Customer Reviews

Cat Cross Their Graves: A Joe Grey Mystery (Joe Grey Mysteries)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the town of Molena Point, three sentient intelligent cats live with their human companions who love them dearly but the felines keep a secret even from their closest human friends. The youngest cat Kit hears a shot ring out at the Otter Pine Inn and when she goes to investigate she finds the body of the proprietor, ex-movie star Patty Rose. Kit loved Polly so when she got the scent of the gunman, she followed him to his house where she finds evidence that would convict him in court if she could ever figure out a way out of the cottage.

Dulcie, the more mature feline, is worried about a young girl Lori who is hiding out in a secret place in the library. Her father is keeping her a prisoner, locking all the doors and windows so she can't get out. When the man who killed Polly kidnaps Lori, Kit chews on the ropes while the man is sleeping enabling them to escape. Kit calls in a tip to the police but the horror is far from over leaving it to the third cat Joe Grey to try to link the three crimes.

There's a special kind of magic in a Joe Grey mystery even when he steps out of the lime light to allow his female felines to shine. The trio are so believably portrayed readers will actually accept these intelligent cats exist somewhere in California. CAT CROSS THEIR GRAVES is a fantastic mystery where humans are only minor feeders, villains, or victims as the police department relies on the anonymous tips of the felines to solve crimes.

Harriet Klausner

It starts with a murder: Kit, the youngest of the three talking cats of Molena Point, discovers the body of a former film star in the stairwell of the hotel she owns. But there's more going on in the arty little California town. Joe Grey's long-time friend and partner Dulcie has a secret that's affecting their relationship: a young girl is hiding out in a hidden room in the basement of the town library, and Dulcie doesn't feel free to tell anyone about her. Then Cora Lee French, one of three senior ladies living in a recently-purchased old house on the edge of the canyon, finds a grave in the back yard. Worse, it's one of several--and even worse, the remains are those of children.

To the police, each of these things is a separate case. But Joe and his friends know there's a connection. And so there proves to be, but only a cat could draw together the threads and bring this complex affair to a satisfactory conclusion. Meanwhile, Dulcie unexpectedly learns something of her own roots. And readers who are especially fond of little Kit will be pleased to find that she plays a large part in the ultimate success, although her role begins more or less by accident. This may be the best Joe Grey mystery to date (although hints about the upcoming one suggest it will top them all). As always, there's an excellent "sense of place" in the vignettes of the town, and all the familiar cast members--Clyde Damen, Wilma Getz, Max and Charlie Harper, Dallas Garza, Ryan Flannery--reappear as well. No fan of cat mysteries should miss it.

Molena Point, California is an affluent community and proud of it's retired film star, Patty Rose. When Patty is murdered, the only witness is Kit, a tortoiseshell cat. Fortunately, Kit can talk--and dial the phone. Unfortunately, she doesn't get a good look at the killer--she's got to follow him and get the evidence. With Kit vanished, fellow talking cats Joe Grey and Dulcie worry--but Joe Grey has another worry--Dulcie has been keeping secrets from him. Could another Tom have moved into town?

The day after Patty is murdered, a woman's group turns up a child's skeleton--and evidence of more murder. And runaway child Lori hides in a secret basement under the library and worries about the strange twist in her father's reaction to her and about the dangerous people out there.

Author Shirley Rousseau Murphy tells a dark tale of murder--both recent and in the past. Once again, the three talking cats manage to do most of the detecting--informing the police by calling line-ID protected phones. Because although Patty is dead, the murderer(s) may be seeking more victims.

CAT CROSS THEIR GRAVES is not the usual fluffy cat mystery. Its darker themes of endangered children, deranged religious fanatics, and over-possessive paternal love are certain to disturb the reader. But the clever cats offset the dark tone and provide plenty of hope. Murphy's strong writing keeps the reader invested in the story and the cats are developing into fairly complex and three-dimensional characters.

