The Cat Who Saw Red

Rating:
Summary: Best of the early cat who books
Review: The early "Cat Who" books have Jim Qwilleran as a middle-aged, impoverished, recovering alcoholic journalist barely hanging on at a newspaper in an un-named Middle West city. Later he moves north 400 miles to a little town and inherits a fortune. "The Cat Who Saw Red" is the last mystery novel that ties him to the gritty city, and it is the best of the city books--by a considerable margin.

Other readers have outlined and commented on the plot, so I will say only about it that the plot here is much better than in the previous city novels. It moves better and the outcome is more logical, more satisfying. But the author's forte is not plotting. It is in the remarkable characters, unusual without being grotesque (a fine line to walk), not the least of whom are Qwill's Siamese cats. To those who have read none of the series, it may sound just a little too cutesy, having prescient cats solve crimes, but the writer makes it work and work quite well.

The writer also excels in creating atmosphere, the city, the newspaper office, fancy and not so fancy restaurants and Maus Haus, a rather weird boarding house for people interested in food--and in pottery.

Like Dickens, Ms. Braun invents no astonishing plots. Her great strength is in making characters come to life in interesting settings. As in Dickens, characters and settings are sufficient.

Rating:
Summary: Best of the early cat who books
Review: The early "Cat Who" books have Jim Qwilleran as a middle-aged, impoverished, recovering alcoholic journalist barely hanging on at a newspaper in an un-named Middle West city. Later he moves north 400 miles to a little town and inherits a fortune. "The Cat Who Saw Red" is the last mystery novel that ties him to the gritty city, and it is the best of the city books--by a considerable margin.

Other readers have outlined and commented on the plot, so I will say only about it that the plot here is much better than in the previous city novels. It moves better and the outcome is more logical, more satisfying. But the author's forte is not plotting. It is in the remarkable characters, unusual without being grotesque (a fine line to walk), not the least of whom are Qwill's Siamese cats. To those who have read none of the series, it may sound just a little too cutesy, having prescient cats solve crimes, but the writer makes it work and work quite well.

The writer also excels in creating atmosphere, the city, the newspaper office, fancy and not so fancy restaurants and Maus Haus, a rather weird boarding house for people interested in food--and in pottery.

Like Dickens, Ms. Braun invents no astonishing plots. Her great strength is in making characters come to life in interesting settings. As in Dickens, characters and settings are sufficient.

Rating:
Summary: Feast on this one!
Review: The sixth "Cat Who ..." book, this one is the first that I found a bit creepy, but it's a still light enough mystery for those like me who don't like graphic violence or psychological chills. Jim Qwilleran goes on a diet and almost immediately gets assigned to write about food and moves into a boarding house of gourmet cooks! He manages to lose weight anyway, and of course solve some murder cases.

Rating:
Summary: Another mystery for Qwill and Koko
Review: The story opens with Qwill, a feature reporter for the Daily Fluxion, once again facing a new assignment and seeking a new residence for himself and his cats. Instead of getting assigned to the crime reporting that he would prefer Qwill finds himself assigned to features on the food scene. This would not be too bad if Qwill had not just been put a diet by his doctor. His editor insists so once again Qwill tackles another area. Soon Qwill finds himself immersed in another facet of society in the big city and again he and his cats move into the middle of it, this time taking up residence in the Maus Haus, a boarding house filled with artists who all have a connection with food.

Among his neighbors Qwill is delighted to find his former sweetheart, Joy, who is now married (unhappily). Qwill begins to become involved in Joy's life again only to see her once again abruptly disappear. As time goes by Qwill becomes more and more suspicious of this and other goings on at the Maus House. Ultimately he and the cats solve the mysteries, although not happily.

For those unfamiliar with the series this book could be enjoyed by itself, for those who are fans of the later books be aware that the setting is not Moose County but covers an earlier part of Qwill's life. One of the most notable aspects of this story is the introduction of Hixie Rice who will later relocate to Moose County. For fans of the eariler books Odd Bunsen, Mary Duckworth and Robert Maus all return from eariler books.

Rating:
Summary: Another mystery for Qwill and Koko
Review: The story opens with Qwill, a feature reporter for the Daily Fluxion, once again facing a new assignment and seeking a new residence for himself and his cats. Instead of getting assigned to the crime reporting that he would prefer Qwill finds himself assigned to features on the food scene. This would not be too bad if Qwill had not just been put a diet by his doctor. His editor insists so once again Qwill tackles another area. Soon Qwill finds himself immersed in another facet of society in the big city and again he and his cats move into the middle of it, this time taking up residence in the Maus Haus, a boarding house filled with artists who all have a connection with food.

Among his neighbors Qwill is delighted to find his former sweetheart, Joy, who is now married (unhappily). Qwill begins to become involved in Joy's life again only to see her once again abruptly disappear. As time goes by Qwill becomes more and more suspicious of this and other goings on at the Maus House. Ultimately he and the cats solve the mysteries, although not happily.

