brown keeps it light with some funny scenarios, like the animals raiding a store of communion wafers.

Harry mellows out a little in this book, although she seems no closer to deciding whether to get back together with her loving ex-husband Fair. She does grow up a little, accepting that the woman who broke up her marriage isn't pure evil (even if she is called "Boom Boom"). Fair is likable as the repentent ex who desperately wants to get back with Harry. But the other human characters are a bit two-dimensional, with a few exceptions like the friendly minister Herb.

Amusing if vaguely unsatisfying, "Tail of the Tip-Off" is a pleasant mystery with a cutesy gimmick and a likable heroine. Fun for a light beach read.

Another enjoyable visit with the residents of Crozet, VA, both human and nonhuman. Those who enjoy the Lilian Jackson Braun Cat Who series are sure to enjoy the Mrs Murphy books as well. Michael Gellatly's illustrations also add to the appeal of this book.

There are a few loose threads never tied up and some contrived plot devices, but overall, this book is a good choice for an entertaining read.

Rita Mae and Sneaky Pie outdo themselves on this one. Full of the usual interaction between the animals and Harry. (Oh if she only could understand what they are trying to tell her!) A new friend "Brinkely" is added. Couldn't really figure out the "bad guy" on this one till the end. Would recommend it to any Rita Mae or Sneaky Pie fan. Very good, really enjoyed it.

I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of this book and I was not disappointed in the contents. The spotlight, this time, falls on the building and construction industry and some new arrivals in Crozet with all the old participants well to the fore. Sheriff Rick and Deputy Coop are deep in an investigation after a mysterious death at a Women's basketball game attended by most of our friends, Harry & Fair, Miranda & Tracy, Susan and family,Little Mim and Blair, Boom Boom et al. The mystery lies in the cause of death and the weapon used. Needless to say, the terrible trio (Mrs Murphy, Tee Tucker and Pewter) are the first to find the answer but their problem is communicating it to the humans, they make the acquaintance of a new canine (Brinkley) in town, a stray, befriended by a beautiful architect who is also new in Crozet. Harry, despite the usual warnings, rushes in where angels fear to tread and puts herself and an unlikely partner, Boom Boom, in danger. Harry is surprised by Boom Boom,(could this be the end to her animosity to Boom?) she also learns more about herself and her feelings for ex-husband Fair. After many alarms, bumps on head, another death, quarrels, fights etc., Harry, Boom and the trio bring things to a satisfactory conclusion. I find myself believing in Mrs Murphy more with each book. When's the next one?