Cat Spitting Mad

Joe Grey #6

by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

“Cat lovers will cuddle right up to Joe and his pals . . . plenty of murder and mayhem for those who like to take their detective fiction straight up.” —Publishers WeeklyHell hath no fury like a feline enraged. Though Joe Grey and Dulcie are merely housecats, they each have a strong sense of justice—to complement their uncanny ability to read, speak, and use the telephone. And they’re furious that Max Harper, police chief of Molena Point and preferred target for Joe’s harmless pranks, has been accused of a gruesome double murder.The fleet-footed sleuthing duo is intent upon restoring an old friend’s good name. But finding the missing little girl who was sole witness to the crime won’t be easy—especially with a hungry cougar on the prowl, a cat-killer on the loose . . . and the kittenish antics of Joe and Dulcie’s playful new “ward” causing big trouble that could take more than nine lives to survive.“The sixth mystery featuring sentient, talking felines Joe Grey and Dulcie . . . will have their fans wanting to down the sometimes scary, madcap tale in one gulp.” —Booklist“Murphy’s fine writing can make her feline fantasy worthwhile.” —Kirkus Reviews ”A special treat for those cat mystery fans.” —Library Journal

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

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 26, 2000

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

[[Name Redacted] · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an odd series.

The third novel, which was my original introduction to the series, completely avoided the Celtic fantasy & urban-fantasy angles -- yes, there were the two talking cats, but the implication seemed to be that they were a new evolutionary branch. Then a couple years back I decided to start the series over from book 1, and discovered that it had actually been a series about a lost race of Celtic shapechangers and their feline kinfolk... It's just that for some reason book 3 dropped that element. 4 & 5 resumed that whole urban fantasy angle, but didn't really do much with it (other than introducing two more talking cats).

This one, book 6, goes a bit harder on it, though. There's hints of an underground fairyland where the catfolk might be hiding, the feline shapechanger from the first novel (who disappeared at the end of that one & was never mentioned again) returns, characters have prophetic visions, etc. And I loved all of that. It's a shame the plot was arguably my least favorite plot -- good guy is framed and there's a conspiracy of powerful elites after him. At least he didn't go on the run too, I guess, but I was so dang eager to finish trudging through that awful cliche that I can't say I enjoyed the book itself.

I'll give book 7 a try (might as well, since I own it too), but I don't think I'll be continuing past that unless the series demonstrably improves.

EDIT: I have learned that it is very difficult to write coherent reviews while your toddler is demanding you play unicorns with her instead and her neurodivergent sibling is demanding that he be allowed to eat dessert on penalty of explosion.

[Sandie Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Grey and Dulcie are fed well at home in Molena Point, California, but they still enjoy the thrill and taste of the hunt. Joe Grey and Dulcie are sentient cats. Each obtained their abilities to speak, read, and understand human language when the ancient Celtic myths were made known to them. The cats and their humans’ lives are never the same again.

Max Harper, captain of the Molena Point Police Department, enjoys horseback riding. When Dillon asks Max if he would teach her to ride, he agrees, but only if the mother and daughter of a family he sometimes rode with also went along. He is worried about how it might look to others having a single man and a 13-year-old girl out alone. He is also concerned when the four ride on a Saturday morning with three escaped convicts at large following their breakout from San Quentin.

Kit is also a speaking cat, but she is used to her feral ways and is finding it hard to adjust to living with humans without giving up her freedom to roam. Kit is going to live with Lucinda and Pedric Greenlaw but not until they have traveled in their RV since Kit becomes violently ill riding in it. The Greenlaws will travel now, before their health is compromised by old age, and Kit will wait for their return, living with Dulcie at Wilma’s house.

It is no surprise to Joe Grey and Dulcie when Kit runs off for days. They finally decide to go looking for her rather than worrying, Therefore, Joe Grey and Dulcie are out in the hills when they hear a woman scream, and then another. Kit hears the screams, too. The three cats converge on a bloody scene finding Captain Harper’s riding mates, both the mother and daughter, dead with their throats slashed. Dillon is missing although her horse returned home with a broken and empty saddle. With no human witnesses as to his movement Saturday afternoon, Max is accused of murder and kidnapping.

Joe Grey has passed along a number of clues from various investigations to Captain Harper, and he trusts Max implicitly. Now some lowlife has accused Max of some indecency on his horseback rides with Dillon, especially since she is missing. Joe is livid. He must investigate this allegation and the
murders and save Max Harper’s life and his reputation.

