Cat's eyewitness: a mrs. murphy mystery - rita mae brown

When a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary starts mysteriously crying tears of real blood, terrible events are prophesied--and its not long before things start shaking up the sleepy little town of Crozet, Virginia.

Its no secret that cats are a mystery writers best friend.

Just ask the bestselling team of Rita Mae Brown and her furry partner, Sneaky Pie Brown, back on the prowl with another unforgettable whodunit.

This time a controversial miracle in Virginias Blue Ridge Mountains sparks religious fervor-and a suspicious death.

Now the indefatigable felines Mrs.

Murphy and Pewter, along with the dogged corgi Tee Tucker, must trust their animal instincts to sniff out the worst of human nature.

With the holidays approaching, Mary Minor Harry Haristeen and her best friend, Susan Tucker, take a much-needed time-out at the mountain monastery of Mount Carmel.

There, under the benevolent gaze of the statue of the Virgin Mary, their worldly worries are soon overshadowed.

For in front of their very eyes the statue begins to cry tears of blood.

Legend has it that Marys crimson tears are harbingers of crises.

And though skeptical, the ever-practical Harry can already see one on the horizon.

If leaked, news of the so-called miracle could turn the monastery and the town of Crozet into a circus.

What Harry doesnt foresee is murder.

When Susans great-uncle Thomas, a resident monk, is found frozen to death at the base of the statue, foul play is ruled out-at first.

But at Harrys urging, the body is exhumed for an autopsy.

Theres just one problem: the coffin is empty.

Thats when Mrs.

Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker get involved.

Then theres the shocking revelation of a mystery that has perplexed the citizens of Crozet for ages.

With Christmas around the corner and the monastery overrun by the faithful, all Harrys meddling menagerie can do is stay on her trail as she jumps knee-deep into an unofficial investigation-one that becomes more dangerous when another Crozet citizen meets an untimely demise.

In this case it will be a miracle if Harry stays alive.