The Cat Who Tailed a Thief [Paperback]

Lilian Jackson Braun (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cat Who... | Publication Date: March 1, 1998

The delightful New York Times bestselling mystery series continues with "another winner!" (Austin American-Statesman) In this latest installment, prizewinning reporter Jim Qwilleran--along with his lovable Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum--solve a mystery that arises when a local banker dies under suspicious circumstances, leaving behind a flashy young widow, an unfinished house-restoration project, and a trail of clues as elusive as a cat burglar in the night...

* A New York Times bestseller
* Braun's newest hardcover, The Cat Who Sang for the Birds, will be on sale from G.P. Putnam's Sons Jan. 12th

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Lillian Jackson Braun never seems to run out of ideas for her popular series of mysteries featuring journalist Jim Qwilleran and his feline cohort, Koko. In this latest, The Cat Who Tailed A Thief, Koko again exhibits his preternatural intelligence by trying to tip off Qwilleran to important clues to a murder. That Qwilleran is not possessed of the same mental acuity as his cat is what makes this series work. Braun may not be noted for refined prose, perceptive characterizations, or stunningly original plots, but what she does do well is cats. Fans of felines in general and Koko in particular will find this book, the 19th in the Qwilleran series, almost as irresistible as, well, catnip. Some would even say it's purr-fect. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Nothing is sacred in this latest installment of the trials and tribulations of life in Moose County, "400 miles north of everywhere," as locals face a green Christmas, an outbreak of petty larceny and a tacky new resident. As the holidays approach, someone has taken to stealing small articles of apparently little value?gloves, sunglasses, a bag of old clothes, an antique doll. But these seem minor distractions from larger matters, like the new banker, Willard Carmichael, and his wife, Danielle, a flashy young woman with big hair who teeters on spiked heels as she flirts with an uncooperative newspaper columnist, Qwilleran, seen last in The Cat Who Said Cheese (1996). Willard fits right in, devoting himself to restoring Pleasant Street's Victorian homes with the help of Danielle's cousin, Carter Lee James, a preservation consultant. Just after Christmas, Willard is killed in a mugging in Detroit; then a local boy is arrested for the petty thefts and an old friend becomes engaged to James, all events that raise Qwill's suspicions and inspire strange behavior in his sleuthing cats, Koko and Yum Yum. Cranky and sometimes acerbic, Qwill fights off the sentimentality of the season while investigating the world of historically correct renovations. By springtime, with the help of Koko in particular, he brings a murderer and thief to justice in an accomplished mystery that is as smooth as the season's first snowfall. Mystery Guild and Readers Digest Condensed Book selection; Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club alternate.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Jove (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515122408
• ISBN-13: 978-0515122404
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #243,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Authors, A-Z > ( B ) > Braun, Lilian Jackson

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

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Cat Who book!, March 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cat Who Tailed a Thief (Paperback)

I have read all of Braun's Cat Who books, and this one is a great example of the books where she's really hit her stride. Koko and YumYum are throwing hints all over the place, and Qwilleran makes a new friend--Joe "Wetherby Goode" Bunker, who's a terrific character. Qwilleran goes around the North country gathering spooky tales, and these little stories just add to the enjoyment of the book.

None of the Cat Who mysteries are that profound. I wasn't shocked at the solution to the mystery. But for pure enjoyable reading, I recommend this Cat Who book very highly.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Of The Finest Cat Who... Books made, October 24, 2000

By 

"paradise_found" (Musicland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cat Who Tailed a Thief (Hardcover)

Lilian Jackson Braun is my favorite mystery writer. She always keeps gross and explicit things out of her books and trails the adventures of Jim Qwilleran and his two Siamese Ka'o Ko Kung (Uh, Koko for short), the male cat, and Yum Yum, the female. In this particular book, Qwill is in for many surprises and Mrs. Braun did a great job. The suspense builds until the last couple of chapter where the climax and falling action leave you too ecited to put the book down. An elaborate plan by a criminal and his kleptomaniac "wife" leave Moose County in a swirl of confusion until Qwill reveals the real intentions of the dashing decorater. A must read!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A captivating book and highly interesting for a 'newcomer', October 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cat Who Tailed a Thief (Hardcover)

The Cat Who Tailed The Thief was the first book of the series I was introduced to. I was attracted to Quill's humorous nature and the author's unique way of potraying him, together with Polly Duncan and others. Indeed, it sounded so realistic that I found myself captivated. I enjoyed excerpts from the "Quill's Pen" coloum (especially the one with cats) which seemed very refreshing and with lots of comical expression in it. I also favoured "Short and Tall Tales" in which Quill delights himself with old tales that have such a twist of enchanment in them. I had no problem at all in trying to keep track with the characters mentioned (being my first time)and I found absolute enjoyment in the author's fun and refreshing way of introducing and following on the characters' movements. After reading the other comments though, I found that some of you (may I add) did not regard this book as highly as I had. You were not comfortable with the way Ms Braun wrote about the culprit by giving away obvious clues. Hence, may I conclude, for first-time newcomers, you need not regard this book as a high-tension suspense-thrilling mystery book, but as an enjoyable remedy to your stressed out life that may soon add a little colour and flourish to it!