The Cat Who...Companion Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Like the author, I discovered The Cat Who series in the early 1990's and my family has read all her cat books. There hasn't been much written about Braun's personal background until this book which reveals much in common with Qwill and other characters, as well as her history of "being owned by cats".
The Cat Who Companion refreshes your memory in that year-long stretch between new titles. Maps in front help you visualize the fictional landscape and town layouts. An adequate amount of information (without ruining the plots for newcomers) jogs your memory of favorite plots, characters, buildings, and interior decoration, and especially those memorable scrumptious dishes!
I have re-read some of the books 3 times. However, the Cat Who Quiz in the back stumped us on many of the questions!
I was disappointed with one thing in the 1998 edition: there is no current photo of Braun, her cats, her deceased husband, or her second husband. I would have liked to have seen a photo section.
Several books ago, on one or two titles only, I detected a change in style and wondered if she was preparing a ghost-writer to carry on the series into the future. Wouldn't you like to know how far in the future we can hope to be entertained by KoKo and YumYum's antics?

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Cat Who...Companion

Get 22% OFF

Click here for more information about The Cat Who...Companion

Read More...

The Cat Who Smelled a Rat Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was astounded when, in reading the covers of Lilian Braun's latest episode in her tales of James Qwilleran that "The Cat Who Smelled a Rat" was Volume 23. I went to her shelf and, sure enough, I had read them all. While they really are mystery stories, I don't really read them for that. Rather, over the history of the series, I have become addicted to life in the far north town of Pickaxe.
I love wandering through the town with Qwilleran, meeting the many quirky characters, sharing in the gossip, reading Qwill's columns over his shoulder and, above all, interpreting the mystic messages of Koko the detective cat. As, I'm quite sure, will any mystery lover who needs a break from the noir fiction that makes up so much of modern mystery writing.
This time Pickaxe is in the throes of an autumn drought, trying to prevent brush fires and waiting impatiently for 'The Big One', the first big snowstorm of winter. When a volunteer fire watcher is murdered at one of Moose County's famous mine shafthouses the mystery begins. Be prepared for an Haiku contest, an elopement, curling and many delicious meals consumed at Pickaxe's seemingly inexhaustable supply of restaurants and inns.
Of course, the real heroes of all Braun's stories are Koko and Yum Yum, Qwill's faithful Siamese sidekicks. Koko, by virtue of superior intelligence and wit, works dilligently to provide Qwilleran with the clues needs to discover the villain and reveal his nefarious scheme. Koko limited to growls and 'Yows' resorts to plant destruction, apple hockey and general chaos in order to keep Qwill on track.
If you've been following this series for as long as I have you will need no encouragement to read this new volume. For those of you who have never travelled to Pickaxe before, prepare for a lot of fun - all 23 volumes are well worth reading!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Cat Who Smelled a Rat

Click here for more information about The Cat Who Smelled a Rat

Read More...