The Joe Grey Books

The Joe Grey Series

written by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Cat on the Edge (book 1) 1996

Cat Under Fire (book 2) 1998

Cat Raise the Dead (book 3) 1999

Cat in the Dark (book 4) 1999

Cat to the Dogs (book 5) 2000

Cat Spitting Mad (book 6) 2001

Cat on the Money (short fiction) 2010 

Cat Laughing Last (book 7) 2002

Cat Seeing Double (book 8) 2003

Cat Fear No Evil (book 9) 2004

Cat Cross Their Graves (book 10) 2005

Cat Breaking Free (book 11) 2005

Cat Pay the Devil (book 12) 2007

Cat Deck the Halls (book 13) 2007

Cat Playing Cupid (book 14) 2009

Cat Striking Back (book 15) 2009

Cat Coming Home (book 16) 2010

Cat Telling Tales (book 17) 2011

Cat Bearing Gifts (book 18) 2012

Cat Shout for Joy (book 19) 2016

Cat Shining Bright (book 20) 2017

Cat Chase the Moon (book 21) 2019

Image taken from http://www.joegrey.com/

A few days ago, Shirley Rousseau Murphy's Facebook page reported that there will be no more Joe Grey books.

I discovered Joe Grey in 2009, while on a 6-month layoff from my job.

There was a lot of time to read!

I purchased every book, instead of checking them out from the library...that's how much I LOVE Joe Grey!

After that, every new book was snapped up on the day it was released.

All good things come to an end, but wait...there's more!

While researching the series, I've just discovered that all of the books are on audiobook.

Woo Hoo!

I've already re-read all of the books many times, but now...I get to listen to them!

Sad to see Joe Grey, Dulcie, and their furry and human families fade away, but I'll never forget these fabulous stories.

And for those who don't know the series...I'll let you in on a secret:

Joe Grey...the cat...can talk!

And he feels it's his duty to assist the local police in solving crime.

Disclaimer:  I received no compensation for this post.  I write about things that interest me, and that I believe will interest my readers, and give my honest opinions.

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Hot Off The Presses!

Cat Shining Bright by Shirley Rousseau Murphy came out today, and I drove to the local bookstore to purchase a copy on my lunch break. Even managed to read a couple of chapters...

Has that new book smell!

I wore my Hula Cats socks in honor
of the new book

Close Up of Hula Cat!

I started reading The Joey Grey Mysteries in 2009, when I discovered the series while kicking around the public library.  Went out and purchased every book already published, and read them in order. Now as new books appear, I drive to the bookstore and buy!  Yes, they are cheaper if pre-ordered, but the act of picking it off the shelf is now a thrill that I relish.  A routine, if you will...and we all know how much cats LOVE routine!

Shhh...don't tell The Hubby; he thinks I only pick up books at the resale shops.

Cat Shout for Joy

I started reading the Joe Grey Mystery series back in 2009, when I was laid-off from my job and looking for a new position.  Those were difficult emotional times for me, plus I had just begun my personal TNR campaign for the cats in the neighborhood.  I was taking TNR classes, learning how to make my life integrate with twice daily feedings outside, while attending every resume-writing, interviewing for beginners, how to network online, free class I could find!

Spending lots of time at the local library, I searched the book catalog for 'cat' books, to soothe my nerves.  Reading is my great escape!  Author Shirley Rousseau Murphy's name came up, and I saw there were already several books in the Joe Grey Mystery series.  So, I checked out the very first book, "Cat on the Edge".  The mixture of murder mystery, metaphysical cat lore, and the bond between humans and cats was a powerful punch! I then secretly bought every book in the series, which was a very big deal for someone living on a VERY fixed income!  I devoured every book, and then reread them again.  Now, for years, I wait impatiently for the next volume, and I was NOT disappointed in "Cat Shout for Joy", which was published last month.

Last night, I stayed up past midnight, as I read the last of this tale.  I cried multiple times...tell me, how often does reading fiction make you cry?!?  I will not give the story away; there are too many spoilers for me to even tell you much about the characters of Joe Grey, the mostly grey-colored cat with a short tail, and his lady tabby cat Dulcie.  Along with their human companions, plus many members of the Molena Point Police department, a band of very special feral cats, and calico Kit and her special cat friend Pan, Shirley Rousseau Murphy has created a landscape of fascinating...and mysterious...stories that I hope you will enjoy reading.

Cat Shout for Joy: A Joe Grey Mystery
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 9780062403490
On Sale: 02/23/2016
Pages: 336