Code Grey

Dulcie Schwartz #9

by Clea Simon

Did a down on his luck former student steal a priceless book? Grad student and cat lover Dulcie Schwartz thinks not – and she sets out to prove it

It’s spring break, and Dulcie Schwartz has stayed behind in almost-deserted Cambridge, Massachusetts to concentrate on her thesis. But when a former student turned vagrant, Jeremy Mumbles, is found injured, with a valuable missing book clutched in his arms, Dulcie can’t seem to let it go. What was he doing with the book? And why has it turned up after all these years?

With Jeremy now the prime suspect for a series of break-ins in the area, Dulcie is determined to clear the unfortunate former scholar’s name. But when she finds a connection between the book he was carrying and her own research into an anonymous Gothic author, the search for clues takes on a new intensity – and a new menace.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cats, Cozy Mystery, Chick Lit

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2015

About the author

Boston Globe-bestselling author Clea Simon is the author of The Butterfly Trap, a sinister slow-build "he said/she said" that will definitely surprise you.

This follows Bad Boy Beat a fast-paced amateur sleuth mystery featuring a novice crime reporter with a nose for news who is convinced a series of street-level killings are connected.

In a different mood, Clea's most recent cozy is The Cat's Eye Charm, the fifth in her "Witch Cats of Cambridge" series.

She is also the author of the psychological suspense novels, Hold Me Down and World Enough, both named "Must Reads" by the Massachusetts Book Awards, as well as the dystopian Blackie and Care black cat series (The Ninth Life), the Dulcie Schwartz feline/academic mysteries (Shades of Grey), the Pru Marlowe pet noir mysteries (Dogs Don't Lie), and the Theda Krakow cats & crime & rock & roll mysteries (Mew is for Murder), as well as three nonfiction books: Mad House: Growing Up in the Shadow of Mentally Ill Siblings; Fatherless Women: How We Change After We Lose Our Dads; and The Feline Mystique: On the Mysterious Connection Between Women and Cats.

The recipient of multiple honors, including the Cat Writers Associations Presidents Award, she lives in Somerville, Massachusetts, with her husband, Jon Garelick, and their cat, Thisbe. Find her at Clea Simon.com

Reviews

[Crittermom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Code Grey is a riveting mystery that will appeal to bibliophiles and cat lovers alike. Like a fine wine, Code Grey is multifaceted and complex in flavor, certain to satisfy readers.

Dulcie Schwartz has chosen to remain in Cambridge over spring break to work on her thesis – the study of the works of an anonymous Gothic author. On her way home, she encounters Jeremy “Mumbles” near the library. Once a promising graduate student, Jeremy is a disturbed but harmless vagrant.

The following day, Dulcie is shocked to discover that Jeremy has been arrested for the theft of a valuable missing book – one that disappeared from the library 20 years previously. Convinced that Jeremy would never steal from the library, much less commit the break-ins the police suspect him of being involved in, Dulcie steps in to set things to rights. Guided and protected by the spirit of her former feline pet, Mr Grey, Dulcie seeks to prove Jeremy's innocence and stop the thefts plaguing the University library.

Meanwhile, Dulcie wrestles with an older mystery. Fragments of another novel by the Gothic author she is studying, have been discovered. Why were these pages hidden in the binding of another novel? What is the significance of the silver cat?

Clea Simon's eloquent writing and the multilayered mystery kept me fixated throughout the novel. I enjoyed the literary excerpts, and how Dulcie progressed in her analysis. These passages play an important role in the novel and should not be skimmed over. While it was relatively easy to determine who the thieves were, this did not detract from the novel because there was so much more to the story.

Code Grey is sure to delight fans of the Dulcie Schwartz, as well as newcomers to the series.

I would highly recommend Code Grey to anyone who enjoys a well-written, multifaceted mystery where cats and books play a prominent role.

I received a copy of Code Grey: A Feline Filled Academic Mystery from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Code Grey: A Feline Filled Academic Mystery is available for preorder and is scheduled to be released August 1, 2015.

