The inimitable writing duo of Rita Mae Brown and her felicitous feline collaborator Sneaky Pie combine their talents for this 17th novel in the New York Times bestselling Mrs. Murphy mystery series.
As gentle snowflakes dust the landscape, Crozet, Virginia, transforms into an idyllic winter wonderland. But one Grinch has befouled the town with a most unique gift—a dead body decorating the very Christmas tree Harry and her husband selected from a local tree farm. When Harry learns an old high school friend is connected to the tree farm, she’s puzzled. To be sure, Christopher Hewitt was no saint. But he never seemed like the murdering type, either.
As Harry picks up the trail, she is joined by her intrepid, four-legged friends Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tee Tucker—who never met a mystery they couldn’t solve.
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"Rita Mae has done it again with a fabulous Mrs. Murphy mystery. Taking place during the Christmas season and involving the Order of the Brothers of Love, the mysterious murders of some brothers who are found with throats slit and Greek coins under the tongues casts a shadow over the holiday seasons. While the underlying motive for the murders is fairly transparent, the revelation of the murderer at the end does give the story a surprising twist."
— Bruce (4 out of 5 stars)
" I read this book around Christmas time and liked reading about the atmosphere in Crozet at that time of year. It snowed in the book and it snowed here while I was reading it. I am so glad Harry and Fair are back together as man and wife. The animals are as good as always. What I did not like was some of the dialog. It doesn't seem real. "
— Ann, 2/9/2014" Seemed like the perfect fluff to read around Xmas, however, being my first of these books, I felt a bit lost and did not feel that any human character was well defined. Probably doesn't help that I have been reading mysteries that are longer and better written. Maybe I will read an earlier one to see if writing improves, maybe not. "
— 'jean, 2/3/2014" another good sneaky pie brown book "
— Joni, 2/1/2014" What a Christmas in Crozet! Thank goodness Harry has her animals to help her! "
— MommaLaura, 1/18/2014" It is sad when a writer doesn't know when to give it up on a series. Although this one was not as "preachy" as the few before it, it still lacks what made the first ones in the series sparkle. I have been trying to find a word to describe what I feel about the ending, and I keep coming back to the word "offended", but maybe the more appropriate phrase would be "put off". I really didn't like the story line at all. I think there is enough human problems to delve into without bringing in an order of monks. I am not religous, (far from it - and don't get me started about the catholic church), but I just feel that how she treated these characters and what they really stand for quite shoddily. To delve into all the problems I have would put so many spoilers in this review it wouldn't be funny, but let's just say I think I am done with the series. I have the first 12 or so of this series and I have gone back to read them periodically, I will stick with them and remember when the stories were well thought out and plots didn't leave you unhappy in the end. "
— Bethj, 1/13/2014" The editor failed to keep the characters straight and the last chapters seemed hurried. "
— Virginia, 1/7/2014" The mystery was great -- I was surprised when the killer was exposed. However, why do authors feel it's now necessary to use sexual preference as the main storyline? I loved the animal thoughts and wondered to myself if my cats actually do think as they did in the book. "
— Mary, 1/4/2014" I love these books. They are worth reading for the gorgeous drawings alone. "
— Carla, 12/25/2013" better than last couple although she did preach again "
— Melissa, 12/19/2013" I have read every Mrs Murphy book and I SO looked forward to this one..but it just wasn't as good as the rest. Especially the early ones. But I read it, nonetheless. "
— Karen, 11/28/2013" I always enjoy being in animals minds, especially corgis! Good book. "
— Rexanna, 11/23/2013Rita Mae Brown is the bestselling author of the Sneaky Pie Brown mysteries; the Sister Jane series; the Runnymede novels, as well as Rubyfruit Jungle and In Her Day; as well as many other books. She is an Emmy-nominated screenwriter and a poet.
Kate Forbes, winner of four Earphones Awards for audiobook narrating, is a professionally trained actress who has appeared on Broadway, in regional theaters, and with a renowned touring company. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College, where she was active in theater, she completed an MFA at New York University School of the Arts. With this training, she launched into a successful acting career.