The Cat Who Went Up the Creek

Other reviewers like to give plot analyses, I like to generalize about whether a new reader can "safely" spend his or her money on the book and not be grossly disappointed.
All of the "Cat Who" books by Lilian Jackson Braun are good entertainment. These stories are "clean" and Braun has a sense of humor that I thoroughly enjoy. I rarely chuckle when I read, but Mark Twain and Lilian Jackson Braun can make me laugh out loud.
I eagerly look forward to each new "The Cat Who..." book by Lilian Jackson Braun. If you are contemplating buying this book and have never read any books by Braun, go ahead, you'll enjoy Braun.
Just so you know, the cats in the story do not talk and they do not do things that are terribly unbelievable. If you've ever owned a cat, you can relate to the cats' behavior. If you're a dog-or-bird-only person, you will still love these stories (and be glad you have a dog or bird!).
Each "The Cat Who" book is a stand-alone story, but you might enjoy them better if you read them in order of publication. My personal opinion is that the older books are more enjoyable--probably because the author was fresh then and took more time fleshing out the characters, but I still enjoy each new title as it appears each January. I wish Ms. Braun could publish one a month. . . .
If you are from Michigan, you will certainly enjoy seeing a few familiar places mentioned in "The Cat Who Went up the Creek" and will howl with laughter at Braun's "The Cat Who Went to Breakfast" for its depiction of the disguised Mackinac Island.
If you are from "anywhere" NORTH, you will totally love the "Cat Who" series after Qwil moves from "down below" to the north. If you are from the south, you are missing a lot - of cold weather. These books will make up for your misfortune.
I gave this book 4 stars only because I like the older books better--the main character Qwil was more actively involved in the mysteries of the older stories. Although I enjoyed reading about Qwil this time in "The Cat Who Went Up the Creek," I got too full eating all the way through the story with him and his dinner guests.
For a quick look at the contents, the main character "vacations" at an Inn where bodies turn up at different times floating in the creek. The cast of characters include the Inn owners and vacationing guests. The butler did not do it.

In the latest addition to the "Cat Who" series, James Quilleran is invited to the Nutcracker Inn in nearby Black Creek to investigate the dark feeling which seems to permeate the place. With this rather weak premise, Quill packs up his cats and heads off for a mini-vacation. He soon figures out what is causing the problem, but his conclusion doesn't make much sense to this reader. He also discovers a dead body, but after reporting it to the police, he almost seems to forget about it and to become involved in other activities in the community. He does several interviews for a new book he's writing, attends dramatic presentations and gets to know the other guests at the Inn. He also carries on a correspondence with his friend Polly, who is taking a trip with her sister. In her postcards, she keeps mentioning a man she has met, but that little subplot also goes nowhere. Finally, the killer's identity is revealed, but it is handled as if it is an insignificant event. There are lots of subplots which are never fully developed and the reader is left with a rather incomplete feeling at the end. These books will probably be read by Braun's die-hard fans, who can only keep hoping that the books will return to their previous charm and polish.

When I learned of Mrs. Braun's upcoming word, "The Can't Who Went Up the Creek," I waited with tepid anticipation. Her more recent offerings hadn't been what I had come to expect from the series and I hoped that perhaps things would pick up and the series would return to its previous quality. Unfortunately, I was disappointed...
In the past, Lilian Jackson Braun's works have been an excellent mixture of mystery, suspense, and storytelling. In recent "Cat Who" history though, and especially in this work, there's a couple of elements missing: the mystery and suspense! Instead, it reads more like one big story with some elements about a murder mixed in. Although it was a mildly interesting little story, there was really no suspense factor that would keep me wanting to read the book over some other book I might happen to have with me at the time. Some of the best things from past works are missing, such as Qwilleran actively working to stop murder plots, Koko and Yum Yum being a more significant portion of the story, and Celia Robinson- Agent 0013 1/2 being written once and forever written out of the series. On the positive side, one character is for the most part missing: Polly.
If you're just starting out on the series, or you haven't yet read all of the "Cat Who" books, don't read this one first. If you are a loyal fan, and can't abide by missing out on her this newest book, then try getting a copy of this from library first before deciding whether to buy. You may found you made a wise decision.
With this latest offering, Lilian Jackson Braun is not only up the creek, she's jumped the shark.

