Hiss of Death

A Mrs. Murphy Mystery

By: Rita Mae Brown, Sneaky Pie Brown

Narrated by: Kate Forbes

The beloved writing tandem of Rita Mae Brown and her feline collaborator, Sneaky Pie, craft another tantalizing mystery with Hiss of Death. Spring is in the air in Crozet, Virginia, and Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen looks forward to her first season of harvesting grapes. But then Harry falls ill and finds herself in a hospital—where a nurse turns up dead. When another hospital staffer kicks the bucket soon after, it falls to Harry’s animal friends to crack the case.

Solve another case with Mrs. Murphy.©2011 American Artists, Inc. (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Brown spends too much time preaching.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I enjoy many of Rita Mae Brown's books, but this one has too many long lectures from the author. The story is interesting, but the long speeches make me want to fast forward.

Would you recommend Hiss of Death to your friends? Why or why not?

Not really.

Have you listened to any of Kate Forbes’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

She's a good reader.

Was Hiss of Death worth the listening time?

Fair

Animals talk, we should listen!

Despite the "heavy" story lines entwining cancer and murder, this was a delightful "light read." While the humans are trying to figure our what's going on in their town, so are the animals who seems to always be a step ahead because they pay attention. Love the way Rita Mae gets the 2 species to intermingle. Gave me a fresh perspective to my own critters, 2 rescue felines. They talk and I am listening with fresh ears now. The narration seemed a bit stilted at times but did convey the the flavor of the central Virginia area, and that brought back memories, having lived in CVille for some years in the 1990s.

Hiss of Death

I have enjoyed the Sneaky Pie Brown series. The last few episodes Brown got carried away with her conservative rhetoric but the stories were enjoyable. She toned it down a bit in this book. She kept me guessing as to what was the secret item in the container and, of course, I guessed wrong. Was glad the horses got to play hero this time along with Tucker and the cats. Was pleased to see she had Harry listening to audiobooks while in the truck and exercising. This is an enjoyable short book that makes a good change of pace between so called heavier reading.

Good but not her best.

Would you listen to Hiss of Death again? Why?

I love the Mrs Murphy Mystery series but this story was not as intricately woven as others that I have enjoyed. Still, the insight into the characters' emotions was appreciated in this novel. I will continue to read (listen) to these books as they are relatively clean listening.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Had it solved about 3/4 through. Not shocked.

Which scene was your favorite?

I always love the beginning foundational scene that sets the stage for the book... finding the body in the garden shed.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I empathized with the breast cancer scare. I think we've all had a close scare, if not ourselves then a friend.

Any additional comments?

Don't judge all Brown's works by this one. It is good. Just not great.

Entertaining

I live this series and all the characters in it. This one was especially interesting since the main protagonist has a health issue. I figured out about halfway through who was the murderer but nevertheless was entertained by how the story ufolded. You just can't go wrong with Rita Mae's Crozet crowd.