Cat in the Dark: A Joe Grey Mystery (Joe Grey Mystery Series, 4)

It's been almost a year since stub-tailed tomcat Joe Grey and his female friend Dulcie discovered they could think, talk, and read, and in that year they've helped the Molena Point police solve three cases. Their fourth brings them face to face, for the first time, with another cat of their own sentient kind--but very different. The large and powerful black tomcat who calls himself Azrael is sardonic, bullying, and of criminal bent--Joe and Dulcie first see him when he opens a skylight, unlocks the store door from within, and admits his human partner, a shabby old man who cleans out the safe. It doesn't take them long to discover his real identity, but at first they're uncertain of whether to share their knowledge with the cops: Dulcie worries that humans will learn of the existence of talking cats, and what will that do to their status as police snitches and unsuspected auxiliaries? But Joe feels that it's bad enough for a human to steal from his town's shops--a cat has no business doing such stuff. And he resolves to nail the pair. But Azreal may be more than just a burglar's helper. He claims to see death around Joe and Dulcie--three human deaths before the moon is full. And, sure enough, murder once again intrudes on the peace of Molena Point, as first a pair of visiting Georgians is found dead in the library's front garden, then a financial advisor's body is discovered in his home office. It's up to Joe and Dulcie to discover how these two incidents are connected--and whether they relate to Azrael and his partner. Murphy paints a vivid portrait of a sentient cat gone wrong--Azrael may be a villain, but he's a strong character. There's also a share of humor in this novel--Joe and Dulcie batting possible newspaper headlines back and forth as they speculate on the ramifications of Azrael's discovery, a sly probable reference to Clint Eastwood (one of the best-known inhabitants of Carmel, on which Molena Point is based), Dulcie's "favorite movie star," attending a gallery show (at which Charlie Getz's portraits of the cats are on display) and feeding her duck liver canapes from his own hand. And though they're burglars, Azrael and his human partner aren't cardboard figures. Greeley Urzey is the father of one of the murdered Georgians and the sister of Charlie's cleaning woman, Mavity Flowers; his deep emotional reaction to the deaths makes it obvious that he's no sociopath. And Dulcie, though she rebukes Azrael for failing to recognize that "common cats" have their own feelings, their own "sensibilities and unique ways," is the first to recognize that he genuinely cares for Greeley, indeed loves him, and has come as close as he can to asking her and Joe to help. The resolution of the case is one that perhaps only cats could have worked out, though what becomes of Azrael is left for another book to tell. This is an excellent entry into the popular and award-winning series.

This is a great series. The books continually get better as the series goes on, so keep reading the Joe Grey mysteries! So far, I've read the first 6 books, and I'd have to say that this one is by far my favorite. Definitely a recommendation!

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.

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

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