Product Description
Polly Duncan is off to Paris, temporarily leaving Jim Qwilleran without his lady companion. Good thing there's lots to keep Jim busy. Like a mysterious death from a bee sting that leaves everyone but Koko the Siamese in a state of confusion. If only the kitty with sixty whiskers would stop pussyfooting around and let Jim in on the deadly secret ... Read more

Customer Reviews (294)

Time to go
What was once a very good series is not very good at all anymore. The mystery has taken such a backseat that it is an afterthought. In this effort, it happens well into the story to someone barely mentioned and then is mostly ignored until a very quick revealing of the culprit who was obvious and also a part of the background. Not much good to say here. Even a place that once seemed like a nice escape no longer has its peaceful feel.

Boring Narration
This is the first audio book I've listened to since the 80's. I love this series in print and eBook. I couldn't make it through the first audio track. The narrator is mono-toned and old fashioned, it was awful. I'm so disappointed.

It was obvious that she was starting to disliker her characters, but really!
You could tell the last three to four books written in the series were not done out of love so much as obligation.Lilian Jackson Braun was beginning to dislike her characters, and it showed.One of the most obvious showings was when she began killing off some of the regulars.Once Liz kicked the bucket, you knew not to expect much.This book probably never should've been written.I'm sure that she got some good money out of it from loyal fans.But really, she would've been better off just announcing that Jim Qwilleran can suck it, she's gonna spend more time with her grandkids now.No wonder she couldn't get the next book published, I know I have no interest in reading it.

Glad I just checked it out of the library...
...instead of actually putting out good money for it.This book completely falls flat.I was appalled [SPOILER ALERT] by the completely contrived way Polly was written out of the series."Oh, just get sell my house and things AND MY CATS???Oh, come on here, people!So out of character, and what a let-down of a way to end the ongoing relationship between her and Qwill!Then someone sets the apple barn on fire, and Qwill (or whoever was driving) doesn't even turn the car around to go look?Oh, well, who cares, at least the Siamese weren't there...Now, the barn is made of stone, wouldn't there be some hope of restoring it, as they did with the K mansion many books ago?No mention of a sad visit to the ruins, just a cryptic remark for the police chief that there might be more to the crime...which is never explained.It ends rather limply with nothing really resolved.

Don't bother.Seriously.

No longer a murder mystery and now not a place to visit either!
I have to admit that these mysteries have become less murder mysteries for me and more just a "nice place to visit." With this entry into the series, it is disappointing even by this measure.Maybe especially by this measure.

The cats seem to have been sidelined quite some time ago.They playing less of a part in the story than they did in the first ones have been reduced to an eccentric aspect of their owner's character.This is probably not surprising since the original premise was that Koko was sensitive to the "disturbance of the force" caused by murder.Now the stories introduce murder as a footnote to the other action.In this book, the murder is not even solved.One might as well be reading a newspaper article about the crime.

Gradually over the last few books, many of the more interesting characters have died of old age, accidents or murder, leaving hardly anyone really surprising or outrageous for one to "ask after."With this volume one of the central characters and even one of the more recent ones leave the scene without warning or appology.More disappointing still is the abandonment of two of the cats by the former; it left me feeling that I had grossly misjudged the character and had been deceived into thinking she was "my kind of people."While I get it that a person sometimes has to grab opportunities when they come ones way, I can't help but feel rather abused.

In this story, also, another two of the more interesting architectural features have been destroyed, both by fire, while new less interesting buildings have or will replaced them, leaving the reader to feel that Pickax and environs is just another mass produced place like everywhere else.While people do die and buildings do come down for one reason or another to be replaced by new ones, the whole point of Pickax and its sister villages is that the reader is looking to suspend reality for a while.The books offer the opportunity to spend time in an environment that is in reality slipping through ones fingers with every passing day.

I can't help but wonder if Ms Braun has become so tired of the characters, town and format that she's slowly killing the series off.If that's the case, I would suggest she sell the rights to them to someone for whom they might represent more of a joy.This doesn't always work; it took ages for the Nero Wolfe characters Over My Dead Body (Nero Wolfe Mysteries)to find a suitable author Death on Deadline: A Nero Wolfe Mystery, and the Miss Seton series Witch Miss Seeton has still not quite managed it.Still it's worth a try and would still give Ms Braun an income from a series of characters that are her own.

A sad loss of vitality.No longer a murder mystery and now not even a pleasant place to visit either! ... Read more

Product Description
The first three Cat Who... mysteries in one volume, from the New York Times bestselling "master of mystery" (People).

Prize-winning reporter Jim Qwilleran and his extraordinary Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum always land on their feet. This special volume includes the first three books in this "thoroughly delightful"* series.

The Cat Who Could Read Backwards: Modern art is a mystery to many-but for Jim Qwilleran and Koko it turns into a mystery of another sort.

The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern: Reporter Qwill isn't thrilled about covering the interior design beat. Little does he know that a killer has designs on a local woman featured in one of his stories.

The Cat Who Turned On and Off: Qwill and Koko are joined by Yum Yum as they try to solve a murder in an antique shop. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

good kitties

Delightful review of the things the cats do.Enjoyed it very much.Passed it on to my sister-another cat person.

Lilian Jackson Braun
Braun is truly one of my favorite authors.Excellent read as always.I wish "Cat Who Smelled Smoke" had been published.

cat-alicious
I am enjoying the Lillian Braun Ct books. simple but a little mysterious & you get to know the characters easily

The Cat Who
Interesting book, this is my first read of this author and probably will read more of the series.

Parody of popular "Cat Who" mystery series
Amusing to all fans of Lillian Jackson Braun book series, worth buying and reading. We all wish we lived in Moose County, now that that Koko's typing secret messages to Quilleran again! ... Read more

Product Description
Fans of the Cat Who... series get an intimate look at the private lives of those extraordinary Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum--the most unlikely, most unusual, most delightful team in detective fiction.

In this charming collection of feline antics, readers will discover why Qwill considers Koko a veritable clone of T.S. Eliot's Rum Tum Tugger, how Yum Yum was rescued from a burglar who is not above a spot of catnapping, and many more fascinating cat facts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

A lovely compendium,
For those of us who love "The Cat Who" series by Ms Braun, this is a delightful stroll through memory of these delughtful stories.If you do not already read them, and love cats, then it is still pleasant. I had hoped for new revelations, but there are none.Nevertheless I see it as a essential addition the my much read collection.

Rare Disappointment
I just finished this book, and I have to say - I'm sad that Ms. Braun took advantage of those delightful Siamese to write this totally insipid "journal".The language doesn't even sound like Jim Q (or Ms. Braun for that matter).It's like it was written by a very young child, with equally bad drawings of the cats.A big disappointment, both in the book and Ms. Braun for publishing it.

IT WAS NOT AS GOOD AS BOOKS BY LILIAN
THE BOOK WAS GOOD BUT DID NOT HAVE THE MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE OF A REGULAR BOOK BY LILIAN JACKSON BRAUN.
BILL

okay for Cat Who fans
I was hoping this would be an interesting collection of tales from the perspectives of Qwillerman's marvelous Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum - whether those were new stories or simply a retelling of previous adventures from the feline viewpoint would have been acceptable.

Unfortunately, this is all told from Qwillerman's point of view, just like the novels in the Cat Who... series. It ends up being a quick rehashing of several of the key points in those books, highlighting the acquisition of the cats by the likeable lead man. There are a few amusing sections with quotes and letters from the locals about their own cats, but you never get the real insight into what is behind those Siamese whiskers.

This would have been a great book if it would have added to the series, but as it was done it ends up being a short summary, with little new to offer. It was okay for a fan of the series, but not unless they have read the novels already as several endings are given away. I doubt if someone who had not read the books would get much enjoyment from this.

Always up to my expectations
The cat who books are my favorite. LJ Braun is an amazing story teller, wholesome, funny and great sense of adventure. Reading about Pickax County and the other small towns take me right back to my youth in Michigan.Love all of her books! ... Read more

Product Description
Jim Qwilleran packs up his old kit bag and his two Siamese cats for a sun-and-fun summer at his log cabin in Moose County. Their vacation starts off ominously with the disappearance of a handyman hired to patch up Qwilleran's cabins. But the felines really start throwing catfits when they come across a couple of dead bodies! HC: Putnam. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Excellect Transaction!
Excellent transaction.No surprises - the book was in the shape they said it would be; timely delivery; fun customer service.Definitely would buy from this Seller again!

Qwill Summers at the Lake
Qwill decides to spend the summer at the lake since Polly is in England. After moving into the "K" estate cabin, he decides it is too small. He plans an addition but much to his dismay, many carpenters are unavailable because they are dead. Yes, carpenters are dropping like flies by accidents and natural causes. Qwill finds a really good one and then he disappears!

