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Joe Grey #4
Cat in the Dark
I'm a cat," said Dulcie. "Of course I worry, Joe. What is the cops catch one of us opening a skylight and masterminding a robbery? The tabloids will love it. Every nut in the country will read about the trained burglar-cat...Or, heaven forbid the talking cat..."Dulcie is right it be worried, for the precious peace of sleepy little Molena Point is threatened as never before.
There's a new cat in town: Azreal, a renegade tom with a penchant for voodoo, a scorn for his fellow felines, and a nasty hatred of humans. And he's quickly escalating toward murder most foul.
Dulcie and Joe Grey both knew the score--they have seen Azreal in action. His nocturnal depredations threaten the very fabric of their lives. Dulcie could lose her spot as library cat. Even the evening handout for Jolly's Deli is at risk.
But how can they expose the criminal without letting millions of ordinary, untrustworthy humans in on the secret that certain select cats can think and talk?
Cat in the Dark is the newest foray into the human-haunted world of Joe Gray and Dulcie, whose uncanny abilities. and extraordinary intuitions are helping to make small town crime a losing proposition. So far.
Joe Gray, P.I. It was not until the next morning that Joe, brushing past Clyde's bare feet, leaping to the kitchen table and pawing open the morning Gazette, learned more about the burglary at Medder's Antiques. He read the article as Clyde stood at the stove frying eggs. Two over easy for Clyde, one sunny-side up with sardines for Joe. It had taken a bit of doing to get Clyde trained, but the effort has been worth it.
"What are you reading?" Clyde picked Joe up as if he were a bag of flour, so he could see the paper.
Joe dangled impatiently, twitching his tail, as Clyde read.
Clyde sat down at the table and dumped pepper on his eggs. "So this is why you've been scowling and snarling all morning, this burglary."
I haven't been scowling and snarling," Joe slurped up a sardine, dipping it in egg yoke. "Why would I bother with a simple break and enter? The police can handle the simple stuff."
Clyde raised an eyebrow.
"So there's a new cat in the village. So are you satisfied? It's nothing to worry you, nothing to fret over."
Clyde was silent a moment, watching him. "I take it this is a tomcat. What did he do, come onto Dulcie?"
Joe glared at him. The stupid humans could be all too perceptive at the wrong times.
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 1998
68 people are currently reading
519 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Rousseau Murphy
62 books515 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 88 reviews
April 10, 2018
Dulcie & Mavity are featured in the 4th book of the Joe Grey tales. Dulcie's role as the library cat is challenged. Azreal, a black cat with evil tendencies enters the story. He tempts Dulcie with stories of voodoo and dark jungles. Joe & Dulcie watch Azreal & his human partner Greeley burglarized several stores. They recognized that Azreal is able to speak like them. Only to learned Greenly is Mavity's brother. Another super story.
August 3, 2018
These are such good mysteries and I love how the author blends in real feline antics to the stories. Same great main characters. Such good palet refreshers in between heavyweight reads. Wonderful adventure cozies.
April 29, 2017
This fourth entry in the Joe Grey series is a mystery featuring amateur sleuths Joe Grey and Dulcie, two sentient cats who are more than best friends. I think this entry has a line going through it about love, or lack of love, and the various kinds of love. Joe Grey and Dulcie are very much in love and spend as much of their time together as possible. They love to investigate crimes. They must do so carefully since they don’t want to reveal their special abilities of speech and reading. Sound too far gone and unbelievable? Not so in Mrs. Murphy’s skilled hands or in Susan Boyce’s proficient narration.
Wilma’s niece Charlie’s new Clean it, Fix it business was doing well. Under the cats’ silent supervision, she had two employees to whom she was delegating the cleaning and minor repairs – Mavity and Pearl Ann -- while Charlie did the heavier fixing. Both are working at an investment guru’s place who works by computer at home. Pearl Ann just loves what he does with the little bit of money she’s given him to invest, until later when she discovers what he’s actually done with it.
When Mavity disappears, no one knows why or where. The town searches for her until finally a woman is found unconscious in the back seat of her car which has apparently hit a lamp post. Mavity’s worst wound came from a screw driver hitting her, not the car accident, and she has temporarily lost her memory. She is taken to the hospital where she is quickly identified. Afterward Wilma takes Mavity into her home to help her regain her memory. Dulcie comforts Mavity and gathers clues.
