In 2007, in Molena Point, CA, we meet #12 Joe Grey and Dulcie, fantastical private investigators. Dulcie's beloved human, Wilma, has gone missing, and a nasty con she helped incarcerate is also nowhere to be found, causing unease among both humans and felines. To make matters worse, the cruel and evil Utley has returned from South America, in search of something valuable that he and his accomplice left behind in Molena Point years ago. Somehow, Wilma is at the heart of it all, but she is nowhere to be seen.

This is another excellent visit to that most beautiful and enjoyable small town, with some of my all-time favorite characters. However, it is slightly marred by the occasionally awkward pacing and the sense that Ms. Murphy has begun to recycle some plot threads. Still, it is a magnificent "journey" with those wonderful cats and their humans.

This is one of my favorite series of all time, and I highly recommend it to those who enjoy strong, darkly twisted plotting and cats. However, it is not her best work. The pacing is "off", reaching a peak at around the 75% mark and then fading off for the last quarter. Additionally, several themes are recycled from previous books, which is an annoying aspect. There is too much focus on "friends in peril", too much of the "idyllic Charlie and Max", and too much of the sweet Lucinda and Padric and the coy Kit. But I love these people, that place, and those cats, and I hate that I have caught up with the series. Ms. Murphy, please write faster!!!

Anyone who has ever shared a living space with a cat is well aware that they are highly intelligent beings. However, they are masters at concealing this trait as it serves their purposes. This book, which is my initial foray into the Joe Grey series, elevates this concept to a whole new level. In the Californian town of Molena Point, there exists a small group of cats that can talk. Not only that, but their human owners have also taught them to read, and three of them have developed an interest in the crimes committed by humans.

To be sure, a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief is necessary for this series, but it's not overly challenging. (Having read an abundance of comic books that could fill a library, I could effortlessly concoct an origin story for this group of felines.) The cats, specifically the main trio of Joe Grey, Dulcie, and Kit, behave like typical cats but with the added advantages of intelligence and the ability to communicate directly with a select group of trusted humans. It works, and I must admit that I didn't expect it to. In this setup, author Shirley Rousseau Murphy weaves a solid mystery with a significant amount of suspense. This is largely aided by the human cast, whom Murphy kindly and subtly introduces to new readers like myself, being featured equally, if not more so, than the feline sleuths.

Nevertheless, there are a couple of aspects that detracted from the book. A major subplot was abruptly dismissed as having no connection to the main mystery. I assume it was intended as social commentary, but it felt like a bit of a waste of time. Additionally, I was jolted when the writing style changed noticeably in a chapter focusing on a villain. For instance, the use of "should of" instead of "should have" was jarring. It's one thing for the character to speak in that manner, but quite another for the third-person narrator to do so on their behalf.

Despite these drawbacks, I still derived enjoyment from this book and will soon proceed to the next installment.

Every time I pick up one of these books, I find myself falling even more deeply in love with the cats. This time, however, the story takes an interesting turn. Joe is highly intrigued by the cases arriving at the police station, while Dulcie is preoccupied with concerns about her Wilma getting back home. She senses that Wilma is late and is filled with worry. Joe attempts to brush off her concerns, assuring her that Wilma will return later.

But Dulcie and Kit soon realize that her fears are justified when they arrive at the house to find it being ransacked by two men. One of them is Cage Jones, who has a vendetta against her. Meanwhile, Joe is at the station when he receives a call from Dulcie about the house being tossed and Wilma missing. Now, he feels remorse for not being there for her.

The question remains: where is Wilma, and can they find her? What is Cage searching for? And when Max's wife and Wilma's niece Charlie are also kidnapped, the situation becomes even more tense. Cotton, Willow, and Coyote do their utmost to offer assistance. In fact, Cotton even confronts his greatest fear to help the humans.

The story weaves through multiple perspectives, which can be a bit dizzying at times. However, it is the most effective way to convey the narrative and ensure that no details are overlooked. Several times, I couldn't help but stop and laugh because it was difficult to predict who would take over the story next.

The beginning of this process was rather slow, and it didn't really pick up pace until the middle part. During that time, things started to look more promising and interesting. However, as the so-called "investigation" carried on, I couldn't help but feel that it was going on for far too long.

It seemed that there was no end in sight, and I began to lose patience. I understand that thorough investigations are important, but there has to be a balance.

Maybe there could have been more efficient ways to conduct the investigation, or perhaps some of the steps could have been streamlined.

Overall, while the middle was decent, the excessive length of the "investigation" really took away from the overall experience.

I truly believe that it is high time for me to openly admit that I have become completely addicted to Ms. Murphy's Molena Point mystery stories. These captivating tales star the charming feline duo of Joe Grey and Dulcie, along with their dear friend Kit, and their human counterparts.

The adventures and mysteries that unfold in each story are simply enthralling. I find myself completely immersed in the world of Molena Point, eagerly following the clues and trying to solve the mysteries right along with the characters.

