Rating:  Summary: Stands the test of time! Great fun especially for cat lovers Review: I stumbled upon the "Cat Who" series of books when I picked up a very yellowed copy of "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards" from a book-sharing box at work. I found the book (and all it's subsequent mysteries) delightful, devouring one each every evening after work. They're easy reads and safe for adolescents as they're not filled with gore, sex or profanity.
As a cat-lover and multiple-cat-owner, I found Mr. Q's and Koko's adventures especially entertaining. I don't know how many whiskers my cats have (they never sit long enough to let me count them) but I'll accept that Koko is a remarkable cat!
After reading this first book in the series I was hooked! I read every subsequent "Cat Who" mystery in order and am eagerly awaiting the release of the newest one next month. Though one can certainly read these books out of order, I think it's easier to remember who the characters are as they reappear in subsequent books in the series. I enjoyed following along, episode by episode, to see how things unfold.
Turns out this first book was originally published in the sixties. I found a lot of the references to now-extinct items and practices charming. I remember clackity typewriters and people smoking at their desks at work back then. This book reflects the times, as Mr. Q unabashidly loves to look at pretty ladies and admires the dimples in their knees (how very un-PC)!
I've noticed that the photo of Ms. Braun on the back cover of recently published editions in the series is the same as that on my 1960's copy. Either Ms. Braun is nearly 100 now and actively writing, or someone has picked up the reins as ghost-writer. If so, it's been done seamlessly and the new stories have the same style as the old except there are now cell phones and computers while Mr. Q and Koko haven't aged a bit in 35 years!
Rating:  Summary: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards Review: I though the book was kind of stupid. It dragged on and on. I got bored with it. I guess it's cute for a children's book, but I wouldn't recomment it.
Rating:  Summary: The First One Review: I was at a bookstore yesterday and I couldn't decide on a book to get. I like lots of different types of books. I liked Red Dragon, and Rising Sun, and (even though it looked childish) Harry Potter. I realised I had never read a mystery before. I went over to the mystery secion and browsed around. I was tired of the Star Wars books and have given up on them so I was glad for a new read. I noticed there were alot of books beginning with The Cat Who... I grabbed one titled The Cat Who Sniffed Glue. Wow, what a series I thought. I'd better start at the beginning so after looking at all of the copywright dates I grabbed The Cat Who Could Read Backwards. I looked for The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern but I couldn't find it. I guess I have to make a trip to another bookstore and pick it up. I was going to buy the first 4 and read them before going back the next weekend and getting the fifth which is entitled The Cat Who Played Brahms. Anyway this book is wonderful. Although it only took me till 2:00 today to complete it was great and I had the wrong murder suspect. Koko is very cool and I like his whole name (Kao K'o-Kung) although it is a mouthful. I am really looking foward to the second in the series and hope to have completed them all by the time her new book comes out next year.
Rating:  Summary: CAT WHO.... Review: I WAS LUCKY TO FIND THIS BOOK AND READ IT FIRST SINCE IT WAS THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES. I HEARD PEOPLE RAVING ABOUT HOW GOOD THESE BOOKS WERE. I DECIDED TO SEE FOR MYSELF. THEY WERE RIGHT! I LOVED IT! IF YOU'RE A CAT PERSON AND A MYSTERY PERSON, THEN THESE ARE THE BOOKS FOR YOU.
Rating:  Summary: What a fascinating find! I'm hooked on Jim and his cats! Review: I'm hooked! Thank you Lilian Jackson Braun for introducing me to my favourite team. This book has sparked me back into mysteries that I love. I have almost read all the cat series. Those two cats are "cool-cats"!
Rating:  Summary: Hey Alexandra Review: I've been trying to figure out what in the world this book could be about. I mean, if a cat can read backwards, that's pretty incredible. But, as far as I know, a cat reading forwards is impressive, as well. Is this a sequel to "The Cat Who Could Read?" Is it the same cat, only now he/she has developed a new skill? Or an all-new cat who one-ups the original reading feline of the first book. Anyway, I'd like to see you again to discuss this and other topics, as well. Hope you're well. J.
Rating:  Summary: The first of a captivating series! Review: If someone was to ask me who are my most favorite mystery writers, I would reply, "Agatha Christie, Dick Francis, and also let's not forget Lilian Jackson Braun!" I can honestly say that my father, my sister, and I are the proud owners of the whole "The Cat Who..." series. "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards" is the first book of the series.After being on the unemployment list for some time, former newspaperman Jim Qwilleran's luck seems to be on his side as he is hired by the Daily Fluxion. But his excitement is quickly deflated as he discovers he's been assigned to cover the art beat, and if there's anybody who doesn't know anything about art, it's Qwilleran. He needs the job though so he agrees to take the assignment. But soon he discovers that the world of art is as deadly as the real world. A stabbing in an art gallery, vandalized paintings, and other mysterious events. Qwilleran then meets Koko, a brilliant Siamese cat with an extraordinary talent. Together they are teamed up together to solve the mystery and catch the crooks! Each and every one of "The Cat Who..." series are intriguing and fun to read. As some reviewers have also said, I find that the best atmosphere to read the books are when you're either curled up on the couch or on your bed. It's very hard to put down, especially when you're down to the last few chapters. Like many good mystery writers, clues are given out throughout the whole book but not until the very end do they come together to solve the mysterious events. The best thing about the stories for me is the undeniable chemistry between Jim Qwilleran and Koko who make a perfect pair (later on a female Siamese cat named Yum Yum joins the crew to really perfect the team). Jim Qwilleran is such an interesting character from his bushy salt and pepper mustache to his magnetism to crime. He also has a very dry sense of humor which will keep you chuckling. And of course there's Koko who is just too terrific! Lilian Jackson Braun describes him so perfectly that you can just picture him in your mind, a 'long, lean, muscular cat with sleek fur and an unbearable amount of assurance and authority'. Another character who frequently shows up is Odd Bunsen, a photographer for the Daily Fluxion. He's an extremely likable fellow and is one of my favorite secondary characters. So if you love detective and mystery stories like Agatha Christie and Dick Francis books, I implore you to check out "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards". It most definitely is worth it!
Rating:  Summary: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards Review: If you are a cat lover and enjoy light reading books, especially mysteries, I highly recommend that you start the "Cat Who"... series. This is the first book in the series, so begin with this one. I was not able to put it down until I was finished! I just had to find out "who done it". Thanks to the Siamese cat Kao K'o-Kung, Qwilleran, the art editor of the Daily Fluxion, is able to solve the murder of the VERY CRITICAL art critic George Bonifield Mountclemens who also happens to be his landlord.....
Rating:  Summary: Start here! Review: If you have read any of this series, I suggest you start at the beginning and read them in order. It will let you see the development of the characters and the writing style over time. In this first one, you learn how Qwill gets his first cat, Koko. Lilian Jackson Braun and her The Cat Who ... series are the greatest!
Rating:  Summary: The Cat Who Aged Very Well Review: In typical fashion, I read the last book first and then read the first book. And, I must say that Qwill & KoKo have aged VERY well! I've tried this series in the written format and just couldn't get enthused, but the taped version is VERY well read by George Guidall. The mysteries are very convoluted and a little inane, but the cat lore and behavior is inspired. Lilian Jackson Braun gets the feline just right!
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