CAT CROSS is a different cat mystery but in this case, that doesn't mean worse. I enjoyed this story very much.

Ms. Murphy's books just keep getting better and better. This latest installment will keep your interest from the very first page. Even though the three cats have human characteristics, Ms. Murphy easily captures their natuaral feline characteristics. She describes Joe Grey perfectly as he has trouble understanding where his soul-mate, Dulcie, is spending her time lately. Kit is maturing and will probably be a force to reckon with in future books. I love this series; I hope Ms. Murphy keeps them coming.

If you love cat mysteries, read this book. It's a great page turner, and you'll be sorry when it ends. Murphy keeps you guessing, and you'll be eager to know what happens. If you've never read her before, this is a good one to start with. This is my favorite book in her series (I have read all of them) and it follows the footsteps of some of my favorite cat mystery author, Lilian Jackson Braun's books. Murphy will surely keep her audience entertained and coming back for more.

Right in the first page we are told that there are some old graves behind an old house in Molena Point. And even though no one knows about these graves, Dulcie tends to feel "something" when she walks over them during her jaunts in the neighborhood. So, what do those old graves have to do with both a murder that takes the life of another of Molena Point's old time residents? And what do either of those things have to do with the mysterious teenager who found a little room in the library to hide in? That is the main point of reading this story, so I will not spoil it for you by giving away the ending!

The first chapter has the modern day murder in it. Although no human seems to have seen anything, Kit is on the scene and she manages to find out the murderer right away and trace him through the village. Much to her puzzlement, the murderer does not run away from the village, - rather, he stays there for several more days. Kit manages to find evidence that this was a premeditated murder, but unfortunately, she also manages to get herself trapped in the rental cottage that the murderer uses and has no way to escape.

Never fear! The other two cats are on the prowl as well. Dulcie finds the mysterious Lori in the library, and for some reason, she is not willing to tell Joe about her so tension develops between the two of them. Only after the old graves are exhumed behind the old house does Dulcie divulge her secret to Joe. By then Lori has disappeared from her hiding place, Kit is still missing, and strange people and happenings occur all through the village.

As the cats proceed to solve the mysteries, we are also introduced to yet another new, and yet old time resident of Molena Point. Later in the book we find out that this woman knows all about Joe, Dulcie and Kit and their remarkable ability. As a matter of fact, Dulcie's mother was her cat and they frequently conversed. To find yet another human who knows that the cats can speak is getting old hat and should probably be restricted in future books. While having some history is nice, it's stretching things too far.

For some reason, the normal human population that we find in these books normally are very much in the background. While they are all present, they only make cameo appearances with the exception of Max Harper - although even he is less involved in the story than Dallas Garza! So, there are no surprising developments in the human relations side. This is a story that is resolved by the cats and the police department with no extra shenanigans. By the end of the book all the threads are connected in a way that is logical so there is no Great Revelation scene and everyone is happily re-united in their way of life (minus those who've died, of course). Justice is served in its own way, etc.

My summary of this is that it is a middle of the road book. Nothing great, and no bad points either. Which is why I really want to give it three and a half stars.

This is one of the better Joe Grey mysteries. The action keeps moving along and the characters are starting to expand their personalities. The story line has interesting twists and surprises.

I just receive "Cat Cross Their Graves" bt Shirley Roussea Murphy. Sent by GoHastings seller. I got fast service, good packaging, AND a great book. I will buy from them again with full confidence.

Author Murphy has surpassed herself in this Joe Grey mystery. The characters develope and capture us effortlessly as we are drawn into another murder that can only be solved with hte aide of 3 very special cats. The plot and characters entertwine so well. Joe, Dulcie and the kit are most extraordinary sleuths on their own but when they let the humans in the results are mesmerizing and funny
A very good series that more readers should discover

I have read all of the Joe Grey Mysteries and I cannot wait for the next. Cats solving crimes is a cute read when I don't want a depressing story line.