Cat Raise the Dead

By: Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Narrated by: Susan Boyce

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

Joe Grey can't believe his human housemate, Clyde, would even consider volunteering him for the Animal Therapy program at the local nursing home - just when Joe was on the verge of solving the string of burglaries that has Molena Point residents shaking in their collective boots. But it turns out it's Dulcie, Joe's pretty little cat-friend, who came up with the idea of subjecting Joe to the cooing attentions of a bunch of doddering old coots. Dulcie believes there's more going on at the old folks' home than the care and feeding of lonely seniors. And she needs Joe's help in getting to the bottom of a conspiracy…and a very suspicious set of deaths.

©1997 Shirley Rousseau Murphy (P)2012 AudioGO

Talking, sentient cats begin new investigation

In Shirley Rousseau Murphy’s third Joe Grey and Dulcie book, we find our human friends Wilma still happy at the library, Clyde fixing cars. Wilma’s niece Charlie has been evicted and is overflowing with work for her fix it/clean it business with not enough employees to do the jobs, making her day longer and longer.

They are also watching their felines -- Joe Grey, owned by bachelor Clyde Damon, and Dulcie, owned by Wilma Getz -- beginning to follow a new investigation. The new skills of speech and sentience they acquired not even a year before enable them to participate in various crime investigations without revealing themselves. We are privy to their private conversations regarding a plain, old woman who is successfully cat-burgling a variety of homes. We hear the burglar’s thoughts that she doesn’t need the items she steals nor the money she gets fencing the items; she does it all for the thrill. She’s already burgled towns south, so who is she?

Joe is tracking the cat burglar when Clyde brings up his participation in the Pet-a-Pet program at the local senior home. Two afternoons a week a dozen or so pets gather with their owners and provide some pet therapy for residents of Casa Capri. Clyde finds out that it is Dulcie and Wilma who already participate that push Joe to join them. At the first visit a very young teenager named Dillon brings up her attempts to visit her friend Jane who was a resident in the home but then apparently had a stroke which necessitated her move to the medical wing where no visitors are allowed. However, with no family, Dillon says she should be allowed to visit or at least to have a letter delivered. The answer was always no.

Then one day an obscure cousin of Jane’s wants to visit. The nurses bring belongings and quilts and things you’d find in a typical room into the room Jane used to live in but which has remained empty since her stroke. Best foot forward in the appearances to the families. During this visit, Dillon is at Casa Capri and sees a laptop writing desk put into “Jane’s” closet. Dillon recognizes that and sneaks into the room when they remove the patient (is it even Jane?) to take back to the medical wing. Inside the desk Dillon finds a doll which Jane had made. She takes the doll to another resident who is asking about Jane. They could feel a lump under the doll’s dress which is a ragged line of stitching, not Jane’s beautiful work. Inside the doll under those sloppy stitches is a note from Jane to her friend confirming their fears; Jane had been moved against her will and essentially held prisoner in the medical wing. Wilma and Dillon visit Captain Harper with the news about Jane, the doll, and the letter.

Narrator Susan Boyce does a great job of reading this book. She brings the emotions off the page; i.e., Dillon’s worry over her friend Jane is strong and evident. My jaw fell open when we learned who the cat burglar was. I cheered when the culprits were caught. Hearing the events take place helps to add to the palpable emotions on the pages.

Sandie Herron

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Still loving it

All the main characters are back and a few more have been added to the mix. Still loving this series. Onto the next.

Another Wonderful Joe Grey & Dulcie Book!!!

WOW! No spoilers but I actually became so emotional throughout the whole story, especially the finale. My kitty Lily Rose ^..^ and I are now onto the next Joe Grey!

Just okay

Th actual story includes good writing, but the plot is easily guessed. it makes getting through the book a bit of a slog.

The narration started out okay, but then you notice that she puts emphasis on pronouns constantly, even when it's not appropriate. Say, "She cleaned the area", first as you normally would, then with emphasis on "she". It completely changes the atmosphere, even the mening of the sentence. This narrator does that constantly. I found it very distracting.

Excellent

Very entertaining! Love the book and the narrator! Would highly recommend to cat and mystery lovers.

An unusual approach to a Mystery Novel that Works

This is the third Joe Grey Mystery that I have read and so far it is my favorite. As the series develops, it just gets better. You have to suspend reality for it to really work for you, but after hearing many other mystery stories, it is refreshing to listen to something that looks at things from a different angle. It is a light mystery that is performed well and has a good plot development. My wife is an audiobook narrator and I know how difficult it is to do a good job. This narrator hits the sweet spot with a natural rendition of the characters.

Another Joe Grey delight

Would you consider the audio edition of Cat Raise the Dead to be better than the print version?

Heck no! It's just different. The reader brings each character to life with a light touch and lets the story tell itself. A good book "read" to you is always a pleasure. Anyway, if you want to read the paperback version you just grab your copy instead!

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of the cat characters are a real pleasure - my heart belongs to Dulcie though! The author knows her cats and as long as you don't freak out about talking cats the book characters are all a real pleasure.

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

The pleasure of a good voice reading my favourite books. Her light touch and restrained delivery mean I can enjoy the book knowing I will hear the story and enjoy it, no 'over the top' weird voices just subtle characterisations that indicate the person or cat, and the confidence a good story teller brings to the job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Every Joe Grey book is! When I finish I can always listen again!

Any additional comments?

It is great to see the Joe Grey books published on audio at last. I have read all the books and greatly enjoy 'hearing' them again. The reader is first rate and this fan is very happy. Thank you Audible and Susan Boyce (reader)