The Cat Who Brought Down the House

Rating:
Summary: The rumor of a ghost writer will persist with this one!
Review: I'm afraid the "Cat Who..." series is on a downhill slide. Although a quick read, this 25th title was flat & unmysterious. We know the villain practically from the get-go, and the story lacks the usual subtle clues building up to the ultimate solving of the crime. Come to think of it, there wasn't even much of a story! Major events like the fund-raiser are given short shrift, & important details such as Polly's leaving the library are glossed over. The characters, whom we know so well from the previous books, are one-dimensional. For that matter, where ARE they all? Chief Brodie barely makes an appearance, & then only as a bagpiper, and his classy daughter, Fran, has suddenly become a snobby lush we don't recognize. This can no longer be considered a mystery series which leads me to ask "Who wrote this book?"

Rating:
Summary: Not a Personal Favorite
Review: I've been a fan of the Cat Who series for about twelve years now; I own quite a few of the earlier volumes, and have read every one of them, first to last. Recently, I've been rereading my copies--so I was particularly thrilled to spot _Cat Who Brought Down the House_ in my library, and I snatched it up with an enthusiasm that I might not have had if I'd been rereading the *later* books in the series and thus remembered their severe dip in quality. Unfortunately, this book served as quite the refresher course for my memory.

I realize that the focus of the series has changed somewhat over the years, and that I shouldn't expect a tight, suspenseful whodunnit; my quibble with the book thus isn't really its lack of a sound mystery. (As with other recent installments, the mystery plot is very, very secondary to scenes and anecdotes about life in Moose County.) What I have problems with is how *pointless* it all felt--not to mention how different Qwill and various other characters seemed from their old selves of even a few books ago, and how many of the characters in this book are relative newcomers to the series and in no way as engaging (IMHO) as the Old Guard. The plot meandered here and there, not so much hard to follow as hard to stay interested in; and Qwilleran himself seemed almost unrecognizable. Since when does he let everyone and their dog--literally!--into his home, when he once resented people wishing to come gawk? Why would he become the special chum of Thelma Thackeray and spend so much time with her? And speaking of which, why was it that in the beginning of the book no one seemed to know who Thelma was or whether she was even real, while in later chapters everyone Qwill talked to had something to say about her brother, her father, and her family history? That sort of continuity error seems sloppy.

And speaking of sloppiness, I question whether an editor even glanced at this novel. Twice I found quotation marks where they had no business being--such as in the middle of a dialogue sentence, as if the author had forgotten the character was already speaking. Qwill's name is even misspelled once! Meanwhile, there are a lot of little throwaway scenes that never amount to anything and aren't interesting enough to add character or flavor to the narrative (Burgess describing in detail the party that the kids on Pleasant Street will be having comes to mind); I found myself wondering in bemusement how this or that scene would later become relevant... and it never did. The book might have benefited from having an editor more inclined to use his or her pruning shears.

Finally, it's hard to imagine how this book contributes anything of lasting value to the series given how everything turns out. (I can't say much more without spoiling the ending, but anyone who's read it through should know what I mean.) I felt empty after reading it. Granted, 'empty' is a better way to feel than 'completely disgusted,' which is how I felt after _Cat Who Saw Stars_, but given that I used to put down a newly-finished Cat Who book with reluctance because I didn't want to leave Qwill's vivid, lovingly-crafted world, I can't help but be saddened by this development.

Now that I've said all that, is there anything *good* about this book? Well, yes... sort of. Maybe. It depends on what you're looking for. Do you just want something light and quick to read, with a couple of engaging characters and a lot of mentions of delicious-sounding foods? Then you might be fine with this. It's nice, it's light, it's fluffy, and there's nothing wrong with that--so long as you go into it knowing what to expect. Personally, I just can't recommend that anyone make this their first Cat Who novel (_Cat Who Could Read Backwards_ would be my recommendation there) or buy it in hardback. I'm not sure I'd even suggest buying it in paperback, at least not without trying to find it at your library first.

