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Joe Grey #9
Cat Fear No Evil
From Shirley Rousseau Murphy, six-time winner of the Cat Writers' Association Muse Medallion, here is crime-solving from the paws of the most cunning and intelligent feline detectives around: tomcat and feline sleuth extraordinaire Joe Grey, his tabby pal Dulcie, and their tattercoat friend Kit.
When antiques and valuables begin to disappear from residents' homes, Joe Grey knows that something is very wrong in sleepy Molena Point, California. Could the thief be a local or, even worse, is it the old crook who may be connected to Azrael, the sinister, yellow-eyed cat who terrorized Joe and Dulcie years ago, and whose return has Joe's fur standing on edge? Even a seasoned tomcat like Joe isn't prepared for the shock that awaits Molena Point residents at the opening for artist Charlie Harper.
While guests are dining on hors d'oeuvres and fine wine at the joyous celebration, a young, healthy waiter drops dead at Charlie's feet.
Meanwhile, just north of Molena Point, in San Francisco, the cats' friend Kate, a woman with a troubling secret, is followed by a stranger and robbed. Her apartment is then gutted, with claw marks and black cat hairs leading her to suspect the vicious tomcat Azrael. In the most dramatic investigation of their lives, Joe Grey, Dulcie, and Kit, following diverse leads, scratch out the truth and, with cunning feline skills, restore a distraught village to its usual cozy tranquility.
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First published January 1, 2004
71 people are currently reading
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About the author
Shirley Rousseau Murphy
62 books516 followersShirley 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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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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 29, 2021
With each new entry in this series, I am getting to know all the residents of the Pacific coast town of Molena Point, California, since each book has featured a different character or family. With Susan Boyce’s familiar voice reading the book, I feel like I'm visiting old friends as I read about the familiar faces and places. This is home to Joe Grey, his lady love Dulcie, and their friend Kit. They prefer this small town full of culture and boutiques to the larger San Francisco a couple hours north. Joe Grey, Dulcie, and Kit are all sentient cats, capable of human speech, and excellent at sleuthing where no human can go, using their feline talents to help solve the many mysteries that befall this tiny town.
A mysterious set of burglaries has beset the residents of Molena Point and other towns up and down the California coast. Select items of antiques and jewelry are disappearing including Clyde Damon's lovingly restored Packard, leaving absolutely no clues as to how the items disappeared. What sort of thief would take the most valuable piece and leave the rest? One out for thrills.
A former resident of Molena Point, Kate Osborne is living in San Francisco to track down information on her biological parents. She finds information on her grandfather who was a building contractor and founded and built the San Francisco Cat Museum. When visiting her grandfather's aging attorney, he gives her twelve pieces of unique jewelry, several featuring cats. The workmanship is centuries old, the gold valuable, but the jewels apparently paste. She wears one of them to her friend Charlie's gallery opening featuring her paintings and sketches centered on animals, including the three cats. The next morning an evil black tomcat known as Azrael snoops in Kate's suitcase, from which he steals her safe deposit box key, intent on finding the jewelry.
Returning to San Francisco, Kate tries to shake the strong feeling that she is being followed and looks forward to a visit from Kit's human family, 80-year-old newlyweds Lucinda and Pedric Greenlaw. They'll be home soon after traveling in their RV, but tragedy strikes before they arrive.
How three sleuthing cats interact with the evil Azrael and all their human companions is the foundation of this mystery. Events that affect one resident touch yet another so all their lives are intertwined. Seeing just how much one action leads to another and following the trail of the consequences is fascinating and absorbing.
The solution to the many mysteries examined throughout the book is not expected at the outset yet every clue slowly leads up to the ultimate solution. The three cats, with some smart deductions from their human companions, manage to track down the thieves and reveal the murderer.
This is the ninth entry in the Joe Grey series, and plenty of information from previous events is woven into the storyline to provide background on the people and their relationships. I heartily await the next cat tale in Molena Point and hope Joe Grey and company keep the residents safe.
A mysterious set of burglaries has beset the residents of Molena Point and other towns up and down the California coast. Select items of antiques and jewelry are disappearing including Clyde Damon's lovingly restored Packard, leaving absolutely no clues as to how the items disappeared. What sort of thief would take the most valuable piece and leave the rest? One out for thrills.
A former resident of Molena Point, Kate Osborne is living in San Francisco to track down information on her biological parents. She finds information on her grandfather who was a building contractor and founded and built the San Francisco Cat Museum. When visiting her grandfather's aging attorney, he gives her twelve pieces of unique jewelry, several featuring cats. The workmanship is centuries old, the gold valuable, but the jewels apparently paste. She wears one of them to her friend Charlie's gallery opening featuring her paintings and sketches centered on animals, including the three cats. The next morning an evil black tomcat known as Azrael snoops in Kate's suitcase, from which he steals her safe deposit box key, intent on finding the jewelry.
