Cat Cross Their Graves

By: Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Narrated by: Susan Boyce

Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

BORING. WORST BY FAR

Talk, talk, talk. Blah, blah, blah. The storyline is beyond ridiculous. Fans of the whimsical Joe Grey will wonder what this author was thinking. The cats do very little if anything in this book and could have been left out all together, which they almost nearly were! I could not even stand to finish listening. This stinker is going back.

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.

Love this series

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

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.

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.

💗💗💗

ive loved every book in this series, but this one especially. the love that all these people are able to so willingly hand out.. it's heartwarming. they, and the cats, are so accepting of others, and so caring of the feelings of others. no matter what storm invades their little town, it's together, that they are able to weather through it all...=)
💗💗💗

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.

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!

Emotional rollercoaster

Be prepared to be frustrated by the choices certain characters make. While the plot is clearly the inspiration for some Law & Order SVU episodes, it was still worth a listen. Be prepared to be sobbing by the end though. Truly emotionally wrecked by this one. Trigger warnings for this episode definitely needed!

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.

Cat fantastic

I love these stories about the neighbourhood and the cats the plots are great and I love joe grey and dulcimer and kit

Joe Grey

Another fantastic book. I really enjoy these books and I'm looking forward to reading more

very moving

loving the series was not sure about this story at first as the topic a bit hard but was covered sensitive and lots of suitable humor as well.