Mavity’s brother Greely is in town on a visit, only he has rented a store room as the only place he could find to rent and get drunk. He has an all black cat named Azrael who is evil. He and the other cats do not get along and actually enter several fights. Azrael is also sentient and cruel. He enjoys scaring Dulcie. He actually jumps to attack Mavity, but Dulcie jumps to stop him, and they fight until he runs off.
One action that makes this story explode is made by the investor. He had his doubts about Pearl Ann. Via Dulcie and Joe Grey, we know that Pearl Ann had entered his home with the key she had to clean with, and spent many hours on his computer. He supposedly leaves his home for a short trip, but he hides his car a few blocks away and returns home quietly to find Pearl Ann working on his computer. What follows is rather nasty!
When we finally reach the end when humans and cats all share a picnic, we again visit family ties and how family interacts with each other and outsiders. A few humans leave Molena Point with the possibility of return one day. Molena Point is the better for it.
Sandie Herron
Wilma’s niece Charlie’s new Clean it, Fix it business was doing well. Under the cats’ silent supervision, she had two employees to whom she was delegating the cleaning and minor repairs – Mavity and Pearl Ann -- while Charlie did the heavier fixing. Both are working at an investment guru’s place who works by computer at home. Pearl Ann just loves what he does with the little bit of money she’s given him to invest, until later when she discovers what he’s actually done with it.
When Mavity disappears, no one knows why or where. The town searches for her until finally a woman is found unconscious in the back seat of her car which has apparently hit a lamp post. Mavity’s worst wound came from a screw driver hitting her, not the car accident, and she has temporarily lost her memory. She is taken to the hospital where she is quickly identified. Afterward Wilma takes Mavity into her home to help her regain her memory. Dulcie comforts Mavity and gathers clues.
Mavity’s brother Greely is in town on a visit, only he has rented a store room as the only place he could find to rent and get drunk. He has an all black cat named Azrael who is evil. He and the other cats do not get along and actually enter several fights. Azrael is also sentient and cruel. He enjoys scaring Dulcie. He actually jumps to attack Mavity, but Dulcie jumps to stop him, and they fight until he runs off.
One action that makes this story explode is made by the investor. He had his doubts about Pearl Ann. Via Dulcie and Joe Grey, we know that Pearl Ann had entered his home with the key she had to clean with, and spent many hours on his computer. He supposedly leaves his home for a short trip, but he hides his car a few blocks away and returns home quietly to find Pearl Ann working on his computer. What follows is rather nasty!
When we finally reach the end when humans and cats all share a picnic, we again visit family ties and how family interacts with each other and outsiders. A few humans leave Molena Point with the possibility of return one day. Molena Point is the better for it.
Sandie Herron
June 22, 2012
Once again, I spend a delightful few hours traipsing through the impossibly quaint Molena Point with talking cat detectives, and then I give the book away because it's not worth owning for another read.
In this (the fourth Joe Grey mystery, I believe), a new cat is introduced, and it is kind of nice to have the change of pace of whole scenes without humans in them that aren't just the flirtations of Joe and Dulcie. The introduction of jealousy was fun, too, in terms of not only underscoring how human the character of Dulcie is, but being able to get into all of the intricate little habits that cats have when they're honked off at each other.
I will say this about Murphy, she has cat mannerisms pegged. But so much of this story felt invented (which you shouldn't actually notice in fiction, and the woman never met a simile she didn't like. Quite evocative imagery, sometimes, but when the page has more "like"s than Facebook, it's time to break out a metaphor or something.
As usual, a good distraction and pleasant read.
In this (the fourth Joe Grey mystery, I believe), a new cat is introduced, and it is kind of nice to have the change of pace of whole scenes without humans in them that aren't just the flirtations of Joe and Dulcie. The introduction of jealousy was fun, too, in terms of not only underscoring how human the character of Dulcie is, but being able to get into all of the intricate little habits that cats have when they're honked off at each other.
I will say this about Murphy, she has cat mannerisms pegged. But so much of this story felt invented (which you shouldn't actually notice in fiction, and the woman never met a simile she didn't like. Quite evocative imagery, sometimes, but when the page has more "like"s than Facebook, it's time to break out a metaphor or something.
As usual, a good distraction and pleasant read.
August 17, 2021
I just could never get into the story. This book was not as I expected after hearing good reviews on the authors books.
January 11, 2021
Another fun adventure with Joe Grey and Dulcie!