Managed expectations will help regular mystery readers enjoy Braun's now 24-book "Cat Who" series more than they might. Don't expect a heavy plot or any chasing of whodunits; and we don't at all miss sex, profanity, or violence for a change. Expect leading man Jim Qwilleran, a now wealthy newspaper journalist, who writes witty and folksy little "local color" columns for the county rag mostly for his own amusement, to entertain his friends to dinner, sniff about for column ideas, and generally play the role of bon vivant. His cats Yum-Yum and Koko are featured throughout, with details of their meals and other antics; and Koko specializes in "assisting" with any ongoing mystery investigations, mostly through timely and clairvoyant yowling.
"Creek" is no exception, but if anything, downplays the mystery plot more than usual, almost to the point of oblivion. We suspect little more than 10 pages out of the 226 were devoted to the crimes (two murders) and their "solution" (we use the word loosely), most of that coming right at the end. In between, Qwill goes to see plays, hosts dinners, reads disappointing postcards from his traveling girlfriend Polly, and uses his inherited money to solve minor problems. While a few humorous events and interesting characters come to light, this novel is really little more than interconnected little tales, with Siamese cat antics and an almost non-existent plot thrown in for diversion. We don't mind a light read once in a while, but there's more meat on the cat plates than you'll find on yours! This is our third "Cat Who", but there's certainly nothing about this weak entree in the series to encourage us to continue with Braun.

Well, I read the plethora of reviews, most lukewarm, regarding Braun's latest "mystery" so I won't repeat what has been said effectively before I decided to weigh in with my observations.
What a sad little book! The problem may be Braun's diehard audience remember the first ten or twelve installments in the series -- when Qwilleran had a dark past, when he was a real working journalist (not just a dilettante) and when the stories introduced truly intriguing characters and there was a genuine mystery. For those readers, such as myself, the trite meanderings in this novel -- shoving Qwilleran in a kilt at the drop of a hat (or should that be tam o'shanter?)and summing up the "mystery" in a final dashed off chapter of supposition with the flimsiest of motives was the final straw. Yet this book and all the other mediocrities that preceded it, have routinely flickered on the Times Best Seller List. I've come to believe Braun has perpetrated the biggest hoax on the mystery reading public.
I read in an earlier review that Braun plans one final book. I don't care; I've sworn off the series.

Ms. Brauns' books about Qwill and his cats have been declining in the last several years, and this one confirms my fears -- that she has run out of ideas (there is no mystery, nor is anything remotely pretending to be a mystery resolved), and is published without much editing (she repeats herself in plot points and gets away with ignoring plot twists -- such as when a body is spotted in the water. The police are called and then for several pages it's as if nothing is amiss!) This book is more about travel, history, and only having conversations over meals, cookies, drinks or snacks. Granted, Qwill has always seemed a bit overly prim, even feminine (calling the cat litter box a commode, the vanity regarding his mustache, the obsessive compulsive neatness of his home) and he's getting prissier as he ages. I'm glad I didn't buy this book, and I sure won't recommend it to ANYbody.

In this wonderously improbable cozy mystery, the reader gets to go along for the ride to a fabulous but haunted inn in Maine. I must admit that I enjoyed the history lesson, guide book, restaurant guide and study of Siamese much more than I enjoyed the mystery. But that's okay too. This was my first venture into this series, and while I found the billionaire bachelor who reads stories to his cats as he practices good works and solves mysteries ... well, a little unlikely? ... I did immensely enjoy the interplay with the illusive Polly and the glimpse of the beautiful Maine woods. I listened to the unabridged recording, read by George Guidall, who really gets the tone right, although the highs and lows of the different voices kept sending me to the volume control. I thoroughly enjoyed this romp with the friends and felines.

