Cat in the Dark: A Joe Grey Mystery (Joe Grey Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Shirley Rousseau Murphy (Author) "THE CAT crouched in darkness beneath the library desk, her tabby stripes mingled with the shadows, her green eyes flashing light, her tail switching impatiently..." (more)
Key Phrases: library cat, village rooftops, cat door, Pearl Ann, Molena Point, Winthrop Jergen (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Modern-day descendants of ancient Celtic talking cats, Joe Grey and Dulcie make their hardback debut in this cat-chy tale (after three paperback adventures: Cat Raise the Dead, etc.). When the feline duo witnesses a series of burglaries in their California seaside village, they are intrigued. Finding the human culprit and his accomplice, an alluringly evil black cat named Azrael, who also talks, proves to be easy. After Joe Grey and Dulcie accuse him of the crimes, Azrael tells them the thefts are nothing, considering that soon three people will be murdered. Joe Grey and Dulcie know that a number of newcomers have recently moved to the area, including a cat-hating librarian, a shifty financial adviser, a vengeful Georgia couple and an austere handywoman. All of them are acting oddly?even for humans: the librarian is trying to oust Dulcie from her position as official library cat; the financial adviser is wining and dining a local golddigger; the Georgians clandestinely photocopy their local aunt's financial portfolio; and the handywoman leads a hidden life. When the Georgia couple's bodies are found in the library's garden and the adviser is also murdered, the intrepid felines are on the case, much to the dismay of Joe's human keeper, contractor and car mechanic Clyde. As the cats surreptitiously survey the police investigation, they realize Azrael's missing human companion holds the key to the deaths. Rousseau writes a fast-paced tale, and she has a way with her cat scenes, but her mystery claws aren't as sharp as those of Rita Mae Brown or Lillian Jackson Braun (reviewed above).
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
YA-Cat lovers have long acknowledged the special qualities of felines, even those that don't speak, read, open locks, or act like private investigators. Joe Grey and Dulcie can do all of the above and more. While making a nighttime stroll around the quiet village of Molena Point, Joe and Dulcie witness a cat and a slovenly dressed man committing a robbery. The strange cat, Azrael, appears to be as evil as his name implies, and turns out to share the same unique abilities of Joe and Dulcie. The man turns out to be the brother of Mavity Flowers, one of the hard-working older women in the village. The two resident cats, faced with identifying the culprit, come across an investment scam, three deaths, and significant twisting of the plot. Human characters provide the realism in this mysterious fantasy that includes romantic interests and small-town squabbles. Dulcie's owner, Wilma Getz, and Joe's owner, Clyde Damen, serve as the major human players. As mutual friends their interactions bring the different parts of the plot together and provide a foundation for the series. The contemporary setting of Molena Point, complete with nightly fogs, adds just the right atmosphere for the midnight sleuthing of cats and dastardly humans. For teens who like fantasy, mystery, or cats, this title offers all three.
Pam Johnson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Avon (November 3, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061059471
• ISBN-13: 978-0061059476
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #186,861 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 4 in The Joe Grey Mystery Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like the Everready rabbit, this series is going stronger, December 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Cat in the Dark (Hardcover)

Joe Grey and Dulcie, direct descendants of ancient Celtic cats, discuss last night's robbery that is in the newspaper. The two felines worry that a new resident, Azrael the cat, is the evil mastermind behind some recent crimes. Azrael, who also can talk, informs Joe and Dulcie that the break-in is nothing. Furthermore, he states that three people will soon be murdered. The prediction turns out to be true.

Much to the chagrin of Joe's human companion, the cats begin to investigate. However, Dulcie has personal problems to deal with too. Her human companion has some wanted and some unwanted company staying with them and the new librarian wants Dulcie barred from the facility where she obtains much joy from reading. The cats concentrate on the killings, honing in on Azrael's missing human friend even as they remain wary of the evil feline. They know that they must quickly solve the case before Joe and Dulcie end up in "holy catastrophe" (To Julie Newmar from Robin).

With her fourth "Cat" novel, Shirley Rousseau Murphy demonstrates that she has the feline touch. CAT IN THE DARK briskly moves forward and the cats are brilliantly different and nicely developed characters, who are totally unlike their sleuthing peers. The well-written mystery will leave readers ultimately to feel that Ms. Murphy is paying homage to her cats.

Harriet Klausner

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful cosy filled with enchantment, January 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Cat in the Dark (Hardcover)

Joe Grey and Dulcie, direct descendants of ancient Celtic cats, discuss last night's robbery that is in the newspaper. The two felines worry that a new resident, Azrael the cat, is the evil mastermind behind some recent crimes. Azrael, who also can talk, informs Joe and Dulcie that the break-in is nothing. Furthermore, he states that three people will soon be murdered. The prediction turns out to be true.

Much to the chagrin of Joe's human companion, the cats begin to investigate. However, Dulcie has personal problems to deal with too. Her human companion has some wanted and some unwanted company, staying with them and the new librarian wants Dulcie barred from the facility where she obtains much joy from reading. The cats concentrate on the killings, honing in on Azrael's missing human friend even as they remain wary of the evil feline. They know that they must quickly solve the case before Joe and Dulcie end up in "holy catastrophe" (To Julie Newmar from Robin).

With her fourth "Cat" novel, Shirley Rousseau Murphy demonstrates that she has the feline touch. CAT IN THE DARK briskly moves forward and the cats are brilliantly different and nicely developed characters, who are totally unlike their sleuthing peers. The well-written mystery will leave readers ultimately to feel that Ms. Murphy is paying homage to her cats.

Harriet Klausner

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine "Fantasy Whodunit", July 14, 2001

By	William L. Gilstrap (Vidor, Tx USA) - See all my reviews

This is the fourth book in the "Joe Grey" series. I think the author has refined her technique a lot since the first book, "Cat On the Edge". I think she has improved her stories to the point where they are truly ready to be included among the best of Fantasy or Whodunit books. The main theme is about two cats who have become able to understand and speak English. The cats pull off all kinds of coups in solving crimes. Coups that would be impossible for humans. The cats are most loveable and likeable. The cat characters are the most vivid, but the human characters that the cats "own" or interact with are now also quite likeable. The plots are well done and there is quite a bit of suspense.