Today I’ll be continuing my long-running series on the first book of popular Cozy Mystery series, most of which have been recommended by site visitors. Today, I’ll be revisiting one of the foundation series for modern Cozies, the Mrs. Murphy Mystery Series by Rita Mae Brown. As always, I will be specifically discussing the first book in the series – in this case, Wish You Were Here.
Sometimes, the books that I write about in this series are mostly or entirely new to me – I have read a blurb or two, or I might have read an entry in the series years ago and barely remember it beyond knowing that I own it still. Other times, these entries are returns to a series that I have read multiple entries to over a number of years – and that is the case this time.
It’s only natural that this series has been recommended many times over the years I have been running the site, as it is either the foundation of many modern Cozy trends or at least a relatively early example of them. It’s also a very long-running series – this first entry in the series came out in 1990, Rita Mae Brown is still putting these out on a mostly annual basis, with the most recent entry coming out earlier this year.
Ostensibly, the sleuth of this mystery is Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen, the post-mistress of small town Crozet, Virginia, not far from Charlottesville. Harry stumbles across a mystery when she notices a series of postcards, all of them of tombstones and cemeteries with “Wish you were here” computer printed as the only message.
However, Harry’s pets, Mrs. Murphy, her tiger cat, and Tee Tucker, her Welsh Corgi, steal both the scenes and the investigation more often than not. Though Harry isn’t able to communicate with animals, the two pets are quite conversing amongst themselves, and more than willing to take a proactive role in the investigation.
As is sometimes the case, Crozet, Virginia, is a very real place. I’m not sure how accurate Rita Mae Brown’s Crozet is, but it certainly seems like a very lovely and picturesque small southern town – well, except for the unusually high murder rate for such a small community, which I assume is a highly fictional detail!
I will say, for my more “clean” Cozy enthusiasts, there is some swearing, both from human and animal characters. This and a few references that would be considered politically incorrect today both strongly remind the reader that this was written in the ’90s. Neither element bothers me, but I know either could be an issue for some readers.
That said, I’m quite comfortable in suggesting Wish You Were Here as a foundation of modern Cozies, particularly in the “detective animal” subgenre – by all accounts a modern classic.
As always, if you want to read more of these brief discussions of some of the more popular Cozy Mystery Series that I’ve written in the past, you can find them at the Most Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page.
Marianne says
I loved this series when I discovered it long ago, but I haven’t read any in about 10 years. I don’t remember a lot of swearing but I do remember the humor Brown displays in her writing. I think I’ll look up a newer one and revisit the characters that I really loved.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marianne, I was also surprised by the swearing when I went to reread it, as I also did not remember it to have a lot of swearing. I still wouldn’t personally call it excessive, but I know that a substantial audience here doesn’t want ANY swearing so I mentioned it.
Lori S says
I love her series but some of them get very graphic and push the “cozy” genre boundary
I don’t like the way the series has gone…pewter isn’t as endearing and adding a new dog in is meh. Plus her most recent books have this bizarre dual timeline thing going that just doesn’t interest me. I’ll still read her new one coming out this year but it’s just not.. a fave
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lori, that’s a shame to hear! I haven’t revisited this one for a few years now (I guess probably over a decade, probably), but it is definitely a halfway place between older mysteries and more modern, sanitized Cozies.
Carol F says
I love the Mrs. Murphy series! Well written mysteries without a lot of blood & guts. I especially love the way the animals talk to each other. Fun to read again and again.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Carol, it’s definitely a great series in my book!
Jennifer E. says
I love this series! I am currently reading the 13th book. This is my feel good series and one I keep going back to after reading other cozy mystery series in between.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jennifer, I definitely agree that this one is worth coming back to! Though I’ll admit I am a bit more prone to “binge” reading favorite series when I have the time.
Karen says
Rita Mae Brown is also one of my regularly read series’ authors. I enjoy the way she adds additional characters, both human and animal, over the years and how she allows her characters to evolve over time.
When the animals and the humans have equal presence and you forget which is which, it’s fun. In both her series, the 4 legged animals are just as believable as the 2 legged animals …and sometimes smarter.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Karen, character evolution is definitely a great element for any long-running series! It’s surprising how rare it is, even in many older, well-established series. It’s just easier to maintain the status quo.
Diane says
Hi Danna, and thank you, I always enjoy your descriptions of the various cozies. I was really getting into the Rita Mae Brown stories and, like you, the mild swearing didn’t bother me… but I did fall off the wagon several books in (can’t remember which one) when the pets started using the “F-word”. It just seemed too vulgar and inappropriate (or maybe I like to think of dogs and cats as more innocent than they actually are!) Do you or does anyone who’s read the whole series know if maybe she stopped that “trend” at some point, because she’s come out with so many new ones, I might like to get back on the wagon! Have always wanted to ask someone this question, so, many thanks again. (And could I recommend one of my very fave cat-related series? the “Cat In The Stacks” stories with Diesel the Maine Coon and his subtle sleuth librarian “cat dad.”)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Diane, unfortunately, I have actually fallen off reading as much in recent years, and this is one of many series that I love but haven’t kept up with… the hobby of maintaining a site about Cozies has ironically replaced my hobby of reading Cozies! That’s one of the reasons I do this series, actually.
And I also love the Cat in the Stacks books… though I have fallen off on those as well!
Harry M says
I also enjoyed the Mrs Murphy series. Have you tried The Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Harry, yes, I have! Though I don’t think I have written about it for the site yet… It’s definitely another great “classic cat” series!
Bonnie k says
I love Rita Mae Brown’s Mrs. Murphy series. Crozet VA is a real place. I’ve been there. I also love the sister Jane series.
Great stories, well written.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bonnie, thanks! I also have enjoyed the Sister Jane series… I might have to write about it some time as well.