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perfectpinkypie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD performed by George Guidall
3***
Book two in the “Cat Who” cozy mystery series, starring journalist James Qwilleran and his Siamese Koko. Much to his chagrin, Qwill has been assigned to write pieces for a new interior design magazine insert for the Fluxion. There’s a tight deadline so he asks a couple of leading interior designers for a lead and goes to the home of a wealthy jade collector and his invalid wife. The home itself is interesting, but the jade collection is spectacular. Unfortunately, right after the story is published there is a burglary at the featured abode, and the wife dies of an apparent heart attack. Qwilleran doesn’t believe the article – or a stranger – was to blame and he begins to look into things.
I like this series, set in an unnamed northern-midwest city (possibly in Michigan, which is where the author lived). I like the way Qwill ferrets out information, and how he’s beginning to notice that his cat is quite astute. Love the dictionary game they play! The plot is full of twists and turns, as well as a colorful assortment of characters, good and bad. Photographer Odd Bunsen is an able sidekick.
I also like that Braun doesn’t anthropomorphize Koko. He’s a cat and behaves like a cat, though he has an uncanny ability to provide clues – like coughing up a bit of fabric, or insisting that Qwill retrieve his toy mouse from under a piece of furniture, where the journalist happens to also find a single gold earring.
I also like that the time frame is before internet or cell phones and old-fashioned detecting is required to solve the case. Qwill’s journalism background provides a great framework.
George Guidall does a reasonably good job of performing the audio. There’s something about his delivery though … perhaps he sounds jaded or bored? … that initially put me off, but once I let myself focus on the plot I didn’t notice this so much.
3***
Book two in the “Cat Who” cozy mystery series, starring journalist James Qwilleran and his Siamese Koko. Much to his chagrin, Qwill has been assigned to write pieces for a new interior design magazine insert for the Fluxion. There’s a tight deadline so he asks a couple of leading interior designers for a lead and goes to the home of a wealthy jade collector and his invalid wife. The home itself is interesting, but the jade collection is spectacular. Unfortunately, right after the story is published there is a burglary at the featured abode, and the wife dies of an apparent heart attack. Qwilleran doesn’t believe the article – or a stranger – was to blame and he begins to look into things.
I like this series, set in an unnamed northern-midwest city (possibly in Michigan, which is where the author lived). I like the way Qwill ferrets out information, and how he’s beginning to notice that his cat is quite astute. Love the dictionary game they play! The plot is full of twists and turns, as well as a colorful assortment of characters, good and bad. Photographer Odd Bunsen is an able sidekick.
I also like that Braun doesn’t anthropomorphize Koko. He’s a cat and behaves like a cat, though he has an uncanny ability to provide clues – like coughing up a bit of fabric, or insisting that Qwill retrieve his toy mouse from under a piece of furniture, where the journalist happens to also find a single gold earring.
I also like that the time frame is before internet or cell phones and old-fashioned detecting is required to solve the case. Qwill’s journalism background provides a great framework.
George Guidall does a reasonably good job of performing the audio. There’s something about his delivery though … perhaps he sounds jaded or bored? … that initially put me off, but once I let myself focus on the plot I didn’t notice this so much.
alidottie's review against another edition
3.0
3 and a half.
I have fun reading these early mysteries in The Cat Who series that were written in the mid-sixties.
I have fun reading these early mysteries in The Cat Who series that were written in the mid-sixties.
colleengeedrumm's review
5.0
But journalists just go to the Press Club and drown their criminal inclinations.
For a moment he stood poised with one forepaw lifted, and the place was filled with breathless, listening cat-silence.
Nutmeg is a stimulant. Germans put it in everything.
I admire men who admire cats.
I hope they were sober. I don't put any stock in cocktail promises.
The Posthumous Pour
For a moment he stood poised with one forepaw lifted, and the place was filled with breathless, listening cat-silence.
Nutmeg is a stimulant. Germans put it in everything.
I admire men who admire cats.
I hope they were sober. I don't put any stock in cocktail promises.
The Posthumous Pour
moshalala's review
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
bxnnny's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
silly little whodunnit with a wannabe detective journalist and his kooky cat. some dated language and ideas, but the author is old so it's to be expected. this is a very surface level story/mystery with no real great reveals or twists and a meandering background plot. not very much to say.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
ladya328's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
cstaude's review against another edition
5.0
A completely fun read. Qwill is pursuing a feature magazine assignment centered on interior decorating when murder intrudes. More of the lovable KoKo and we meet his companion Yum Yum at last!! Cozy mysteries are such a relaxing thing!! This series needs to be made into a tv series!
mkaybaker07's review against another edition
4.0
I read 90% of this on the plane and it was great. Super easy, enjoyable, and I didn't figure out all the mysteries until the end.
notkyrieirving's review against another edition
3.0
Same cozy old-school mystery vibes as the first book in this series, how we the “old fashioned values” stood out a lot more to me in this book compared to the first. K read that there was a 20-year gap between the publishing of the first and second books so maybe that’s why I noticed a little more? Regardless, still really liked the story and I plan on reading all of the books in this series, they’re nice little plate cleansed between bigger books and they have the same nostalgia the Nancy Drew series does for me.