The Cat Who Saw Stars

Jim Qwilleran is a little anxious. He wants - needs - the job he is interviewing for with the managing editor of the Daily Fluxion, circulation 427,463. A recently divorced man in his 40's, on the wagon, he hasn't had a steady job for a long time. He is looking for a fresh start as, hopefully, the crime reporter, his speciality before he hit the skids. When he accepts a position on the newspaper as the Art feature writer, he's grateful for the job, no matter how rueful he feels about the demotion (past winner of the Publishers' Trophy). Luckily, he knows the feature editor, Arch Riker, an old friend from Chicago.

Riker gives him his first assignment: an interview with Cal Halapay, married local painter of popular pictures of apple-cheeked kids. It's made the 27-year-old a very rich man, despite the vicious reviews by the Daily Fluxion's real art critic, George Bonifield Mountclemons III. However, Qwilleran knows that since his job is the background feature writer - he actually knows nothing about art - all he needs to do is ask questions about the artist's family and life, while arranging access for the newspaper's photographer.

The interview leads to party invitations, where he meets many of the unnamed Midwest city's major citizens. Qwilleran discovers almost everyone hates Mountclemons, which becomes awkward, but not unmanageable, when the man himself invites Qwilleran to move from the rundown hotel where he is staying to Mountclemons' house, where he has a spare bottom-floor apartment. He decides he likes Mountclemons, especially after he meets Mountclemons' Siamese cat, Kao K'o-Kung, or Koko, for short. The art critic can be arrogant and nasty, but he also is a wonderful cook, and he has a house of beautiful art. He also loves his cat.

Soon, there are murders and Qwilleran ends up with Koko. The beautiful cat seems to 'know' things, and to this reader appeared to be the most intelligent character in the book. In any case, Qwilleran and Koko find that the other is a very satisfactory roommate.

I bought this entire series (up to a point) in the 1990's because I adore cats. I had no idea of what the series was like. Tonight I finished 'The Cat Who Could Read Backwards' (1966 copyright), which is the first book in the series, and I'm a little disappointed. It's not as humorous as I had hoped it would be. It's more of a smile rather than a grin. The big cast is interesting, so there are a variety of suspects once the murders begin. It is a very pleasant read, with the action as gentle as floating fluffy seeds from flowering dandelions, despite the violence I may have imbued into the plot description. Although it certainly is fine as either a teen or adult read, I feel as if this is The Uber Book which may define the cozy genre for me. It doesn't have a single wicked, clever or illuminating sentence within its mild murder plot. However, it's very nice. But I have to admit that while Qwilleran is billed as an investigative reporter, I don't think he actually solved this mystery.

I will continue reading about Koko because I have many books from the series sitting purchased but unread on my shelves. It will be good to fill my mind with stories which are wholesome and healthy, instead of the usual grim gore, fetid filth, smart satire and dark realism I indulge in. Right?!?

The amount of information woven into the humor and emotions of these characters is phenomenal. While being enthralled with the lives and emotions of these people and cats, you are actually learning a bit about food and potting. This would be a great book for someone travelling because it doesn't require a lot of thinking, just a lot of enjoying.

These are great books. I got hooked on the series because I have siamese, but kept reading and collecting the books because the characters are funny and the plots are tricky to figure out. Lots of fun to read.

After reading several of Braun's books about the Cat who could I wanted to know how Qwilleran got his start. I enjoyed the book very much. She was a good writer. I am sorry that she will not be producing anymore books.

I LOVE THIS SERIES! You simply cannot beat the first 12 books -- KoKo and Yum-Yum feel like old friends and Qwill is just weird enough to be interesting without being creepy like in many other series. This is a good, old-fashioned read. Highly recommend.

For anyone who has never read Lillian Jackson Brauns, The Cat Who books I cannot recommend them high enough. Start with this first one of "The Cat Who Read Backwards" and you'll want to follow all of her Cat Who books. Beautifully written and always with disarming plots and twists.

I read lots of heavy books that require thinking and rereading for deeper understanding. This is not one of those books. It is a fun light read. I enjoyed it and will probably read another in this series when I need a "brain break".

I love all Lillian Braun's mysteries. They are light; they don't delve into bloody details. They're humorous...especially to those of us who own and love cats and can relate intimately with their intelligent and often uncanny kitty nuances!

Brauns exceptional ability to create a believable world where men are intelligent, well mannered, handsome and kind where women are actually valued members of society even after they have passed the age of twenty-five and cats of all breeds t but especially two are considered team players in crime solving is a place I never tire of visiting. In other reviews I have noticed many mentions of this series being safe for young readers because of the lack of violence,sex, and profanity but I think that is a disservice to the author. It is what these books do have that keep us coming back for more, not because of what they do not have. Thank you for so many fun filled hours and I eagerly await many more.

Lillian Jackson Braun has been a favorite of mine for years and I am now reading them out loud to the sight impaired just as my father did and that was my introduction to The Cat Who....books many years ago.

Lillian Jackson Braun has been a favorite of mine for years and I am now reading them out loud to the sight impaired just as my father did and that was my introduction to The Cat Who....books many years ago.

If you like cats, particularly Siamese or other short-haired, blue-eyed oriental, you will enjoy this series. This is the first book and the author has a wonderful way of describing their behavior in a delightful way.

The Cat Who Could Read Backwards keep me reading chapter after chapter. The flow of the book is good and the characters are well developed. It is a short book and I finished it in two days. It is a good book for entertainment and easy reading. I plan to read another of Braun's Cat books in the future.

If you love a good murder mystery, a handsome "older" man with a rather large pepper and salt mustache, Siamese kitties and fun, you will love this book. So easy and enjoyable to read and can be read in one or two days. Love the series.

Excellent story. This was written long before all the others I had read. I like the newer layout, BUT this mystery is excellent. If I had not read any other Cat book I would really start another now. Read it & see.

This book starts out slowly, but WHAT AN ENDING! There are the usual myriad of colorful characters and the usual unexpected plot twists. The ending leaves you breathless and a little creeped out. I don't know how Ms. Braun does it but she did it again! Bravo!! P.S. - I would be interested in hearing from other Koko and Yum Yum fans. Drop me a line!

This author almost always writes a great mystery. If you like to solve mysteries this a good book for you. Also, if you like cats this is also a good book for you. Any of the other mysteries Braun has published are just as good.