The plot thickens. Mildred, Qwill's friend and Moose County Home Economics teacher, calls on a psychic friend to help. Koko and Yum Yum help with the investigation. More excitement and death happens before Koko figures it all out.

I loved this book! You will too!

good summer reading
While part of a series, this book stands fairly well on its own. You don't need any prior knowledge of Quilleran or his Siamese cats to enjoy it.

The serial murders provide the backdrop for his summer at Mooseville, but the majority of the story is really Quilleran and his interactions with the various eccentrics populating the lakeside community and of course with Yum Yum and Koko. Some of those are very endearing, particularly in the nursing home, others are merely humorous (Big Lou and his new tools which he doesn't know how to use).

While there are certainly some dark moments - it is a murder mystery - it was still pretty quick and overall light reading. The plot is subservient to the characters, and I guess that is okay for this fare. But several potentially interesting sub-plots are left unresolved, which was less than satisfying to me. The "visitors", the Russell girl - would have liked more information on those story lines.

Entertaining and fine for a break from more serious works.

Another winner
Qwill, Koko and Yum Yum are at it again, and I wasn't disappointed.It was a fun story.I enjoyed reading it, and really enjoy listening to the cassettes in the car--the traffic isn't so bad with them along.

Koko and Yum Yum help you turn the pages
You gotta love these pesky critters who are not so different from most cats.They have helped Ms B raun tell fascinating tales for many tomes.I hope to keep reading about them for eons. ... Read more

Product Description
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. After moving into an old mansion whose previous owner committed suicide, prize-winning reporter Qwilleran and his two Siamese cats are disturbed by strange occurrences and start to investigate when Qwilleran's old girlfriend disappears. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (39)

Koko....stay away from that pottery!
"The Cat Who Saw Red" was published 18 years after the third book in the series ("The Cat Who Turned On and Off").However, the action picks up right where the last one left off - Jim Qwillerman is still working at the Daily Fluxion, living in Junktown (site of his last mystery), and dating socialite Mary Duckworth.Qwillerman, though, receives a surprise when he is made the food critic for the newspaper.Mary suggests that he start at Maus House, a boarding house for artists that features the culinary delights of lawyer Robert Maus.Qwilleran samples the food and also runs across an old friend, Joy Graham.Turns out that he was once engaged to Joy until she mysteriously disappeared.Joy is now married (unhappily) and is a potter living at Maus House.She flirts with Qwilleran, and before he knows it, he's leaving Junktown, renting an apartment at Maus House, and getting to know the residents.When people start disappearing, Qwilleran gets an assist from Koko and Yum Yum in helping him solve the mystery.

This fourth entry in the series is an enjoyable romp.As always, author Lilian Jackson Braun populates the story with an array of colorful characters.The mystery is pretty straight-forward and easy to solve, but the fun is always in reading about Qwilleran and his bond with his cats.Whenever I finish a book in this series, I immediately look forward to reading the next one.

the third book of the ever popular Cat Who series
In the third book of the ever popular Cat Who series, Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum, rent a room at Maus House, a boarding house for gourmands. Qwilleran has been reassigned as food editor for The Daily Flexion--and he just started a new diet! To his delight, Qwilleran discovers that a former girlfriend is also staying at Maus House. His delight quickly turns into dismay when she disappears unexpectedly. When the house boy goes missing, Jim and his feline companions know something's amiss.

Odd book...I just don't get the hype
The Cat Who Saw Red is supposed to be a murder/mystery book, but I can't say it really suceeded.The book was more about what food was being eaten (as the main character has just taken up a food critic column) and what the cats were doing.The end was very unsatisfying and seemed to be tacked on in two sentences to sum up the book.I didn't expect much going into it, but got less than I expected.I wouldn't recommend it.

My favorite "Cat Who" book, overall
I have read many books in this series, but this one was my favorite.I really like this series because I learn a little something in each book, depending on what Quill is researching. This is a nice series if you are looking for an easy to read, light, small town mystery without a lot of gore or bone chilling details.

Koko Discovers Caviar
Poor old Jim Qwilleran, everywhere he goes people are drinking in front of this recovering alcoholic. To make matters worse, early in this book his doctor puts him on a strict diet just before he gets assigned to cover the gourmet scene for the Daily Fluxion. Just as he really begins to feel sorry for himself he runs into an old flame at a party he is attending that is on his new beat. The party and the old flame are at the Maus House, something of a boarding house for the gourmet set. Since the house was built as an artist's conclave and must remain so to some extent, the new owner has kept the pottery going and brought in Joy Graham and her husband to run it. Joy is the reporter's old flame and his perspective brightens as soon as he sees her.

Soon however Joy disappears and her husband Dan claims she has left him and gone to Florida. Except for the fact that Joy had just told Qwilleran that she hates Florida the story is plausible enough but something just doesn't ring true to the ace reporter and he starts sniffing around. Soon there is another disappearance but no one takes Qwilleran's suspicions seriously and this book ends up reading like the disaster movies of the 1970's. The hero knows the dam is about to break but nobody will listen so he spends the entire movie trying to prove his point until the dam does break and everybody drowns. There are indeed a couple of drowning victims in this story but they may or may not have any connection to the mystery at hand.

The solution to the mystery becomes apparent early but Qwilleran, despite his suspicions, can't prove a thing. Again Koko rises to the occasion, this time on a typewriter and Yum Yum makes the collar. One sometimes wonders if these cats need Qwilleran for anything beyond food and water. You can also rest assured that these cats, unlike their human, will never swallow red herrings.

As is the norm for Lilian Jackson Braun's books, the characters and their often-odd behavior are the bread and butter of the story. And speaking of odd, I am happy to report that photographer Odd Bunsen makes a return in this book after being absent from the previous story. For a free meal Bunsen will help Qwilleran with almost anything and just like the rest of Jackson's characters and this book, Bunsen is witty, engaging and sometimes a little devious. ... Read more

Product Description
Qwill and the cats-Koko and Yum Yum-are at the Nutcracker Inn in Black Creek when a drowned guest puts a damper on their stay. And if they don't solve the murder soon, they're going to be up the creek without a paddle... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (78)

Lilian Jackson Braun Book
A great listen to CD in a car.I love the Cat Who Series, listened to them all.Great entertainment

Down By The Creekside
Another vacation without Polly. Qwill and the cats go to stay by Walnut Creek. First they stay in the lodge. You could tell they weren't comfortable. So they decide to rent a cabin by the creek. The only problem is that none is empty and the man who should be checking out has disappeared. Could he have been the body Qwill saw floating downstream?

I emjoyed this episode of "The Cat Who" series. It was comforting spending time with Qwill and the cats in the land of Moose County.

story line getting worn out
I love the Cat Who books, great light reading.But, the
story line is getting repeative and less interesting to
read.Seems to spend way too much time repeating the
the same descriptions of people and event that are in
all books.

The Cat Who -- a real sinker
Definitely not one of Lilian Jackson Braun's best efforts.Ms. Braun's writing seems more formulaic than inspirational. Qwill offers several conclusions to the "case", that leaves the reader to accept what seems correct to her or him.I wouldn't recommend this book...

The Cat Who Went up the Creek
Jim Qwilleran is an unintentional sleuth.He credits all of the detective action to his Siamese cat, KoKo.I find this series of books to be light entertainment and quite enjoyable.... ... Read more

Product Description
An unexpected inheritance throws reporter Jim Qwilleran into the limelight of the rich and famous--until a missing maid and a shocking murder show him the unsavory side of the upper crust. But it's his Siamese Koko's propensity for clues that leads the roving reporter to some unlikely suspects. Original. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

The Cat Who Played Post Office
The book I received was in excellent condition as advertised.It was a little smaller size than I had expected but so cute.I love it!

Koko Delivers the Mail
Jim Qwilleran wakes up in the hospital and can't remember much. He keeps thinking he has forgotten to do something. It is a nagging thought in the back of his mind. He knew it was something important. He longtime friend Arch Riker shows up and fast forwards Qwill through his life. Luckily he remembers...the cats!

As it turns out the bike wreck that landed him in the hospial was no accident. His investigation (led by Koko) of a former housekeeper of the mansion, who vanished mysteriously five years before, leads to much mystery and intrigue.

I loved this edition of "The Cat Who..." books, especially where Koko played piano. A piano playing cat is a rare find. This book will not disappoint you.

My Favorite Cozy Mystery Series!
In the 6th book in The Cat Who...series, James Qwilleran aka "Qwill", is just settling in to his new life as a millionaire in Pickaxe City (400 miles north of everywhere). He has moved his two beautiful Siamese cats (KoKo and Yum Yum) into the old Klingenschoen mansion and is settling in for a five year stay to fulfill the requirements of Aunt Fanny's will.

