Rating: 
Summary: Re-dis-union
Review: In Pawing Through The Past, Rita Mae Brown [and Sneaky Pie Brown] have knocked off the best Mrs. Murphy Mystery since the early books in the series. In the 8th novel in this series, the Crozet High School Classes of 1950 and 1980 are preparing for silmultaneous class reunions. Harry Haristeen, postmistress of Crozet, and her amazing companion animals are helping to set up the 1980 reunion. Strange mass mailings start appearing in the mailboxes of the classmates of 1980 and the dead bodies begin to pile up. The killings continue at the reunions and, of course, Harry is hip deep in the mysteries. As always, I found it easy to ignore the fact that animals don't really solve mysteries [Cat On The Scent was the only book that pushed too hard on my ability to suspend disbelief] and that the real town of Crozet, Virginia isn't really the world capitol of serial killers. Beyond the usual audience, I recommend this one to anyone who is going to or has just been to their high school class reunion. This also would be a good place to start with this wonderful series of mysteries. Read this light, but highly entertaining novel with your favorite cat on your lap.
Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: In the tiny town of Crozet, Virginia, the temperatures are low, but the murder rate is high. When Harry volunteers to help with her 20th high school reunion she doesn't realize that someone from her class will deliberately try to sabotage the reunion by killing almost everyone whom was invited to it. Before she knows it, Harry is tossed into a reunion party full of lying and deceit, and realizes that it's up to her and her furry friends, Mrs. Murphy, Pewter (cats), and Tee Tucker (Welsh Corgi), to find out who's the murderer. But will Harry be next?Rita Mae Brown has completed yet another excellent murder mystery in the lovely town of Crozet, Virginia. She has strong characters, and a great plot. A must read for all fans of the cat cozy genre.
Rating:
Summary: Adorable animal mystery
Review: In Virginia, there is a special place that some might consider magical. Crozet is a small charming hamlet where Southern gentility holds sways and everybody knows one another. However, the magic resides with the animals who are at least as intelligent as the humans, communicate between the species because they understand one another, and comprehend what the humans say even if Homo Sapiens fails to reciprocate. A tiger cat Mrs. Murphy, a Welsh Congi Tee Tucker, and a gray tiger cat named Pewter own human Mary Minor "Harry" Hairsteen. Harry and friends are planning the high school's twentieth reunion when a strange anonymous note arrives. Mrs. Murphy thinks that there is something weird about the note and her fears prove right when someone kills the local lothario. A second note arrives followed by a second murder. Harry begins sleuthing with her animals planning to stealthily assists her so they can keep her safe. Talented author Rita Mae Brown beguiles her audience with a special tale that taps into the fantasy believer in all of us. PAWING THROUGH THE PAST makes readers accept animals talking with one another and understanding human speech, and caring about their "pets" so as to insure their safety. The mystery is cleverly crafted so that it captures and uses the ambiance of small town Southern living to propel the story line forward. Fans of the Mrs. Murphy series will want to immediately read this novel while newcomers will search for the previous books. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Another pleasant visit to Crozet, Virginia.
Review: Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen was feeling testy as her 20th high school reunion looms closer. When obnoxious male members of her class are murdered, Harry must delve into old memories and scandalous rumors to discover the murderer. On a personal front, Fair declares his intent to aggressively win Harry back; Harry learns to get past Fair and BoomBoom's betrayal; Miranda feels young again when an old flame, Tracy Raz, comes to town for their 50th reunion, rooming with Harry and helping around the farm; and Market is looking for love among the single women in town. The people in Crozet attract me to these books even more then the mysteries do. I would wish that Brown wouldn't make killers out of some of the most likeable people, but some real-life killers were very charming. Just look at Ted Bundy. I felt sorry for the killer. Although murder wasn't a proper revenge, it was all too understandable considering the circumstances. The animals' actions were much more realistic than in CAT ON THE SCENT, the last Mrs. Murphy mystery, thank heavens. Okay, a cat coauthor isn't "realistic" either, but cats driving cars was beyond my capacity to accept.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best!
Review: Ms. Brown's latest adventure featuring the folks of Cozet is just delightful. I've been a avid fan of this Mrs. Murphy series from the beginning and this 8th book is one of the best. Ms. Brown has weaved a delicious murder mystery centering around Harry's 20th class reunion. But although the construction of the mystery would be enough to keep most mystery readers turning the pages until the early hours, it is the continuation of the evolution of the characters that had me saying, "OK--just *one* more chapter before bed." I just had to know what was happening between Harry and Fair and, to my delight--Miranda and an old beau! This latest Mrs. Murphy Mystery is a true "must read" for all the fans of the folks and critters of this wonderful series.
