Rating: 
Summary: In the beginning......
Review: This is the first book in the popular Cat Who series. The book introduces readers to James Qwilleran, a once well-regarded journalist who is trying to rebuild his career and to Koko, the Siamese 'cat who'. Qwill is in no position to be picky about assignments, he considers himself fortunate to have a job at this point, but being assigned to cover the art world seems a bit of a stretch to this former crime reporter. That is until the bodies begin to pile up. Many characters are introduced that will remain for part or all of the series, most notably Art Riker Qwill's friend from childhood. For those who are familiar with the series this is a very logical and enjoyable place to get up to speed on Qwill and Koko but beware this is more mystery and less cozy than later installments in the series. Also be advised that the setting is the big city and not the Moose County of the later books. There has been some speculation that this series has been written by more than one author. Since this book was first published in 1966 and the series is still going strong that is entirely possible. But just like a fine restaurant we might be happier if we don't inquire too deeply into the process that brings the finished product.
Rating: 
Summary: Artistic Murder
Review: This is the first of "The Cat Who..." series. It is not as good because the cat isn't Qwill's during the whole book but, like the others, it has lots of suspense. Qwill gets a new job at the Daily Fluxion as an art writer. He doesn't like it, but wants a job so, he goes for it. Two murders happen and the killer is hard to figure out. There are so many suspects that add to the suspense. Read this book is you love art, cats, or just mysteries in general!
Rating:
Summary: Welcome to the World of The Cat Who....
Review: This is the first of a series of 25 The Cat Who murder mysteries. Published in 1966, it was also one of professional newspaper woman's Lilian Braun's first attempts into the world of the novel.
I read several of her later works first, so it was odd, for me, to read her first work, in which the conversations and situations were more forced and the story line a little more convoluted. It was also fun, because, in spite of the less practiced writing techniques, it was still a great story with wonderful characters.
The book opens with an introduction to Jim Qwilleran, who is a full and complex character right from the start. He is a recovering alcoholic who isn't maudlin about it, a veteran newsman who needs to recover his once prize-winning reputation, a middleaged bachelor with an ex-wife across the country and a hopeful interest in possible girlfriends. He takes a job he doesn't want because he needs to pay bills. The job is covering the art beat for the newspaper, instead of the crime beat he covets.... and, fortunately, for him, the murders just happen to occur on the art beat for the rest of this story. By the end he has adopted the very interesting Saimese, Koko, who will, with Qwill, star in the next 24 The Cat Who mysteries....
These fun stories are greatly entertaining without insulting your intelligence. Kind of like the great anti-television.
Rating:
Summary: A Purr-fect blend of murder and cats
Review: This is truly a cat lover's book. I adored the cat (his name is Koko). The story is great. I'm now on the second book, which is so far just as good. I highly recommend this good read to a cat-lover or mystery-lover, book-lover, and everybodt else. Great!
Rating: 
Summary: A fun and easy read.
Review: This was an enjoyable introduction to a really cute series. I find the character of Jim Qwilleran not quite believeable and a little overdeveloped, but other than that the storyline was fun and is a great read for anybody looking for a nice light mystery.
Rating:
Summary: Fine 1st entree in long running series for cat/ mystery fans
Review: With nearly two dozen novels in "The Cat Who..." series, Braun has obviously struck a chord with mystery and cat lovers. Almost a classic yarn in the ilk of Elliot Queen, there's no sex and no profanity in this nice clean straightforward story of three murders -- a puzzling whodunit. Jim Qwilleran is introduced as the leading man; an accomplished journalist, he takes an "Art Beat" job with a small paper for which he's hardly qualified but makes the best of it. He hears so much about the paper's hated official art critic, one G.B. Mountclemens, that he can't wait to meet him. Ironically, he likes the guy and decides to rent out his lower apartment. His low rent paves the way for quite a bit of cat sitting, and so we meet the brainy Siamese "Koko", who in addition to normal feline fickleness, independence, and fastidiousness, is a bit of a sleuth himself (in addition to reading newspaper headlines!). When the owner fails to return from a trip and winds up murdered, our hero starts sifting for clues along with his reporting chores. Between his twitchy mustache and hints from the cat, the case is solved quite neatly in just a couple of hundred easy to read pages. Braun has cats of her own, undoubtedly the inspiration for her series, and cat lovers will be amused at the Koko's antics and the spoiled treatment he is accorded. He eats much better than most humans! But the story doesn't just rest on the cat -- Qwillerman is a likable guy who pursues his puzzles doggedly, while he and we learn a little about art and art galleries along the way. His interviewing skills and easygoing manner with people make him a natural at sniffing out the truth. For a few hours of fun relaxation and entertainment, try this tale!
Rating:
Summary: Fine 1st entree in long running series for cat/ mystery fans
Review: With nearly two dozen novels in "The Cat Who..." series, Braun has obviously struck a chord with mystery and cat lovers. Almost a classic yarn in the ilk of Elliot Queen, there's no sex and no profanity in this nice clean straightforward story of three murders -- a puzzling whodunit. Jim Qwilleran is introduced as the leading man; an accomplished journalist, he takes an "Art Beat" job with a small paper for which he's hardly qualified but makes the best of it. He hears so much about the paper's hated official art critic, one G.B. Mountclemens, that he can't wait to meet him. Ironically, he likes the guy and decides to rent out his lower apartment. His low rent paves the way for quite a bit of cat sitting, and so we meet the brainy Siamese "Koko", who in addition to normal feline fickleness, independence, and fastidiousness, is a bit of a sleuth himself (in addition to reading newspaper headlines!). When the owner fails to return from a trip and winds up murdered, our hero starts sifting for clues along with his reporting chores. Between his twitchy mustache and hints from the cat, the case is solved quite neatly in just a couple of hundred easy to read pages. Braun has cats of her own, undoubtedly the inspiration for her series, and cat lovers will be amused at the Koko's antics and the spoiled treatment he is accorded. He eats much better than most humans! But the story doesn't just rest on the cat -- Qwillerman is a likable guy who pursues his puzzles doggedly, while he and we learn a little about art and art galleries along the way. His interviewing skills and easygoing manner with people make him a natural at sniffing out the truth. For a few hours of fun relaxation and entertainment, try this tale!
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