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4.0 out of 5 stars
Not quite there still, April 24 2004
The author has the ability, in all her cat mysteries, to meld an interesting set of characters with a realistic if rather non-specific atmosphere. And I don't have a problem with the whimsical aspect of a cat "who" can read (or whatever), although I am somewhat taken aback by the pronoun in the titles, "who" as opposed to "that." Where this and the other cat books fall a bit short is in the plotting, more specifically in the outcome or denouement. Somehow I feel empty handed as I turn the final page. Without giving away the plot, this was especially true here, in the first of the feline puzzlements. If the cat mysteries just had a better explanation of events and motives, they would be worthy of five stars. Nonetheless, for pure reading enjoyment the cat books are way, way above most current mysteries that are about as much fun to read as watching a toenail fungus cure commercial on TV.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
The first book. . ., Feb 9 2004
. . .in a charming series of mysteries intended especially for cat lovers.In this volume, we are introduced to James Qwilleran, formerly a top reporter, but struggling to make his way back, following a divorce and a battle with alcoholism. In his first new assignmet, Qwilleran is assigned to cover the "Art" beat for the "Daily Fluxion" newspaper -- a subject about which he knows absolutely nothing. We are also introduced to the remarkable Kao Ko Kung -- a remarkable Siamese cat belonging to a local art critic. After a rather bizarre murder, the old reporter in Qwilleran comes to the fore and, with the help of Kao Ko Kung (aka Koko) solves the mystery. Gastronomes will love this series of books as much as cat lovers, due to the luscious descriptions of food and drink described. This book is one of the best of the series, and is well worth the time.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Fine 1st entree in long running series for cat/ mystery fans, Jan 25 2004
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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