Rest in Pieces: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery

I liked the book but in my opinion swearing doesn't belong in a cozy mystery

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 Simo

This book is truly a mystery for generations to come. The end is unforgetable and surprising. Harry, Murphy, Tucker and the rest really know how to get into trouble- but they know how to get back out with a bite her and a claw there. Crozet,Virginia (being French the "t" is scilent)is a small town where a lot of big events take place. Harry, newly devorced from a vet, takes her place in southern, Virginian society as the postmistress, often using her work to help solve the stage mysteries going on around her. It's hard to put the books down once they're picked up! My brother got "Rest in Pieces" for our mom for Christmas- and she didn't get to read it until I had finished! Really, this is a book for mystery lovers everywhere- no matter where you live.Things to remember when reading the Mrs. Murphy Mysteries:1. it's pronounced "Stanton" even though it's spelled "Staunton" (mentioned in "Murder on the Prowl.")2. the movie "Murder she Purred" is a direct take off of "Rest in Pieces"- is don't watch it until you've read the book. The plots are a little different and may cause confusion if you haven't read the book.3. remember your Latin- it's thrown through out all the book. that's all for me! happy reading!

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.

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.

I found this book to be a great sequel to her first, Wish You Were Here. Read that one first if you can. The characters are so real that I felt I could drive to VA & actually meet them! Mrs. Murphy, Tucker and Pewter are a riot! Pet lovers, beware! You'll never look at your pals the same way after these books. Let's hope Harry & Blair get together eventually.