Puss 'n Cahoots

The usual twee story, but I learned all about gaited Saddlebred horses and that W. Shatner is an expert. A little too much political opinionating for a book this slender, but a soothing story nevertheless, with all put right in the end.

Harry and Fair have remarried, and are celebrating by going a week long horse show. Of course, their cats and dog go, too. Much happens in this tale, and much of it is not good. The theft of a valuable pin, the theft of a horse, and a murder (of course), mar the event. To enjoy this book, readers will have to be interested in horses, because much of the story centers on them.

Mysteries that include information about some topic -- saddlebred horses, in this case, don't bother me even when it's about an interest I don't share. I like learning new things. This series has gotten rather preachy, but that's okay on the printed page. You can always skim over that part if you don't happen to agree with the authors. I tried to listen to an audio version of one of the later books and the preaching got me to return it to the library after one CD. (The bit about taxes and horse breeding rang a bell because I worked in Civil Service for about 25 years and experienced all too often policies/regulations written by persons who didn't know enough to make them sensible and didn't have sense enough to consult the persons who show more knew.)

The theft of an heirloom pin was extremely easy to figure out, the murders less so. I liked the movie star, especially the scene where she told off someone who really had it coming. The animals were fun, although Miss Nasty didn't capture my fancy. I'm one of those mystery fans who is also an sf/fantasy/supernatural fan, so the fact that we were able to understand the animals' conversations, although the human characters couldn't, was fine by me.

One of the things I appreciate about this series is that it includes one of those old-fashioned cast lists. Why, however, did the important animal characters cast list leave out Cookie?

The dust jacket shows the same cat silhouette since book one, only in different colors with differently colored backgrounds. Oh, well, at least it's better than a cat mystery cover with no cat on it. show less

Instead of a proper second honeymoon, the newly remarried Harry and Fair Haristeen leave cozy Crozet, Virginia, for Shelbyville, Kentucky, site of the famous saddlebred horse show. There they’ll visit dear friends Joan Hamilton and Larry Hodge and enjoy a week among some of the finest horses, trainers, and riders in the country.

But soon after they arrive, events veer mysteriously–and murderously–off course. First, Joan’s ruby and sapphire horsehead heirloom pin is stolen from her private box at the fairgrounds. Next, a young film star’s prize three-gaited mare disappears into thin air. There is no lack of suspects, from hotheaded trainers and jealous rivals to vicious ex-spouses. Then a body is found flagrantly murdered and show more it’s obvious to Harry that someone at Shelbyville is sending a strong winning is only secondary–first prize is survival.

As Harry searches for clues, rediscovers life as a married woman, and deals with her upcoming fortieth birthday, her four-legged detective friends are already on the case. But is animal instinct any match for human depravity? Especially with two humans to protect and a killer on the prowl? Mrs. Murphy show less

Mary Minor "Harry" and Fair Haristeen have re-tied the knot. This time around, instead of a traditional honeymoon they choose to attend the saddlebred horse show in Shelbyville, Kentucky.

Pretty much from the start, strange things happen. An heirloom pin goes missing from one of Harry's friends. Then a prize mare disappears into thin air. When a murder occurs things really become serious.

Ex-spouses, volatile trainers, jealousy, deception can be found among the suspects.

Mrs. Murphy, Tee Tucker and Pewter are on the prowl to solve these happenings. The question is whether their humans will see what the animals see and come to the same conclusion.

Told from the perspective of the animals, it is an enviable series. There is humour along with show more seriousness of solving the crimes. show less

Another enjoyable mystery! Lots of new characters, since the story takes place in Kentucky, not Crozet, while Harry and Fair are taking their second honeymoon. I love all the horse information she includes, though the story can get sidetracked by politics occasionally. Still loved it!

I've only read one or two of this series, and probably won't pick it up again. It was pleasant enough for bedtime reading, with no fears of staying awake. Yet it wasn't all that engaging. It was interesting in that the animals are the real movers and shakers, with the humans really only peripheral to the story. Supporting characters, really. It wasn't an offensive or repugnant read, just not terribly memorable.