As the book begins, Qwill is lying in a hospital bed, suffering from amnesia caused by a bicycle accident. His old friend, Arch Riker, flies into town to assist Qwill in regaining his memory, and succeeds in bringing Qwill out of his fog. While beginning to heal, Qwill starts to have vivid dreams of the moments leading up to the mishap, and eventually remembers that it was no accident...a truck had purposefully run him off the road! While trying to piece together who may have meant to harm him, Qwill begins some renovations to his new home. During his explorations of the mansion, Qwill stumbles across the room of a former employee, Daisy. Her room was completely painted with a graffiti style mural of daisies, and it arouses Qwill's keen curiosity. He begins to ask questions about the former employee of Fanny, and finds that Daisy disappeared rather abruptly. And when everyone that Qwilleran speaks to about her begins to have "accidents", he becomes suspicious that someone will kill to keep Daisy hidden forever.

This is my favorite cozy mystery series! I had read all of the books in the past, and wanted to read them again for a second time. This time around, I have chosen to listen to them on CD, as I love the voice of George Guidall. I am happily rediscovering how Qwill became a resident of Moose County, and how many of the series regulars join him from "down below". In this installment, Qwill hires Iris Cobb as his house manager. She cooks for him (and the cats), and is in charge of cataloging all of the antiques in the old mansion. For those that have not read the series, I do recommend reading the first several first. Many others can be intermixed, but this book offers good insight as to how Qwill became associated with Moose County. This is a great series by my favorite author!

The first book in the series is called "The Cat who Could Read Backwards". Enjoy!

My Favorite Cozy Mystery Series!
In the 6th book in The Cat Who...series, James Qwilleran aka "Qwill", is just settling in to his new life as a millionaire in Pickaxe City (400 miles north of everywhere).He has moved his two beautiful Siamese cats (KoKo and Yum Yum) into the old Klingenschoen mansion and is settling in for a five year stay to fulfill the requirements of Aunt Fanny's will.

As the book begins, Qwill is lying in a hospital bed, suffering from amnesia caused by a bicycle accident.His old friend, Arch Riker, flies into town to assist Qwill in regaining his memory, and succeeds in bringing Qwill out of his fog.While beginning to heal, Qwill starts to have vivid dreams of the moments leading up to the mishap, and eventually remembers that it was no accident...a truck had purposefully run him off the road!While trying to piece together who may have meant to harm him, Qwill begins some renovations to his new home.During his explorations of the mansion, Qwill stumbles across the room of a former employee, Daisy.Her room was completely painted with a graffiti style mural of daisies, and it arouses Qwill's keen curiosity.He begins to ask questions about the former employee of Fanny, and finds that Daisy disappeared rather abruptly.And when everyone that Qwilleran speaks to about her begins to have "accidents", he becomes suspicious that someone will kill to keep Daisy hidden forever.

This is my favorite cozy mystery series!I had read all of the books in the past, and wanted to read them again for a second time.This time around, I have chosen to listen to them on CD, as I love the voice of George Guidall.I am happily rediscovering how Qwill became a resident of Moose County, and how many of the series regulars join him from "down below".In this installment, Qwill hires Iris Cobb as his house manager.She cooks for him (and the cats), and is in charge of cataloging all of the antiques in the old mansion.For those that have not read the series, I do recommend reading the first several first.Many others can be intermixed, but this book offers good insight as to how Qwill became associated with Moose County.This is a great series by my favorite author!

The first book in the series is called "The Cat who Could Read Backwards".Enjoy!

The Cats, The Mailbox, and the Missing Maid
This is number six in Lilian Braun's long running 'The Cat Who' series and marks the beginning of Jim Qwilleran's transplantation to the far northern town of Pickaxe.Qwilleran has managed to become the heir of the community's wealthiest resident and must stay in Pickaxe for five years in order to inherit.As we all know now, he lasted a lot more than five years, and may still be north of everywhere enjoying the foibles and gossip that play such an important part of the world's coziest cozies.

Qwill has just moved into the Klingenshoen mansion with his two Siamese cats - Yum Yum the delectable and arch-detective Koko.Koko, through various manipulations of his owner's behavior, manages to arouse Qwill's curiosity about the disappearance of a housemaid a few years previously.In the process of investigating, the newspaperman introduces us to many of Pickaxes residents for the very first time.When he isn't being his by trucks, that is.It is interesting in retrospect to meet these characters again, who often started out one way and then became something else as Braun added layer after layer to her confection of characters and mysteries (and cats).

I can only read so many of these in rapid succession before I have to stop.Lilian Braun has a tendency to let her characters run in a groove with very little development over a number of volumes.She makes up for this by using Qwilleran to create witty dialogue, but there are only so many Pickaxe witticisms that one can read before feeling a desire for something with a bit more meat to it.This volume is a change of pace (if you've been reading in sequence).There's a bit less sarcasm and a bit more story and that makes this one of the best of her early books.

Don't look for a complicated mystery here.Braun's villains tend to be obvious, and more often than not the means are just as visible.You read these tales for lightweight enjoyment and the zany characters that chitchat their way through the pages.And, of course, you read them because you can't resist Qwill's owners, the Siamese masterminds. ... Read more

Product Description
An accident has claimed the life of the local paper's eccentric publisher, but to Qwilleran and his feline friends it smells like murder. They soon sniff out a shocking secret, but Koko's snooping may prove CATastrophic. The newest addition to the spectacular "Cat" mysteries series. Original. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Everyone loves the Cat Who
Start at the first book in the series and read every book. Koko and Yum Yum will warm your heart and Qwilleran will become as dear as a member of your family. As you can see, there are only 5 Star ratings for these books.
I would give them a 10 star rating.We should all pay more attention to our pets: who knows what secrets we would learn. These books are Never dull and are full of interesting characters.Bless you, Lilian Jackson Braun for bringing a lot of joy to many people.

Pleased
The book came in a timely manner and was well packaged. The book was in excellent condition and I am very pleased!!

Cat lovers
I am a sucker for cats which is why I originally brought the first book in the series. They are all about a new reporter Mr Q and his two siamese cats YumYum and KoKo. KoKo is a cat who has a habit of solving mysteries and both cats have great personalities.
This one didn't contain as much suspence or action as the first book I read, but I never picked up the who done it for the crimes so it keeps your interest.
I would recommend for cat lovers, those who want a quick read and those who want a book that you can pick up and put down again when time permits

Othello, Hamlet,The Tempest...the cats got it right!
This is the first one of the series I've read.I must say I am so delighted that I'm now reading THE CAT WHO WASN'T THERE.

For a short time I have been to Pickaxe where I've made friends with Polly, the librarian, avuncular Qwilleran, and dear Mrs. Cobb. I should say, POOR Mrs. Cobb, but I have a feeling she is going to bounce right back after her big ordeal.I've suffered through a mean snow storm and a couple of startling catastrophies, reasons for which are not divulged till the end.

Was anybody listening to Ko-Ko and Yum-Yum?.They are cats who are indulged gastrnomically, but who maintain their independence...as all good cats do, especially Siamese.Someone should have been taking their insights and pranks to heart.They are certainly given credit at the finish of the story.

Each character in this book brings to mind someone, somewhere I've met before.Lillian Braun describes them so vividly they've stayed with me for days.And they are worth thinking about.

My only criticism is there were times I wanted more interaction with Ko Ko and Yum Yum.

My Favorite Cozy Series!
In the 7th book in The Cat Who...series, James Qwilleran aka "Qwill", is becoming acclimated to his new life as a millionaire in Pickaxe City (400 miles north of everywhere).He has moved his two beautiful Siamese cats (KoKo and Yum Yum) into the old Klingenschoen mansion and has settled in for a five year stay to fulfill the requirements of Aunt Fanny's will.

As the book begins, Qwill is awaiting the arrival of "the big one", a huge snow fall, as predicted every day on the weather report on WPKX.He is starting to adapt to life as the richest man in Moose County, and has started dating the local librarian, Polly Duncan.He begins to get acquainted with the various families in town, and develops an easy friendship with Junior Goodwinter, the young, energetic editor of the Pickax Picayune.When Junior's father dies suddenly in an accident, Qwill sympathizes with his friend, and looks for ways to save the centuries' old newspaper run for years without profit.Qwill begins to become suspicious of Junior's mother, and her reaction to her husband's death.It seems the widow is ready to sell all of her possessions and has been seen around town with a new man.Could the death of Senior Goodwinter have been anything more than a bad car accident?Distracting Qwill from the suspicious death is the upcoming marriage of his beloved housekeeper, Mrs. Iris Cobb.Qwill brought Mrs. Cobb up from "Down Below" to manage his household and the new museum that is being created in the Klingenschoen mansion.But the man she is marrying is highly disliked in town, and Qwill works hard to insure that Mrs. Cobb is marrying the right man for her.

