Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Great Escapes Book Tours Book Review: Whiskers In the Dark

Whiskers in the Dark: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery by Rita Mae Brown

 

About the Book

 
Cozy Mystery 28th in Series Bantam (June 4, 2019) 
Hardcover: 288 pages 
ISBN-10: 0425287181 
ISBN-13: 978-0425287187 
Digital ASIN: B07H72MD6Z
Death stalks the Blue Ridge Mountains as a centuries-old mystery resurfaces and murder mars the lead-up to an annual beagle competition, in a thrilling new tale from Rita Mae Brown and her feline co-author Sneaky Pie Brown.
A massive nor’easter has hit northern Virginia, where Mary Minor “Harry” Harristeen joins groundskeeping efforts at the National Beagle Club at Aldie as the date for its springtime Hounds for Heroes veterans’ benefit approaches. Harry’s fellow volunteers, including her oldest friend, Susan Tucker, comprise a spirited group of hunting enthusiasts, some former service members themselves. But things take a sinister turn when, after a routine tree cleanup along the Club’s hunting trails, retired foreign services officer Jason Holzknect is found dead, throat slit from ear to ear. Soon enough, another murder in their midst jolts the preparations, convincing Harry that the killer is familiar with the Club—and must be close by, masked in plain sight.
The intrigue extends to the grounds of Harry’s beloved local church, where the identity of an eighteenth-century skeleton wearing precious pearls remains a mystery. The anonymous woman’s neck had been snapped, and marks on the grave where her body was secreted indicate that someone recently tried to remove it, leading Harry to question how well she really knows those around her.
As always, Harry’s crime-solving cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, and Tee Tucker the Corgi share her determination to sniff out the foes among friends, even those long buried. Harry will need her four-legged companions’ help more than ever: a ghostly beagle only they can see may hold the key to the culprit.

About the Author

Rita Mae Brown is the bestselling author of the Sneaky Pie Brown mysteries; the Sister Jane series; the Runnymede novels, including Six of One and Cakewalk; A Nose for Justice and Murder Unleashed; Rubyfruit Jungle; and In Her Day; as well as many other books. An Emmy-nominated screenwriter and a poet, Brown lives in Afton, Virginia, and is a Master of Foxhounds and the huntsman. Sneaky Pie Brown, a tiger cat born somewhere in Albemarle County, Virginia, was discovered by Rita Mae Brown at her local SPCA. They have collaborated on numerous Mrs. Murphy mysteries—in addition to Sneaky Pie’s Cookbook for Mystery Lovers and Sneaky Pie for President.
Author Links 
Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Google Play - IndieBound
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review:  I have read several of the now 28 books in this series over the years. Its hard to believe its already 28 books. Of course, I say that about Stephanie Plum too as her series is pretty high up there too.

This mystery is set in two time periods, which is very cool for a cozy. If you are familiar with this series, the pets are all very much part of the series. They are talking pets. Really! I find it so adorable.

Harry is working to solve a new and an old mystery with the help of her friends.

This was definitely a different spin on the series I've read before, but it was a solid and fun read with a bit of history thrown in the mix as well.

A few things though...

The book opens with a spring snowstorm that's a glaring error. She calls the storm a Nor'Easter but then says the snow has started in New England when Harry and her friends are in VA. That's not how those storms work.

The set up of the story is a bit confusing as well. I understand how you need to get to know the people from the past, but the way the story jumps without any flow between the time periods, made reading a bit confusing at the start.

I felt like there wasn't enough time spent in the present and there was no real sleuthing done. Also..I didn't like a few political things tossed in, because it seems the author missed out on some of her facts there too.

What I did like was the historical aspect, and reading this book made me wonder if Ms Brown doesn't want to venture into that arena at some point with benefit of her cast of cozy characters.

This was an enjoyable read though nonetheless

Rating: 4 flowers



TOUR PARTICIPANTS
June 3 – LibriAmoriMiei – REVIEW

June 3 – Here's How It Happened - SPOTLIGHT

June 3 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

June 4 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – REVIEW

June 4 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

June 5 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW

June 5 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 6 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT

June 6 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 7 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT

June 7 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

June 8 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW  

June 8Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book - SPOTLIGHT

June 9 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

June 9 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

June 10 – Ebook Addicts - REVIEW

June 10 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – SPOTLIGHT

June 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW

June 11 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

June 12 – View from the Birdhouse - REVIEW

June 12 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

1 comments:

Kay Garrett said...

Thank you for your review on "Whiskers in the Dark" by Rita Mae Brown and for being part of the book tour.

Cute cover! I can't wait for the opportunity to read this great sounding book.
2clowns at arkansas dot net

 
Blog Design by Use Your Imagination Designs using images from the Tea Time kit and the Saturday Night kit by MK-Designs