Joe Grey Books in Order

The Best Way to Read the Joe Grey Series

Shirley Rousseau Murphy's Joe Grey mysteries have charmed cozy mystery and fantasy fans alike since the feline detective first prowled onto the scene. With a blend of classic crime-solving and a magical premise—cats who can speak, read, and think like humans—the series spans multiple decades. To fully appreciate the character development, shifting relationships, and ongoing story arcs in the coastal town of Molena Point, California, it is highly recommended to read this series in publication order.

Reading the books in order allows you to witness the evolving dynamics between Joe Grey, his feline partner Dulcie, the mischievous tortoiseshell Kit, and their trusted human companions like Clyde and Wilma. Because major plot points, such as the cats' secrets being shared with select humans and the introduction of recurring side characters, build from book to book, jumping in mid-series can lead to minor spoilers and confusion about the town's complex web of allies.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order (The 21 vs. 22 Book Discrepancy)

When looking up the series, readers often ask whether there are 21 or 22 books. The discrepancy comes down to a special novella titled Cat on the Money. Originally serialized in the now-defunct Cats Magazine, the story was left unfinished when the publication folded. Shirley Rousseau Murphy later completed and released it in 2010. Chronologically, the events of Cat on the Money take place between the 6th and 7th novels. If you want the most seamless narrative flow, you should slot it in right after Cat Spitting Mad, even though it was published much later.

The Joe Grey Books in Recommended Reading Path

1. Cat on the Edge (1996) – The essential starting point. Joe Grey witnesses a murder, discovers he can speak human language, and teams up with the beautiful Dulcie to solve the case.
2. Cat Under Fire (1996) – Joe and Dulcie investigate a suspicious house fire and a murder, while trying to keep their speaking abilities hidden from the police.
3. Cat Raise the Dead (1997) – The feline sleuths dig into a cold case involving a missing woman, discovering that old secrets can be deadly.
4. Cat in the Dark (1998) – Kit, a young tortoiseshell cat, enters the scene, adding a wild and unpredictable element to Joe and Dulcie's crime-solving.
5. Cat to the Dogs (1999) – When a friend is accused of murder, Joe and his companions work to clear their name, dealing with hostile dogs and human skeptics.
6. Cat Spitting Mad (2000) – A double murder hits close to home, forcing Joe to go head-to-head with dangerous criminals.
7. Cat on the Money (2010) – (Chronological Book #6.5) A novella where Joe investigates theft and fraud. Highly recommended to read here.
8. Cat Laughing Last (2001) – The cats investigate a suspicious death on a movie set in Molena Point.
9. Cat Seeing Double (2003) – A mysterious double complicates a murder investigation, testing the cats' deductive skills.
10. Cat Fear No Evil (2004) – A series of high-profile thefts and a murder challenge Joe, Dulcie, and Kit.
11. Cat Cross Their Graves (2005) – A historic celebration in Molena Point turns deadly, uncovering historical secrets.
12. Cat Breaking Free (2005) – Joe and Dulcie head to the nearby hills to track down a gang of thieves targeting local ranches.
13. Cat Pay the Devil (2007) – An escaped convict arrives in Molena Point, and the cats must track him down before he strikes again.
14. Cat Deck the Halls (2007) – A festive holiday mystery involving a murder under the village Christmas tree and a young child in danger.
15. Cat Playing Cupid (2009) – Love and murder clash around Valentine's Day as the cats investigate a suspicious death.
16. Cat Striking Back (2009) – The feline team goes up against a clever extortionist targeting the local business owners.
17. Cat Coming Home (2010) – A winter mystery featuring a lonely prison cat who helps Joe and Dulcie solve a holiday homicide.
18. Cat Telling Tales (2011) – The town is threatened by arson, and the cats must piece together the clues before Molena Point goes up in flames.
19. Cat Bearing Gifts (2012) – Joe balances his crime-solving duties with new family responsibilities, while a car crash reveals a hidden treasure.
20. Cat Shout for Joy (2016) – Joe and Dulcie protect their newborn kittens while tracking a killer who has returned to the area.
21. Cat Shining Bright (2018) – A local home invasion brings new threats, forcing the feline detectives to coordinate with local law enforcement.
22. Cat Chase the Moon (2018) – The final novel in the series. Joe Grey tackles a chilling murder case while safeguarding his family and community.

The Lee Fontana Duology and the Misto Crossover

For readers who want to explore the wider universe of Molena Point, the Lee Fontana duology is a must-read. Co-authored by Shirley Rousseau Murphy and her husband, Pat J.J. Murphy, these books introduce Lee Fontana, a ghost who teams up with a phantom prison cat named Misto. While these books are technically a separate supernatural spin-off, they share a deep narrative connection with the Joe Grey series.

Misto and his offspring, such as the cat Pan, eventually cross over directly into the main Joe Grey books (appearing in novels like Cat Bearing Gifts and Cat Shout for Joy). The events of the Lee Fontana books lay down a supernatural history that enriches the lore of Molena Point. For the best reading experience, read the Lee Fontana books alongside the later Joe Grey novels, specifically around the publication of Cat Bearing Gifts.

• The Cat, the Devil, and the Lee Fontana (2014)
• The Cat, the Devil, and the Last Escape (2015)

The Catswold Portal: A Thematic Predecessor

Before launching Joe Grey, Shirley Rousseau Murphy published a standalone fantasy novel in 1992 titled The Catswold Portal. While it is set in a completely separate universe and features shape-shifting cats who can turn into humans, Murphy frequently noted that this book served as the creative springboard for the Joe Grey series. Writing about the highly intelligent felines of Catswold inspired her to ground similar traits in a contemporary mystery setting, though Joe Grey and his companions are firmly cats who remain proudly feline.

What to Know Before You Start

The Joe Grey series occupies a unique niche. While it features talking cats, it is not a childish fantasy series. The mysteries involve genuine danger, murder, and complex criminal enterprises. The magic system is understated; the cats cannot cast spells, nor can they transform. Their only supernatural traits are human-level intelligence, literacy, and speech. They must still navigate the world as small animals, using their claws, agility, and night vision to gather evidence that human investigators miss.