April 25, 2021
Great writing, great characters, and such a twist! I enjoyed reading it the entire time!
December 30, 2023
Joe and Dulcie have their work cut out for them solving the murders and coping with Greasly’s evil cat.
April 3, 2016
I wonder if the author hates fat people, as a couple of semi-important characters from Georgia or 'bouts are introduced to us as being rather portly and then, in practically every single other scene from there on, we are reminded that they are fat, gluttonous people, the author making sure to frame each description as negatively as possible. We're given little else to feel about them, even though they do have actual agendas besides being fat, but we take away, at the end of the book, that they were fat people.
The actual mystery itself was pretty damn mediocre. There are more interesting books in this series.
The actual mystery itself was pretty damn mediocre. There are more interesting books in this series.
August 10, 2017
I am slowly working my way through the series and love each one. Sometimes they can be a worry or a challenge - why? Because I worry about the cats, the danger, and sometimes the really sinister characters they encounter. The world that Shirley Rousseau Murphy has created slowly develops book by book, and the magic of Molena Point weaves its spell as you curl up and enter the world of Joe Grey and his feline friends.
October 10, 2013
I am addicted to Joe Grey and Dulcie and now the Kit...the books get better and better and I intend to read each and every one. Joe and his relationship with his human room mate Clyde can be rocky at times,but there is (dare I say it?)love between the two which creeps in amidst the fussing and feuding over Joe's propensity for getting involved on police matters. Yes. I admit it. I love Joe Grey.
December 22, 2012
You just can't beat talking kitties! The murder mystery part of the story was alright, not stellar but good enough...but I just love Dulcie and Joe. Definitely going to be looking up some more in this series.
June 18, 2019
This was my least favorite of the first 4 I've read. Maybe it touched on a little too much reality with fraud, scams and using people. I'll read another, but hope they're not on a darker course. I read these for an escape. I mean, really, they're talking cats!! Who needs realism?
May 11, 2017
This Joe Grey really sucked me in right from the start. It's very clever and Azrael is a terrific villain.
June 16, 2017
So many plot twists
A story with a long series of plot twists.
A mystery book with enough plot twists to keep even the most avid reader ready to turn the next page.
A story with a long series of plot twists.
A mystery book with enough plot twists to keep even the most avid reader ready to turn the next page.
November 17, 2017
Abandoned on page 96 of 311. Too dark
February 18, 2021
This whole series is amazing. If you love cats of course. The audio version is very good, love the reader.
October 14, 2024
There are a lot of new Characters in this book, some evil, some criminally rotten and of course the pet detectives. Charlie, Wilma's niece, has her own business, "Charlie's Fix-It, Clean-It". She is worried about Clyde's new project, he bought a run-down apartment complex, and Charlie was feeling overwhelmed with the plumbing and electrical wiring needing to be fixed. Plus it was a lot more work than what her business was about. But she does have a good worker, Mavity, she is a great cleaner and
very dependable. She has a new employee that does the electrical and plumbing repairs. But Mavity is having family at her house and she is preoccupied and late and getting worn down. But she thinks it may all work out, so why is she worrying? Then the only tenant gets murdered and Mavity disappears, so the police thinks she might be the murderer. After a lot of cat sleuthing, the murder starts to come together, but Dulcie has to wait for an unwanted guest to get off the phone. And when she finally gets the Police Chief on the line, she tells most of news she found about the murder and she thinks someone is out to get her and she yowls and Clyde hears her and runs to save her . The chief was stuck on the phone with no answers. But guess what you'll have to read the book to find out
very dependable. She has a new employee that does the electrical and plumbing repairs. But Mavity is having family at her house and she is preoccupied and late and getting worn down. But she thinks it may all work out, so why is she worrying? Then the only tenant gets murdered and Mavity disappears, so the police thinks she might be the murderer. After a lot of cat sleuthing, the murder starts to come together, but Dulcie has to wait for an unwanted guest to get off the phone. And when she finally gets the Police Chief on the line, she tells most of news she found about the murder and she thinks someone is out to get her and she yowls and Clyde hears her and runs to save her . The chief was stuck on the phone with no answers. But guess what you'll have to read the book to find out
November 7, 2021
Another great book in the Joe Grey series. Imagine how many crimes the police could solve if they could use the senses and instincts of cats! Still good mysteries and new characters. The talking, crime-solving cats continue to entertain. I can imagine my cats being excited about hunting their prey and being disgusted by humans, dogs and any one else they deem beneath them. I hope someone turns these books into a series at some point. It seems like more people are going to be let in on the cat's secret soon. Too many unexplained events happen when the cats are around and people are starting to notice.
