Shirley Rousseau Murphy

  • 13

    Catalog books

  • 14

    Works

  • 1993 to 2019

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Shirley Rousseau Murphy writes feline-centered mysteries and speculative fiction that place cats at the heart of community and adventure. Her Joe Grey mysteries and Catsworld/Catswold Portal stories blend cozy procedural elements with imaginative worldbuilding, giving readers curious, observant cat protagonists and warm, small-town settings.

Across titles like Cat Breaking Free, Cat Shout for Joy, and the Catswold/Catsworld Portal books, Murphy explores the bond between humans and cats while layering mystery, moral dilemmas, and portal-driven fantasy. Her work favors clear plotting, empathetic animals, and gentle yet engaging stakes that invite sustained series reading.

Best Place To Start

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Cozy mystery series starring Joe Grey the talking cat • Blends humor with gentle mystery • Long-running Catsworld/Catswold setting

Genres and themes: Cozy mystery • Animal perspective • Whimsy and community

Who this author is best for: Good for readers who enjoy light, character-driven mysteries with a feline narrator and small-town charm.

Begin with early Catswold/Catsworld entries to learn recurring characters and the setting before exploring later Joe Grey titles.

Top Books To Start With

  1. Cat Pay the Devil: A Joe Grey Mystery (Joe Grey Mysteries)

    Harpercollins • 2007 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2007 • 304 pages.

  2. Cat Breaking Free : A Joe Grey Mystery

    Harpercollins • 2006 • longer commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2006 • 400 pages.

  3. Cat Breaking Free: A Joe Grey Mystery (Joe Grey Mysteries)

    Harpercollins • 2005 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2005 • 335 pages.

  4. Cat Cross Their Graves: A Joe Grey Mystery (Joe Grey Mysteries)

    Harpercollins • 2005 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2005 • 305 pages.

  5. Catsworld Portal

    Harpercollins • 2005 • longer commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2005 • 414 pages.

  6. Cat Shout for Joy

    William Morrow • 2016 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2016 • 336 pages.

  7. The Catswold Portal

    New Amer Library • 1993 • longer commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1993 • 418 pages.

  8. Cat to the Dogs (A Joe Grey Mystery)

    Harpercollins • 2000 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2000 • 243 pages.

  9. Cat in the Dark

    Harpercollins • 1999 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1999 • 320 pages.

  10. Cat Raise the Dead: A Joe Grey Mystery

    Harpercollins • 1997 • longer commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1997 • 352 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • Cat Pay the Devil: A Joe Grey Mystery (Joe Grey Mysteries) is the easier short commitment, while Cat Breaking Free : A Joe Grey Mystery asks for more reading time up front.
  • Cat Breaking Free : A Joe Grey Mystery gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while Cat Pay the Devil: A Joe Grey Mystery (Joe Grey Mysteries) leans later in the catalog.

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