Pawing Through the Past

When the toast at the 20th class reunion is "To the class of '80 - or what's left of it" you know there is more going on than reminiscing about old times. This book is an excellent mystery in Crozet as members of Harry's class are mysteriously murdered - and Harry may be next! The author's grasp of human nature is dead on here - and her grasp of animal nature can't be beat. Mrs. Murphy, Pewter and Tucker, who talk to each other and can understand humans, but cannot be understood by them, are hilarious. The animals' personalities really come forth in this book, which triples the fun. This is a delightful, original mystery which I would recommend to anyone, and I look forward eagerly to reading her other Mrs. Murphy books.

In Pawing Through The Past, Rita Mae Brown [and Sneaky Pie Brown] have knocked off the best Mrs. Murphy Mystery since the early books in the series. In the 8th novel in this series, the Crozet High School Classes of 1950 and 1980 are preparing for silmultaneous class reunions. Harry Haristeen, postmistress of Crozet, and her amazing companion animals are helping to set up the 1980 reunion. Strange mass mailings start appearing in the mailboxes of the classmates of 1980 and the dead bodies begin to pile up. The killings continue at the reunions and, of course, Harry is hip deep in the mysteries. As always, I found it easy to ignore the fact that animals don't really solve mysteries [Cat On The Scent was the only book that pushed too hard on my ability to suspend disbelief] and that the real town of Crozet, Virginia isn't really the world capitol of serial killers. Beyond the usual audience, I recommend this one to anyone who is going to or has just been to their high school class reunion. This also would be a good place to start with this wonderful series of mysteries. Read this light, but highly entertaining novel with your favorite cat on your lap.

Harry gets a little braver, Miranda and Mim get a little looser, and other characters become more well known. Crozet is holding a twentieth year high-school reunion (Harry's) and a fiftieth year reunion (Miranda's) at the same time, the only difference in the two being the cause for excitement. In Harry's a killer is running loose and class members are dropping like flies. In Miranda's a love interest comes. The suspense steadily mounts throughout the book as Brown creates a web of age-old secrets. The book is slightly reminiscent of "Wish You Were Here" in the way the victims are notified of their impending death. This mystery has a mind-boggling, suspense-filled ending.The animals are a little more sensible in this book as compared to Brown's last one. They no longer do outlandish things such as drive cars, but they continue with their catty and sarcastic remarks. The past of several town members becomes more well-known in this book and anchors them in our minds better. When I finished it, for a day or two I found myself slightly lost without these witty and wonderful characters.All in all, this is a great mystery sure to be enjoyed. Just remember, in a small town, nothing is ever as it seems!

Ms. Brown's latest adventure featuring the folks of Cozet is just delightful. I've been a avid fan of this Mrs. Murphy series from the beginning and this 8th book is one of the best. Ms. Brown has weaved a delicious murder mystery centering around Harry's 20th class reunion. But although the construction of the mystery would be enough to keep most mystery readers turning the pages until the early hours, it is the continuation of the evolution of the characters that had me saying, "OK--just *one* more chapter before bed." I just had to know what was happening between Harry and Fair and, to my delight--Miranda and an old beau! This latest Mrs. Murphy Mystery is a true "must read" for all the fans of the folks and critters of this wonderful series.

Sneaky Pie does it again! Rita Mae Brown's talent for bringing mystery and furry friends together really shines in Pawing Through The Past. Harry Hairston is getting ready for her high school reunion, will her classmates live through it? Harry begins to wonder when strange notes arrive in everyone's mailbox. Sneaky Pie is on the trail of an elusive killer without some of the antics of the previous book, Cat on the Scent. A must read for any fans of Rita Mae, Sneaky Pie and Tee Tucker!