Shirley Rousseau Murphy is an acclaimed American author, best known for her mystery novels and children's books. She was born in southern California and developed a love for horses at a young age, as her father trained them. After attending the San Francisco Art Institute, she pursued a career as an interior designer and later began exhibiting her paintings and welded metal sculptures in West Coast juried shows.
However, it was her move to Panama with her husband, Pat, that marked a turning point in her career. It was there that she began to focus on writing, putting away her paints and welding torches. This newfound passion led to the creation of over 40 books, including 24 novels for adults, young adult series like the Dragonbards Trilogy, and many children's books.
Murphy is most celebrated for her Joe Grey cat-themed mystery series, which includes 21 novels. The first book in the series, "Cat on the Edge," was published in 1996, and the last one, "Cat Chase the Moon," was released in 2019. The series features an anthropomorphic cat detective named Joe Grey, and it has earned her five Council of Authors and Journalists Awards.
Shirley Rousseau Murphy and her husband currently reside in Carmel, California, where they share their home with cats, some of which have exhibited intriguing behaviors such as warning them of break-ins or even showing an affinity for horseback riding. Now retired, she enjoys hearing from her readers through her website, where the reading order for the Joe Grey series can be found.