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At the top of Afton Mountain, at the Carmelite Greyfriar monastery, a statue of the Virgin Mary is crying tears of blood. Some of those in the nearby town of Crozet, Virginia believe it to be a heaven-sent miracle while others are skeptical. But everyone is talking. Things on the mountain get even more interesting when kindly old Brother Thomas is found dead, kneeling in the snow in front of the statue. Did he die of a heart attack during prayers? Or is this a case of foul play?
So begins CAT'S EYEWITNESS, the latest "Mrs. Murphy" mystery by Rita Mae Brown and her fabulous feline co-author, Sneaky Pie Brown. Brown's intrepid heroine Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen is back, along with her animal companions, cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter and corgi Tee Tucker. Harry thinks that the crying statue is a hoax and Brother Thomas's death anything but natural. And when local television reporter Nordy Elliot also turns up dead, she cannot help but get involved in solving what she thinks are related mysteries.
Brown's writing style is simple and straightforward, and her characters are, for the most part, too good to be true. Despite its murders and mid-life crises, Crozet's citizens are an enviable lot. In fact, there is even a resident movie star. This is a fun fireside-type read; a winter whodunit to enjoy on a long, cold evening.
Of course, most characteristic of Brown --- and fairly unique in adult fiction --- are the talking animals. The dogs and cats, and even birds, mice and possum all have something to say. The animals are a bit like a Greek chorus --- restating themes, adding important bits of information and helping to move the story along. Plus, they are interesting and more developed than many other characters in the story.
With the two deaths (and one missing corpse), a marriage proposal from her ex-husband, her best friends' extreme stress, a snowy winter, financial problems and career issues --- not to mention Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching --- Harry has her hands full. Actually, the murders and bleeding statue are almost secondary here. They give the characters something to talk about and rally around. But it is the characters themselves who are the real story. Here we have a glimpse into a small southern town, a close-knit community where, despite violent and traumatic tragedy, people are essentially good, honest and trustworthy.
CAT'S EYEWITNESS is not overly complicated or even too complicated. It is an old-fashioned mystery full of good characters and smart critters. And there is just enough romance and quite a bit of religion to make the story well-rounded. It is easy to see why Brown's original mysteries are bestsellers.
--- Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman
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