Cat To The Dogs: A Joe Grey Mystery Publisher: Avon

Joe Grey #5

by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Cat to the Dogs is the latest entry in Shirley Rousseau Murphy's acclaimed, uniquely charming mystery series featuring a pair of cats who discovered one day that they have the amazing ability to read, speak, and solve crimes."For your information," said Joe Grey, "if that wreck turns out to be a murder, I'm the one who put the cops onto it. Me. The cat you are booting out into the cold for no reason!"Joe Grey kicked out of the house? Ever since the earthquake, things have been going from bad to worse in Molena Point.There was the car "accident on Hellhag Hill, which looked--well--fishy, to Joe's night-wise eyes. And there was the suspicious but not unwelcome death of the town philanderer, Shamas Greenlaw. Soon the little coastal California town was filled with greedy relatives and Shamas's brazen young mistress, all looking to share the widow's grief--and her rumored gold.Every earthquake has its aftershocks, and now even Dulcie, the library cat, is getting weird. She's going to the dogs, literally. She's taken to mothering two orphaned pups discovered at the scene of the crash.And worst of all, there's Clyde, Joe's erratic but lovable human. He thinks cats should stay out of police work (as if humans could handle it on their own!), and to make his point, he's locking Joe and Dulcie out of the house when Officer Harper come over to play poker.Clyde is afraid the two will give away their secret--that a few select cats can not only talk, but read--and even use the telephone. (Where does Harper think those anonymous tips are coming from after all?) But Joe is not about to give up the chase. Not until the "ghost" of Hellhag Hill is tracked down and brought to justice.Mice are nice, but what cat can resist the chance to stalk a real killer?

Genres: Mystery, Fantasy, Cats, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Animals, Audiobook

Mass Market Paperback

First published December 8, 1999

About the author

Shirley Rousseau Murphy is the author of over 40 books, including 24 novels for adults, the Dragonbards Trilogy and more for young adults, and many books for children. She is best known for her Joe Grey cat mystery series, consisting of 21 novels, the last of which was published when she was over 90. Now retired, she enjoys hearing from readers who write to her at her website www.srmurphy.com, where the reading order of the books in that series can be found.

Murphy grew up in southern California, riding and showing the horses her father trained. After attending the San Francisco Art institute she worked as an interior designer, and later exhibited paintings and welded metal sculpture in the West Coast juried shows. "When my husband Pat and I moved to Panama for a four-year tour in his position with the U. S . Courts, I put away the paints and welding torches, and began to write," she says. Later they lived in Oregon, then Georgia, before moving to California, where she now enjoys the sea and views of the Carmel hills.
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Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one introduces the Kit to the world and I wish I had read these in order...but there you go, I didn't think about the time frame around the books. The two great dane mix pups are also introduced and we will see much more of them in successive books. This was a nice read and one I enjoyed. Looking forward to even more from Joe Grey in the future!

[Chris Meads · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's been an earthquake at Molina Point and everyone is on edge including Joe and Dulce.

There's been a suspicious accident on Hellhag Hill. Joe knows it wasn't an accident but no one will believe him especially his human. The police want to write it off as it being foggy that night. Joe knows a cut brake line when he sees one but the police don't find anything like that.

Then there are the dogs that follow Joe home--where did they come from. And what of all the people that have gathered at Lucinda's house? Her husband Shamus was killed in a boating accident and all his relatives have come to her house--they're up to something but what?

Another fun and cozy read by Shirley Rousseau Murphy.

[Peter Tillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, but recall almost nothing about it. Reread sometime?

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book with my young son who has developed a love a cats since we had one join our family several years ago. I've had to develop voices for the many characters, including Joe Grey. THAT is tough. But we get to bond over reading the book and learning about the characters and seeing things through their eyes. Some of the words are too big for me to immediately sound out, so it's also an education experience for both of us.
By the way - in my household, Joe Grey has a bit of a southern drawl because it's hard for me to keep up with all the various humans and cats.

[Amy Lindberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

The talking-cats premise is so silly but I kind of love it anyway. I especially like that the book is almost exclusively told from a limited-omniscient viewpoint of the cats. (I think two chapters were a human perspective).

There is occasionally really lovely prose. Nice reminders in the plot/characters about why we love stories. The mystery is less important than the characters' relationships, which also is nice because the cats actually trust the police to do their jobs.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing mystery because the greatest sleuths are talking cats that poke fun at the paltry intelligence of the humans assigned to solve the murders that occur. The cats don't want it widely known that they can speak, so they have to deliver their insights as phone callers with anonymous tips.

Looking at the criminals and the other bungling humans through these cat eyes may make you wonder why cats have anything to do us. So, if you have a connection to a cat, keep the treats coming.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have total admiration for Shirley Rousseau Murphy! And not to leave out the wonderfully talented narrator, Susan Boyce! Really, these stories have just enough whimsey and suspense to keep me listening and making me a big fan of the Joe Gray and Dulcie adventures. Very sweet, fun,and a total delight.Thank you, Shirley and Susan!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After an odd start, this book grew on me. I had read a previous book in the series some time ago, and was unsure about that one, but I enjoyed the characters, human, canine and feline in this one. It was the sort of story where the nasty characters get their just desserts.
Recommend if you like talking cats.

