Rating: 
Summary: To Little Fuel for the Fire...
Review: Okay - I didn't like this story as much as the previous to. I think it was way to distracted with a thin thread of an idea that the author was interested in pursuing and so the story was built around that idea - of slave/master interbreeding - of the Jefferson debate (which was more recently tied closer to the man by genetic testing in 1998, this book was published in 1994) - of sickle cell anemia as a distinctive trait that can't be removed as proof of racial intermingling no matter how strong the prejudices of the person affected QUOTE: The results of the study established that an individual carrying the male Jefferson Y chromosome fathered Eston Hemings (born 1808), the sixth and last child born to Sally Hemings. There were approximately 25 adult male Jeffersons who would have carried this chromosome living in Virginia at that time, and a few of them are known to have been at Monticello. Nonetheless, the study's authors said "the simplest and most probable" conclusion was that Thomas Jefferson had fathered Eston Hemings.I was a little sad that Blair was missing on a shoot somewhere. But then, Fair seems to be having some personal revelation that may bring him back into Harry's life - so good news there. I was also pleased that no more of the main characters were bumped off in this story. Near misses, but no deaths. I love Miranda Hogendobber. On the whole, the book was an interesting idea - but a weak execution. 3 out of 5. I've been near Charlottesville, but never to Monticello. Now I have a bug to visit... thus my peeping in on the website for Monticello.
Rating:
Summary: To Little Fuel for the Fire...
Review: Okay - I didn't like this story as much as the previous to. I think it was way to distracted with a thin thread of an idea that the author was interested in pursuing and so the story was built around that idea - of slave/master interbreeding - of the Jefferson debate (which was more recently tied closer to the man by genetic testing in 1998, this book was published in 1994) - of sickle cell anemia as a distinctive trait that can't be removed as proof of racial intermingling no matter how strong the prejudices of the person affected QUOTE: The results of the study established that an individual carrying the male Jefferson Y chromosome fathered Eston Hemings (born 1808), the sixth and last child born to Sally Hemings. There were approximately 25 adult male Jeffersons who would have carried this chromosome living in Virginia at that time, and a few of them are known to have been at Monticello. Nonetheless, the study's authors said "the simplest and most probable" conclusion was that Thomas Jefferson had fathered Eston Hemings. I was a little sad that Blair was missing on a shoot somewhere. But then, Fair seems to be having some personal revelation that may bring him back into Harry's life - so good news there. I was also pleased that no more of the main characters were bumped off in this story. Near misses, but no deaths. I love Miranda Hogendobber. On the whole, the book was an interesting idea - but a weak execution. 3 out of 5. I've been near Charlottesville, but never to Monticello. Now I have a bug to visit... thus my peeping in on the website for Monticello.
Rating: 
Summary: good southern humor with suspense added
Review: Rita Mae Brown was suggested to me by a friend. I picked up
"Murder at Monticello" not expecting to enjoy it much. Boy
was I wrong! I read the book in a day and a half. Ms. Brown
is an excellant author. She adds good southern humor to
the art of good mystery writing. The best part was the conversations between the animals. I was cats and dogs so I can relate to this. Can hardly wait to start another
Sneaky Pie Brown and Rita Mae Brown book.
Rating: 
Summary: A good premise, but in this case, entirely flawed.
Review: Rita took a good idea and proceeded to botch it royally in this novel. I found it difficult to follow her train of thought in explaining why a 175 year old murder had any relevance at all to the person who kills the archeologist in charge of the digs at Monticello. That person must have been exceedingly appalled at finding out their family tree is the result of Miscegenation -- and that with a slave of Thomas Jefferson. Next, I suppose, Rita will be trying to justify a forced apology by Whites to Blacks for slavery (something which none of us living today have any control over what-so-ever 136 years after it ended in this country). There are some points in the dialogue throughout the novel in which Rita was simply lecturing the reader.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVED THIS BOOK
Review: SO FAR THIS IS THE BEST. I HAVE READ THIS BOOK MANY TIMES. ALSO LET OTHER PEOPLE READ THIS BOOK. I LOVE MRS. MURPHY AND TEE TUCKER. I'M SURE THAT MY CATS AND DOGS TALK TO EACH OTHER JUST LIKE THEY DO.
Rating:
Summary: Mickey Finns anyone?
Review: The closest Rita will ever get to emulating "Murder, She Wrote" is in the title of this book. The similarities end there. Anyone can write about the illicit drug trade, a subject Rita should have had the good sense to stay away from. She added nothing to the discussion worth reading. And she still doesn't know what she is talking about when it comes to law enforcemnt.
Rating:
Summary: The books subtitle, "Old Sins" is correct.
Review: This, like all of the other Mrs. Murphy mysteries, was very entertaining and was an exciting read. There are a few problems, however. The author expects us to know Thomas Jefferson's entire life history, all of his relatives, all of his slaves, and everything ever written about Monticello. Raise you hand if you know these things! There is a family chart at the front of the book, but, if you're like me, it hinders more than it helps. Also, as I said earlier, "Old Sins" is correct. Most of the book is about discovering who murdered a man 175 years ago. What are they going to do when they find out who did it? Prosecute the murderer?
The main thing holding this novel together is the banter between the people of the town. By this point in the series, Brown has really gotten a grasp on her characters, and they've become more fleshed out and enjoyable.
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