Returning to San Francisco, Kate tries to shake the strong feeling that she is being followed and looks forward to a visit from Kit's human family, 80-year-old newlyweds Lucinda and Pedric Greenlaw. They'll be home soon after traveling in their RV, but tragedy strikes before they arrive.
How three sleuthing cats interact with the evil Azrael and all their human companions is the foundation of this mystery. Events that affect one resident touch yet another so all their lives are intertwined. Seeing just how much one action leads to another and following the trail of the consequences is fascinating and absorbing.
The solution to the many mysteries examined throughout the book is not expected at the outset yet every clue slowly leads up to the ultimate solution. The three cats, with some smart deductions from their human companions, manage to track down the thieves and reveal the murderer.
This is the ninth entry in the Joe Grey series, and plenty of information from previous events is woven into the storyline to provide background on the people and their relationships. I heartily await the next cat tale in Molena Point and hope Joe Grey and company keep the residents safe.
May 7, 2016
Loved the book, as I have the entire series so far. My only complaint with this one was the character Kate Osborn. She knew someone was following her. She knew hey had broken into her house. She knew they had probably stolen her set of keys. And yet she did NOTHING! She didn't report it to the police, she didn't change the locks. Nothing! This really surprised me because I'd always thought she was pretty smart but that was just the dumbest thing a woman could ever do - ignore the obvious. She is lucky she wasn't accosted in her own home!
Lucky for her Joe Grey is keeping tabs on the citizens of Molena Point even when they aren't there.
Lucky for her Joe Grey is keeping tabs on the citizens of Molena Point even when they aren't there.
April 13, 2018
Azreal, the evil black tomcat is back prowling around the town. Joe is uneasy wondering what he doing and who human partner is. Priceless objects have stolen including Clyde. Favorite restore car. Kate Osborne is being stalk for her jewelry. Wilma receives the news that Greenlaws have killed in a traffic accident and Kit is deeply grieving. These plots are interwoven for the story.
November 1, 2024
This book is amazing, with so many plot twists and turns. It was a very captivating story. Be sure and read this book, you'll love it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2018
Molena Point, California, located on the northern coast, a short drive from San Francisco. Lately it has been subject to a number of bold burglaries, antiques, art, jewellery and more. Could the re-appearance of Azrael, the black furred evil one, be behind it all.
Joe Grey and Dulcie, two felines with unusual talents, think so. What gets the investigation in gear is the death of a waiter during an art reception for Charlie Harper. The two cats notice that the Dark One is lurking. There is also the matter of the handsome philanderer and a stalker and how they tie in to it all.
When Azrael is around, there is an evil atmosphere and the definite possibility of something bad happening. This was a feeling that came up while reading the book when I read the scenes involving this character. A bit spooky, I'd say.
This may be cozy in some aspects, but I'd say there is a good dose of suspense too.
Joe Grey and Dulcie, two felines with unusual talents, think so. What gets the investigation in gear is the death of a waiter during an art reception for Charlie Harper. The two cats notice that the Dark One is lurking. There is also the matter of the handsome philanderer and a stalker and how they tie in to it all.
When Azrael is around, there is an evil atmosphere and the definite possibility of something bad happening. This was a feeling that came up while reading the book when I read the scenes involving this character. A bit spooky, I'd say.
This may be cozy in some aspects, but I'd say there is a good dose of suspense too.
March 10, 2020
This was such a great story! I was sewing last night and looked up and saw it was 1:40 AM! I don’t think I have ever done that! Shirley Rousseau Murphy writes the absolute best stories! This book, not only does it include the Celtic tale about the Devil Cat, Asriel (I think that is the correct spelling) but talks about the Celtic Legends, the underworld, and although, I personally am not inclined to believe the tales, this book is great.
The other interesting thing, the “bad” guy, he is the ultimate thief, cheat, rotten, no good weasel....you get the picture. Interesting book. Once again, my compliments to the author!
The other interesting thing, the “bad” guy, he is the ultimate thief, cheat, rotten, no good weasel....you get the picture. Interesting book. Once again, my compliments to the author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2024
Another good entry in the Joe Grey series. I like the call back to characters and events from previous books but this made for too many storylines that weren't fully concluded. Azrael will be back. What's up with the cat underworld? Kate clearly hasn't finished exploring her feline side. Clyde needs a better half but neither of the current options seem to be going any where. Dylan's life is a mess, etc. The snarky way the cat's solve crimes is still enjoyable but the overall story was less focused.