This is my favorite cozy mystery series!I had read all of the books in the past, and wanted to read them again for a second time.This time around, I have chosen to listen to them on CD, as I love the voice of George Guidall.I am happily rediscovering how Qwill became a resident of Moose County, and how many of the series regulars join him from "down below".In this installment, Qwill brings Hixie Rice to town, and begins to talk about having old friend, Arch Riker, join him in Moose County.Also in this book, Qwill's long-time romance begins with librarian, Polly Duncan.

This is a great series by my favorite author!

The first book in the series is called "The Cat who Could Read Backwards".Enjoy!


... Read more

Product Description
Veteran reporter Jim Qwilleran tackles the supernatural in the latest entry in Lilian Jackson Braun's Edgar Award-nominated series. Are ghosts really haunting the Goodwinter farmhouse museum? Qwill doesn't think so--not until he finds Iris Cobb literally scared to death on the floor of the farmhouse. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

A suspenseful charmer
This is one of the better installments in the "Cat Who" series, where mystery and setting are mixed successfully and most satisfyingly. Qwill not only gets to the bottom of some very complicated evil doings up North, he also evolves as a person -- growing to depend on and show kindness to his new neighbors. Yum Yum and especially Koko are among the most sharply drawn and important characters in the book. I love those two!

Best of all, I admire the world LJB has created. The denizens of Moose County aren't perfect -- they gossip and cling to superstitions that exasperate Qwill (and me). But they do seem three dimensional and real. The ones we spend time with in this book range in age from late teens to late 90s. Their relationships feel real and their dialog and lifestories are compelling.

As one who just finished Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers, a really inferior and depressing book from the end of the series, I appreciate the charm of the earlier, better books so much more.

Another Great Qwilleran case.
I am getting more and more attached to the three detectives in these books.Koko is absolutely hilarious.Qwilleran is a bit of an enigma to me, but I really like his approach to life's little surprises.He seems down to Earth in an eccentric way.Yum Yum is also a memorable character; her regard for all the suspects is meaningful without giving away the details.

By far Lilian Jackson Braun's creation of characters is my favorite aspect of these books.Though Qwilleran, Koko and Yum Yum are main players in all the cases, she uses the same depth and detail to create the population of Mosse County.Some are suspicious, unlikeable, and unacceptably rude, but all are quirky in their own way.They seem so real to me that I find myself wondering how many of these people Braun has actually met.

The plot and mystery of this story is captivating.Braun has a way of dispersing relevant details throughout the story without uncovering the whole story until the very end.If I had an analytical mind, I might be able to solve these mysteries before the end.That is not to say her mysteries are "easy"; they are not.The plot is so full of Moose County variety, rumor and drama, that it takes the whole story to unravel the truths of the case.I love that about it too.

Here the setting was also appealing.I mean living in a caretakers lodge for a museum property that is legendary for hauntings and mystery is exciting. The cats' behavior in this unusual envirnment is equally entertaining. As the story plays out, a big piece of Moose County history is unveiled giving readers an idea that Braun may revisit the characters of this mystery in later novels.(I've read them so far apart however that I haven't noticed that yet.)Even if she doesn't, the details Qwilleran uncovers give Moose County even more charm and character.

I highly recommend this series, and this book is a great place to start.Braun gives a good background on Qwilleran, the kitties, Patti, and the other characters which Qwilleran must rely on.Braun demonstrates excellent writing skills and entertains on all levels.I absolutely loved this story.

Adorable!
My Grandma gave me this book a couple of weeks ago and since I love cats and she told me it was cute, I thought I would read it.I loved this story.Qwill is a rich man who writes a column for the local paper.When his friend Iris dies, he is suspicious.He moves into the apartment she was inhabiting (she was the museum caretaker) and brings his two Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum.Koko immediately starts acting weird and Qwill suspects Koko might sense something Qwill cant.Koko is a very smart cat and he helps with the mysteries in this story.My favorite part was when Qwill's girlfrinds Polly brings her new kitten over so he can watch it.I laughed so hard at that part.Really cute fun story.I would like to read all of the cat who stories.

The Cat who Talked to Ghost's..And Me
I am a Mystery fan.I am especially fond of Cozy's. Agatha Christie is still the queen to me, but the cats have my heart.
Let me explain a little about the Lilian Jackson Braun mysteries before I get into this book. I bought her books, not in order, and at second hand book sales. The first one that I picked up was "The Cat Who read Backwards". I read through five chapters and put it down for five years. Never picked up another Braun book again. That was until I found this title. It was Halloween so I thought how about a little scare.........let's try Lilian again. I am so glad that I gave her another chance. The book was fabulous. The characters totally likeable, and the cats as always, right on que. I always tend to read books out of order, I am glad that I did. Since finising this one I have read "The Cat who smelled a Rat", and went back and finished "The Cat who read Backwards" in just two days. I recommend this books to every one who enjoys a comfortable chair, a hot cup of tea, and a purring cat on your lap. Enjoy Koko and Yum Yum, and Qwilleran...........They are the best team since Peanut Butter and Jelly............Barbara

Siamese Sleuths
This was the first Lilian Jackson Braun novel I have read. I loved it. I enjoyed reading about the cats and how smart Koko was. And how the cats knew the phone was going to ring 10 seconds before the phone rang.

Qwill is called in the middle of the night by his former landlady, Mrs. Cobb. She has been hearing strange noises and was scared. He leaves to investigate and finds her dead. Many strange things are happening at the museum, and Qwill decides to move in and find out what really happened to his friend.

Very enjoyable, this will not be my last Lilian Jackson Braun. ... Read more

Product Description
When a visiting estate jeweler is found dead in his Pickax hotel room, Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese cats must do their best to find the purr-petrator.

• The 22nd book in the beloved seriesAmazon.com Review
Qwilleran and his crime-solving Siamese cats KoKo and Yum Yum are back on the case in Pickax, the biggest little city in Moose County, which is 400 miles north of everywhere but still boasts a remarkably sophisticated social and cultural scene. Hardly a day or a night goes by without a tea, dinner party, crafts fair, play, or pageant, all of which are attended and described in great detail by Qwilleran, a former crime reporter whose not very onerous duties entail writing a feature column for the local newspaper as well as overseeing the civic philanthropy made possible by an inheritance from a wealthy friend of his deceased mother. Fans of this long-running and immensely popular series will delight in this 23rd installment, in which the matrons of Pickax are buying French perfume and blueing their hair for the annual visit of Mr. Delacamp, a jeweler from Down Under (Chicago), whose arrival will coincide with the reopening of the town's fabulously refurbished grand hotel. When the mysterious Mr. Delacamp is found dead in the presidential suite, and his "niece" goes missing along with the jewels and the cash, Qwilleran and his curious cats investigate. As usual, it takes a couple of Siamese with extraordinary powers (even for cats) and a current preoccupation with pennies, gum wrappers, and paper towels to point their owner toward the solution; Qwilleran may not be the quickest sleuth in Moose County, but with KoKo and Yum Yum on the case, he doesn't need to be. This is the coziest of cozies, a particular niche in the mystery subcategory of crime-solving felines of which Braun is the acknowledged mistress, and once again she delivers the goods. --Jane Adams ... Read more

Customer Reviews (83)

Too much about the cats !!!
Here was my thought process, long car ride, audio-murder mystery - great idea.What was I thinking - this storyhas a murder but the mystery was not that exciting.The story was from view point of older wealthy man who wrote for the paper and had cats. There were moments I thought this story was going to get interesting but no - never did.I did listen to it all - but I was suck in a vechile with no other options.

Koko Has It All Figured Out
In this installment of, "The Cat Who.." series, Koko kept doing strange things. He wrapped the kitchen in paper towels. Then he stole some pennies from an antique bank that Qwill bought.

What does it all mean?

I liked this book. I love reading about Pickax. It is a great place to escape.

Good "Cat Who . . . " book, but not great.
I must admit that I would have given this book a "five star" rating if I had reviewed it upon first finishing the book.I, however, was so excited to acquaint myself with the rest of the "Cat Who . . . " series, that my review comes after reading the first four and a half (yes, I'm working on the fifth right at the moment).Having read these, I feel it pertinent to give the book "four stars".

This story has good characters and a good plot, but we do not see the Jim Qwilleran of old.He is neither as witty, nor adventurous as the old Jim and it seems as if he lets the plot happen to him.A good read for those who love cats and plot twists.

Here's to Old Friends
As of late this series has been on a downward slide and after the last book I took up this one with some trepidation. I have really loved this series and have become very fond of Qwilleran and his cats so I really don't want to get to a point where the series is really bad. Many fans of the series are sure that Mrs. Braun is no longer writing these books and that there is a ghostwriter involved and after the last installment I was inclined to agree. I am happy to repot though that this book was a vast improvement over the last one. It still wasn't quite up to the old standard but it was still a very enjoyable book.