Rating:
Summary: Very Dissapointing
Review: I've read every Braun book and really enjoyed the first 10 or so but this was the worst one of all. From the 40th page of so you know who did it all and you read it just to find out if you were right or not. It was more of a journal of Qwill's day to day activities than a real mystery.

Rating:
Summary: Sweet but dull
Review: If you are looking for a mystery this is not the book you want to read. This is more of a soothing story to put one in a comatose state of sorts. In a weird way it was relaxing to read but there is not much plot, no action, no investigation as such and, 2 days after you read it, Koko's persuits will fade from your memory. Go back to the older books -- they are much more lively.

Rating:
Summary: Mr. Q and the Cats He Adores....
Review: If you've never read any of Lilian Jackson Braun's "The Cat Who" Series this is probably not the one you should start with. Ms. Braun's earlier books were much better or is it because I've become so comfortable with the series. I continue to read each book because I love Moose County, Pickax and the characters. Unfortunately, this book was very predictable. I don't read these books expecting a serial killer and I find it very refreshing to read about characters that have become like old friends over the years. I would definitely recommend this series for teen readers. Good, clean wholesome reading with enough mystery thrown in to keep the reader's interest.

Rating:
Summary: every bit as good as the other twenty-four lives
Review: In Moose County, the residents of the small town of Pickax like to think of themselves as four hundred miles north of everywhere. The town is made up of colorful characters including Jim Qwilleran, the richest man in the northeast central United States. Jim has donated much of his money to a foundation so that it could be put it to good use. He also writes a humor column twice a week for the Moose County Something and contentedly lives with his two Siamese cats Koko and Yum-Yum.

When Thelma Thackery returns home after a fifty-five year absence, Qwill welcomes her back. Koko, who spot villains and knows when a death occurs, takes an instant dislike to Thelma's nephew Dick. Thelma opens a cabaret movie theater starring old movies and she puts Dick in charge, hoping he'll finally make something of himself. When she catches him in wrong doing, she knows he'll never account for anything so she takes the law into her own hands.

This is the twenty-fifth life in the Cat Who series and it is every bit as good as the other twenty-four lives. Quill still collects anecdotes for the book he is writing SHORT & TALL TALES, which by the way is available now at the local bookstores in all the towns four hundred miles south and further south of Moose County. His loving relationship with his Siamese cats is only one of the reasons that explain why readers truly love him. Lilian Jackson Braun's fan base rightfully grows with every book she writes.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: A Cozy Quarter Century
Review: It has been a long time (possibly 24 years) since anyone has read a Lilian Braun mystery story for the mystery. If for no other reason than that we often know who committed the crime before we ever know what the crime was. Instead we read them to enjoy the antics of a stellar cast of characters in a mythical town set '400 miles north of everywhere.'

The ostensible star is Qwilleran, a recovering journalist, whose life in Pickaxe began when he inherited a fortune and found it impossible to leave. His friends include almost everyone, and his deepest secret is that Koko, one of his two Siamese cats, is the true brains behind the outfit.

In this, the 25th in the series, Pickaxe is abuzz with the news of the return of Thelma Thackery, who left Moose County for Hollywood (where she eventually became a very successful restaurateur) 55 years ago. Now she has moved into one of the towns few mansions with Janice, her assistant and a bevy of colorful and outspoken parrots. Her sole surviving relative in Moose County is her nephew, who is noted for his smile and the lack of any visible means of support.

And so the stage is set for intrigue, parrot-napping, blueberry pie recipes, and an endless flow of gossip and tales. The success of Braun's books depends not on the intricacies of plot and character development, but on Qwiilleran's exuberant side trips into the nooks and crannies of Pickaxe history.

One of the dangers to any long running series is settling into formula writing and then forgetting the point behind the formula. For a while, Braun's books lost their focus, and Qwilleran allowed to become increasingly irritating as a main character. This has always been a series where a year between episodes was needed to maintain their charm, but recently a year has not been enough.

