Helpful Score: 7
This is the first in the Joe Gray series. I really enjoy this book, and plna to read the rest of the series. Joe Gray is a cat, who witnesses a murder, and all of the sudden has the power of human speech. Here is the sereis in order (from http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/M_Authors/Murphy_Shirley-Rousseau.html:
Joe Grey Cat, private investigator, is featured in:
Cat on the Edge (1996)
Cat under Fire (1997)
Cat Raise the Dead (1997)
Cat in the Dark (1999)
Cat to the Dogs (2000)
Cat Spitting Mad (2001)
Cat Laughing Last (2002)
Cat Seeing Double (2003)
Cat Fear No Evil (2004)
Cat Cross Their Graves (2005)
Cat Breaking Free (2005)
Cat Pay the Devil (2007) (From FantasticFiction.com
Joe Grey Cat, private investigator, is featured in:
Cat on the Edge (1996)
Cat under Fire (1997)
Cat Raise the Dead (1997)
Cat in the Dark (1999)
Cat to the Dogs (2000)
Cat Spitting Mad (2001)
Cat Laughing Last (2002)
Cat Seeing Double (2003)
Cat Fear No Evil (2004)
Cat Cross Their Graves (2005)
Cat Breaking Free (2005)
Cat Pay the Devil (2007) (From FantasticFiction.com
Helpful Score: 5
The main character in this story talks. He is also a cat. The book is written in such a way that this is actually able to be believed by the reader. It was well written and holds your attention.
Helpful Score: 4
Having once been owned by a genius cat I do enjoy the Joe Grey mysteries. The author has a keen eye for people and cats and keeps the suspense going.
Helpful Score: 2
Lots of fun! Introduces Joe Grey, a new P.I., to the world. He's short, dark and handsome (at least in his own slitted eyes!) but he's not really the silent type anymore.
From back cover: 'It's me, your cat. I had to split. I witnessed a crime and someone is following me. Trust me. When I get this sorted out, I'll be home. I am still your cat, and I guess I miss you...'
Joe Grey jumped down to the floor without hanging up the phone. He was trapped in an unfolding nightmare. First he found he could understand human speech (who would have guessed they had so little to say?). Then he found he could talk (useful for scaring dogs) and even read.
He got worried when he found himself feeling human emotions like guilt and sympathy. He even caught himself planning his day!
All that, Joe Grey could have handled. If only he hadn't found himself in the alley behind Jolly's Delly the night Beckwhite was murdered...
From back cover: 'It's me, your cat. I had to split. I witnessed a crime and someone is following me. Trust me. When I get this sorted out, I'll be home. I am still your cat, and I guess I miss you...'
Joe Grey jumped down to the floor without hanging up the phone. He was trapped in an unfolding nightmare. First he found he could understand human speech (who would have guessed they had so little to say?). Then he found he could talk (useful for scaring dogs) and even read.
He got worried when he found himself feeling human emotions like guilt and sympathy. He even caught himself planning his day!
All that, Joe Grey could have handled. If only he hadn't found himself in the alley behind Jolly's Delly the night Beckwhite was murdered...
Helpful Score: 1
Delightful book!!
Helpful Score: 1
This is a really great series, my 12 yr old even loves it! Mrs. Murphy has truly captured the personality of cats in her wonderful series!
Helpful Score: 1
Entertaining and fun to read story of two cats who have the ability to talk and solve a mystery. Who could ask for anything more in a cat? This one was a good comic relief for me after doing some pretty heavy reading for a while. Another cat is a "changer" who can become human after murmuring some kind of Welch witchey words. As with most cozies the novel has a mystery, a little romance, and a "happily ever after" ending. I liked it. I might even read number two in the series. Who knows, I may even become hooked!
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoy the characters of the book, Joe Gray and Dulcie,the cats and how the author does an excellenct job of portraying them.It is mystery but I had more fun reading about how the cats looked at teh mystery and the world. I would recommend this series for any "serious cat lover." K.C.C.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a good mystery with a science fiction/fantasy flair. The story is told from the viewpoint of the cat, Joe Grey, who discovers that he can talk (and think) like a human.
Helpful Score: 1
I'm so hooked in this series - the premise of cats who can talk, read and solve mysteries should endear any cat lover!
Helpful Score: 1
The first of the joe Gray series. Tells how he first started talking. Enjoyed this. Will try to read others on this subject
Helpful Score: 1
Really liked this book.
Helpful Score: 1
I think this might be the first of this series or at least one of the first.Explains some things.
Helpful Score: 1
Joe Grey is a cat. He witnessed a crime, someone is following him and on top of that he suddenly finds he can understand human speech and then things get interesting. Fun!
Helpful Score: 1
I adore cats and have 2 despite being allergic to them. I can picture these wonderful cat characters as they go about their sleuthing. I read before bed in order to sleep-and this series is by far my favorite mystery series of all time
Helpful Score: 1
Great book. Love all of Shirley Rousseau Murphy's books.
Helpful Score: 1
I thouroughly enjoyed this far-fetched tale! A great cozy mystery read.
Helpful Score: 1
Cute story
Helpful Score: 1
Joe Grey jumped down to the floor without hanging up the phone. He was trapped in an unfolding nightmare. First he found he could understand human speech. The he found he could talk and even read.
Of all the "cat detective" books written, Joe Grey books are the best.
Joe Grey is a cat who learns that he can understand and speak. He witnesses a murder and for some strange reason, the killer recognizes something about him and tries to kill him, too. Joe eventually meets another cat who has the same "problem" and is also pursued by the same killer. It was a fun and entertaining story.
Very good, very different. Will read others.
Interesting story. Only one put off...the in depth description of EVERYTHING. Story runs a little slow because of all the description, but when the story is moving, it is interesting.
The first in a series about a cat name Joe Grey that discovers he can talk and gets involve in solving a murder.It was a great read. I will be looking for others in the series to read.
A very good series and love those cats and the things they get into!
Since this book is written through the cat's point of view, it's different than most mystery books. These books have been around for a while, but this is the first one I have read from this series. I really like it. Even though they found the culprit, it wasn't explained how or why he did what he did. The ending was left open, so, I hope it's the lead-in to book 2. If not, I may be disappointed in this book.