Logic and charming cats solve mysteries It all starts with a series of burglaries. Joe Grey and his female paramour Dulcie are doing their normal prowling when they notice a big black cat helping a human in robbing a local store. This is repeated and then done again leading to a total of three robberies. The local police are baffled but Joe and Dulcie find out that the black cat is just like them he can speak English.
Hard to get into the story The story started too slowly. It just didn't keep my interest. I really like the books where pets are the real sleuths. This one didn't work so I didn't finish it.
Meeting the Death Angel It's been almost a year since stubtailed 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 kindbut very different. The large and powerful black tomcat who calls himself Azrael is sardonic bullying and of criminal bentJoe 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 shopsa 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 Dulciethree 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 connectedand whether they relate to Azrael and his partner.Murphy paints a vivid portrait of a sentient cat gone wrongAzrael may be a villain but he's a strong character. There's also a share of humor in this novelJoe 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 bestknown 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.
A fine "Fantasy Whodunit" 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.
Loved it! 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.
Like the Everready rabbit this series is going stronger By A Customer 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 breakin 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.
A wonderful cosy filled with enchantment By A Customer 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 breakin 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 wellwritten mystery will leave readers ultimately to feel that Ms. Murphy is paying homage to her cats.
Great cat book series I just discovered the series and have really enjoyed all I've read so far. Each one is a just can't put it down book.
An excellent book for catlovers As the lone human in a household that includes cats I can't help but appreciate Joe and Dulcie. If my cats could speak and solve mysteries this is just the way they'd behave. The books in this series are great for an entertaining light read. Ms. Murphy does an excellent job in developing her characters and the reader comes to know them as friends. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Modern-day descendants of ancient Celtic talking cats, Joe Grey and Dulcie make their hardback debut in this cat-chy tale (after three paperback adventures: Cat Raise the Dead, etc.). When the feline duo witnesses a series of burglaries in their California seaside village, they are intrigued. Finding the human culprit and his accomplice, an alluringly evil black cat named Azrael, who also talks, proves to be easy. After Joe Grey and Dulcie accuse him of the crimes, Azrael tells them the thefts are nothing, considering that soon three people will be murdered. Joe Grey and Dulcie know that a number of newcomers have recently moved to the area, including a cat-hating librarian, a shifty financial adviser, a vengeful Georgia couple and an austere handywoman. All of them are acting oddly?even for humans: the librarian is trying to oust Dulcie from her position as official library cat; the financial adviser is wining and dining a local golddigger; the Georgians clandestinely photocopy their local aunt's financial portfolio; and the handywoman leads a hidden life. When the Georgia couple's bodies are found in the library's garden and the adviser is also murdered, the intrepid felines are on the case, much to the dismay of Joe's human keeper, contractor and car mechanic Clyde. As the cats surreptitiously survey the police investigation, they realize Azrael's missing human companion holds the key to the deaths. Rousseau writes a fast-paced tale, and she has a way with her cat scenes, but her mystery claws aren't as sharp as those of Rita Mae Brown or Lillian Jackson Braun (reviewed above). Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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