In this wonderously improbable cozy mystery, the reader gets to go along for the ride to a fabulous but haunted inn in Maine. I must admit that I enjoyed the history lesson, guide book, restaurant guide and study of Siamese much more than I enjoyed the mystery. But that's okay too. This was my first venture into this series, and while I found the billionaire bachelor who reads stories to his cats as he practices good works and solves mysteries ... well, a little unlikely? ... I did immensely enjoy the interplay with the illusive Polly and the glimpse of the beautiful Maine woods. I listened to the unabridged recording, read by George Guidall, who really gets the tone right, although the highs and lows of the different voices kept sending me to the volume control. I thoroughly enjoyed this romp with the friends and felines.

The previous reviewers have already told you more than enough of the plot - lite as it is - in this newest visit with Qwill and his crime-solving cats in Moose County, "400 miles north of everywhere." This Cat has gone Up the Creek - without the proverbial paddle. I agree with those grousing that these cozy "Cat-Who" capers are recently becoming less. Less characterization. Less story. Less plot. Less mystery. Nonetheless, clues suggest that readers will return next time. (I'll borrow a copy from the library.) What is Polly up to? And who is Walter? At least the squirrels were entertaining.

Polly's off on vacation with a sister, and Qwilleran's off to the Nutcracker Inn to investigate the Inn's "Bad Vibrations" as reported by Lori Bamba, Innkeeper. Within minutes of his arrival, Qwilleran discovers a locked turret door in his suite and, when it is unlocked, they find some antique walnut furniture, including three broken mirrors. The furniture is quickly moved from the inn to an off site storage locker; and since everyone knows broken mirrors are bad luck, Lori suddenly feels much better and her sunny disposition returns. Case closed. Another problem solved by Qwilleran in record time. Nonetheless he continues to stay at the inn for another two weeks anyway.
I usually like reading the banter between Qwill and some of the Pickax regulars, such as boyhood friend, Arch Riker; business woman and politician, Amanda Goodwinter; weatherman, Weatherby Goode; and historian, Homer Tibbitt. But this time one will find little dry wit here. For the most part, Qwilleran is solitary, less social, overly concerned with dinner arrangements, and just plain dull. Bodies floating down the creek, or up, do not seem to phase him. Fortunately he never loses his appetite.
Apparently, Qwill has settled into boring middle age and unless he goes broke and suddenly has to work for a living, there is not much hope for reviving this failing series.

If you like cats, mysteries, and a male character with the warmth of TV's Castle - this is the right book for you. All the "Cat Who" books are warm and entertaining. I've read the entire series and the author has passed away - so there won't be any more. I really wish that wasn't the case. Could go on reading them forever.

Every year I anicipate Ms. Jackson Braun's newest book. Unfortunately, the last few years have not been very satisfying. The Cat Who Went Up The Creek is a mere shadow of the former funfilled glory that is the "Cat Who" series. Yes, it is somewhat entertaining--probably because I knew all the characters previously. My cat, Cujo thought there was very little of his favorite character-Koko. In fact, Koko & Yum Yum appear to be almost afterthoughts in this lightweight book.I read a library copy and was glad that I did. I would have been upset if I had actually spent money on this book.

Lilian Jackson Braun has come through again, with a light and charming tale of Moose County, "north of everywhere." Polly, the chief woman in Quill's life, is absent on a trip, although a frequent correspondent by postcard, in this novel. No romantic interest arises to take her place, so Quill and the two Siamese cats are the principal characters as they unravel a mystery involving two murders, greed, and local history. Highly recommended to take your mind off any real-life troubles!