--Crittermom

[Dísir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Staying back to work on her dissertation instead of accompanying her boyfriend to his mother's lands Dulcie smack in a mystery involving disgraced former academic Jeremy Mumbleigh. Jeremy has been accused of stealing a book, but there had also been an assault that left him in a coma and Dulcie is determined to get to the bottom of it.

There's a touch of the paranormal, feline intervention and a mystery that's about books - Code Grey itself reads like a love story to bibliophiles and cat lovers. Well-written, though bogged down with details at times, Code Grey shines best when its intelligent felines take centre stage.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dulcie Schwartz, a graduate student in Cambridge, Massachusetts, decides to spend her spring break alone working on her dissertation. You would think a deserted college would be a quiet place to do her studies, but not this spring break. When a former student, now homeless, Jeremy “Mumbles” Mumbleigh is injured and found holding a valuable missing book, Dulcie’s dissertation is put on hold. She’s convinced he’s innocent and intends to prove it, despite her boyfriend’s pleas for her to stay out of it.

Things take another dangerous turn when a series of break ins occur and “Mumbles” is accused of those crimes as well. Unfortunately, he is unconscious and can’t defend himself, but this doesn’t deter Dulcie. She will clear his name no matter what it takes.

With help from her “spirit animal”, Mr. Grey, the search is on for the real culprits.

This is the ninth book in the series. I do wish I had started reading this with book one. It’s not really necessary as the mystery is contained in this book, but it would have helped me know Dulcie better, as well as Mr. Grey. I am definitely going to start this series from the beginning as this book piqued my curiosity.

The story is a good, engrossing mystery with interesting characters. You can’t help but keep turning the pages to see what Dulcie does next. I think cat and mystery lovers will enjoy this book. It’s fast-paced and a quick read.

Clea Simon is one of my favorite cozy cat authors and I’ve read other series by her that I absolutely loved. I know the “Dulcie Schwartz” series will be another favorite of mine. It also helps that I have a grey cat that looks exactly like the one on the cover :) How can I possibly resist?


FTC Disclosure: NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dulcie is a grad student who like to solve mysteries as she works on her thesis. She has a new cat Esme and still communicates with Mr. Grey from the great beyond. This is a well written cozy that will hold your interest with lots of potential bad guys. I like the interaction with the feline characters. A nice change from all the dog side kicks.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Code Grey (A Dulcie Schwartz Mystery) by Clea Simon is a very confusing mystery. Dulcie Schwartz has decided to stay home (in Cambridge) during spring break to work on her dissertation. Her boyfriend, Chris went to his mother’s house at her request. There have been a series of break in’s on campus. No one is sure what if anything has been stolen since everyone is away during the break. Then Jeremy “Mumbles” Mumbleigh is arrested for the crimes. He was found clutching a rare book from the Mildon. The book went missing in 1989. Jeremy was a former student who had a breakdown (but he continues to hang around the campus).

For some reason Dulcie decides she has to clear his name. She is sure it is all just a misunderstanding. So instead of writing, she runs around campus investigating. Then someone breaks into the library using the old steam tunnels. The Islington Bible is stolen (which has beautiful jewels embedded in the cover) and then is found nearby with the cover ripped off (cover was found as well with the jewels intact). Whoever is behind the burglaries knows about the steam tunnels under the college especially the library. Dulcie is guided by the voice of Mr. Grey, her dead cat (her spirit animal according to her mother). He provides her with cryptic clues. Does this book have anything to do with her research on an anonymous Gothic author? Detective Rogovoy (who is tired of Dulcie’s interference with cases) tells her to stay out of it and so does her boyfriend, Chris. Dulcie works with Thomas Griddlehaus, the Director of the Mildon Rare Book Collection. Dulcie follows the clues to find out who is committing the thefts.

