Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 64 votes)
5 stars
19(30%)
4 stars
21(33%)
3 stars
24(38%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
64 reviews
July 15,2025
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I truly have a deep affection for Joe Grey mysteries. These captivating stories have the power to transport me into a world filled with intrigue and excitement. The character of Joe Grey, a curious and intelligent feline, adds a unique charm to the narratives. His adventures and sleuthing skills keep me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages to discover the next clue and solve the mystery. Each book in the series presents a new and engaging case, with well-developed characters and a richly detailed setting. Whether it's a missing person, a mysterious crime, or a puzzling situation, Joe Grey always manages to find a way to crack the case. The author's writing style is vivid and descriptive, making it easy for me to picture the scenes and characters in my mind. Overall, Joe Grey mysteries are a delightful escape from reality and I highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

July 15,2025
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This is a charitable 3 stars - more like 2.5.

The writing in this book is truly abysmal. It's astonishing that this series has endured for so long. I have a penchant for just about any book that features talking animals, but this one was a real struggle to get through.

Take, for instance, the phrase “her neat butt in her snug jeans.” Seriously? It just seems out of place and rather crass.

However, on the positive side, the mystery presented in the story was quite interesting. It had enough twists and turns to keep me engaged and reading.

I must admit that I picked up this series in the middle, but that didn't have any impact on my understanding of the overall story. I never felt lost or confused about who the characters were.

Despite the flaws in the writing, the interesting mystery and the clear character delineation were enough to make me give this book a relatively decent rating.
July 15,2025
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In case you've never heard of this particular mystery genre, and I surely hadn't. When I say "cat detective novel", I mean a novel in which the detective is a cat.

A talking cat, to be precise. One who can use the phone and other such things. In this book, we are introduced to Chichi Barbi. Apparently, she has had a previous connection with the tomcat's owner, Clyde.

The tomcat, Joe, has an intense dislike for her. He believes that the fact that she has moved in next door indicates that she is up to no good.

So, Joe decides to spy on Chichi. And, conveniently enough, it turns out that she indeed is up to no good.

For more details and to continue reading about this interesting story, you can click on the link: read more...
July 15,2025
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Loving Joe Gray the talking feline, and this again is a winner for readers.

He is upset that an old flame of Clyde, or as he refers to as a bimbo, has rented the house next door. He is determined that she is up to no good. When he sees two city slickers come to her house, he starts to wonder what they are up to.

The talk this evening was about scratches on a dead man. They were small, not large like a cougar. Joe knew it could have been a Panamanian feline, especially if he didn't like the person.

What was going on in this small town of Molena Point? It's all very mysterious. The stories are interesting and enjoyable, with Joe and Dulce giving their comments, and more of the people that live there. We enjoy hearing about them and trying to figure out the mysteries that unfold.

It's a captivating read that keeps us on the edge of our seats, eager to find out what happens next.
July 15,2025
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CATS like mine are truly a delight. This book about them is simply great. I absolutely loved the talking cats in it. Their conversations were so engaging and full of charm. It really made me want to read more books like this. Thanks for providing such a wonderful vacation read
July 15,2025
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It always takes me a chapter or two to truly get into these books.

I spend the initial chapter once again warming up to the premise that talking cats solve crime. At first, it might seem a bit far-fetched, but as I continue reading, something magical happens.

Soon enough, I find myself completely immersed in a good story that unfolds with a unique, feline perspective. The cats bring a whole new dimension to the narrative, with their sharp senses, intuitive nature, and, of course, their ability to communicate in a way that humans can understand.

It's fascinating to see the world through their eyes and witness how they use their skills and wits to crack the cases. These books offer a refreshing and entertaining read that keeps me engaged from start to finish.
July 15,2025
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I'll commence my review by explicitly stating that I don't typically engage with mass market paperbacks. Consequently, my comments will inevitably be influenced by my personal reading proclivities. My mother procured this book for me during my major surgery. For the initial week, I truly relished the book. It was delightful to read a few pages and then drift off to sleep. The cats within the story were highly entertaining, and I was indeed eager to uncover what was transpiring in the narrative.


However, by the time I reached the conclusion, I found myself bored and impatient with the stereotypical characters and the formulaic plot. I have a penchant for literary fiction, so this particular book is not to my taste. If you generally have an affinity for serial mysteries, I would wager that this is an enjoyable read. So perhaps it's worth giving it a try. I awarded it two stars rather than one because I believe it is actually better written than the majority of its ilk. And Rousseau Murphy indeed possesses a rather vivid imagination :)

July 15,2025
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A good book, but a slow reading one. It requires your full attention and patience. You had to stay up with the story, constantly following the plot and characters, so that you didn't forget what you had read. The process of reading this book might be a bit challenging, but it was also rewarding. As you delved deeper into the story, you began to understand the author's intentions and the themes presented.


Despite the slow pace, you found yourself enjoying the end. The conclusion tied up all the loose ends and provided a sense of closure. It left you with a feeling of satisfaction and a desire to pick up another book by the same author. Overall, this was a book that made you think, feel, and appreciate the power of good literature.

July 15,2025
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Once I get past the problem of talking cats:

Talking, crime-fighting housecats! Come to think of it, maybe I can't get past that. This is definitely a series for cat lovers: soppy, anthropomorphizing cat lovers.

Okay, I pretend my cats talk, but I don't go much beyond "Why don't you feed me?" and "Pet me, damn you, pet me!" and "I. Hate. You." I don't imagine some rich, inner life wherein they can reason, read (how does a cat learn to read when human children take years to learn and develop fluidity?), discuss clues, or call each other on cell phones.

I mean, try to imagine a cat manipulating a cell phone. I can hardly punch those buttons and I have opposable thumbs!

But once you get past that...

And I also had trouble with the names of characters. Murphy has a tendency to give lead female characters masculine names: Ryan and Charlie. I'm still not sure about Scotty. Might be a woman, might not. This makes keeping track of people very confusing, even with the list I made of people and the names of their pets. It's a rather extensive list.

But once you get past that - no, really. It was an interesting mystery about, gosh, real crime! Real crime like burglary! Oh, and some murder. It might have been interesting as well if some humans were actually involved in detection! More than, say, informing the cats. Let's just be glad that these cats don't have opposable thumbs or they'd be running southern California.

I think now I'll read something more sensible, like Fforde's The Big Over Easy.
July 15,2025
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Kit's old group is back.

This is really exciting news for all the fans.

The group had a great impact in the past with their unique music and style.

Now that they are reuniting, everyone is looking forward to seeing what new things they will bring.

Perhaps they will release new albums, hold concerts, or engage in other activities.

No matter what they do, it is sure to attract a lot of attention.

The members of the old group have also changed a lot over the years.

They may have gained more experience and maturity, which will surely be reflected in their new works.

Let's wait and see how Kit's old group will shine again in the music industry.
July 15,2025
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My review is based on the audiobook, and it should be noted that this is my introduction to the series. (This is the only one available in my library.)

I don't recall much of the first four chapters as I was getting accustomed to the constantly changing perspectives. One moment you're seeing the world through Joe's eyes, and the next it's Kit's. However, once I got the hang of the rhythm, the book wasn't too bad.

I'm definitely going to search for the first one and listen to it to gain a better introduction to the characters in the town. It seems that the story has the potential to be quite engaging once you get past the initial adjustment period of the alternating perspectives. I'm curious to learn more about the backstories and personalities of the various characters. Hopefully, the first book will provide a more in-depth look and help me better understand the overall narrative.

I'm looking forward to delving deeper into this series and seeing where the story takes me.
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