Nine Lives to Die

A Mrs. Murphy Mystery

By: Rita Mae Brown, Sneaky Pie Brown

Narrated by: Kate Forbes

Rita Mae Brown and her feline co-author Sneaky Pie Brown return with an all-new mystery starring Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen, intrepid kitty sleuths Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, and Tee Tucker, the ever-faithful crime-solving corgi. This time around, Harry and her animal friends track a killer whose trail has gone as cold as the weather in December.

Winter has come to Crozet, Virginia, bringing with it a fresh blanket of snow. Harry and her husband, Fair, are hip deep in their usual end-of-the-year activities: Distributing food to needy residents, and shopping for outfits for the Silver Linings youth organization's annual fundraising gala. But buried beneath the white stuff are dark secrets from Crozet's past - and Harry and her posse of pet detectives are determined to sniff them out.

Two Silver Linings mentors have been found dead in suspicious circumstances. If that weren't enough to chill the bones of the locals, a pair of severed human fingers has turned up in a pencil jar in the bookkeeper's office at St. Cyril's church. What does this grisly display have to do with the mysterious disappearance of Harry's voluptuous high school Latin teacher, a quarter of a century ago? Maybe nothing. But when the animals make another gruesome discovery in the woods behind Harry's farm, it becomes clear that terrible crimes have been committed in Crozet - and somebody's gone to great lengths to cover them up. It's time to stop shoveling snow and start digging for clues.

The truth will be revealed. A cold case will be solved. And a twenty-five-year-old love triangle is about to get untangled. The weather outside may be frightful, but Harry and her four-legged friends refuse to be spooked off the case.

©2014 American Artists, Inc. (P)2014 Recorded Books

nice and easy

fun and easy listen. I have listened to most of her books. decent plot

Rita Mae Get Your Catholic Theology Right

This one is convoluted and rather grim for a story set at Christmas. arm's rants about taxes and government are typically tiring. (I noticed that she thinks her country employee friend, Coop, should get a raise.
My main gripe though is her faulty description of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception which she confuses with the Virgin Birth. they are not the same. The Immaculate Conception refers to the Catholic doctrine which says Mary was Conceived without original sin and hence is "Immaculate." Not to be confused with the Virgin birth of Jesus.
If you're going to use it, RM, get it right.

Engaging

This is a well laid out story. It weave two sets of murders together in an exciting and fun way.

When did Harry's name change

I thought her name was Mary Miner Harristine
and she was named Harry because of the animals that she always hell. When did she become Harriett how come no one ever caught this

It's like catching up with old friends!

It was so enjoyable to catch up with Harry, Fair, Susan and of course the animals. I love knowing what the animals are thinking. Wish I could know at my house!
It's winter in Albermarle county. Time to hand out Christmas boxes to those who need them. Harry and friends encounter old teachers and learn a bit more about them. You will become engrossed with what is going on early on and be disappointed the story ends and you will have to wait for the next one!