This series has never really been the kind of series that draws people who are looking for a strong mystery plot because the storyline tends to be as much about the oddball characters that inhabit Qwilleran's world as it is about solving the mystery and of course the cats always take center stage. This installment was even less about the mystery than usual and the ending came as no surprise at all but unlike the last book this one had a great deal of the old fun back in it and the people of Moose County were in rare form. The cats weren't as prominent as usual though and that was something of a let down.

The whole story revolves around a jewelry dealer from "down below" which in this case means from a big city south of Moose County. He makes visits to Moose County every few years and his last trip was before Qwilleran relocated there so his journalistic curiosity is aroused. So much so in fact that he pretends to be a security guard just so he can visit a tea that the mysterious jeweler always holds for ladies only. When the jeweler is found murdered Qwilleran's curiosity goes into high gear and as usual Koko does his best to help solve the mystery and also as usual Qwilleran doesn't pick up on the clues until after the case is solved. Koko must be one frustrated cat.

Long time fans of the series will for the most part enjoy this one but despite the improvement it is still not back up to the old standards. Still, it is always fun to see what the people of Moose County are up to. After all, some of these people have been a part of our lives for years and years.

Preposterous
The premise of this book is preposterous.What is a cat going to do with money? ... Read more

Product Description
While sifting through closets of junk in the mansion they have rented, Qwilleran and his feline companions, Koko and Yum Yum, uncover a mystery involving the suicide of the former owner and the murder of a potato farmer. Reprint. K. PW. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

Purchase many used books
I have purchase many used books through amazon seller and have never been dissapointed.Again-good condition

great
Just finished reading this impt book in the series...now I can continue with the tapes I've purchased through Amazon

Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas with the Siamese
I think this was my favorite "The Cat Who.." so far. It is late autumn in Pickax. Qwill and the cats rent a downtown mansion from Mrs. Gage to be closer to civilization in case of blizzards. Qwill has just written a play about a fire long ago in Pickax and begins giving performances.

The town receives word that Mrs. Gage who had sold out and moved to Florida, had committed suicide. Qwill and Koko do not feel all is right with that scenario.

Along the way, Qwill meets a young, beautiful, dog sled racer who had a big part in this mystery. The story takes place over my three favorite holidays; Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. You will love this edition of "The Cat Who..." series.

On the road
I'm a great fan of Koko and YumYum, so I enjoy having them along with me while I'm on the road. Somehow the narrator's voice sounds like Jim Qwilleran'swould if he was a real person. The only problem is that it's not always easy to tell when we've reached the end of a disc, but then that's true of virtually all audio discs.

Enjoyed book; good condition
Liked the book, took me a while to get into, but enjoyed it once I made all the connections; arrived in timely fashion and good condition. ... Read more

Product Description
Qwilleran and Koko, the beautiful Siamese cat, are back on the mystery beat. When a mysterious fall ends the life of one of Junktown's leading citizens, Qwilleran is convinced it was no accident. And Koko is about to prove him right. Reissue. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

Qwill and the Catiques.
In "The Cat Who Turns On and Off," Qwill is eager to augment his meager income at the Daily Fluxion by winning the annual Christmas story contest.He proposes doing a story about Junktown, a local rundown neighborhood filled with drug addicts, and his boss Arch quickly agrees.However, Arch wants the story to focus on another aspect of Junktown...the many antiques store that draw in wealthy shoppers from the suburbs.Qwill reluctantly agrees.Soon, he and the cats find themselves living in Junktown and becoming very familiar with the whacky antiquing community.Not surprisingly, people start turning up dead in so-called "accidents," but Qwill suspects foul play.With the trusty help of Koko and Yum Yum, Qwill soon unravels this mystery.

As with the first two entries in this series, the fun of this cozy mystery is the eccentric characters and Qwill's relationship with finicky Koko and Yum Yum.The mystery itself is not that special or complicated, and the denouement comes rather easily and abruptly.However, the book is highly enjoyable because of Braun's skill in character development; Qwill and the cats already seem like our old pals."The Cat Who Turned On and Off" is the final entry written in the 1960s (specifically 1968).Braun would not publish the next book ("The Cat Who Saw Red") until 1986.I'm looking forward to diving into it!

An old charmer
One of the earlier books in the series, this one has more wit and greater character development than the newer ones do. Qwill is still a working reporter for the Daily Fluxion, and he, Koko and Yum Yum end up taking a room in a boarding house over an antique store in Junk Town. There he finds murder, romance, and even a Christmas bonus amid an array of unique neighbors. There are three suspicious deaths in this book, but it's hardly violent or even especially suspenseful. Instead, it feels like a gentle holiday adventure, with just enough intrigue to hold your interest, and tons of local color.

Addictive!
Third in the series.Qwill is still toiling at the Daily Fluxion, and after disappointment at the last two unglamorous assignments he's pumped about competing for a prize in the paper's yearly writing contest.

A passing remark from a cabdriver one evening perks his interest in a part of town he knows almost nothing about, so he decides to check it out.Referred to as "Junktown", it sounds to Qwill like he's going to run into the local ghetto, but instead is fascinated when it actually turns out to be a treasure trove of small antique shops.Changing his place of residence seems to be a habit with Qwill these days, and he takes a room in one of the shops' owners' home - packing Koko and Yum Yum along, of course.When he learns that the previous tenant died under mysterious circumstances and then another Junktown dealer appears to have a freakish accident, the old moustache starts a-twitching.

Always fun, and I'm really enjoying going through these in order as well as reading these early ones for the first time.

The Cat Who Turned On and Off
Never fails to delight. Enjoyable reading. Mayhem in an antique shop is no match for the feline with more than the usual amount of whiskers.

Fun in junktown
With the third installement in The Cat Who...series this is by far the funniest.

With his new assignment in junktown, learning all about antiques and the dealers that come with it Qwill stumbbles onto what looks like another odd murder mystery.Once his mustache starts twiching and his partners, KoKo and Yum, start their usual shenanigans Qwill knows for sure he is right.The only thing left for him to do is to figure out which of the colorful characters of junktown could be the culprit.
With even more colorful, fun and way out there characters this book will definitely leave you wanting more and more of Qwill and his furry gang of friends.Next on the list is The Cat Who Saw Red. ... Read more

Product Description
It looks like robbery gone awry to the police. But then Koko develops an oddappetite for glue, and he and Qwilleran become entangled in a web of love anddanger in their stickiest case yet! "The mix of crime and cats (is) catnip toreaders who like both!"--Chicago Sun-Times. HC: Putnam. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

I love all the 'Cat Who' books
I have almost all of the books and enjoy reading them in order or out.

Koko Solves Another Case
Jim Qwilleran, or Qwill, has recently left the big city to move to the city of Pickax in Moose County. Life is good. He is decorating a new space and has a lovely young decorator who seems to making plays for him. This is causing problems for Qwill's relationship with Polly Duncan, the town librarian.

Qwill joined the local theatre group. The play practice is going smoothly until one of the actors is murdered with his wife. Qwill begins to investigate the murder and finds out many new details about Pickax residents and Moose County.

The Cats, Koko and Yum Yum, begin to act strangely. Little does Qwill know they are working behind the scenes to solve a crime and repair a relationship.

I enjoyed this Lilian Jackson Braun novel. I plan to read them all. If you like enjoyable mysteries with cats you will love this book.

Review of Book
The Cat Who books are great.And this one is no exception.Purrfect...

Koko strikes again
Full of odd characters and wierd quirks, Quill and Koko solve another case.Typical Braun.A fun read.

The Cat who Sniffed Glue
Always enjoy her mysteries. Being a cat perwon there are a fun read. ... Read more

Product Description
Reporter-turned-sleuth Jim Qwilleran and his two feline sidekicks become embroiled in a trio of deadly mysteries, in an omnibus volume containing The Cat Who Saw Red, The Cat Who Played Brahms, and The Cat Who Played Post Office. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The cat books
This book was hard to find as it was the first three books
written about the cats.
Great and quick reading and liked having 3 books in one.
Penny Wilkie

Not Just for Cat Lovers!
An expert story-teller, Lilian Jackson Braun pulls the reader into her Cat Who stories with the finese of Jim Qwilleran's two feline companions Koko and Yum Yum.Each story weaves mystery with deftly portrayed characters and cleverly detailed plots.No cardboard characters or loose ends in these books.Qwilleran is a reporter with a luxuriant mustache that frequently signals him when something peculiar is about to impact those around him.Murder, mystery, lies -- Qwilleran's sidekick Koko is there to help him solve all the riddles.(Yum Yum helps, too, but she often prefers to watch the two males bend their minds to the puzzles while she stalks bright shiny objects or flirts with Qwilleran's guests.)Any Cat Who book is a delight.And, best yet, it's not necessary to read them in order.

