Probable Claws

By: Rita Mae Brown

Narrated by: Kate Forbes

Rita Mae Brown and her feline coauthor Sneaky Pie Brown return with this 27th book in their best-selling Mrs. Murphy series, in which mysteries of past and present Albemarle County, Virgina, continue to converge.

"Harry" Haristeen and her friends and animal companions pursue the threads of a mystery dating back to Virginia's post-Revolutionary past, introduced in A Hiss Before Dying, while their 18th century predecessors continue to struggle with the challenges of the fledgling country. Harry's new friendship with Marvella Lawson, doyenne of the Richmond art establishment, will lead her back to her own artistic and academic interests, providing both personal pleasure and creative fulfillment - and new clues to current crimes!

©2018 American Artists, Inc. (P)2018 Recorded Books

Like the Series, Hate the Skips

Enjoyed the series and readers quite a bit, however listening to them on my phone there was constant skips that left you wondering what happened for 10 seconds or more of the story. It was especially bad with this book, unfortunately.

#27: Probable Claws is the 4th in a 4 book series

I have listened to almost all of this series in order and have just finished the last available book, #27. I feel it very important to let listeners know that 4 - from Tail Gate, Tall Tail, A Hiss Before Dying and Probable Claws should actually have one title followed by 1,2,3,4 as they are intricately connected. If you try to listen to anything out of order you will be lost.
Please go to the review for Book 24- Tail Gait - as I wrote it after I finished Probable Claws. It will give the complete review of all 4 books.

Love the new puppy!

Rita Mae delivers again. Not only does she create a good story, she delivers a history lesson that is anything but boring. I love the mixture of fact and imagination. And speaking of love, I can’t wait to get my hands/ ears on the next story and see how much Pirate has grown.

Missed some fav characters, but still enjoyed

I dutifully love every Ms. Murphy mystery and have for 20 years, but some do fair better than others. While I enjoyed the introduction of a few new characters, I did miss the presence of other minor characters I've become attached to.

For me the story felt a bit clunky and rushed together, even though I know Ms. Brown takes great care to craft each of her stories. I didn't feel the same heart-pounding angst in the final act as I usually do with this series, and while I am usually enthralled with the lives and circumstances of the Virginia families from the 1700's, I found their storylines in this particular book to be a bit dull.

For me, this book felt like a "filler" book: it performed the task of introducing some new minor characters and setting up situations that will likely come into play in later books.

So, ultimately, definitely read this book. I believe, while the story in and of itself was less eventful than some books past, things that happened IN this book will be more meaningful and impactful in books to come. And even with my griping, I still devoured this book and enjoyed it. But, again, that's because I believe this serves as a filler for things to come. And if you can go into this book with that understanding, I believe you will enjoy it more.

Two unconnected stories

Two stories separated by two hundred years are juxtaposed. I kept waiting for them to be connected and it never came. I still don't know why the second story was told. There is a very small and insignificant connection ... a huge let down after a big build up.

Confusing

I think maybe it was just me and the time period in which I listened to this book. I have thoroughly enjoyed other books by this author but had a difficult time following the different time periods in this book.

Should have seen that one coming-logically speakig

Harry, Harry, keep the critters close!
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Another excellent reading by Kate Forbes .

Ms Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie have again written an entertaining and informative story.

Ruined by lectures and narration

When this series started I read all of them until the author became preachy. I bought this and the next two hoping things had changed. Instead of religion there are now lectures...on how to turn a page, on the design of a calendar, on politics, food, even Bernie Madoff gets time here! Top it off with a monotonous, monotone from an uninspired, boring narrator.

Disappointed

There was to much going back in time for an unconnected storyline. I found my mind wondering through this sections. Too little about Harry, her pets, friends and husband. Seemed like a short story with unrelated filler. As a long-term reader of this series by Rita Mae Brown I felt cheated.