Plainly evident from this installment of the "Cat Who" series is that the author is dead--or has been kidnapped by aliens. Presumably, when a publisher decides to hire a ghost-writer, rather than retire an enormously popular series gracefully, said publisher should at least make an effort to engage the services of a writer who can produce a reasonable facsimile of the writing s/he is trying to ape. Not so, here, I'm afraid.
When has Andrew Brodie ever said "Yep" or "m'wife"? When does Qwill ever abbreviate someone's name (e.g., "Rog" for Roger)? And since when does Qwill, who has always prided himself on feeding clues to Brodie with as little reference to Koko as possible, walk around blabbing about "Koko knew this" and "Koko did that" and "Some cats are smarter than some people", etc.
And what is with those ellipses? And starting sentences with and...and linking clauses beginning with "and" through several lines of text and not using a comma or other grammatically acceptable separator and leaving the reader to wonder what the point of the sentence was to begin with....
Ms. Braun, who has always delighted readers with her keen attention to detail and her well-constructed and pleasant prose, did not write this book. Nor, I suspect, will she have a hand in any succeeding volumes purporting to be "Cat Who" installments. It's not a question of being spoiled by decades of good writing, only to be disappointed by a piece that doesn't meet previous standards. It's a question of recognizing a fake--smelling a rat, as it were--when you read one.

Having read the entire Cat Who...series through five times, I am noticing a profound change in the books. Several of the reviews address the fact that the characters and story are falling flatter with each new book. That being said, has anyone noticed that the entire writing style has changed?
My theory is that the first few books (the "non-wealthy Qwill" ones) were written by Braun. Gradually another writer phased in the "Moose County" era (the most charming of the series, to me). These past few books are NOT by the same person who came up with the Moose County idea. A lot of the phrases are copied from older books, but the writing style is more elementary. It's as if the book flip-flops between Braun's writing and "filler" writing. Is anyone with me? This book is so disappointing, I can't even finish it. I think I'll go curl up with "The Cat Who Wasn't There" and start the best part of the series again. Sigh.

I TOTALLY agree with "GhostWriter" and "Former Glory". These books are not being written by LJB any longer. The style is completely different and the stories are non existant. Read the first one, "The Cat Who Read Backwards", and then read this one and tell me it is written by the same person! Not to mention the fact LJB wrote the first book in 1966 and she was old THEN, she must be something like in her 90's. I am convinced if she is still alive, someone is writing the books in her name. Goodbye Lilian, rest in peace but this is the last Cat Who...for me.

I love reading about Qwill, the cats, and the Pickax locals. I also enjoy learning something about antiques in this book's case. While the resolution of the mystery seems to be suspended in favor of exploring old and new characters, there are subtle clues along the way.
I recommend this book, and I look forward to the next one.

Overall, I was pleased with this book. It wasn't the best of all the "Cat Who.." books, but it was enjoyable nevertheless. It was nice getting back into Pickax and all of it's unique characters. I personally enjoy all the "side" stories. I think Ms. Braun has a wonderful imagination, and I think this book is a good read.

As usual Lilian Jackson Braun has done a superb job. I have read all of her books and look forward to meeting up with all the folks in her books as though they were family. I enjoy reading about all the areas and eccentricities of the people and places. And all of the the mysteries that Qwill gets involved with. The cats are wonderful and as usual curious as are all cats. This is another enjoyable book.

Where is the unabridged version? As usual, Lilian Jackson Braun has immersed the reader in another great mystery while bringing to life the wonderful characters of Moose County. Only one portion of the tale needed further research; a rather strange attribute was credited to mother squirrels that would have more appropriately been characterized by opossums.

I love the Cat Who books, great light reading. But, the
story line is getting repeative and less interesting to
read. Seems to spend way too much time repeating the
the same descriptions of people and event that are in
all books.

Definitely not one of Lilian Jackson Braun's best efforts. Ms. Braun's writing seems more formulaic than inspirational. Qwill offers several conclusions to the "case", that leaves the reader to accept what seems correct to her or him. I wouldn't recommend this book...

Have read several of the “Cat Who.....” books but not for quite a while. They are all basically the same. Entertaining but not too thought provoking. A lot of repetition in this book. Nice for reading while waiting as at the doctor’s office because easy to keep track of the story line.