Cat Cross Their Graves

By: Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Narrated by: Susan Boyce

The beautiful, serene village of Molena Point, California is the type of place where people go to get away from the harsher realities of life - which is what attracted classic film star Patty Rose to buy the village inn and settle down to enjoy her golden years. But as the town gathers to celebrate and honor the beautiful, aging actress with a festival of her old films, Patty is brutally murdered - to the horror and shock of this peaceful burg.

A gentle tortoiseshell cat, Kit, has been enjoying a retreat to the animal-loving actress’ inn, where she’s spending time with her feline friends - Dulcie and the slick tomcat sleuth Joe Grey. But her relaxation is cut short when she hears the gunshots that end Patty’s life and sees her dead body sprawled on the inn’s front steps. She glimpses the killer racing into the parking garage and soon follows his trail.

Joe and Dulcie must now follow the naïve Kit’s trail and keep her from getting into serious trouble. To complicate matters, Joe discovers that Dulcie has been hiding a runaway child - one of the lucky humans that these special cats choose to talk to - who has now been kidnapped, likely by the same man who killed their famous friend. When the shocking discovery of hidden graves raises the stakes even further, the inquisitive feline trio will have to work quickly to claw out the truth and end the nightmare that has the devastated community reeling.

©2005 Shirley Rousseau Murphy (P)2013 AudioGO

Critic reviews

“A skilled YA author, Murphy handles such sensitive issues as child endangerment and death well…Established fans will welcome back all their old friends, both feline and human.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“Fans of the series will welcome this new episode, which maintains the expected suspense and investigative skills of the cats.” ( Booklist)

“The somber plot is leavened by the author’s affection for her characters and their rewarding small-town lives.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

Full of depth, emotion, complex storylines

This tenth entry in the Joe Grey mysteries takes steps forward in many ways including improved writing and storytelling. Cat Cross Their Graves was complex with many plot lines crossing each other more than once. The end was a wonderfully satisfying climax of all of the loose ends.

Kit, a sentient tortoiseshell cat, is finally living with Pedric and Lucinda Greenlaw, plans for which had been put on hold until they returned from traveling the west coast in their special RV. When they returned to the small village of Molena Point, California, Pedric and Lucinda stay at the luxurious inn owned by former country singer Patty Rose. Kit spends time with her feline friends - Dulcie and Joe Grey – sitting in the Inn’s bay window with a view of town. They and their human friends are planning a high tea honoring Patty Rose as well as one of the senior ladies who had been friends with Patty for many years. The fun is cut short when Kit hears gunshots aimed at Patty and sees the small, thin man running away from the scene. Kit is convinced he is Jack Reed, but she needs proof. She manages to find some crucial material in the Reed’s home, but she has great difficulty getting out leaving the items she’d found accessible to the police without needing a warrant.

Dulcie is secretly helping 12-year-old Lori Reed who had run away from her father because he locked her into their home with boarded windows and nailed doors. There was simply no way out other than the front door which was under her father’s control. Lori made her way out and was now hiding in a small cubbyhole in the wall in the library’s basement where she’d brought peanut butter and jelly, a blanket, and a few articles of clothing. She’d been gone two weeks and her food was running out.

In the meantime, the senior ladies who had set up their own retirement home were working in their garden when they discovered the bones of a small child. They called MPPD Captain Max Harper who then called anthropologists to study the grave and unearth what it held. Only there was more than one set of bones. They felt it was especially peculiar since their senior home had once belonged to Jack Reed, which meant that Lori and her mother lived there as well. Sadly Lori’s mother died of cancer, but that wasn’t when Jack turned bad.

Will Lori Reed return home or be forced into foster care? Will Jack Reed change back into the caring man he once was? Will the town still hold high tea in honor of Patty? Will the man who shot Patty end up in jail? I found myself tugged in all sorts of directions by the end of the book. Another question that kept coming up for each character was their view on what happens when one dies -- Is there a heaven, or is there nothing? It was fascinating to read all the different opinions and the short philosophical conversations that followed some of those revelations.

Cat Cross their Graves is an exceptional entry in the Joe Grey series. It is a captivating cozy mystery full of depth, emotion, and complex storylines that intertwine in many ways. I highly recommend it.

An Absorbing Story - Joe Grey at his best

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a mystery thriller, well told by a good narrator. It's a good listen for Joe Grey fans with plenty going on, humour, tension, adventure, and at times it was very moving. There is much to absorb the reader, from the reckless adventure of tortoiseshell Kit to the hide and seek of a runaway, and the mystery of missing children.

What did you like best about this story?

It was not a start at Point A and end at Point Z mystery, several times it looks in other directions giving us pause for thought. it covers a tough subject (the murder of children) with compassion.

What does Susan Boyce bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

There is just the subtlest hint of characterisation in the narrator's voice when a character speaks. I like this, just small changes that add a touch of colour without tripping up or impeding the story.

I like Susan's 'Dulcie' she gives her the gentleness, humour and intelligence as the Dulcie in my imagination.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end, yes I know it sounds strange, but after the tension, hope and happiness of events that have gone before, there is a quiet happiness and resolution for three small figures....

Any additional comments?

For Joe Grey fans, this is one of the best yet, the narration is good, the story vivid and colourful. There is so much here to absorb the listener I will return to it again.

Me Joe Grey

One of the best stories I have ever read or listen to in my life and have started listening from the beginning not realizing I had missed this one and I think this may be my favorite if that’s possible since I am in love with the three cats especially Joe Grey. I have a cat named Boots that reminds me of Joe Grey. Enjoy this book to the fullest because I know if you start it you will have to finish the series and probably have to listen or read a few times.

Dulcie Keeping Secrets

Talking cat, Dulcie is keeping secrets from Joe Grey. Joe is beside himself with worry. Has another tomcat moved in oh his territory? But Dulcie is keeping the secret from everyone, even her owner, Wilma Getz. Dulcie, the designated Library Cat, is hiding a little girl, Lori Reed, who is twelve years old and running from her father. The cats have also just witnessed the murder of local legend, classic film star Patty Rose, who had returned to the village to retire. The story is well detailed, full of mystery, character and it kept me listening until late into the night. As usual, things weren’t what they seemed. And the team of cat sleuths, along with Police Chief, Max Harper, his wife, Charlie, Clyde, Ryan and the Senior Ladies all pitched in to solve the crime and to take care of Lori. Excellent addition to the series!

another in a great series

I love these stories and am listening to them in sequence. There are several different plot lines occurring in each one and told so convincingly you believe in talking cats. The narrator is also very good and pleasant to listen.

More crimes for the 3 cats to investigate.

New characters, more backstory, plenty of tension. An excellent continuation of the series which is best read in order.

Love this series

Another unique take in the ongoing saga of sentient cats and interesting characters. Continue to enjoy.

Cat cross their graves

I absolutely loved this book! I have to tell you...I got no television watching done, I just wanted to finish this story!

Perfect

I'm enjoying this wonderful series.
Hope to listen to all of the books.
I am a CAT loving lady.

Good but immersed in evil.

The most shocking story so far in the Joe Grey series which goes into one of the most evil aspects of human kind.