The Molena Point community joins together to find Dillon and to discover who killed the two women. The good people of this little town impress me throughout many mysteries with how well they work as a team while still allowing for individuality. Shirley Rousseau Murphy builds on this premise during the many situations that arise. She expertly weaves their lives, passions, and beliefs together to give us stories to enjoy on our Saturday afternoons or whenever we want to be transported to a fictional haven. She has written an extraordinary story, which Susan Boyce expounds on with her narration. A highly recommended mystery.

[Brenda Jenkins Kleager · Rating 5 out of 5]

The is the most delightful cat mystery series yet. The fact that the cats communicate with each other and their humans lends a demension to the stories that all cat-lovers adore.

[Kinyorda Sliwiak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to keep me entertained. This book kept the story fresh with a new murder to solve while bringing back characters from earlier entries in the series. Talking cats that solve mysteries is my happy place.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually read spy thrillers and mysteries, but enjoy fantasy books featuring cat detectives whether talking or not — sometimes as a lighthearted break from intense stories. I had enjoyed other cat novels and when I saw this offered at discount on Kindle with so many 5 star reviews, I was very excited. Well, this isn’t a series to start in the middle I think; the story was fine, but not the 5 star level for me. First of all, I kept feeling like I was missing a lot of the history of what went on in previous books, I felt kind of left out on the details. I wasn’t going to get any more of this series but it kept coming back into my head, and I finally thought maybe I should try the audiobook version of the first book in the series and get those niggling questions answered. As it turned out, Audible had the first and several subsequent audiobooks available and actually free for members at my level (platinum, I think). I listened to the first book and I am hooked for life, and have listened to the next 3 books in the series and will keep going. There is a point near the end of the first book where you get a core sense of the personality and philosophy of each cat, and they are different, yet I admire them both: I can identify with one, and wish I was more like the other. Maybe that’s what hooked me.

[Katia Gold · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is my 1st introduction to the Joey Grey series and it seems that I should have started from the beginning as they are hints here and there that there is more to the story than "simply" talking cats.... So I made make abstraction of that for my rating. Once I accepted that premise, I enjoyed the character depiction of the cats - very funny and often spot-on at least with how we, humans, imagine our cats thinking. But, as mentioned in other reviews, I was a little disappointed by a) the over-simplistic types of protagonists with the oh-so-romantic widowed cop with perfect moral compass, a very mature 13-year old girl who really talks like an adult, and the evil bad guys; b) the fact that some details of the story [sorry, can't give too many details to avoid spoilers] do not add up for me.

[Chris Meads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good mystery with Joe Gray, Dulce and Kit.

This time it's Kit who sees what happens and is scared enough to hide from everyone. Until a mountain lion visits the hills above Molena Point. The problem is that some one is trying to frame Max Harper, the chief of police. Who is doing it? Joe is out to get whoever is doing it--he believes Max didn't do it and will help any way his paws can.

I enjoy these books--they make you feel you are a part of the family in Molena Point and can cuddle with Dulce and Kit. I really doubt Joe is of the cuddling type.

[Ivy ThisSmallLife · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first I've read of this series, so I went into it unequipped of the context, although relevant details that went on in the previous books were sufficiently explained. I just personally don't trust brief asides as the impression I get from them can be misleading or inaccurate. Anyway, it was pretty engaging. It was not as cozy as I was expecting a mystery with a cat in it to be. I think things tie up nicely, but I also felt that there were too many things going on that it got a little confusing for me from time to time.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could hardly wait to hear the finish of this book. It was excellent! The suspense that Shirley Rousseau Murphy puts into the stories has me staying up late and listening in the shower! I really enjoyed this story. It involves escapes from San Quentin, bad guys, murders, setting up good guys, finding snitches among the supposed good guys. Just delicious. And the addition of the “big cat”, the Cougar, and the hunting details. Well, it was excellent!

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe Grey and Dulcie are talking cats but they only talk to a few they trust. Their little ward "Kit" keeps getting in trouble. Kate, Wilma and Clyde together with the cats try to solve the murders and find the little girl who could clear Max Harper as well. There is a cougar in the outskirts of the town which poses another obstacle. Its a fun read especially if you like cats.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book difficult to read. At first, I thought it was because I wasn't familiar with the characters. But as I read farther into the book, I decided it must be the writing style that I struggled with. I thought the murder mystery was okay on its own but I didn't care for the talking cats characters.