KoKo and Yum Yum are the cats meow!

Lilian Jackson Braun's mystery series of "The Cat Who..." books are definately the cats meow, and a must read of any cat and mystery lover!This is a compilation of three of the early books from "The Cat Who" series.They are fast reads, the type of books that one can not put down!One thing I like about this series is that they focus on the same group of characters, which lends continuatityfrom one book to the next.

In "The Cat Who Saw Red"reporter Jim Qwilleran is given an assignment to work on a food column.While working on this assignment, Jim and his two Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum are surrounded by strange incidents, among themdisappearance and murder!KoKoand Yum Yum goes about helping Jim solve themurders.

In "The Cat Who Plays Brahms", Jim Qwilleran and his two Siamese decides to get away from the big city and go to a lake house, belonging to a family friend.This is the book which explains how Jim inherits his fortune.

"The Cat Who Played Post Office" is the first book that actually details the City of Pickax and the various communities in Moose County.Jim is living in the K mansion and soon a murder takes place.KoKo goes right into action, and proceeds to *assist* Jim into solving the murder.I liked it that the continuation of this book was that the characters of Arch and Hixie have followed Qwill to live in Moose County.

By the continuation of characters from one book to the next, I have really found myself looking forward to each new book in this series.I highly recommend this book series!

You'll love Moose County; 400 miles north of everywhere!
Don't make the mistake I did by reading The Cat Who Saw Red first.I love these books but although The Cat Who Saw Red got the most press and is listed first inside the cover pages of all the books from the series it gives away too much from the earlier works.Of course, if you aren't like me and enjoy a good series from the beginning they can be picked up at any point and are thoroughly enjoyable each and every one.You'll love sensible Jim Qwilleran who treats his siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, like pampered guests.And why not?They are instrumental in solving mysteries and deciding who can be trusted and who cannot. ... Read more

Product Description
Fictional columnist James Qwilleran has finally completed his book showcasing the stories related to him by residents of Moose County-that famous region four hundred miles north of everywhere. With an introduction by Lilian Jackson Braun, this delightful volume reveals the offbeat "history" of Moose County-in never-before-published stories. It's a treat for old and new fans alike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Braun
I love the adventures of Mr. Q., Koko & YumYum. I also like that you don't have to read the series in order.

Love this series.
My mom (96 yrs old) loves this series - this audio completes her collection.She is blind, so these audiobooks are a Godsend!

Short and Tall Tales
I like Ms Braun's work very much and would give each of her "Cat Who" books a fivestar.She is a wonderfu writer, who lets you see and feel her charactures and settings. I'm waiting for her next book.
Sincerely,
Valerie B. Anderson

For Moose County Fans Only
Anyone who follows the "Cat Who" series is cognoscente of the fact that Jim Qwilleran, the human hero of the series, carries around a tape recorder in order to catch intriguing stories from Moose County.The former crime reporter keeps saying that he is going to write a book but never actually seems to get started until he finally edits up these stories and presents them in this book. At least that's the premise of this book, which only briefly mentions Qwilleran's two famous felines.

In order to enjoy, or even understand this book one will have to have read several of the books in the series. Otherwise Moose County 's quirky population and their stories will read like something from another world. Actually, UFO's and ghosts do play parts in several of the stories but there isn't a Bigfoot or lake monster in sight.

For the "Cat Who" fan however there are some very entertaining stories to be found in this book. Yes, several of the stories have been published within the series but some of these stories had only been hinted at before and were given flesh in this work. Once one becomes addicted to the antics of the denizens of Moose County every little detail of their lives sought after and consumed and this book provides more than a few tasty morsels.I may be in a minority but I thoroughly enjoyed this little book.

Are re-runs worth the money?
Someone wanted to make a buck without coming up with a new book, and I confess I bit.OUCH! The short stories in this book are all cute, but I couldn't find one I didn't recognize: they are taken from the "oral histories" collected in the regular series, so if you are an avid fan, you have read these already. Do we really need all the "yarns" in one place?I think they add flavor to the mysteries, and are just fluff on their own. (Supposedly there is one short that is original, but it blends right in!) ... Read more

Product Description
The 20th addition to the marvelous, bestselling "Cat Who . . . " mystery series finds Lilian Jackson Braun in fine form. It's spring in Moose County and newspaper columnist Jim Qwilleran and his remarkable felines, Koko and Yum Yum, are caught up in intrigue once again, this time investigating the death of an elderly woman in a suspicious fire and the mysterious break-in at the newly opened art museum (Mystery/Detective) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (39)

I enjoy the ambiance
I love a good whodunit but gave up on this series for quite a while.However, while browsing for titles recently I ran into it again and decided to try a few. I'd forgotten how delightfully on point Ms. Braun is with her understanding of the Siamese.Having been raised by one (Impy) myself and having had my household managed by one ever since, I know them too, and Koko and Yum Yum are as recognizable to me as any of those I have known.

If you're a deep down died in wool murder mystery enthusiast, however, this series may be a bit too light for you.Certainly as it has developed over the years, the stories have stressed the interesting characters and interrelationships of small town people more than the murders that have occurred among them. Like the English novelist Angela Thirkell High Rising (Angela Thirkell Barsetshire Series), Ms Braun has managed to capture the ambience of an era and the intimate relationships among long time members of small communities; in the case of the former, early 20th century rural England, in the case of the latter more recent northern US--my guess, though it's not stated, northern Minnesota, since it's known for its cold, snowy winters, and its history of logging, mining, quarrying and bootlegging.

If you find the works of PD James The Private Patient (Adam Dalgliesh Mysteries), Martha Grimes The Anodyne Necklace and Kathy Reichs Bones to Ashes: A Novel (Temperance Brennan Novels) more to your liking than the works of Maggie Sefton Dropped Dead Stitch (A Knitting Mystery) or Joanne Fluke Strawberry Shortcake Murder (Hannah Swensen Mysteries), the Cat Who Mysteries are probably not for you.Like the latter two authors, Ms Braun delights with her tales of people that the reader gets to know and appreciate with each book.The murder plot is almost of secondary importance, and this is especially true of The Cat Who Sang for the Birds.

The author goes into great detail about the main character's home, his personal friends, the history he shares with each, where they dine, what they talk about, how they fit in with town activities.Greater attention is paid to the naming of the library's cats and in the arrangements for a spelling bee than in the details of the murders.The reader is not privy to details of the crime scene beyond the facts as reported by others.There is no real "puzzle" to solve and few "clues" with which to solve it.In fact, as murder mysteries go, this one does not really follow the rules at all.

That said, I will also say that I enjoyed it.But then I like Siamese; I enjoy spending vicarious time in Moose County--probably because I live in Minnesota; I like the characters I meet there; and I'll probably visit again soon!

Best of the Series So Far
This was such a good book! The funeral scene brought tears to my eyes. Qwill spends a lot of time at the new art center. He befriends a young artist who paint butterflies. She is in a state of flux and wants to move in with her boyfriend.

The lady who lives across the road from the art center is Maude Coggin. She is an interesting lady who is ninety three. Qwill interviews her and discovers that she takes in stray dogs.

Koko wakes Qwill up one night to find that Mrs. Coggin's house is on fire. More mysteries abound and Koko knows what is going on and tries to communicate with Qwill.

This was a great book and I enjoyed it very much.

Mystery light, but still a delight!
Spring has sprung in Moose County, and that means that the beauty of nature is quickly unfolding. From butterflies emerging from their cocoons, to baby birds hatching and chirping left and right; even romance blooming in the sunny days. But not everything is peaceful and quiet within Moose County. Underneath the beautiful façade are secrets, local vandalism, cruelty, and many other strange events. Strange events that Qwill just can't stop himself from poking his nose into.

Even though he came from Down Under, Jim Qwilleran has found that residing in Moose County - 400 miles from everywhere - couldn't be more pleasant. He has good friends, keeps good company with his prized felines Koko and Yum Yum, enjoys the perks of being a reporter for the Moose County Something, and spends his days sniffing out stories. When some unexpected, and out-of-the-ordinary acts of vandalism occur within little Moose County, the residents are sent into a tizzy, trying to figure out who would commit such a disgraceful crime. Qwill, however, is one of the only people interested enough to do a little investigating to finger the criminal. But as he continues digging, he begins to uncover some very unexpected things, such as strange events involving some of the local political candidates. To Qwill, vandalism is one thing, but when a murder takes place, he knows that he'll have to enlist the help of both Koko and Yum Yum to assist him in catching the culprit. Qwill would prefer simply spending time with a remarkable local artist known as Butterfly Girl, and savoring the opening of the new Art Center. But he'll have to solve the crime before his mind can finally rest, and he can enjoy the new beauty springing up all over Moose County.

