Customer Reviews

The Cat Who Tailed a Thief

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!

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!

It's winter in Moose County, 400 miles north of everywhere, and there's a petty pilferer around! But when a charity jar with almost $2,000 is discovered missing, the investigation really gets going. Soon some of the pilfered items show up in the work locker of one of the community's best-loved young men, leading Qwill to suspect a frame-up. But there are plenty of other twists and turns in this book, including a mugging that turns into murder, a suspicious wedding between a young gentleman and a middle-aged widow (with plenty of money), and finally another murder. Of course, Kao K'o Kung knows what is really going on long before Qwill figures it out, but then, if you've read this far in this series, you should be used to that by now.

I always look forward to Ms. Braun's books. Ever since my friend Patty gave me the first one. I have read every one more than once. Where else can you get a good "who done it" without having to subject yourself to gratuitous sex and violence. I feel right at home with all the people of Moose County. I sure wish Qwill and Polly would tie the knot "Scottish Style" and I'm sure glad Polly changed Bootsie's name...not dignified enough for a cat.

Come spend the winter holidays (Christmas through Valentine Day) in Moose County! Be there for Hixie Rice's First Annual Ice Festival, celebrate Scottish Night and Lynette's wedding! If you haven't got the faintest idea what I'm talking about you will probably not give this a five star rating but if you have visited Moose County before you'll enjoy this latest trip to 400 miles North of everywhere.

The action begins with on December 23rd as Qwill is Christmas shopping. A series of petty thefts is plaguing Moose County. The crime escalates from minor nuisances to grand thefts and a respected member of a beloved County family is accused. A sudden death of a new Moose County citizen occurs during a trip 'Down Below' interrupts the more immediate concerns of the up-coming local theater production, a newspaper write-in poll of intriguing cat names, and preparations for the Ice Festival. When a popular member of an old Moose County family dies Qwill and Koko increase their efforts to get to the bottom of things. They solve all and bring the culprits to justice before the spring thaw. Of more importance to Moose County devotees is the addition of 'Wetherby Goode' the local radio weather forecaster.

This long running (this is the 19th installment) series of cozies has a loyal core of fans who wouldn't dream of missing a trip to see Qwill, the semi-retired journalist who is also one of the richest men in the 'North central eastern United States' and his friends both human and feline. If you like your murders in series and cozy join the annual trek up north, but if you prefer your crimes to be challenging or graphic travel elsewhere.

Following her whimsical and informative style, Lilian Jackson Braun weaves another clever tail(?) bringing joy and delight to all of her faithful followers. Quilleran and Koko pursue clue after clue to resolve the death of a rich and attractive woman with plenty of fun along the way Another delightful tale and a great light read.

This is by far one of the best of Ms. Braun's books. The plot had me guessing "whodunnit" from the moment it started! I have recommended this book to all of my friends and I definitely recommend it to you.

Once again Lillian Jackson Braun has reeled me in with another of her charming 'Cat Who' novels. I've been deeply in love with Jim Qwilleran for many years...ever since I first met him...his moustache has the power to make my knees knock. I've been so jealous of Polly because she gets to spend such quality time with him...and of course there is the incredible love he has for his Koko and Yum-Yum. Koko figures out the most ingeneous ways to communicate with this mountain of a man...always leaving the food for thought in Jim's mind they way he provides the delicasies for Koko. What a wonderful partnership they have....and who couldn't love Yum-Yum....always the brunt of Koko's explanations ...she just loves her human and her nutso playmate. As to the story and the mystery...kept me laughing and turning the pages...as they always do. And wasn't the entire book worth the description of Jim in his Scots regalia.... These are people who I have come to know and respect, care for and look forward to each and every meeting. Thanks to Ms. Braun, I believe there will be more to come.

There's something very odd going on in rural Moose County and that something is thievery. The people of this area just aren't used to this kind of behavior and normally don't bother locking up anything but the times they are a changing. At first it isn't anything big that goes missing and most people including Jim Qwilleran can't understand why anyone would steal a pair of cheap sunglasses or a bag of old clothes. Then things get serious when the local banker who is a newcomer to Pickax City is killed in a mugging. Since the murder occurred while that banker was on a business trip to a big city down below however most people just write it up to how terrible things are in big cities. The ever-alert Koko however smells a rat.

As the plot thickens there is as always lots of other action in progress. Qwilleran and Polly have an argument over her cat's name, which prompts him to write a column in the local paper about the subject, which brings in a deluge of postcards with appropriate names for cats. The area is planning a huge ice festival, which is threatened by the possibility of an early thaw. Qwill and the cats are ensconced in the Indian Village apartments for the winter because their barn is so hard to heat and they end up living next to the radio weatherman whom Qwill does not care for. The weatherman, Wetherby Goode by name has been a background player in this series since the action moved to Moose County but in this installment he plays a major role and he and Qwill become fast friends.

When one of the leading citizens of Pickax dies the action becomes fast and furious and Qwilleran doesn't believe it was natural causes for a minute. Koko has been trying to tell him all along but as usual he just didn't get the point. Koko ends up being so frustrated that he starts walking over to Yum Yum and bopping her on the head like it was her fault that Qwill is a little dense at times.

All in all this entry into this lovable series will keep you guessing while at the same time tickling your funny bone as you read of the antics of the local residents. People of Scottish decent will particularly like this book as the normal Scottish flavor of the stories is kicked up a notch and Qwill finally makes his public debut in a kilt.

In the end of course the guilty are thwarted and justice prevails but this road to justice is one of the most enjoyable journeys that you will ever take.