Joe Grey #10

Cat Cross Their Graves

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The Barnes & Noble Review
Shirley Rousseau Murphy's popular mystery series features quick-witted cats who are also expert investigators. This installment finds the quiet town of Molena Point, California, devastated by the murder of local celebrity Patty Rose: A former actress famed for her WWII-era Hollywood musicals, Patty was beloved for her many acts of kindness and generosity in the town she'd called home since her retirement. First on the scene after her famous friend is killed, the extraordinary young tortoiseshell Kit takes the lead in this investigation. Trained by one of the finest feline detectives in town, the large gray tomcat named Joe Grey, Kit puts her every instinct to work, following the perpetrator and gathering at great risk all the evidence humans will need to see justice done. Sentient felines Joe Grey, Dulcie, and Kit soon discover that this brutal crime has far-reaching ties and is more complex than anyone -- human or animal -- suspects.



As usual, the humans who are lucky enough to share the lives of these curiously clever cats do their part -- including a frightened child who's taken refuge in a hidden room with only Dulcie to offer her company and comfort and the first faint hope of freedom. Sue Stone

385 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1,2005

Series

About the author

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Shirley Rousseau Murphy is the author of over 40 books, including 24 novels for adults, the Dragonbards Trilogy and more for young adults, and many books for children. She is best known for her Joe Grey cat mystery series, consisting of 21 novels, the last of which was published when she was over 90. Now retired, she enjoys hearing from readers who write to her at her website www.srmurphy.com, where the reading order of the books in that series can be found.

Murphy grew up in southern California, riding and showing the horses her father trained. After attending the San Francisco Art institute she worked as an interior designer, and later exhibited paintings and welded metal sculpture in the West Coast juried shows. "When my husband Pat and I moved to Panama for a four-year tour in his position with the U. S . Courts, I put away the paints and welding torches, and began to write," she says. Later they lived in Oregon, then Georgia, before moving to California, where she now enjoys the sea and views of the Carmel hills.
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Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 46 votes)
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46 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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This book was an intense and chilling account that focused solely on the murders of small children.

There was a deranged individual, who happened to be a school teacher. He had a disturbing obsession with stalking those children who were exceptionally smart. In his warped mind, he believed that highly intelligent children were somehow evil, and this delusion led him to commit heinous acts of murder.

What made the situation even more terrifying was that he had managed to gather a cult of adult followers. Together, they would carry out the killings and then bury the innocent victims within the walls of an old, abandoned church.

Thankfully, the cat detectives were hot on the trail of this evil man. Their determination and skills in solving crimes were put to the test as they pursued the truth. In the end, I'm extremely glad that it all turned out good. The detectives were able to bring the killer and his cult to justice, ensuring that no more innocent children would fall victim to their madness.

It was a story that kept me on the edge of my seat, filled with suspense and horror, but also with a glimmer of hope that justice would prevail.
July 15,2025
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Kit and the Greenlaws are at Party Rose Hotel, relishing the time they have together.

Kit suddenly hears voices and upon looking out, she discovers the body of Party. Shocked and determined, Kit decides to track the killer. She manages to follow the trail and eventually gets trapped in the killer's house.

Meanwhile, Dulice and Joe aren't on speaking terms. As the Senior Ladies are digging in their garden, they come across a skeleton.

The question now is, does Kit manage to get out of the killer's house? What will happen with Joe's problem with Dulice? And who is buried in the garden? These answers are all intertwined and twisted into one captivating story that keeps the readers on the edge of their seats, eager to find out what will happen next.

Will Kit escape and solve the mystery of Party's death? Will Dulice and Joe reconcile? And what secrets does the skeleton hold? Only time will tell as the story unfolds.

July 15,2025
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This is a very good story indeed.

I love all the cats in it and the way this particular one manages to pull together several threads to solve the mystery.

The story is extremely well written and I enjoyed every single bit of it.

I listened to it on audio and the reader did an amazing job of bringing these characters to life.

Their performance was so perfect that it made the whole experience even more engaging and enjoyable.

Each character had its own unique voice and personality, which really added to the overall charm of the story.

It was a pleasure to listen to and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery or a story about cats.