[Christine (KizzieReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was really good. So intriguing. The dogs were hilarious. A new kitten from who knows where shows up for Joe and Dulcie to ponder about. Lots of scheming and scamming from the family of the deceased, looking for their share of his money. His widow has a lot to deal with with the family, as well as her late husband's mistress. So much to this story!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another light but very entertaining adventure of two talking feline sleuths. Still trying to imagine what a cat looks like when he smiles, but whatever...if you like kitties and mysteries, this is a fun series.

[Ann Keough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun jount for Joe Grey fans.

For people who like great characters and a good mystery this book is for you. Enjoy exploring Molena Point and visiting with all the local characters in another great story by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun romp! Since I have a cat I fully enjoyed their moods, antics and habits. I would have liked there to be a bit more of that and less human drama. But none the less I liked it very much and will read this author again.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

So fun, so intelligent and BELIEVABLE even tho these books are about talking cats—seriously clever talking cats! Masterfully written and vivid. I’m moving on to the next book with high expectations.

[JOYCE DURHAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of action and new friends

A family group of grifters and criminals come to town for a funeral. They create trouble for many shops and commit a few violent crimes too.
Dulcie and Joe find a new young kitten that fits in well with them.

[Dancou-Maryuu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give it a 3.7 if I could. Felt something was lacking compared to previous books.

[Elizabeth Perales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action and fun

I found this book to be more action and humor packed than the previous. The introduction of many new characters, not only human was spot on!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to have read this series in backwards order and always especially loved the little Kit. This book is apparently where she makes her debut. One of the best I've read if the series.

[Donna L. Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very high energy

Loved. The antics of the pups. Thought it was Dirkin who was responsible. Then finally got it straight that it was Sam. Very thought provoking.

[Susan Moxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about two talking cats that help to solve crimes by calling the police,

[sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great next book in the series. Love how the cats interact. I’m hooked and have to keep going now.

[Erix · Rating 3 out of 5]

又来一只讲人话的小猫………就很无语，最后还带小猫去饭馆后街蹭饭去了，不知道这套书是咋回事反正没事儿就可以听听。但猫真的不像猫写得像人+刻板印象猫，太奇怪了。

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A silly and fun little mystery.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read! Hard to imagine what our cats would have to say. Murphy is very imaginative. Will read earlier books in the series.

[Lauren Ewing · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like mysteries and you like cats you will enjoy this book. Even better the cats talk and are as smart as humans, maybe smarter.

[Jenny Bowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a cat lover, I really enjoyed reading this book. I’m going to have to get more in this series.

[Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love detective stories. I love cats. I love cat detectives. Clearly, I am the target audience of this book.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series gets even better with each book I read. More wonderful characters added to the mix.

[Rhonda Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. The introduction of Kit is so sweet, and I found the mystery a lot more compelling than the last one.

[Rosh]

DNF
Perhaps just personal taste, but first few chapters felt as if it led nowhere

[Sandie Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

One morning when a dense fog rolls in over the quaint town of Molena Point, California, a vintage car goes off the highway and careens down Hellhag Hill leaving a man dead. Joe Grey and Dulcie are out that morning looking to hunt a rabbit or rat for breakfast. Oh, did I forget to mention they are cats? It’s easy to forget since they are sentient beings, able to speak, read, talk, and interact with humans and cats alike in the most believable way. Their history is told in the centuries-old Celtic tales, and their number is small. Joe Grey and Dulcie keep their ability a secret except from each of their human housemates and a handful of other people.

Joe and Dulcie, out that foggy morning, quickly find the crashed car and its dead occupant. Joe looks the car over carefully and notices that the brake line has been cut. They have more immediate concerns in the two part-Great-Dane puppies that were also in the car. They follow Joe Grey home to where his human housemate Clyde Damon lives. Clyde decides to keep the puppies and is convinced that he can train them. Everyone, including Molena Point Police Captain Max Harper, thinks not. They cause a ruckus almost everywhere they go. One can almost hear their energy from the narrator’s voice.

Joe and Dulcie note a set of human footprints at the scene which strengthens their belief that someone was responsible for the car going over the cliff and then making it look like an accident, especially when they find a torn brake line thrown on the ground after being changed for a new one. Joe gets the news to MPPD Captain Harper, who personally visits the crash site and notices the brake line and other clues as well. Joe and Dulcie love to investigate and pass their information on to Max anonymously.

The clowder of sentient cats at Hellhag Hill does not want to go back inside the safety of their cave because of a recent series of small earthquakes. However, there is a Puma wandering too close to town and some small animals have disappeared, presumably as prey. Joe and Dulcie go on high alert, but they are worried about an animal at Hellhag Hill crying without relief. Dulcie particularly wants to find this creature and offer comfort. It takes some time, but they come upon a small black and tan tortoiseshell kitten about 4 months old but thin as a bone and alone except for the clowder which has rejected her.

When Dulcie isn’t home or with Joe, she watches the family next door to Clyde. The man of the house, Seamus, has died, and the family is gathering for the funeral. They are not the least bit considerate of Lucinda, the widow, and take over her home. Lucinda can be found on Hellhag Hill in her early morning walks looking for solace and solitude. The kitten has taken note and approached her from a distance. Lucinda puts food out for the kitten. And then she begins to bring Pedric Greenlaw, her relative by marriage, a nice older gentleman who ultimately saves her life.

The many plots are skillfully woven together by Shirley Rousseau Murphy. Susan Boyce expertly reads the stories and switches from one character to another with no breaks. Very enjoyable, well done, and highly recommended.