Probable Claws: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery

Winter has finally arrived, and Harry has decided it’s the perfect time to treat herself to a new work shed. With the help of her friend Gary Gardner, the shed will be done in no time, but the worst soon happens when Gary is killed. Determined to get justice for her friend’s murder, Harry takes on the mystery while Deputy Cynthia Cooper digs into the case. Just when she thinks she may have answers, another body is found, and Harry receives another addition to her furry family. With her furry companions at her side, she digs into Gary’s past and finds surprising connections to post-Revolutionary history.

Rita Mae Brown weaves the present and the past through two connected storylines that uncover secrets and mysteries with every turn. The characters are vivid and perfectly fitted to each time period, which mixes proper old-fashioned mannerisms with modern personalities. The pets have a unique presence in the story with the ability to talk to each other in a way that can’t be understood by the humans. Brown uses their presence for humor, as the animals often comment on conversations, deal with their own situations, such as welcoming a new puppy into their home and offering their own advice, which humans never seem to follow, giving them as much personality as the human characters. They contribute important help to Harry’s investigation, adding their own thoughts and opinions while upping the charm of this already delightful story. The past comes to life as Probable Claws explores a mystery with spunky animals, two time periods, murder, and loss.

Probable Claws is part of the Mrs. Murphy Mystery series.