Rating:
Summary: Rita Mae and Sneaky Pie back in form
Review: Not a dedicated mystery reader, I don't comparison shop for them much, but I feel this is in the 5 star range. I've found comfort in the Rita Mae Brown/Sneaky Pie Brown series and this is where I tend to vacation when in need of a lighter touch. This is one of the stronger entries of recent volumes in the line. I like the human characters, the animals they love and who love them foibles and all in return, as well as the rural Virginia small town world. That world is well observed as are human quirks. Brown is at her best when she stays true to that sense of community and how it functions when evil descends or blooms from within. Mrs. Hoggendopper gets a pleasant new lease on life in Pawing Through the Past through the occasion of her 50th high school reunion while the series' human heroine, Harry, and her friends get a deadly deal out of their 20th. Harry is moody this time out, looks like it will take at least another book in the series to work out her feelings about things. FYI to the Browns: no need to (re)marry Harry off to keep my allegiance. As for the mystery--yeah, I figured it out, but the Browns kept me guessing as to the correctness of my suspicions right up to the denoument.
Rating:
Summary: A Winner.
Review: Pawing Through the Past is the best Mrs. Murphy mystery yet. The animals are at their best. The viciousness of the murders suprised me. Rita Mae Brown very well showed the effects of the murders on the class of 1980. With them at each others' throats, Harry showed a side that I didn't know she had. It makes Harry's character even more human. All in all, this is an excellent book for the ones who read this series. This is also an excellent introduction for new readers that will make them want to read the others in the series.
Rating:
Summary: A reader from Memphis, TN
Review: Sneaky Pie does it again! Rita Mae Brown's talent for bringing mystery and furry friends together really shines in Pawing Through The Past. Harry Hairston is getting ready for her high school reunion, will her classmates live through it? Harry begins to wonder when strange notes arrive in everyone's mailbox. Sneaky Pie is on the trail of an elusive killer without some of the antics of the previous book, Cat on the Scent. A must read for any fans of Rita Mae, Sneaky Pie and Tee Tucker!
Rating:
Summary: No dull moments for humans or animals
Review: The 21st century dawns in Crozet, VA, and it is an emotional time, as the town's postmistress, Harry Haristeen and her friend and postal assistant Miranda Hoggendobber prepare for their respective high school class reunions. Miranda gets surprised by the unexpected arrival of an old flame, Tracy Raz, and Harry's ex, Fair Haristeen, is also pitching woo, trying desperately to win Harry back. The town's animal residents are busy, too. Gray cat Pewter (formerly of Market Shiftlett's store) now lives with Harry. Harry's grey tiger cat, Mrs. Murphy, is getting razzed by the smart-aleck mice in Harry's barn, who sing "The Old Grey Mare" whenever Mrs. Murphy comes around. Tee Tucker, the intrepid Corgi, is still guarding the mailbags in Crozet's tiny post office and serving as confidant and ego-check for Mrs. Murphy. But alas, all is not well. Harry's high school classmates all begin receiving post cards in the mail saying, "You'll never grow old". But the complimentary mailings are soon accompanied by murder most foul. And it's up to Harry's animal "kids" to get to the bottom of things ... before their mother winds up dead herself. I just adore this series. Recycling characters is one thing. Getting them to grow and develop, while retaining the reader's interest and the characters' integrity, is quite another and Ms. Brown and Sneaky-Pie do it beautifully with each new installment of the Mrs. Murphy series. The dialogue - especially that of the animals - is well-written and there are enough red herrings throughout the novel to confuse the situation and leave you guessing until the very end. An 8th installment, "Claws and Effect", is due out in February 2001 and I will be on the front step with my hand out for my copy. I can't wait for another visit to Crozet and another murderous puzzle solved by Harry, Pewter, Tucker and - of course - Mrs. Murphy herself.
Rating:
Summary: And I thought my high scool reunion was hectic
Review: The combination of talking animals and quirky characters make Rita Mae Brown's books alot of fun to read. This book is set at a high school reunion, which really adds to the fun. When people travel long distances to relive the past, crazy things happen.
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