Ease Reading-Find Your Next Favorite Book

Hot Search

Joe Grey #4

Cat in the Dark

shirley rousseau murphy

... Show More
"Of course I worry.
What if the cops witness a cat opening a skylight and
masterminding a robbery?
The tabloids will love it."

There's a new pair of thieves in Molena Point, California, a renegade yellow-eyed tomcat with a cold disdain for the law,and a scruffy human partner who is no better. The two, clever and silent at their work, are bad news indeed to crime-solving cats Joe Grey and Dulcie. But when Joe learns the pair's connection to a good friend, and then an innocent couple turns up dead in the library garden, Joe and Dulcie must engage in some fancy paw work to unmask the deceptions and route the real killer -- before his brazen criminal crime spree careens madly toward them.

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1,1998
Series
Joe Grey

This edition

Format
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published
November 3, 1999 by William Morrow Paperbacks
ISBN
9780061059476
ASIN
0061059471
Language
English

More editions

About the author

Profile Image for shirley rousseau murphy

shirley rousseau murphy

... Show More
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.
.

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 85 votes)
5 stars
22(26%)
4 stars
38(45%)
3 stars
25(29%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
85 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
ugdaa321
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
This particular story is not among her best works.

convoluted

There are simply too many different characters, each with their own complex and often overlapping agendas. It becomes quite a muddle to keep track of who is doing what and why.

I have truly relished many of her other books, finding them engaging, thought-provoking, and filled with interesting storylines. However, this one takes a different turn.

It ventures into a realm that is kind of gruesome. The descriptions and events seem to border on the macabre, which for some readers might be appealing, but for me, it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the story.

It's a shame really, as I had high hopes for this book based on her previous works. But unfortunately, it just didn't quite hit the mark for me.

Perhaps others will find something more redeeming in it, but for now, I'll be looking forward to her next offering in the hopes that it will recapture the magic that made her other books so great.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
nightcore34
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

Another cat mystery

I have always been a big fan of this series. It's not that the series lacks similarity in writing style or characters. On the contrary, the consistent writing style gives the series a unique charm. The characters are vividly portrayed, making them highly engaging. Each character has its own distinct personality and characteristics, which makes it easy for readers to form an emotional connection with them. The plots of the stories are also very interesting and fun to read. They are filled with various mysteries and surprises that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Whether it's a complex murder mystery or a simple disappearance case, the author always manages to present it in a way that is both thrilling and engaging. Overall, this series is a must-read for all mystery lovers.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
AriScarlet
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
So in reference to my review of book 3 in this series,

I had really gone on a tear about the graphic hunting, blood and guts scenes in these books.

It just seemed so unnecessary in a cozy talking cat murder mystery.

In this book (4), however, something interesting happened.

The author actually uses Clyde, the owner of Joe Grey, to pose a question to Joe.

Clyde says to Joe, "what is with you and this brutal, bloody killing?? You talk like a human, you think like a human, and yet you eviscerate rabbits."

This is quite interesting.

Clearly, the author realizes that readers may be struggling with this concept.

Or maybe it is just me who has this concern - smiles.

Anyway, I must say that I liked this book better than the last one.

The story seemed to flow more smoothly, and the characters were more engaging.

There were still some of those graphic scenes, but they were not as prominent as in the previous book.

Overall, I would recommend this book to fans of the cozy mystery genre.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Zeroskye
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
I am completely addicted to this series.

Once I finish reading one book, I immediately can't wait to download another one.

It's like a never-ending cycle of excitement and anticipation.

The stories in this series are so captivating that I find myself completely immersed in them.

The characters are well-developed and the plots are full of twists and turns.

I love how each book builds on the previous one, creating a rich and detailed world.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good read.

You won't be able to put them down!

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Thoswey
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

Another outstanding book within the Joe Grey series awaits. Just picture the countless crimes that the police could successfully solve if they were able to harness the敏锐的 senses and instincts of cats! The mysteries remain engaging, and new characters are introduced, adding fresh elements to the story. The talking, crime-solving cats continue to captivate and entertain readers. I can vividly imagine my own cats being filled with excitement as they hunt their prey, and at the same time, being disgusted by humans, dogs, and anyone else they consider beneath them. I truly hope that someone will transform these books into a television series at some point. It appears that more and more people are going to discover the cats' secret soon. There are simply too many unexplained events that occur when the cats are present, and people are beginning to take notice.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
nizdi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
I absolutely adored this entire series.

The concept of cats that can talk and solve mysteries was just so much fun.

It truly was a cozy mystery, and that's exactly the kind of thing I love.

There's no need for me to overly concentrate or strain my brain.

I can just relax and enjoy the charming adventures of these talking cats as they untangle the mysteries that come their way.

The stories are filled with light-hearted moments and interesting characters, both feline and human.

It's a series that always manages to put a smile on my face and keep me entertained from start to finish.

I can't wait to see what other mysteries these wonderful cats will solve in future installments.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
MP_001
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

In 1999, a new mystery unfolds in the town with the appearance of a mysterious cat. This cat not only has all the abilities of Joe and Dulcie but also some unique ones of its own. The town is soon filled with robbery, murder, and mystery as Joe and Dulcie attempt to prevent the new cat from wreaking havoc and solve the murders. As they embark on this thrilling adventure, they encounter numerous challenges and obstacles. The story is filled with suspense and excitement, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is engaging and full of twists and turns. It is an enjoyable read that will leave you wanting more.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
EDick
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

There is a story about two cats that have the remarkable ability to communicate not only with each other but also with humans. One day, they encounter another cat who is similar to them in many ways, yet he is evil. These talking cats find themselves involved in a rather unexpected adventure. They end up helping to solve the murder of a con man by cleverly listening in on the conversations among the bad guys. Overall, it's a likable story. However, there are some aspects that are a bit off-putting. The story contains gross and graphic hunting and killing scenes. I suppose the author might be attempting to prove that these are real cats with real cat instincts and urges. But unfortunately, the graphic nature of these scenes detracts from the otherwise enjoyable narrative. It makes one wonder if there couldn't have been a more tasteful way to convey the cats' true nature without being so overly graphic.

0 0 Reply
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.