The beauty of Lillian Jackson Braun's work does not necessarily lie in the mystery contained within the pages of her books, but, rather, the character development she weaves in her tales. That character development is quite prevalent within THE CAT WHO SANG FOR THE BIRDS. The descriptions of Butterfly Girl, and the nosiness of the people of Moose County does overshadow the mystery that Qwill, along with Koko and Yum Yum are investigating; but for those looking for a quaint read, it is not perturbing in the least, and actually makes for a refreshing trip through a cute community, where we have the opportunity to catch up with new and old friends. Mystery light, but still a delight!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

NOT ON OF BRAUNS BEST
I've read some of the Braun series cat books and this one wasn't one of my favorites. It was boring with no plot and it did mention very little about the Butterfly Girl or who she is. The story didn't make any sense at all. I couldn't get into this one. I read it but was disappointed in it. I'm lucky that I only paid $1 for it towards charity.

Yum Yum Goes Cuckoo for a Yo-Yo
Once again we tune in on the denizens of Moose County and find all in an uproar. In fact there are several uproars going on in this cozy neighborhood located 400 miles north of everywhere. First there is the new art center which most people love but the director somehow expects the farmers in the vicinity to keep their dirt off of the roads. When it rains you see, that dirt becomes mud and eventually gets tracked into the art center. Worse yet, the library has gotten rid of their card catalog and replaced it with a computer. This little innovation even sparks a demonstration complete with a grill for burning protestor's library cards.

Amid all of the normal Pickax City hubbub resides the ever-affable Jim Qwilleran and his mystery solving cats Koko and Yum Yum. In this entry in the series Koko has taken to singing like a bird and communing with his bird friends as often as he can. He has also been on the case again after a suspicious fire claims the life of one of Pickax's oldest citizens. The authorities rule that the fire started with a kerosene heater but Qwill doesn't buy it and neither does Koko. Yum Yum for her part is happy playing with her new yo-yo.

Eventually of course everything works out and as in previous books Qwill looks back to see just how precise Koko's clues were. For those new to the series Koko, although talented can't talk but he tries to tell Qwill what has happened in some odd ways. Usually however Qwill doesn't figure out Koko's clues until he has solved the mystery on his own. The best thing about this series besides the wonderful cast of characters is that the reader gets the same clues as does Qwilleran and if one pays very close attention Koko will tell you who done it long before the solution is revealed.

Overall this book, while enjoyable is just a little darker than most of the previous entries, although the body count is fairly low especially compared to some of its predecessors. I can't put my finger on the difference but there is a slightly different tone to this book and it is not an altogether welcome change. On the other hand this is still a very fun and entertaining read and this is a book that should be on every cozy mystery lover's bookshelf. ... Read more

Product Description
Retiring in Pickax, actress Thelma Thackeray has decided to start a film club and organize a fundraiser revue, starring Koko the cat. But Thelma's celebrated arrival takes an unpleasant turn when the strange circumstances of her twin brother's recent death seem suspicious to Jim Qwilleran. Qwill needs a helping paw in this case. But will Koko deign to take time from his stage debut? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (74)

Kitty Revenue
Another great tale of my favorite felines.This book has it all, from benefits for kitties to a grand revue of community note-worthy cats and a slippery, slimey villian whom Koko nose "knows" and without a proper introduction.

A Cat WHO book
Lilian Jackson Braun is an outstanding author and this is one of my most favorite book series.The book was shipped almost immediately and is like new.Although, I normally check out her books from the library in hardback when they are published, I purchase paperback copies later for my library so I can read them again later.

The Cat Who Brought Down The House
I absolutely enjoyed this book.This series is a delight, the stories are a pleasant visit to a charming community.These books always end far to soon, I cannot put them down.

The Cat Who Brought Down the House
I am a fan of the "Cat Who..." series by Lilian Jackson Braun.This is another "candy" book, meaning that I can pick it up for the pure enjoyment of a good yarn. No vulgarity, no violence, no sexual encounters with lurid detail... just a moment to enjoy a pretty good mystery.

Delightful characters
I love a good whodunit but gave up on this series for quite a while.However, while browsing for titles recently I ran into it again and decided to try a few.I'd forgotten how delightfully on point Ms. Braun is with her understanding of the Siamese.Having been raised by one (Impy) myself and having had my household managed by one ever since, I know them too, and Koko and Yum Yum are as recognizable to me as any of those I have known.

If you're a deep down died in wool murder mystery enthusiast, however, this series may be a bit too light for you.Certainly as it has developed over the course of over a decade, the stories have come to stress the interesting characters and interrelationships of small town people more than the murders that have occurred among them. Like Angela Thirkell High Rising (Angela Thirkell Barsetshire Series), Ms Braun has managed to capture the ambience of an era and the intimate relationships among long time members of small communities; in the case of the former, early 20th century rural England, in the case of the latter recent northern US--my guess, though it's not stated, Minnesota.

If you find the works of PD James The Private Patient (Adam Dalgliesh Mysteries), Martha Grimes The Black Cat: A Richard Jury Mystery (Richard Jury Mysteries) and Kathy Reichs Deja Dead: 10th Anniversary Edition (Temperance Brennan Novels) more to your liking than the works of Maggie Sefton Needled to Death (Knitting Mysteries, No. 2) or Joanne Fluke Cream Puff Murder (Hannah Swensen Mysteries), the Cat Who series are probably not for you.Like the latter two authors, Ms Braun delights with her tales of people that the reader gets to know and appreciate with each book.The murder plot is almost of secondary importance. Clues are scarce on the landscape, and the murder almost solves itself, mostly through the agency of town gossips who report back to the central character.

I loved the new characters.The author has such a skill at creating personalities one can't help but wonder if she isn't characturizing someone she actually knows or has closely observed.It's in the little details.Her writing reminds me of the book Designing the Doll: From Concept to Construction by Susanna Oroyan, which presents wonderful dolls whose dress, pose and facial expressions capture their personality totally and absolutely (if you don't believe it, click the link and take a close-up look at some of the dolls presented on the cover!).So too does Ms Braun but with words as her medium.

I was a little disappointed by the end in that the most fascinating character was sacrificed to bring closure to the tale.I thought she made a wonderful addition to Moose County and would have enjoyed hearing more about her.

A pleasant afternoon with delightful characters.

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Product Description
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. With his cats Koko and Yum Yum, newspaperman Jim Qwilleran decides to take a vacation and becomes involved with murder. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Another Great "Cat Who" Book!
Enjoy reading the entertaining "The Cat Who..." books.I had to purchase this one to continue reading the series beginning with "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards" -- very easy reading and the adventures of cat and man take you places and solve mysteries as they go.You won't wait long before you are looking for the next book to read.

My Favorite Cozy Series!
In the 5th book in The Cat Who...series, James Qwilleran aka "Qwill", a newsman for the Daily Fluxion is in a bit of a funk.He had returned to writing for a paper after a several years absence, and has sobered up and adopted two beautiful Siamese cats.After bouncing around with several different assignments at the Daily Fluxion, Qwill is thinking of a change.When his apartment building is sold, and the Press Club is hideously remodeled, Qwill's mind is made up.He decides to take his godmother, Aunt Fanny, up on her offer of spending the summer at her cabin in Moose County.He purchases a car, packs up the cats, and heads 400 miles north of everywhere to live in Pickaxe.Surprises abound when Qwill rolls into town, and nothing seems to go right for him from the beginning.Animals have vandalized the cabin, blue pickups seem to follow Qwill everywhere, and the restaurants offer limp food and watery coffee.Aunt Fanny seems to have her own agenda as well, and even though Qwill loves his eccentric elderly "aunt", he gives her a wide berth while chuckling at her antics.When Qwill hooks a "corpse" on a fishing trip, he immediately reports it to the local authorities, but no one seems to take him seriously.He sees treachery at every turn, and the more that the locals laugh off his suspicions, the more Qwill is determined to figure out what illegal dealings are going on in this interesting town.

This is my favorite cozy mystery series!I had read all of the books in the past, and wanted to read them again for a second time.This time around, I have chosen to listen to them on CD, as I love the voice of George Guidall.I am happily rediscovering how Qwill became a resident of Moose County, and this book will lay the groundwork for the rest of the books to come.For those that have not read the series, I do recommend reading the first several first.Many others can be intermixed, but this book offers good insight as to how Qwill became associated with Moose County.This is a great series by my favorite author!

The first book in the series is called "The Cat who Could Read Backwards".Enjoy!

A regular LJ Braun winner!
Amazing how Braun continues to turn out such good material.

Koko Rides a Moose
In this the fifth book of this series, our hero Jim Qwilleran decides that it is time for a short change of pace and that he may just take his "Aunt" Fanny up on her offer of a free lakeside cabin for the summer. Any doubts he has about the move quickly disappear when he finds that the Press Club has been remodeled and that his living quarters have been sold out from under him. There is a little problem with story inconsistency here because Maus Haus is being torn down despite information in the last book that an art center of some sort must be maintained there. Not a big deal but it did draw my attention.