I'm happy to say that 'The Cat Who Brought Down the House' has broken this trend. Not that it isn't formulaic, but it has returned to being a pleasant, entertaining romp. Cozy mystery stories are, after all, literary comfort food. Reading this story is almost like a return to the home that might have been if the world was a bit less dire.

There is nothing in this volume that would prevent anyone from starting with it. For the most part historical relationships are explained, and there is nothing in the plot that depends on previous knowledge. If you are looking for pure escapism, consider starting here.

Rating:
Summary: Qwill's twenty-fifth appearance
Review: James Qwilleran, his romantic interest, librarian Polly Duncan, and his cats Koko and Yum Yum, as well as all the usual characters populating "north of everywhere" Moose County, make their appearance once more in this twenty-fifth book of Lilian Jackson Brown's lighthearted series. This is an ideal book to wile away some gray hours of late autumn.

Thelma Thackeray, a Moose County native, has returned after many years in spent in the Industry in Hollywood. She's the daughter of a "potato farmer"/bootlegger who made a fortune in those long-ago Prohibition years. Thelma is a lively octogenarian with plans for setting up a film club at the old Opera House. Thelma's twin brother, a beloved local veternarian, has died recently under mysterious circumstances. As usual, Koko and Yum Yum help Qwill uncover relevant details and solve a crime.

Jackson's deft, light touch brings all the eccentric characters of this community to life and provide her readers with frothy pleasure. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Ready to put it to rest
Review: Jim Qwilleran (Qwill to his friends) is a wealthy bachelor who writes a newspaper column for the local paper. He and his two cats, are stars of a long running series of very mild 'cozy' mysteries. This one, #25, beginnings with the announced pending return to Moose county (located 400 miles north of everywhere) of Thelma Thackeray who had spent the last 55 years in California. Qwill's initial reaction is a suspicion that this is an April Fool's prank but after a little invesitgation discovers it is not.

Thelma brings an interesting group with her when she arrives, a companion/assistant, a nephew, a group of parrots...a few mysteries. Was her twin brother's accidental death really so accidental? How can her very expensive Film Club do so well so quickly? How did someone manage to kidnap a group of very vocal parrots so quietly? Qwill and his cats manage to find all the answers despite the complications of some thefts, two murders and a local fund raiser.

For those who are fans of this series there are many bits of Moose County life, Polly, Qwill's lady friend, is beginning a new career, we learn more about Burgess Campbell and hear more from other old friends. If you are new to the series it would be better to begin with either THE CAT WHO READ BACKWARDS or THE CAT WHO PLAYED BRAHMS.

Rating:
Summary: for Moose County fans - 3 for anyone else
Review: Jim Qwilleran (Qwill to his friends) is a wealthy bachelor who writes a newspaper column for the local paper. He and his two cats, are stars of a long running series of very mild 'cozy' mysteries. This one, #25, beginnings with the announced pending return to Moose county (located 400 miles north of everywhere) of Thelma Thackeray who had spent the last 55 years in California. Qwill's initial reaction is a suspicion that this is an April Fool's prank but after a little invesitgation discovers it is not.

Thelma brings an interesting group with her when she arrives, a companion/assistant, a nephew, a group of parrots...a few mysteries. Was her twin brother's accidental death really so accidental? How can her very expensive Film Club do so well so quickly? How did someone manage to kidnap a group of very vocal parrots so quietly? Qwill and his cats manage to find all the answers despite the complications of some thefts, two murders and a local fund raiser.

For those who are fans of this series there are many bits of Moose County life, Polly, Qwill's lady friend, is beginning a new career, we learn more about Burgess Campbell and hear more from other old friends. If you are new to the series it would be better to begin with either THE CAT WHO READ BACKWARDS or THE CAT WHO PLAYED BRAHMS.