Cat Cross Their Graves: A Joe Grey Mystery (Joe Grey Mystery Series, 10)

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.

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.

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.

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