Soon Qwilleran has bought a car and he and his cats are headed to Pickaxe City to visit Aunt Fanny and then on to the cabin which is located in Mooseville. Braun is well known for her colorful characters and as one might imagine Moose County is fertile ground for a good crop of exceptionally colorful characters. Beyond the people, the area in question has a character all of it's own. The restaurants are for the most part awful, most people drive blue pick-up trucks, the local turkey farmer has a BO problem and no one wants to report a crime because they will get someone they know into trouble. There is indeed crime in Moose County but with nobody reporting it the police have to resort to setting up roadblocks to pass the time.

Qwilleran, a confirmed city boy has all kinds of problems while trying to get used to the rural quiet. He buys a cap so he will fit in but he thinks that the septic tank hole is a grave, he picks at poison ivy, and the various animal noises during the night prompt several calls to the sheriff. At one point he tries to impress a visitor by pointing out that they just heard an owl but the visitor corrects him and says it was a dove. An easy mistake that even my country born and raised wife has made.

As out of his element as Qwilleran is, he is still sure that something terribly illegal is going on around him. He pokes around but all he gets is a bad case of poison ivy and he is wary of calling the police since they already think he is about half-nuts. The mystery in this book is a little more subtle than in some of the previous books and the reader will not find the answer, or what the mystery is for that matter until late in the book. Basically the reader is in the same boat as the hero and is not able to quite put his finger on things until once again the cats come to the rescue. Then, even after the first mystery is solved another one appears that has been quietly lurking under everyone's nose for almost half of the book. Neither Qwilleran nor the readers know of this mystery until the mighty Koko provides the answer to the previously unknown question. For once the ever-suspicious reporter is not suspicious enough.

This is another good story by Lilian Jackson Braun that draws the reader in as the narrative proceeds. One isn't drawn in so much by a deep mystery but by the delightful characters to whom one becomes attached. The reader should pay particular attention to this book because it introduces the setting for the rest of the books in the series. Pickaxe City here we come.

THE BEST BOOK SERRIES EVER
The Cat Who is the best serries ever full of humor wit and complexity,
James Macentosh Qwilerin is a off beat repoter/Billion air with his 2 cats Koko and Yumyum who are no shorter than extra ordinary.
This is the best book serries I have ever read and would recomend it to any one over 10.
Trevor Oliver
12 Years old
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Product Description
When the director of the Pickax Theatre Club's Shakespeare production is found dead in Qwilleran's apple orchard, Qwilleran and his Siamese sleuths must discover which player staged the murder. Reprint. PW. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Like the previous books in this series, this book is filled with quirky and fun characters and features the wonderful backdrop o
The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal by Lillian Jackson Braun

The 12th book of this series starts with Qwilleran settled into his new home in the town of Pickax City, in an old apple barn that has been restored and turned into living quarters. Jim Qwileran has inherited a fortune but must live in Moose county for several years before he can collect it.He writes a column for the local Paper: "The Qwill Pen."

With the money from his inheritance, Qwilleran has formed a foundation and sponsors several projects.One of those projects is building a community theater, which hascompleted and a successful run of "Henry VIII." When the director, school principal Hilary VanBrook, had proposed this play nobody thought it would fly, but the unpopular director had pulled it off in high fashion.

Following the final performance the cast and crew descended on Qwilleran's barn for the cast party. As was normal, the much-maligned VanBrook kept pretty much to himself but for some reason Koko found him very interesting. Once the party guests had all departed, Koko called Qwilleran's attention to a single car that was still outside. Going out to investigate, Qwilleran found a body with a very fresh gunshot wound inside the abandoned car. Determined to mind his own business this time the former reporter called the police and tried to stay out of the investigation. Koko however would have none of that and started leaving clues.

Despite Koko's clues however, Qwilleran continued his hands off approach except for sniffing around the victim's house looking for an old book. Finally though, Qwilleran gave in and started to sniff around because Dennis Hough (pronounced Huff), his friend and builder of the barn, commits suicide in Qwilleran's barn and everyone is falsely accusing Mr. Hough of killing Mr. VanBrook.

Along the road to solving this murder Qwilleran runs into several sub-plots that add a great deal to the story: a cat beauty pageant that turns into a riot and a horse race down in Lockmaster. On top of everything else, Qwilleran and Polly seem to be on the outs and Qwilleran is sure that the librarian has a new love interest.

Like the previous books in this series, this book is filled with quirky and fun characters and features the wonderful backdrop of Moose County. The interaction between the characters is cleaver and imaginative and the cats are superbly portrayed.The mystery, while not always the center of the plot, is interesting and it is solvable. The clues are all there and if the reader pays close attention he/she can solve the mystery before Qwilleran.

Great Stories
I have read many of the "Cat Who" books and have enjoyed them very, very much. (Of course, we have two Himalayans and their characteristics are very similar to the Siamese).I thought these books would make a terrific gift for another cat lover in our family.I hope she gets as much pleasure from the books as I have. The service from Amazon was outstanding and was very convenient especially at this time of year

A Good Read
I always enjoy a good mystery and have become "addicted" to Braun's books. Her feline sleuth KoKo is enjoyable as well as her human owner Qwill. I thought that the description of the feline antics as well as the details of the story line in this novel made this an easy, fast, and fun read. The characters were vivid and I found myself chuckling at some of the content. This is a rarity for me. If you like stories about odd, eccentric characters as well as a mystery, Braun's books are for you.

A Winner
I have all of the books in this series.They are fun, light and entertaining.Loving cats doesn't hurt, either.

A Gem of a Series
This series is so enjoyable, I'm listening to them on audiobook and I love the interesting plot which really centers around the people and is not that much about the mystery.You enjoy the characters and how Koko helps Qwill figure out each crime.It's a feel-good mystery series that I highly reccomend. ... Read more

Product Description
Jim Qwilleran with his two cats, Yum Yum and KoKo help to solve the mystery case behind the Casablanca apartment buildings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

This is where "The Cat Who" series takes a dive and never recovers
In this book Qwill spends most of his time complaining: The air is dirty, Zwinger Blvd is a wind tunnel, crime is rampant, his favorite haunts have been renovated or demolished, everything is too expensive, everyone's name has a weird spelling these days, the Casablanca is falling apart.

There are also some glaring errors. It seems that the author is ignorant of the fact that Bananas Foster includes banana liqueur and rum. Therefore Qwill, as an abstaining alcoholic, cannot eat it. Bananas Foster was invented in 1951, and therefore, the Countess could not have eaten it with her father in the 1920's - 1930's.

There are still a few shreds of the old, modest Qwilleran left. But for the most part, Qwill seems to have turned into George Bonifield Mountclemens III. The fabulous food, the opulent living quarters, the exquisite felines, the pompous vocabulary, and everyone annoys him except for pretty girls.

Then just when the story FINALLY gets good, Qwill tucks his tail between his legs and slinks back to Moose County. Sadly, the rest of "The Cat Who" series is no better. This is where I suggest people stop reading.

Cat who...
Purchased 3 hard cover books to complete my collection - books arrived in a timely fashion, in the condition stated.good place to do business

Cats are curious critters and fun to watch.
I have read every one of Lilllian Braun's books.She is such an entertaining writer bringing you right into her wonderful world of cats and their adventures.Her main character coming into untold wealth spreads it around to all sorts of benevolent activities and his relationship with his two siamese is just charming.I always feel uplifted after reading these books and hope she keeps writing.

KoKo wins Scrabble!
To escape from the cold winter looming ahead, Qwill and his felines head back into the big city to take up residence at an aging hotel whose residents are seeking a patron to restore the crumbling building to its former glory.Along with some old friends (Amberina and Mary Duckworth from Junktown past, among others), Qwill meets a whole new batch of unusual characters: Mrs. Tuttle, the manager of the building; Isabelle the lush, who flashes him and then swears at him; Mrs. Buttons and her wicked cane...And when Qwill and KoKo begin to uncover clues that the murder/suicide that made the building famous might still be unsolved, it becomes all a man can do to stay alive down there!

Yay, I really liked this one!It was a relief after the last couple I'd listened to, which were entertaining but mildly ho hum.In this one, the cats were their charming and unruly selves, and the cast of new weirdos helped liven up the story.It was a lot of fun spending time in the car with Qwill and the cats for this story and I'm kind of sorry I'm taking a short break from the audio set to listen to some books by other people for a while.Looking forward to getting back to KoKo and YumYum in a few weeks!

The Cat Who Lived High
The product came on time and in excellent condition. I will absolutely buy from this person again.The Cat Who Lived High (Cat Who...) ... Read more