The beautiful, serene village of Molena Point, California is the type of place that evokes images of a quiet, traditional Christmas with family. But instead of singing carols and climbing into Christmas trees, the talking tomcat Joe Grey, Feline P.I., is faced with his most heartwrenching case yet, and it comes with a deadline. He employs the help of his girlfriend, Dulcie, and their tortoiseshell coated friend, Kit, to follow the trail. Kit has found a man shot dead beneath a Christmas tree, and the only witness is the child found clinging to his body.But there are no clues when the police finally arrive and the child is rendered speechless from shock. The police worry that they have hit a dead end. Luckily the cats have an advantage over the police in that they can follow suspects without being a detected threat. But Joe, Dulcie, and Kit have their paws full with a series of break-ins, robberies and Christmas parties. The savvy feline detectives find that everything is not as it first appears, after all, in small villages like Moreno Point, everything is connected...

About the Author

In addition to her popular Joe Grey mystery series for adults, for which she has received seven national Cat Writers' Association Awards for best novel of the year, Murphy is a noted children's book author who has received five Council of Authors and Journalists Awards. She and her husband live in Carmel, California, where they serve as full-time household help to two demanding feline ladies.

Reviews

Just in time for Christmas, Murphy brings in feline sleuth Joe Grey to celebrate the season and try to rescue a frightened child in her 14th mystery set in Molena Point, Calif. (after Cat Pay the Devil). Joe's tortoiseshell pal, Kit, discovers and reports a child clinging to a dead man under a Christmas tree. By the time the police arrive the body has disappeared (disposed of by the killer), as has the little girl (hidden by the cats). As Joe and company try to solve the mystery and keep the girl safe, intruders-perhaps linked to each other and the murder-break into Kit's house and a noted artist's studio at the Home for Orphan Children. Murphy's fans will be happy to curl up under a blanket as they savor the finely crafted suspense set against the backdrop of holiday feasts and festivities and the crashing waves of the Pacific. (Dec.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

"savor the finely crafted suspense set against the backdrop of holiday feasts and festivities... "--Publishers Weekly

In the 13th entry of this mystery series featuring feline private eye Joe Grey and friends, the fantastical talking and crime-solving cats must solve the murder of a man found shot dead with a traumatized child clinging to his side. For libraries where the series is popular. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.