Shirley Rousseau Murphy (1928–2022)

Cat in the Dark introduces another talking cat, Azrael, a big black tomcat from Panama. He isn't even remotely nice, except that he apparently cares about his human, Greeley Urzey. Azrael wants to convince the lovely little tabby, Dulcie, to come over to the dark side. Dulcie is attracted and repulsed. Azrael is no Joe Grey.

Azrael predicts three murders and that's what we get. I can't help wondering if Azrael was secretly hoping for some of them.

There are characters introduced who aren't show more what they seem as well as characters who are exactly what they seem. When is Chief Harper going to get a call from his mysterious informants?

There's a subplot involving a head librarian whose character is a disgrace to her profession. She wants Dulcie, the popular library cat, out. The library patrons and other citizens are signing petitions to keep their cat in.

I enjoyed the interaction among the characters, good and bad. There are some interesting arguments for or against our feline friends meddling in crime investigation. Chief Harper fears he's losing his mind. Poor Clyde is caught between his human and furry friends.

I've been liking the books more as the series progresses. show less

Molena Point is a quaint seaside town near the Bay Area of California. Everything is fairly peaceful right up until a body is discovered in the alley behind the local Deli. It seemed like the perfect crime with the only witness being a cat. And everyone knows cat's can't talk.

Cat on the Edge is the first in the Joe Grey Mysteries. This is slightly different than your average murder mystery as the murderer is identified fairly early on and it is the secondary story. Instead the real mystery show more lies with the cats, how they became the way they are, how they adapt to the situation and how their humans handle it all. The story has a slow reveal of the cat's nature while they put together the pieces of the murder to capture the killer. I read Murphy's Catsworld Portal years ago, which does tie in somewhat. It is not necessary to read that to enjoy this book though it will explain the mythology a bit more.

I quite enjoyed this cozy little mystery and plan to continue the series for a few books. It is a nice, light entrance to a mystery series for cat fans. show less

I was expecting Shirley Rousseau Murphy’s Cat on the Edge to be — well, different. It wasn’t twee at all, but plausible in a paranormal kind of way. I really loved main character Joe Grey, a sentient tomcat, and his scruffy owner, Clyde Damon.

And the book was surprisingly suspenseful. I read much too late into the night to find out the fate of Joe and Clyde, the unusual Kate Osborne, and Joe’s lady-love kitty, Dulcie. This is the cozy mystery for people who don’t like cozies. show more Highly recommended. show less

Misto, the yellow tabby-ghost cat, is still around, dividing his attention between train robber Lee Fontana and Sammie Blake, a young girl to whom he belonged in a previous life. The devil is still in pursuit of Lee, but he has broadened his quest to include the falsely-accused and convicted Morgan Blake in an effort to claim his true objective, Blake’s daughter Sammie. For this outing, the devil has a henchman in Brad Falon, the true perpetrator of the crimes for which the young man has show more been incarcerated.
While the truly evil Falon attacks and repeatedly torments Blake’s wife Becky, Lee frets over his fellow inmate’s situation; finally he is drawn into a desperate attempt to find a way to prove Morgan’s innocence. And soon a plan is hatched; if they are successful, the devil will have been thwarted one more time . . . .

Misto is much more involved in the telling of this tale than he was in its predecessor; the ghost cat's antics add a delightful dimension as they weave through the narrative. Nevertheless, the focus of the story is on Lee Fontana and the Blake family.
The cast of characters is broadened to include Becky’s mother and aunt; an unexpected twist casts a new light on everyone’s relationships. Bradford Falon adds a truly evil element, heightening the suspense and ratcheting up concern for the fate of the young husband and father.
A much more likeable Lee Fontana benefits from some insightful character development and the inclusion of enough backstory to understand his motivations. Readers will find themselves rooting for the success of the audacious scheme that just might prove Morgan Blake’s innocence and set him free.
The devil may be determined to destroy the innocent man’s life, but the wily ghost cat is fiercely determined to thwart his every attempt. A desire to ascertain the outcome of the battle between the devil and the intrepid ghost cat will keep the pages turning in this charming sequel.

Recommended. show less