Ms. Murphy has a remarkable talent for creating a vivid and engaging setting, filled with interesting characters and complex plotlines. The relationship between the cats and their human friends adds an extra layer of depth and warmth to the stories.

I can't get enough of these Molena Point mysteries and look forward to reading each new installment with great anticipation.

Dulcie is extremely worried as Wilma has not returned from her visit to San Francisco and shopping. Meanwhile, Joe is more preoccupied with the murders of local women.

During one of her inspections of her home, Dulcie discovers two men rummaging through it, seemingly in search of something. She quickly calls for help, and Max and Garza arrive promptly. They immediately give chase to the men, but unfortunately, the men manage to escape.

Clyde and Joe then set off for Gilroy to determine if Wilma ever arrived there.

The feral cats, who are living in the ruins, witness Wilma being brought into an old building and tied up. After observing the scene, Cotton leaves, stating that he is going hunting. Willow and Coyote are left wondering how they can assist Wilma.

The questions remain: who kidnapped Wilma, and what do they want?

I just couldn't bring myself to stick with this audio book.

I have listened to several other books that were narrated by William Dufries, and I truly admired his work in those cases. He had a way of bringing the stories to life and captivating the listener.

However, this time around, I didn't feel that he and the story were a good fit. There was something about the combination that just didn't click for me.

Moreover, I thought the storyline was rather tired. It seemed to lack the freshness and excitement that I look for in a good book.

The only redeeming factor, perhaps, was the talking cats. But even that wasn't enough to save the overall experience for me.

I much prefer the books written by Rita Mae Brown. Her stories are engaging, her characters are well-developed, and her writing style is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

I guess it just goes to show that not every book is going to be a winner for every reader.

I gulped this one down. It was so exciting and engaging that I just couldn't stop reading.

I'm now eagerly waiting for "Cat Deck the Halls". I have a feeling it's going to be just as amazing, if not more.

The anticipation is killing me. I keep imagining what kind of adventures and fun the story will bring.

Will there be more crazy antics from the characters? Will there be a heartwarming message hidden within the pages?

I have no idea, but I can't wait to find out.

As soon as "Cat Deck the Halls" is released, I'll be the first in line to get my hands on it.

I'm sure it'll be a great read and will keep me entertained for hours on end.

So, come on "Cat Deck the Halls", don't keep me waiting too long!

More good everything


This installment is truly the best so far. It has introduced a whole new cast of characters, which has added a fresh and exciting dimension to the story. The action scenes are more intense and the suspense is palpable, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish.

Not only that, but it has also opened up so many possibilities for future plots. There are numerous storylines that have been set in motion, and it's exciting to think about where they might lead. The author has done an excellent job of laying the groundwork for what is sure to be an epic series.

However, with all these new plotlines come many questions that will need to be answered in future books. This leaves the reader with a sense of anticipation and excitement, eager to find out what will happen next. Overall, this is a must-read for fans of the genre and I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us in the future.

This book is truly remarkable. I read it in two sittings, which is a testament to how engaging and captivating it is.

It is without a doubt one of the best in the series. The story is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The characters are well-developed and you really feel like you get to know them throughout the book. The author has done an excellent job of creating a world that is both believable and immersive.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading. It is a must-read for fans of the series and will also appeal to those who are new to the genre.

Overall, I was extremely impressed with this book and can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next.

Wilma made her way to Seattle to give testimony at a parolee's hearing. However, the parolee managed to con his way out of jail. In a fit of madness, he first shot Wilma's partner and then set his sights on Wilma herself. He kidnapped her and took her to a dilapidated house in the mountains.

Not content with just one victim, he and his partner then kidnapped Charlie and took her to an old, mildewed, vine-covered trailer near the Papillon Ruins. But Wilma was a fighter. She managed to escape with the crook's sister and wife. During the escape, there was a wreck, but Wilma was able to get away. The woman also ran off.

Wilma, determined to save Charlie, managed to find the trailer. The cats there, in a strange turn of events, bit the ropes off Charlie. Meanwhile, Harper and Ryan arrived on horses. Charlie was afraid that the crooks would shoot her husband.

Charlie, showing great courage, got to the crook's car and retrieved a sawed-off shotgun. Now, she was ready to face the bad guys. To find out how this thrilling story ends, you'll have to read the book. There is no shortage of suspense and panic to keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you have an open mind and can accept the idea of talking cats, then this is yet another excellent installment in the Joe Grey series.

Joe, along with his feline friends Dulcie and Kit, is determined to solve a string of murders involving battered wives. The mystery deepens as an escaped convict arrives in town and kidnaps two local women. Adding to the chaos, an old accomplice is silently trailing him and bothering his sister.

This book comes highly recommended. While it can be enjoyed on its own, reading the previous books in the series will enhance your understanding of the characters' subtleties.

The story is filled with intrigue, suspense, and the unique charm of the talking cats. It will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow Joe and his friends in their quest to solve the murders and deal with the escaped convict.

So, if you're a fan of mystery novels with a touch of the supernatural, give this book a try. You won't be disappointed.