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December 28, 2023I have been slowly reading through this cozy mystery series with anthropomorphism - reading, talking, using the phone... lol. They are strange and cute and the mystery part is pretty good. It seems that almost every year for the past few there have been prompts in my challenges that fit these books well. I have gotten to like the cats, and their owners, and the police that try to solve these crimes and are uncomfortable with the cats that seem to be around too often when crimes are happening.
Using this book for the The 52 Book Club 2023 Challenge prompt #50 - Related to the word "Murder"
Using this book for the The 52 Book Club 2023 Challenge prompt #50 - Related to the word "Murder"
September 11, 2018
Another mystery solved with the help of a mysterious voice on the phone? This book introduced more intrigue to the fantasy aspect of this storyline. Can cats tell the future? Can they change the course of events with this power? When visitors come to town, Dulcie and Joe begin having run-ins with a cat like themselves though somehow different. While exploring the mysteries he brings with him, another mystery unfolds that leads to murder. Soon they find themselves dropping hints to the local sheriff and searching for clues to protect those they love...
November 3, 2021
- Weirdly obsessive fat-phobia (it's one thing to describe people very negatively as fat/gluttonous, but eventually after several scenes where they were just being described in the same ways and in the same negative, mocking light, I wanted to shout at the book, "we get it! They're fat!"
- Murderer was a man in a dress.
- Black cat character is evil and into evil voodoo.
All old annoying cliches that I'm extremely not into. I'd liked the other books in this series, but this one was not at all for me.
- Murderer was a man in a dress.
- Black cat character is evil and into evil voodoo.
All old annoying cliches that I'm extremely not into. I'd liked the other books in this series, but this one was not at all for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2021
Talking cats investigate mysterious events, including murder, in a quaint sea-side California town. One talking cat lives with an ex-PI-turned librarian. The other talking cat lives with an antique car expert/apartment house developer. The tips and clues these felines convey lead the local constabulary to suspect something unusual is afoot, or should I say a-paw?
March 9, 2024
This was very good. I liked all the intrigue and a few twists at the end. Was a bit surprised that the murder didn't happen until about 60% in. One plot point was left open at the end, so I'm thinking it will continue or make an appearance in a future book. Still love Joe and Dulcie. I would love it if my cats could talk, although that might be a bad thing! XD
April 16, 2024
3.5⭐️
Such a fun way to write a murder mystery! I live the concept of having cats solve a mystery. Definitely fun and can see myself reading more.
I kinda had to rush this because my Libby time was almost up. I feel like I would have given 4 had I not waiting. That’s my bad. I’ll probably re-pick it up again!
Such a fun way to write a murder mystery! I live the concept of having cats solve a mystery. Definitely fun and can see myself reading more.
I kinda had to rush this because my Libby time was almost up. I feel like I would have given 4 had I not waiting. That’s my bad. I’ll probably re-pick it up again!
May 12, 2025
I expected a rather silly book somewhat like the others I've read but this one was great! Joe Grey and Dulcie are of an ancient breed of cat who can speak to humans and can hide basically in plain sight all the while listening in. When a 3rd cat of their breed comes to town with his criminal human, Joe and Dulcie are the only ones who can solve the mystery.
July 28, 2018
This is #4 in the Joe Grey series, and my favorite so far! A new tomcat comes to town, upsetting the feline balance of things. I love that the cat drama is mirrored by the human drama. The mystery is compelling and not too predictable.
October 14, 2019
What an absolutely delightful tale! I am totally taken by the stories of these two cats and the things they have been getting into. I find the books, on audio, just a fun and imaginative escape! For anyone who is a cat lover, I highly recommend this series!
February 19, 2020
Never fails to entertain
I loved the introduction of new characters, specially of Azrael. I hope we see more of him. I wonder who will be let in the cats secret on the next book. This mystery was very engaging!
I loved the introduction of new characters, specially of Azrael. I hope we see more of him. I wonder who will be let in the cats secret on the next book. This mystery was very engaging!
April 11, 2020
The most curious thing to me is that the image of the two main story cats on the cover to not match the description within the pages of the book. Still, I enjoy the relationships, the tour of the town, the detailed description of the library, and the intrigue.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews