Shirley Rousseau Murphy Books In Order

Publication Order of Joe Grey Books

Publication Order of Children of Ynell Books

Publication Order of Dragonbards Books

Publication Order of Lee Fontana Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Picture Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Shirley Rousseau Murphy is an American author, most well-known for her Joe Grey Mysteries, featuring an anthropomorphic cat detective. The first book, Cat on the Edge, was published in 1996. Cat Chase the Moon, #21 and the last in the series, was published in 2019.

In 2020, Shirley turned 92. In March 2022, a note was posted on her website stating that due to advancing age and health problems, Cat Chase the Moon would be the last of the Joe Grey books.

Shirley Rousseau Murphy was born in Oakland, California, in 1928. She grew up in Southern California, where she enjoyed riding and showing the horses that her father trained.

Shirley attended San Francisco Art Institute and soon after graduation, married Marine veteran Pat Murphy. She was a commercial artist and worked in interior design while Pat attended USC under the GI Bill. When her husband finished college, Shirley began to exhibit paintings and welded metal sculpture in West Coast shows.

When her husband agreed to help establish the first federal probation office in the Panama Canal Zone, they moved to Panama. During their time there, she felt called to a different creative outlet and began to write. After leaving Panama, they moved to Oregon and then Atlanta, Georgia. They eventually returned to California when Pat retired as Chief U.S. Probation Officer for Northern District of Georgia.

In the Joe Grey Mysteries, Shirley Rousseau Murphy created an unusual approach to the feline mystery tales. Joe Grey is a cat who discovers that he can understand humans and can speak. He witnesses a murder and after discovering that he is being hunted by the killer, Joe leaves home to protect his owner.

As the story continues, we meet another cat, Dulcie. The cats team up to bring the murderer to justice. Other than some characters being cats, the story is a typical crime novel involving car theft, murder, and counterfeiting.

The two cats, Joe and Dulcie, are charming. Shirley Rousseau Murphy manages to entertain and subtly weave moral lessons into the adventures of Joe Grey and Dulcie. Her books are highly appealing to fans of cats, fantasy and mysteries.

3 Responses to “Shirley Rousseau Murphy”

1. Debra Wheeler: 4 months ago

   I really loved that series too. I sadly read that Shirley Rousseau Murphy passed away on September 23rd. 2022 She was 94. I will surely miss her books

   Reply
2. Pamela Sutton: 8 months ago

   Joe grey came into my life in the most difficult times. He saved me emotionally… he and his cat friends, and his human friends as well. Molina Point seems lovely, for CA. More pleasant, kind and peaceful. I like to open these books and escape from the world at times. I’ve read the entire series multiple times, and I’m not done yet! Thank you, Ms. Murphy. You’ve made the world a better place. With love and respect…

   Reply
3. Maxine Hopkins: 1 year ago

   I loved all the Joe Grey books. thank you your stories. I do miss them,

   Reply