Cat Coming Home: A Joe Grey Mystery

In Murphy's deeply moving 17th Joe Grey mystery (after 2009's Cat Striking Back), yuletide cheer appears in the enchanting form of Misto, a wise old yellow tomcat who returns from a long sojourn in Soledad Prison to Molena Point, Calif., where he's thrilled to connect with cat sleuths Joe Grey, Dulcie, and Kit, who lend police chief Max Harper and his detectives a helping paw in the close-knit seaside community. Maudie Toola, and her orphaned grandson, Benny, have also returned to Molena Point, where they are celebrating their first Christmas since a family tragedy eight months earlier—the shooting murders of Maudie's son, Martin, and his second wife on an isolated mountain road east of L.A. Since Maudie possesses evidence that could incriminate the killer, Maudie and Benny remain in jeopardy unless the talking cats speak up and fast in this marvelous holiday gift of a tale. (Dec.)