Christmas Cats

by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Cat lovers should enjoy reading these selections (some original, some previously published) if they find this eclectic assortment under the Christmas tree. Murphy, the author of a popular mystery series featuring a feline crime-solver (Cat Cross Their Graves) presents 19 short stories, essays and poems that commemorate cats at Christmastime. Amy D. Shojai leads off with a lighthearted memoir of how her husband, Mahmoud, definitely not a cat fancier, came to adjust to his wife's feisty and energetic Siamese kitten just in time for the holiday. Far more sobering is a recollection by Renie Burghardt: during WWII her 19-year-old mother died shortly after giving birth to her. She left behind Paprika, her 10-year-old cat, who consoled the young child when she and her grandparents sought safety in rural war-torn Hungary. Instead of offering a sample from one of her mysteries, editor Murphy's sentimental and well-written story "The Noel Cat" describes how a librarian and her brother, the town vagrant, reunite a cat family on Christmas Eve. There's something for everyone, including an informative piece by Christine Church on holiday safety for cats.

Genres: Cats, Christmas, Contemporary, Fiction

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 27, 2005

About the author

Shirley Rousseau Murphy is the author of over 40 books, including 24 novels for adults, the Dragonbards Trilogy and more for young adults, and many books for children. She is best known for her Joe Grey cat mystery series, consisting of 21 novels, the last of which was published when she was over 90. Now retired, she enjoys hearing from readers who write to her at her website www.srmurphy.com, where the reading order of the books in that series can be found.

Murphy grew up in southern California, riding and showing the horses her father trained. After attending the San Francisco Art institute she worked as an interior designer, and later exhibited paintings and welded metal sculpture in the West Coast juried shows. "When my husband Pat and I moved to Panama for a four-year tour in his position with the U. S . Courts, I put away the paints and welding torches, and began to write," she says. Later they lived in Oregon, then Georgia, before moving to California, where she now enjoys the sea and views of the Carmel hills.
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Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a perfectly charming collection of short stories, a poem or two, and tips for living with cats! This little book is perfect for a winter's night read, and will warm cat lovers from the heart out!

[Jan Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

The essays and stories vary to chicken soup to a gangster cat (not gangster's cat), to advice on how to keep your cat safe during the holidays. There are excerpts from books and an odd one about a cat napper. There is quite a variety.

[Hermione · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light Christmas reading for cat lovers. A mix of excerpts from novels and memoirs, and while very light and a bit fluffy, is a nice seasonal read. And why not? Not every read has to be heavy.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

All cat lovers will enjoy these 19 short stories, essays and poems. Some are new while others are previously published. Murphy, the serious editor is the author of the popular mystery series featuring a cat detective. There's something for everyone, including an informative piece by Christine Church on holiday safety for cats.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! I would read a chapter before bed each night and it left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling as I drifted off to sleep.

[Merry · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story collection, so quality varied. Some great stories, some I skipped.