Cat to the Dogs

By: Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Narrated by: Susan Boyce

Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Ever since the earthquake, things have been going from bad to worse in Molena Point, usually the most tranquil little town on the North California coast. It started with that suspicious "accident" on Hellhag Hill. The police might write it off to the night fog, but Joe Grey knows a cut brake line when he sees it - he may be a cat, but he's already solved more murders than your average police detective! Then there's Clyde, Joe's erratic but loveable human. He thinks cats should stay out of police work (as if humans could handle it on their own!), and to make his point, he's locking Joe and his lady friend Dulcie out of the house when Officer Harper comes over to play poker. But Joe isn't about to give up the chase. Not until the "ghost" of Hellhag Hill is tracked down and brought to justice.

©2015 Blackstone Audio (P)2009 Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Severed Brakes and Great Danes

The fifth in the Joe Grey series is one of my favorites. Lucinda Greenlaw’s husband has been killed in a boating accident, and she has been descended upon by all of his awful relatives. But Lucinda isn’t sad about the passing of her husband, she’s secretly relieved. He never stayed home, he was a philanderer their entire marriage, as well as a thief. Then Joe Grey discovers the wrecked car (driver dead) with the brake lines cut, and two nearly starved Great Dane pups abandoned inside . . . which he takes home to Clyde. Convinced the driver was murdered, Joe Grey begins to investigate and tips off Max Harper. The grieving Lucinda retreats into the hills to escape the hoard of in-laws at her house, meeting up with little Kit, the tortoisehair cat from Hellhag Hill. Soon Pedric, who is kind, and has always been fond of Lucinda, follows her up into the hills on her walks. This is the book that gives the backgrounds of Lucinda, Pedric and Kit. And it will melt your heart. Clyde cannot get a handle on the wild Great Dane pups, and ends up having to get Max to help 😊. All in all, one of the best in the series. And as always, Joe Grey and Dulcie, win the day!

Another magical story full of humor & mystery

Ms Shirley Russo Murphy has done it again so heart warming , mystical,funny and a suspenseful
a tale as ever told. She never disappoints. I have read the entire series years ago and am enjoying
the way Audible choice of expetert orators bring these marvelous stories to life. Keep it up.

This series continues to be both exciting and provocative, and I look forward to listening to the entire series

This series continues to be both exciting and provocative, and I look for many hours to continue until I complete this series. I’m already concerned about what I will listen to after this series because it’s so enjoyable!

Very enjoyable, well done, and highly recommended

One morning when a dense fog rolls in over the quaint town of Molena Point, California, a vintage car goes off the highway and careens down Hellhag Hill leaving a man dead. Joe Grey and Dulcie are out that morning looking to hunt a rabbit or rat for breakfast. Oh, did I forget to mention they are cats? It’s easy to forget since they are sentient beings, able to speak, read, talk, and interact with humans and cats alike in the most believable way. Their history is told in the centuries-old Celtic tales, and their number is small. Joe Grey and Dulcie keep their ability a secret except from each of their human housemates and a handful of other people.

Joe and Dulcie, out that foggy morning, quickly find the crashed car and its dead occupant. Joe looks the car over carefully and notices that the brake line has been cut. They have more immediate concerns in the two part-Great-Dane puppies that were also in the car. They follow Joe Grey home to where his human housemate Clyde Damon lives. Clyde decides to keep the puppies and is convinced that he can train them. Everyone, including Molena Point Police Captain Max Harper, thinks not. They cause a ruckus almost everywhere they go. One can almost hear their energy from the narrator’s voice.

Joe and Dulcie note a set of human footprints at the scene which strengthens their belief that someone was responsible for the car going over the cliff and then making it look like an accident, especially when they find a torn brake line thrown on the ground after being changed for a new one. Joe gets the news to MPPD Captain Harper, who personally visits the crash site and notices the brake line and other clues as well. Joe and Dulcie love to investigate and pass their information on to Max anonymously.

The clowder of sentient cats at Hellhag Hill does not want to go back inside the safety of their cave because of a recent series of small earthquakes. However, there is a Puma wandering too close to town and some small animals have disappeared, presumably as prey. Joe and Dulcie go on high alert, but they are worried about an animal at Hellhag Hill crying without relief. Dulcie particularly wants to find this creature and offer comfort. It takes some time, but they come upon a small black and tan tortoiseshell kitten about 4 months old but thin as a bone and alone except for the clowder which has rejected her.

When Dulcie isn’t home or with Joe, she watches the family next door to Clyde. The man of the house, Seamus, has died, and the family is gathering for the funeral. They are not the least bit considerate of Lucinda, the widow, and take over her home. Lucinda can be found on Hellhag Hill in her early morning walks looking for solace and solitude. The kitten has taken note and approached her from a distance. Lucinda puts food out for the kitten. And then she begins to bring Pedric Greenlaw, her relative by marriage, a nice older gentleman who ultimately saves her life.

The many plots are skillfully woven together by Shirley Rousseau Murphy. Susan Boyce expertly reads the stories and switches from one character to another with no breaks. Very enjoyable, well done, and highly recommended.

Loved Joe

The story moved fast at the begining and drew me in. I enjoyed the two pups making you laugh. Kit had to find out what happens to her!

Cute mystery

I liked this more than expected. I thought it was a "kids" tale. Not so. Held my interest and well presented. At times I had a bit of a hard time telling the difference in characters voices but over all pretty good narration. The story line was good once I got into it (which took a little while). It was a bit to long but enjoyed it anyway.

Surprisingly enjoyable

I have been listening to the series back to back and almost quit this book after the first couple of chapters. So glad I continued. It turned out to be one of the best so far. Full of surprises, turns, and unexpected villains.

Very well written, although the performance confused me at times. Clyde’s voice sounded different from other books, and some other voices changed from chapter to chapter. Appreciate the narrator effort because it must quite a challenge to deliver voices with such many different nuisances.

What a Terrific Tail

Fast moving, colorful characters & a compelling plot kept my ears *glued* to this latest Joe Grey mystery. After listening to this latest book, I'd really like to visit the town & meet the folks, dine at the eateries & especially meet the cat folks. I also enjoy the reader's voice; it is perfect for keeping all the characters distinctly different, which must be quite a vocal feat. I'm headed for the next installment!
p.s. I am an animal 'softie', having volunteered in feline Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage & having fed feral cat colonies, so I deeply appreciate that no animals died in this book: when reading, that can really make me wish I hadn't picked that particular book. ;-)

these books get better and better!

im so happy for sweet little kit=) that she found a real home, with others just like her. i just love all these characters! human and feline alike, they are all endearing~you just wanna root and cheer for their happiness!
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intriguing

was on the edge of my seat through the whole book. like the narrator very much