Pay Dirt

From Publishers Weekly The first word of this fourth collaboration of Rita Mae Brown and her cat (following Murder at Monticello) is, appropriately, the italicized "Cozy." The dog days of summer in sleepy Crozet, Va.-where postmistress Mary Minor Haristeen, aka Harry, lives with her tiger cat, Mrs. Murphy, and her Welsh Corgi, Tee Tucker-are disrupted by a computer virus and the arrival of a drugged-up biker looking for a woman named Malibu. A few days later, the biker turns up murdered. Meanwhile, the computer virus seems to have hit Crozet National Bank, which suffers an inexplicable $2-million shortfall. Harry's stumbling onto a small clue to the bank troubles inadvertently leads to another murder, which is quickly followed by a third. One detects coauthor Sneaky Pie's self-serving little paw as Mrs. Murphy-helped by Tee Tucker and their pal Pewter, the grocer's fat cat-not only leads Harry to the truth about the murders and the money but also rescues her from the killer. As usual, the Browns have fun with a supporting cast of eccentric characters (both two- and four-legged), whose foibles and quirks flavor what is the best Mrs. Murphy adventure yet. Author tour. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal Once again murder and mayhem have come to Brown's (Wish You Were Here, LJ 11/1/90) sleepy little town of Crozet, Virginia, heralded by the arrival of a leather-clad biker who storms up to historic Ash Lawn (James Monroe's home) demanding to see the "thieving slut" Malibu and upsetting the docents. Later, when the biker's body is found in Sugar Hollow, postmistress/detective Harry Haristeen, accompanied by the incorrigible cat Mrs. Murphy and Welsh corgi Tee Tucker, finds herself in the middle of the investigation. A computer virus that threatens the local bank and two love triangles are only some of the complications that spice up the plot. For fans and those who dote on cute, cozy mysteries, this is the ticket. Cynthia Johnson, Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, Mass. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Booklist When a Hell's Angels^-type biker from L.A. appears at Ash Lawn, the historic home of James and Elizabeth Monroe in Crozet, Virginia, and is later found murdered, the town's close-knit residents, already ears-deep in midsummer gossip, are only mildly curious. They are much more concerned when they learn that a computer virus has infected the Crozet National Bank (there seems to be a $2 million deficit), and the bank's president is killed. It is up to postmistress (the term she prefers) Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen, aided by her tiger cat, Mrs. Murphy, and Welsh corgi, Tee Tucker, with their feline friend, Pewter, to connect the two events--not before another victim turns up--and unmask the murderers. Although the historical setting proves peripheral and some readers may find the talking, crime-solving animals a bit much, others will applaud Rita Mae and her cat coauthor Sneaky Pie Brown's fourth literary excursion into mayhem and murder. Barbara Duree Author and cat join forces to provide another strong story of suspense revolving around a sleepy small town rocked by a stranger's arrival and a murder. Suddenly the safety and quiet enjoyed by the townspeople is shaken - and town animals become just as involved as their humans in the investigation in this excellent 'whodunit' with its complex subplots and feline insights. -- Midwest Book Review From the Publisher "Definitely the best mystery novel ever co-written by a cat (and) plenty offun."-- The Baltimore Sun "charming...Ms. Brown writes with wise, disarming wit."-- The New York Times Book Review Copyright 1994 by Sallie Tisdale. Read more