Cat on the Edge : A Joe Grey Mystery

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Summary: If You Like Rita Mae Brown...
Review: then you can't afford not to sample the Joe Grey mysteries, of which this is the first. Joe, a tough, stump-tailed tomcat, lives in the arty little California coastal village of Molena Point with Clyde Damen, who repairs and restores high-end and antique cars for a living, and Clyde's two dogs and three other cats. One day, to his astonishment, Joe discovers that he has inexplicably developed the ability to understand, speak, and read human speech. On top of this shock comes another: he witnesses a murder in the alleyway behind a local deli. And the killer seems to realize that Joe could be a threat to him, since the very next morning he tries to break into Clyde's house. Forced to go on the run, Joe teams up with Dulcie, a charming little brindle female belonging to retired parole officer Wilma Getz, who is a long-time friend of Clyde's; Dulcie too has just realized that she shares Joe's talent. Trying to preserve their own lives, they realize, requires that they help the police nail the murderer--which, in turn, draws them into a stolen-car ring and a counterfeiting scheme. The twists and turns of the plot, while complex, are so well drawn that the story flows easily from point to point, and the cats, apart from their fantastic abilities, are recognizably felines who behave just as any housecat might, yet at the same time are distinct and well-delineated characters. The fact that Joe and Dulcie have to do their maneuvering behind the scenes--only their own people, and one very special human, are allowed to learn about their new talents--adds a fresh angle to the so-often-repeated "amateur detective" motif. I've gone on to read the second book in the series and it maintains, if not exceeds, the quality of the first. Lovers of cats, mystery, and fantasy are sure to find this book a thorough delight. (Note: Murphy is also the YA fantasy novelist Sylvia Engdahl.)

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Summary: A most unique "Whodunit"
Review: This book is pretty well written, although the author has improved her technique in later books of the series. This is the first book of the "Joe Grey" series. The two main characters are cats who have learned to understand and speak the English language. The cat characters are really well done, showing a good understanding of cat nature by the author. The human characters that the cats play off of are not quite so vivid, but reasonably believable. The irritating tendency to switch back and forth between different characters in each chapter is a pretty minor flaw and may be a plus to some readers. It does tend to highten the suspense. This is a "Fantasy Whodunit" that is different from any others I've read. I think it's a valuable addition to the "Whodunit" genre and is certainly of great interest to cat lovers. The books that follow, in this series, get better and better.

Rating:
Summary: A most unique "Whodunit"
Review: This book is pretty well written, although the author has improved her technique in later books of the series. This is the first book of the "Joe Grey" series. The two main characters are cats who have learned to understand and speak the English language. The cat characters are really well done, showing a good understanding of cat nature by the author. The human characters that the cats play off of are not quite so vivid, but reasonably believable. The irritating tendency to switch back and forth between different characters in each chapter is a pretty minor flaw and may be a plus to some readers. It does tend to highten the suspense. This is a "Fantasy Whodunit" that is different from any others I've read. I think it's a valuable addition to the "Whodunit" genre and is certainly of great interest to cat lovers. The books that follow, in this series, get better and better.

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Summary: Good book!
Review: This is a great book if you like mysteries and cats. I highly recommend it!

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Summary: Mystery, Fun, and Fascination
Review: This is one of the more unusual mysteries I've read, but it's amusing and interesting as well as a good mystery. And it seems to haunt you afterwards. I read it on a lark, figured that was that when I finished it, but then I found myself eagerly seeking out the second book in the series. Joe, his girlfriend, and his humans are great.

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Summary: Oh Happy Day - A new series to love!
Review: What a wonderful day when a new series of books is found which guarantees hours of reading pleasure ahead. such is the case with this delightful mystery series. I have just completed two of the books and am totally delighted. Cat on the Edge was my first and I unexpectedly loved it and had to have the rest of the series. I am more of a dog person but loved these cats! The author obviously knows cats well as Joe and Dulcie behave exactly as you would expect a cat to behave except......they find themselves having human feelings about various situations, and the ability to talk, read and understand human speech. Add mystery and murder to all of the above and you have a delightful, light reading adventure. I felt like the characters in this book were old friends when finished reading and could hardly wait to begin reading their next adventure.

Rating:
Summary: Oh Happy Day - A new series to love!
Review: What a wonderful day when a new series of books is found which guarantees hours of reading pleasure ahead. such is the case with this delightful mystery series. I have just completed two of the books and am totally delighted. Cat on the Edge was my first and I unexpectedly loved it and had to have the rest of the series. I am more of a dog person but loved these cats! The author obviously knows cats well as Joe and Dulcie behave exactly as you would expect a cat to behave except......they find themselves having human feelings about various situations, and the ability to talk, read and understand human speech. Add mystery and murder to all of the above and you have a delightful, light reading adventure. I felt like the characters in this book were old friends when finished reading and could hardly wait to begin reading their next adventure.

Rating:
Summary: in suspence
Review: You wouldn't believe that cats talked,thought, or had feelings like humans. Joe grey has that, and now he's solving a murder mystery in one of the most normal towns you would ever have heard of; never any big problems, just the mischeif of all the neighborhood cats. Joe was the only witness, he thought, to the murder, and the person who did it is after him because he knows Joe's secret. Hiding in the shadows was Dulcie. The second of the three witnesses, whom also walked on four feet with the mysterious talent. Dulcie and Joe both discover they are one of the same, and work together to find the victims killer.
This movie was a very suspesful and some parts breath holding. I highely recommend it to people who love murder mysteries. Even if you aren't much for animal stories, this is one to at least pick up. It changes your perception on animals and opens your mind to a whole new different world of thoughts. The book leaves you wanting more.