The way the plot unfolds and the different twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Overall, it was a great listen and I can't wait to listen to more stories like this one.
July 15,2025
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New Plots and Characters to Thrill


In this exciting new installment, readers will be treated to a whole new set of plots and characters that are sure to keep them on the edge of their seats. The story weaves together characters from previous stories in unexpected and thrilling new plot twists. It's like a buffet of divergent plot twists, offering something for every mystery reader. Whether you're a fan of classic whodunits or prefer more modern and complex mysteries, this book has it all. The author has masterfully crafted a story that will keep you guessing until the very end. So sit back, relax, and prepare to be taken on a wild ride through a world of mystery and intrigue.
July 15,2025
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Even though this is the first book I read in this series,

I didn't feel that I missed too much of the back story to understand the essence of the characters and their relationships.

However, my problem lies with the plotting and the solving of the murder.

The police never discovered any solid evidence to prove that Fenner killed Patty Rose.

It was all based on speculation and "cat snitches".

The author should have at least had the police find the murder weapon to demonstrate that Fenner committed the crime.

This could have been easily accomplished by locating the weapon in the car or on Fenner's person after he was killed.

I think it's great if an author wishes to use cats as the main characters and have them assist/guide the police/sleuth/investigator.

Nevertheless, the crime should be solved in a realistic manner with hard evidence, confessions, or human witnesses.

This would make the story more believable and engaging for the readers.

As it stands, the lack of concrete evidence makes it difficult for me to fully invest in the story and believe in the outcome.

Perhaps in future installments, the author will focus more on creating a more plausible and satisfying mystery-solving experience.
July 15,2025
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The book had its shortcomings on many fronts, yet it did possess some charming details here and there. For instance, the group of aging women who cared for one another was quite endearing. However, it failed to deliver in several key aspects. Firstly, it wasn't much of a mystery. Right from the start, you knew who the "bad guy" was, and the plot unfolded in a rather predictable manner. The portrayal of the cult leader was also lacking. Despite having no charisma shown throughout the book, he was somehow able to inspire unwavering loyalty in others. This aspect could have benefited from more development. Then, there was the concerning idea that the violence of "good men" was justified due to the dangerous world filled with bad men. This is a dangerous right-wing ideology, even when presented in an apparently gentle way. The cats in the story were too anthropomorphic, losing much of their "catness" in the process. They were special cats, while other cats were not only unable to talk but also not "sentient," which was a letdown from a post-human perspective. Joe and Dulcie's relationship was stereotypically heterosexual and lacked the narcissism that is characteristic of actual cats. They were more like middle-class people who happened to be short and furry, following humans around and obsessing over human problems, relationships, and solving human mysteries. Kit was also just a well-meaning but immature human teenager. The lack of realism wasn't a major flaw, but it was disappointing for a cat lover. On the positive side, among the overly large cast of humans, the women seemed to be interested in building houses and driving big cars, while the men were into cooking, which was a refreshing change considering the often outdated gender roles in cozy mysteries. The feminism was mild and diluted, but there were hints of it, especially in the way the older women formed a vibrant and important community and took care of each other. Overall, while the book had its flaws, it wasn't as bad as many others out there, and there was potential for improvement in terms of mystery, cat behavior, and psychology.

July 15,2025
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I have always been deeply in love with these cat stories.

They are truly fascinating and offer me a glimpse into a state that I have never had the good fortune to visit.

Just like in my area in Toronto, it is not flat. We have hills, but not mountains, and the weather is so distinct.

These books are filled with a great deal of make-believe and would be suitable for anyone who still has a penchant for fairy tales.

They transport the reader to a world of imagination and wonder, where anything is possible.

The characters and their adventures are engaging and entertaining, making it a joy to read.

Whether you are young or old, these cat stories have the power to charm and delight.

They are a wonderful escape from reality and a chance to explore new and exciting places.

I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a good read.
July 15,2025
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A former filmstar meets a tragic end and a child flees from her father. Simultaneously, the grave of dead children is unearthed in a garden. "Cat Cross Their Graves" seems a bit disjointed and not as engaging a story as some of the other Joe Grey Mysteries.

It took me a considerable amount of time to complete this book. I'm uncertain whether it's because my interest wasn't as piqued as it was with the other Joe Grey Mysteries or if I simply read too many of them consecutively. Maybe the plot didn't grip me as tightly, or perhaps the characters didn't resonate with me as strongly. Nevertheless, it's still a part of the Joe Grey Mystery series, and there are aspects that may appeal to some readers. However, compared to the previous installments, this one just didn't have the same impact on me.

I'll probably still give the next Joe Grey Mystery a try, hoping that it will recapture the magic and excitement that made the earlier books in the series so enjoyable.
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