I did not enjoy Code Grey. It is never explained if Dulcie actually hears the cat’s voices (Mr. Grey’s and her new cat, Esme) or if it is her imagination. We never get Chris’ last name (he comes across as very whiny and controlling). We get long paragraphs of Dulcie’s ramblings or thoughts on the crime, her dissertation, and books. It was just not a fun book to read. I give Code Grey 2.5 out of 5 stars. The basic idea is good, but the execution was lacking. The perpetrators of the crime were easy to figure out with the clues and information provided. Would it have made a different if I had read the previous books? I do not know and I do not think I am willing to read any more books in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of Code Grey from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.

http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not everyone will appreciate this series. I believe I would have rated it higher if I had started from the first Dulcie Schwartz book. For me it was a strong 3.5 stars.
Besides the traditional cozy elements, this series is quite cerebral, more intellectual than many other series. Dulcie, however, remains quite naïve and trusting. She honestly does try to see the best in everyone.
I love learning about many different topics as I read cozies. Cozy authors research the most interesting minute details for us and find the most creative ways to work them into novels.
Code Grey relates fascinating details not only about academic and literary life but also about history of other importance.

I enjoyed Clea Simon's characters, both immediately involved and who appear from a distance.
Her mother, Lucy, is weirdly delightful. I appreciated the telepathic messages from the cats, although Dulcie may not have been interpreting precisely. Esme has some training to do.
Mr. Grey, after whom the book is titled (I assume) was less involved and for someone who has not read the previous books, somewhat obscure.
While Dulcie needs to be more cautious with her trusting nature, another lesson of this book is about paying more attention and taking notice of people and situations you take for granted.

The writing is very well done and still there are places where the plot seemed to drag.
The conclusion is well worth slogging through those few spots.
I also enjoyed the jumps between the Gothic novel pages Dulcie should be studying, her dreams and her real, dangerous, daily adventures.

I received this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me say first - I love cats and I love books and this cover caught my eye, particularly since the kitty on it looks nearly identical to my dearly departed Claude. However, a cover does not a mystery make.

I confess I was terribly disappointed. Dulcie seemed far too naive, too needy, and too spacey to be solving mysteries and I doubt she will ever finish her dissertation. I love amateur sleuths but they need to be attentive to detail and focused. Some distractions are expected as there must be some red herrings but Dulcie was so far "off" I marveled that she didn't end up a corpse herself.

The conversations with the kitties was confused. Did Dulcie actually hear her cats or was she imagining it all? Imagined conversations with the cats are fine if they serve as the vehicle for organizing thoughts. But if the cats are actually talking to her, across the rainbow bridge in one instance, then this needs to be clearer so the reader understands that is the case.

I've had my fill of ghostly characters lately so I won't be picking up another in the Dulcie series. I will probably try another Clea Simon however.

[Apurva Khadye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dulcie decides to stay back on spring break to work on her thesis but things go spiral when construction work and alleged robbery brings library to somewhat close.
Jeremy 'mumbles' former post grad who loves books but is bit slow in head now is found with stolen book and injury which results into him going in coma Dulcie decides to clear his name instead of working on a thesis.

Book is exciting in the beginning and in end. Somewhere in between it gets tad boring with overt explaining of everything. Mr. Griddlehaus was surprising treat. We see very little of Mr Grey and Esme. Dulcie is sometimes so irritating, which even other characters have started to show.

Definitely a treat for bibliophiles and cat lovers.

[Stephanie Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would read another of her books if I ran out of other things to read. The story dragged in the middle and I am not sure I understand how the mystery was resolved. I never really believed Dulcie cared all that much for Jeremy. Nor did I see a 'friendship' between her and the 'little' Librarian. She got precious little work done on her paper - that issue was not resolved well. I could not see where the grey cat was all that mysterious or helpful. Is her current cat, Esme, suppose to be 'special' like the grey cat?

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is Dulcie ever going to finish her dissertation? I'm starting to have doubts. Seems like she does everything meaning investigate crimes when she should be writing. Anyway I did enjoy this book and I'm glad that Dulcie found and rescued Secret the cat.

[Kathei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Clea Simon. I love this series with Dulcie Schwartz, graduate student at Harvard University, and her special cats. Not only do you get a wonderful cozy mystery but you learn what it’s like to be writing your thesis while solving mysteries. I love the entire series.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author has two other female sleuth series on the go, all involving women with a W in their surname and cats or other pets. In this tale Dulcie is studying for a dissertation in Cambridge which turns out to be Cambridge in America, not England. I kept thinking of her as a middle-aged lady so I don't know if I got this impression wrongly or not. Dulcie used to own a grey cat, which now benignly haunts her.

