Cat Coming Home
Joe Grey Mystery No. 17
Shirley Rousseau Murphy

William Morrow / HarperCollins
October 26, 2010 / 0061806935
Cozy Mystery / Cats
Amazon

Reviewed by Brenda Weeaks

Felines Joe, Dulcie, and Kit have a new home and Joe has a Weimaraner named Rock he can boss around. Life in Molena Point, California is good. Molena Point is a quiet village in central Los Angeles but currently the citizens are being terrorized by violent home invasions. Officer Max Harper is trying to chase down the robbers who are beating the victims and trashing their
homes.

Meanwhile Molena Point citizen Jack Reed is attacked in prison and ends up in the hospital. His concern is for the safety of his daughter. The relevance of Jack's case to the town and citizens seems a bit confusing but as the story unravels readers get the idea.

Narration is heavy on setting the storyline. It seems sometime before the characters actually take over and interact. The mystery begins with Madie and her grandson witnessing the murder of their loved ones. Afterward they move to Molena Point -- thinking it's safe. When strange things begin to happen, Madie and her son are sure they've been followed. The grandson confides in Joe and the other cats about his experience.

There's a lot of red-herrings and cat action (running roof tops, saving the day, etc.) Series followers will meet Joe's new owner Ryan. Ryan is talented and okay with talking cats. In fact they make a team of sleuths. Cat Coming Home is a holiday mystery to enjoy.