The Cat Who Lived High (Cat Who...) (Paperback)

by Lilian Jackson Braun (Author) "THE NEWS THAT reached Pickax City early on that cold November morning sent a deathly chill through the small northern community..." (more)
Key Phrases: mushroom paintings, pinching his nose, turkey roaster, Yum Yum, Moose County, Old Red (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
With this 11th entry, the popular Cat Who series ( The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts ) begins to flag, its charms growing tatty and listless for even the most steadfast cat-and-mystery lovers. Ex-newspaperman James "Qwill" Qwilleran and his Siamese Koko and Yum Yum leave Moose County for the big city Down Below to help old friends save the Casablanca, an aging and elegant apartment building threatened with demolition to make way for profitable development. Qwill decides to spend the winter in the Casablanca to determine if it might make a project for the philanthropic Klingenschoen Fund, which he controls. Ensconced in a 14th-floor penthouse, he discovers that its previous tenant, Dianne Bessinger, head of the group trying to save the building, was an art dealer ostensibly murdered by a jealous protegeok . Qwill also plays Scrabble with the building's owner, the eccentric and reclusive Countess; he teaches the game to Koko, who thereby provides him with clues in his investigation of the murder, which he suspects is tied to attempts against the Casablanca. Braun's latest pleases with its descriptions of gentrification and development, but the book ends abruptly, leaving too many loose ends, and central characters Koko and Yum Yum develop no further at all.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
YA-- They're back--the noble Koko, the charmer YumYum--and their wealthy retired owner, Quill. Here, the benevolent benefactor of Moose County packs the Purple Plum--his small, energy-efficient car--with the two inquisitive and endearing Siamese and leaves his cozy home for the winter. This newest addition to the series is a delight that will enchant long-time followers of the irresistible trio as well as first-time readers.
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

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Jove (May 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 051510566X
• ISBN-13: 978-0515105667
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #237,868 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #62 in	Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery > Cat Sleuths
  #64 in	Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Authors, A-Z > ( B ) > Braun, Lilian Jackson

• This is item 11 in The Cat Who... Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meeting of the old and the new, June 16, 2000

By	Atheen M. Wilson "Atheen" (Mpls, MN United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I enjoy murder mysteries in general, especially the "who dunnit" type, of which this is one. Since I was also "raised" by a Siamese cat named Impy, and kept in line over my life time by a series of his successors, I especially enjoy this series. The author definitely has an appreciation for the character of the breed. This book is no exception. The antics of KoKo are always a joy and remind me of one of my own early pets, Mr Sin. This particular volume is especially fun as it partakes of some of both of Quill's lives: that of down and out reporter from "Down Under" and that of the recluse multimillionaire from "up North." Since much of the description fits the Minneapolis and Northern Minnesota area from which I come, I also feel a certain resonance with the characters and their settting. The story is an elaborate one with a slightly macabre twist. I actually figured it out because I had a small bit of information from my own experience that helped me do so, but I still found the book a satisfying read

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MURDER AT THE CASABLANCA, April 1, 1999

By A Customer

Great book. In this 11th entry in The Cat Who... series, we get another change of location as Qwill and the cats go back "Down Below" to possibly help save an old apartment building from destruction. I actually was able to pick up some of the clues and knew who didn't commit the murder, but not who did!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable as always, August 27, 2000

By	Helen (Highgate, South Australia, Australia) - See all my reviews

This book was enjoyable as books in this series always are. This one was another where Qwill leaves behind Pickax and his usual cast of supporting characters. On this occasion he wants to avoid another freezing Pickax winter. This gives the author the opportunity to show how unhappy Qwill now becomes outside his Moose County environment and away from Polly Duncan.

The most interesting books of this series are the ones set outside Pickax as this gives Qwill and the cats the chance to relate to new characters and situations.

This is a book in the cosy genre; the plotting is not its strength and I don't think ever was meant to be. Like other books in this series, it was a wonderfully warm and engaging read.