[JOYCE DURHAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

murder and mayhem

I live in California and I love it here, but I would never live in Modena Point. For a small town there is too much murder and mayhem. That’s not to say I don’t love the books about all that stuff.
Enjoy this episode of all the trouble these people can get themselves into.

[Sissy A. Bèans · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cats are so REAL! I keep looking at my cat waiting for her to say something!

These cats make me want to ask where my cat goes at night! It is so good and entertaining! And so riveting! Each book is that way!

[Elizabeth Perales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting from beginning to end.

This book went right into the excitement. Everything seems lost for one of our loved characters, that is until Joe takes matters into his own paws. Must read.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that the cats could talk and be understood by selective humans. I wonder down the road if one of the characters will get in on the secret. He is in love with one of the humans who can understand them. Enjoyable read during the summer of the pandemic.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery is quite dark, two women killed, a child missing and 3 dangerous criminals escaping from jail. Even though there are talking cats involved, I wouldn’t label it as cozy. The characters, human and feline, are well drawn, and the suspense is well timed. This series is growing on me.

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book, even better if you love cats.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another case solved with the help of Joe Grey, Dulcie, and Kit. I like all the characters in this book. Definitely a great read.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were a couple typos in this edition—wrong word or name.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute fun read

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of the nine books in this series that I've now read, I liked this one better than most. I especially like the kit of the trio and she was in this book front and center.

[sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite one so far , characters stay on point and continue to get better with each book. I’m so glad I found this series. The reader for the audio books is great!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy mystery from the perspective of the cat, yes please lol

[Eleni Konstantine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I finished the book , I ust couldn't get into the animal (cat) narrator in a mystery.

[Thalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the idea for this story is unusual, I found the text a bit erratic and unclear in places but not so distracting that I couldn't follow it and finish reading.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book was very kept me on the edge of my seat. Read it you'll like it.

[Ronna Gangluff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talking Cats?

A charming adventure,mystery full of enough twists to keep you in the loop, but not totally give it all away.

[Connie Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute book about solving crime. I am an animal and saw this book a a yard sale and could not resist it.

[Sandie Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Grey and Dulcie are fed well at home in Molena Point, California, but they still enjoy the thrill and taste of the hunt. Joe Grey and Dulcie are sentient cats. Each obtained their abilities to speak, read, and understand human language when the ancient Celtic myths were made known to them. The cats and their humans’ lives are never the same again.

Max Harper, captain of the Molena Point Police Department, enjoys horseback riding. When Dillon asks Max if he would teach her to ride, he agrees, but only if the mother and daughter of a family he sometimes rode with also went along. He is worried about how it might look to others having a single man and a 13-year-old girl out alone. He is also concerned when the four ride on a Saturday morning with three escaped convicts at large following their breakout from San Quentin.

Kit is also a speaking cat, but she is used to her feral ways and is finding it hard to adjust to living with humans without giving up her freedom to roam. Kit is going to live with Lucinda and Pedric Greenlaw but not until they have traveled in their RV since Kit becomes violently ill riding in it. The Greenlaws will travel now, before their health is compromised by old age, and Kit will wait for their return, living with Dulcie at Wilma’s house.

It is no surprise to Joe Grey and Dulcie when Kit runs off for days. They finally decide to go looking for her rather than worrying, Therefore, Joe Grey and Dulcie are out in the hills when they hear a woman scream, and then another. Kit hears the screams, too. The three cats converge on a bloody scene finding Captain Harper’s riding mates, both the mother and daughter, dead with their throats slashed. Dillon is missing although her horse returned home with a broken and empty saddle. With no human witnesses as to his movement Saturday afternoon, Max is accused of murder and kidnapping.

Joe Grey has passed along a number of clues from various investigations to Captain Harper, and he trusts Max implicitly. Now some lowlife has accused Max of some indecency on his horseback rides with Dillon, especially since she is missing. Joe is livid. He must investigate this allegation and the
murders and save Max Harper’s life and his reputation.

The Molena Point community joins together to find Dillon and to discover who killed the two women. The good people of this little town impress me throughout many mysteries with how well they work as a team while still allowing for individuality. Shirley Rousseau Murphy builds on this premise during the many situations that arise. She expertly weaves their lives, passions, and beliefs together to give us stories to enjoy on our Saturday afternoons or whenever we want to be transported to a fictional haven. She has written an extraordinary story, which Susan Boyce expounds on with her narration. A highly recommended mystery.