The action almost all takes place indoors or around the campus, where Dulcie lives. A grad student who suffered a breakdown is hanging around the place but considered harmless. When some burglaries occur however he's suspected and suddenly this man is himself the victim of an attack. What is going on? Dulcie feels bound to investigate. The campus is not well populated as this is a snowy spring break, and pipes are being dug up everywhere, leading to some humour and interesting situations. A jewelled medieval Bible is stolen and of course Dulcie joins in the hunt.

I did get tired of the continual hunting for clues in research library desks, when most people would go out and about looking for witnesses or friends of a victim. A suggestion that the grad student lived in a homeless shelter would send most amateur sleuths to visit the shelter, with some warm scarves as gifts, but that never once crosses Dulcie's mind. She just opens some more dusty books. I also was not interested in her reciting from gothic novels, as I don't like that form, but she's spending years of her life wondering whether she can prove that A wrote B - rather than being creative on her own account or working to help others. So I can't say I was impressed by this lady although I am a total bookworm.

The ghostly cat is also peculiar as a ghost cat would behave, I should think, the same way as a real cat, instead of which this cat talks in English. If my cats want to convey a warning about something to me they don't need to speak.

Mystery fans may enjoy this read and there is atmosphere and something new to learn.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: This is my very favourite book of the series so far. Yes, Dulcie still is vascillating about her dissertation but she has good reason this time.
She has remained in Boston to work on her paper but gets sidetracked when a former scholar, now homeless and unbalanced, is found injured shortly after encountering Dulcie. A book found in his possession has a link to her research and despite police suspicion that this man is involved in a theft ring, Dulcie is convinced he is innocent.
Both Mr. Grey and Esme try to help her focus but as we know from previous books, Dulcie is like a dog with a bone (if you will forgive the expression) when she thinks someone has been wronged.
We found we were really engrossed in the story and it was a page turner. The good news is Dulcie is getting somewhere with her thesis and there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. Of course, as in the tunnels in this book, the light might just be another tunnel.
I will find out when I interview Clea and Mr. Grey and Esme in FUZZY Thoughts next week.
I am already purring.

[Teresa Kander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is the ninth book in the series, it is only the third one I have read (I am slowly but surely working my way through the others, however). I discovered this series after having read all available books so far in the Pru Marlowe series by the same author.

I am disappointed that, unlike the first two books of the series, Mr. Grey (the spirit of her deceased cat) has a less prominent role. However, Esme, the new cat, shows promise for being a fun and interesting character.

This series provides a lot of academic and literary information, which I thoroughly enjoy. The Gothic author Dulcie is researching is a great touch, particularly reading the bits and pieces of her novel.

Ms. Simon writes a great story, with very interesting characters. The staff at the library, Dulcie's boyfriend, Dulcie's mother, and many others add color and depth to the story.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Vince Darcangelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://ensuingchapters.com/2015/08/24...

Though cozier than my usual bedtime stories, if you love books, cats and mysteries more cerebral than chilling, Code Grey belongs on your bookshelf. This novel ticked the first two boxes for me (books and cats… I would have liked more chill factor).

Simon is a prolific author specializing in cat-themed mysteries. This is the ninth installment of the Dulcie Schwartz series. Schwartz, a grad student working on her dissertation over spring break, gets caught in the middle of a book theft, a wrongful arrest and receives guidance from a deceased companion animal.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this latest installment in the continuing series featuring English lit grad student Dulcie Schwartz and her ghostly cat Mr. Grey. Mr. Grey makes just enough appearances to be helpful to Dulcie and interesting to the reader, without becoming annoying. My favorite part of the books, though, are the excerpts from the Gothic novel fragments Dulcie is researching for her Ph.D. thesis. Code Grey also had some fascinating stuff about the tunnels underneath Harvard. Lots of Cambridge atmosphere and a believable heroine make this one of my favorite "cozy" series.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: A Dulcie Schwartz Feline Mystery