July 30, 2022
This was one of my favorites of this series. The author did go over some of the same material several times. This caused me to start skimming. For instance Lucinda had told Wilma all about the RV being stolen and their escape. Then when they talked to the police in SF it was told all over again. Murphy, like so many authors, fills her word count quota with needless information. But I do like the stories.
February 4, 2020
Still a few typos that should’ve been caught by the editor of somebody, but not too many. I loved the reconnection to the background story, as told in “The Catswold Portal” (I recommend reading that before this series). And I love the way the author portrays the cats’ personalities, especially Kit, who’s so emotional.
November 23, 2024
Still loving it
Up to book nine in the series and I still love it. The characters are given more depth and show more of their lives. The mysteries are detailed and believable - even with talking cats. 😁 Looking forward to the rest!
Up to book nine in the series and I still love it. The characters are given more depth and show more of their lives. The mysteries are detailed and believable - even with talking cats. 😁 Looking forward to the rest!
July 1, 2017
Storylines keep getting better
Surprising plot twists. Characters from previous books combine in new subplots. A new level of action for this great series.
Surprising plot twists. Characters from previous books combine in new subplots. A new level of action for this great series.
October 29, 2018
Another adventure in crime detection for Joe Grey and company. Such twisted plots from Shirley Rousseau Murphy as told from a cat's view.
December 3, 2018
an excellent, entertaining book
November 25, 2020
A quick read, full of clever thefts, trickery, prowling cats, and a hint of the uncanny.
December 2, 2020
Talking cat, you always wanted to know what they're saying... now you can.
February 18, 2021
Adding new characters is great in this story. Love the characters and how they grow. I do all these on audio and the reader is spot on with keeping the characters as they are. Such a good read
April 13, 2024
I like this series. This was one of the better stories in it.
April 21, 2024
A delightful read.
May 19, 2024
Holy exposition Batman
June 26, 2024
Always a treat to spend time with Joe Grey, Dulcie and the Kit!
February 28, 2017
Azreal is back. Hopefully this will be his last appearance.
February 14, 2017
When high end valuables disappear from Molena Point, CA feline detective Joe Gray starts nosing around until he realizes his arch enemy, the evil black cat is back. Joe's lady love Dulcie and the Kit are also back for the 9th Joe Gray cozy mystery series. I really enjoy the fantasy of the cats being able to speak and that there may be a struggle for good and evil among their world. I'm definitely going to be ordering the 10th in the series!
February 22, 2008
This might be the longest book I’ve ever read but I can tell you that you don’t get bored in all the 323 pages (I really mean it). Also as most of my friends know I love cats and this book talks about cats and of a mystery that you will never know if you don’t finish the book. I also recommend this book because Shirley Rousseu writes incredible. I also read some other books by her like “Cat Seeing Double” and I love how she uses their person perspective on all her books. I also like how she created the character Joe Grey so mysterious and funny. The trama of this book is really impressive and interesting, old artifacts being lost mysteriously at night and the only suspected is a cat. But the main reason I chose the book I because Shirley has won six national Cat Writers Association Awards. In conclusion I give this book five stars because it is o interesting and it has an end that you will never guess.
July 11, 2015
Cute idea, just not a fan of using multiple characters point of view.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
August 27, 2009
This 9th Joe Grey book moved us strongly back to the world of Catswold Portal what with shape shifters and the cat Azrael wanting to find a way to the underworld. The village life was less central except for Charlie & the police chief and elderly Lucinda & Pedric. The mystery/crime was a little too easy to figure out but the mystery of the speaking cats and their world was front and center and left me wanting more. More of the mystical old race of cat creatures and more of my friends in Molena Point.
August 7, 2016
Only two stars. The first half of this book spent a lot of time on the characters thinking and ruminating and wondering and guessing what could be going on in Molena Point. This was also convenient to work in a fair amount of re-hashing content from prior books, in case the reader started the series with this one. Plot please! Meh. I like the cats in these books, but if the next one isn't better, I'm done.
December 20, 2014
so much internalized misogyny in this. not even in the sense that bashing women was the central focus, but a lot of the language and throwaway comments just seem like...like they support the concept that women who fall into the role of good women, or "classy" women, are the only ones who deserve respect.
otherwise though, a cutesy, quick-read, mystery novel?
otherwise though, a cutesy, quick-read, mystery novel?
July 26, 2016
This "Joe Grey" fantasy cat-detective novel is readable, but weak and implausible. As in many long-running series, my willing suspension of disbelief suffers from the sheer quantity of mayhem that happens to Our Heroes and their pals. Maybe Murphy needs a fresh start with a new series, I'd guess. Note that the first 4 or 5 Joe Greys are delightful. Just don't start here!
March 8, 2009
Good, good, good.
July 5, 2011
A certain black cat comes back and look out!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews