NIne Lives to Die

Nine Lives to Die
By: Rita Mae Brown
272 Pages
Reviewed By: Betsey Brooks

Summary:
Winter has come to Crozet, Virginia, bringing with it a fresh blanket of snow. Harry and her husband, Fair, are hip deep in their usual end-of-the-year activities: distributing food to needy residents, and shopping for outfits for the Silver Linings youth organization’s annual fundraising gala. But buried beneath the white stuff are dark secrets from Crozet’s past—and Harry and her posse of pet detectives are determined to sniff them out. 

Two Silver Linings mentors have been found dead in suspicious circumstances. If that weren’t enough to chill the bones of the locals, a pair of severed human fingers has turned up in a pencil jar in the bookkeeper’s office at St. Cyril’s church. What does this grisly display have to do with the mysterious disappearance of Harry’s voluptuous high school Latin teacher, a quarter of a century ago? Maybe nothing. But when the animals make another gruesome discovery in the woods behind Harry’s farm, it becomes clear that terrible crimes have been committed in Crozet—and somebody’s gone to great lengths to cover them up. It’s time to stop shoveling snow and start digging for clues.

The truth will be revealed. A cold case will be solved. And a twenty-five-year-old love triangle is about to get untangled. The weather outside may be frightful, but Harry and her four-legged friends refuse to be spooked off the case. --- courtesy of the publisher

Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown have once again created a fascinating tale of murder in Nine Lives To Die.  The town of Crozet, Virginia is preparing for the holidays. Along with all the shopping and decorating there are two big events everyone is participating in.  Silver Linings, a non profit for disadvantaged boys, is having it's big fundraising. The community churches have been collecting used clothing and food for those in need and are getting ready to deliver them as Christmas gets closer. Several snow storms add to the holiday spirit. 

In the midst of all this, two prominent community leaders are found in their cars dead each missing two fingers. Next three checks come up missing from the Silver Linings books. Another surprise turns up when a storm blows over an old tree and a skeleton is exposed. With the help of Harry Holstein's pets, a corgi named Tee Tucker and her two cats, Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, the skeleton is brought to everyone's attention.  

Who would want to kill these two men and who could this old skeleton be? These are just a few questions Harry, her husband Fair and their friend Deputy Cynthia Cooper are asking. So many questions and no clues.

I love this series . Each book is uniquely different and "Nine Lives to Die" is a great addition.  It drew me in immediately and kept me guessing right to the end. So find yourself a comfy reading nook and prepare to join the adventure. I definitely recommend Nine Lives to Die for your summer or travel reading.  Be sure to read and enjoy more of Rita Mae Brown's Books. They are great.