The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal [School & Library Binding]

Lilian Jackson Braun (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1992

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. 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

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Like news from Lake Wobegon, Braun's Cat Who . . . series featuring retired journalist and heir Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum has charmed readers, and this 12th installment about events in mythical Pickax City is no exception. Qwill and cats move into an antique apple barn renovated by building contractor (and amateur actor) Dennis Hough. Concurrently the Pickax Theatre Club stages Henry VIII , with Hilary VanBrook, the unlikable but talented new high school principal, directing and playing the plum role of Cardinal Wolsey and a woman from neighboring Lockmaster (instead of a Pickaxian) controversially cast as Queen Katharine. When VanBrook is murdered in his car after a closing night party at Qwill's new home, Qwill looks into VanBrook's past while the police investigate his death. Local suspicion falls on Hough, the newest member of the community, but he is found hanged in the apple barn, and Qwill doubts that it's suicide. Koko and Yum Yum once again help Qwill identify the culprit via whisker twitches and tail wags. Series fans and newcomers alike will purr with delight. Mystery Guild main selection; Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club alternates.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA-- Koko and Yum Yum cavort again, this time to help Qwill solve the puzzling, untimely deaths at their new home, a cavernous barn complete with picture windows from which the two cats watch the neighborhood birds. This highly entertaining novel is sure to please all who want a light mystery. Cat lovers particularly will enjoy the antics of the feline heroes, while others will appreciate the creative solution that grows out of seemingly unrelated clues. Qwill, a semi-retired newspaper writer, is owned by the cats and provides needed assistance as a sleuth. Relaxed, rural America is well drawn (except for the number of murders it has had since the series moved to this locale) and provides a delightful setting in this amusing romp that's perhaps Braun's best. --Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• School & Library Binding: 275 pages
• Publisher: Turtleback (February 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0613063767
• ISBN-13: 978-0613063760
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,478,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lilian Jackson Braun is the author of twenty-nine bestselling Cat Who . . . novels and three short story collections.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal, June 21, 2006

By 

smartnurse123 (Slidell, LA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cat Who Knew a Cardinal (Jim Qwilleran Feline Whodunnits) (Paperback)

Another enjoyable quick reading mystery story by Lilian Jackson Braun featuring Qwilleran and his two Siamese cats Koko and Yum-Yum. In this episode, Hilary VanBrook, the disliked Principle of PickAx is found murdered in Qwilleran's orchard the morning after a cast party is thrown. Koko was the one to find the body and Qwilleran begins to piece together the clues. A cardinal singing outside the window holds the key to the suspect.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The cat who caught my fancy... :), May 29, 2001

By 

Kimberly E. Beall "Sleepy Maggie" (Franklinton, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal (Audio Cassette)

Well I must start by saying, I have never really cared for mystery novels. But my mother-in-law left a copy of The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal here after her last visit, and I picked it up to glance at it and the next thing I knew, I was on the fourth chapter. These stories aren't just mystery novels, in fact, I wouldn't care if there were no mystery at all - the characters (including the cats, of course!) and the scenarios are just endearing, and I want to read more of these stories just so I can be back in Qwilleran's world.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seeing Red with KoKo & Yum Yum, June 22, 2006

By 

L Smith "acozylover" (Macomb, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal (Audio CD)

In the 12th book in The Cat Who...mystery series with KoKo and Yum Yum, James Qwilleran and his two Siamese cats move into their newly converted apple barn, and are celebrating the successful first run production by the Pickax Theatre Club. When the entire cast (except for one) shows up at Qwilleran's new home for a wrap-party and informal housewarming, he is happy to entertain many of his close friends. The party lasts well into the early morning hours, and when the last guest drives away, KoKo starts his impressive "death howl". Walking outdoors, Qwilleran learns there has been a shooting on his property, and the controversial high school principle has been murdered. Qwilleran and his amazing cats begin to investigate, and quickly dig into some truths buried in the nearby town of Lockmaster. And when Polly returns a day late from a wedding she attended in the town, Qwilleran starts to get suspicious about what is happening in Lockmaster. In between bird watching with KoKo, a cat pageant to find a look-alike for Tippy's beloved mascot, and a steeplechase, Qwilleran puts the pieces together on another murder in sleepy Moose County.

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. The stories are charming, and I have fallen in love with Moose County and all of its residents. The mysteries themselves are not always very difficult to figure out...but that is not the allure of the series for many. The characters are endearing, and as you read the books in the series, you will feel like you know each one. The books are also a great read for pre-teens or those that have read and enjoyed the Nancy Drew series. I feel this series is the benchmark for many cozy mysteries today, and hope to enjoy this series for years to come. I highly recommend any (and all) of the books in this series.


The 1st book in the series is called "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards". Enjoy!