For those unfamiliar with the series this book could be enjoyed by itself, for those who are fans of the later books be aware that the setting is not Moose County but covers an earlier part of Qwill's life. One of the most notable aspects of this story is the introduction of Hixie Rice who will later relocate to Moose County. For fans of the eariler books Odd Bunsen, Mary Duckworth and Robert Maus all return from eariler books.

Rating:
Summary: Nominated for a Edgar
Review: This 4th book of the series, I understand, was nominated for an Edgar (as in Edgar Allen Poe), which is the mystery series equivalent of an Oscar. It deserves such recognition. First, it brought L.J.B. back after a long break from writing (for which fans are forever grateful). Second, it is a truly remarkable crime, probably one of the most unusual ones I've heard about apart from the C.S.I. television series. I still get chills thinking about that crime (I should stress it is not gory, unlike C.S.I., though it may be the "darkest" story in this mystery series)

This book does a fine job of fleshing out its primary characters and their current assignment: a curious neighborhood of artists. I was particularly delighted with the descriptions of the cats, so vivid as to create a vicarious cat lover experience for me(I'm allergic to cats, so the printed word is all I can handle). Of course, Koko, the Siamese cat with unusual abilities, steals the show.

If you are new to the "Cat Who..." series, this is an excellent starting point. The whole series is one big "can't put it down" pleasure read. Please keep in mind that the entire series is forever evolving, which in some ways is just like real life (and unlike some mystery series where everything resets between stories). So what you read in this book will have remarkable contrasts to books before and much later in the series, though the core elements remain in tact. The series of books divides into two time periods in the protagonist's life: Qwilleran as a reporter in the Big Cities, and later Qwilleran as a columnist in Moose County. The first group is urban, slightly gritty and darker in some ways, the second group is still edgy at times, but is more small-town cozy and much quirkier, in a hometown fashion, which really appeals to the fans. The dividing point for the series is the book "The Cat Who Played Brahms", which is therefore another good starting point. This one, "The Cat Who Saw Red" is in the first group.

Rating:
Summary: Nominated for a Edgar
Review: This 4th book of the series, I understand, was nominated for an Edgar (as in Edgar Allen Poe), which is the mystery series equivalent of an Oscar. It deserves such recognition. First, it brought L.J.B. back after a long break from writing (for which fans are forever grateful). Second, it is a truly remarkable crime, probably one of the most unusual ones I've heard about apart from the C.S.I. television series. I still get chills thinking about that crime (I should stress it is not gory, unlike C.S.I., though it may be the "darkest" story in this mystery series)

This book does a fine job of fleshing out its primary characters and their current assignment: a curious neighborhood of artists. I was particularly delighted with the descriptions of the cats, so vivid as to create a vicarious cat lover experience for me(I'm allergic to cats, so the printed word is all I can handle). Of course, Koko, the Siamese cat with unusual abilities, steals the show.

If you are new to the "Cat Who..." series, this is an excellent starting point. The whole series is one big "can't put it down" pleasure read. Please keep in mind that the entire series is forever evolving, which in some ways is just like real life (and unlike some mystery series where everything resets between stories). So what you read in this book will have remarkable contrasts to books before and much later in the series, though the core elements remain in tact. The series of books divides into two time periods in the protagonist's life: Qwilleran as a reporter in the Big Cities, and later Qwilleran as a columnist in Moose County. The first group is urban, slightly gritty and darker in some ways, the second group is still edgy at times, but is more small-town cozy and much quirkier, in a hometown fashion, which really appeals to the fans. The dividing point for the series is the book "The Cat Who Played Brahms", which is therefore another good starting point. This one, "The Cat Who Saw Red" is in the first group.

Rating:
Summary: BEST BOOK EVER
Review: This book is everything a mystery reader looks for, author's craft, a spine tingling moment or 2. And of course, a sidekick or 2. It's Sherlock (Qwilleran) and Watson (Ko Ko and Yum Yum). This is one of the best books ever!!!: ) ;) [8)

Rating:
Summary: ***THE BEST***
Review: This book is one of the best books that i have ever read. the story line hooks you and makes you not want to put the book down.
the main charachters are very interesting and you learn more about them as you go on. Jim quilleran (the main charachter) and his cats Koko and Yum yum live in a bording house witch hold a murder secret. i highly recomend this book for anyone.

Rating:
Summary: The Cat Who Saw Red
Review: This is my favorite Cat Who... mystery so far. Qwilleran, the newspaper man and his cats Koko and Yum-Yum solve another murder mystery. The setting takes place at the Maus Haus, the vintage apartment home where Qwilleran now lives. All types of odd characters live there, including Dan and Joy Graham. They are artists who make pottery by hand.

Qwilleran knew Joy from along time ago. They grew up together and were boyfriend and girlfriend. One night, after Qwilleran moved into the Maus House, Joy came to visit and told him of her miserable marriage. She wanted to leave her husband. That same night, she disappeared. Qwilleran did not believe the story about her moving to Miami. He did not trust her unsophisticated husband, Dan Graham. Qwilleran would not give up until he solved the mystery! Koko and Yum-Yum help to unravel the clues.