The Cat Who Played Brahms

Rating:
Summary: In which Qwilleran, Koko, and Yum Yum. . .
Review: . . .disgusted by city life, decide to take a leave of absence/vacation from the Daily Fluxion in order to spend some quiet time in the country at the invitation of "Aunt Fanny", an octogenarian friend of Qwill's late mother.

As can be imagined by any reader of the previous stories, things do not go as planned! Qwill must (quickly) learn that "Moose County" (400 miles north of everywhere) is quite different from anything he had previously been used to in the city.

This is the first "Moose County" Lilian Jackson Braun book, and the first title after an 18 year hiatus. While quite a few characters from previous books appear, it is evident that the focus of most of the following books will be in the far north -- and not the big city.

By the end of the book, several murders have been committed, the criminals caught (with, of course, the help of Koko) -- and Qwill's life changes in a very dramatic way.

Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: In which Qwilleran, Koko, and Yum Yum. . .
Review: . . .disgusted by city life, decide to take a leave of absence/vacation from the Daily Fluxion in order to spend some quiet time in the country at the invitation of "Aunt Fanny", an octogenarian friend of Qwill's late mother.

As can be imagined by any reader of the previous stories, things do not go as planned! Qwill must (quickly) learn that "Moose County" (400 miles north of everywhere) is quite different from anything he had previously been used to in the city.

This is the first "Moose County" Lilian Jackson Braun book, and the first title after an 18 year hiatus. While quite a few characters from previous books appear, it is evident that the focus of most of the following books will be in the far north -- and not the big city.

By the end of the book, several murders have been committed, the criminals caught (with, of course, the help of Koko) -- and Qwill's life changes in a very dramatic way.

Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: The best cat detective team ever !
Review: In "The Cat Who Played Brahms" Qwilleran takes a vacation from the big city and the press. He borrows a cabin from his Aunt Fanny, who is either hard of hearing or just doesn't listen. She lives in a town called Mooseville. Qwilleran buys a car and he and his two cats drive up to the cabin. Things get eerie when he finds something in the local cemetery. Someone did not want him to go to the cemetery even though it is advised in a tourist brochure. When while fishing on a strange boat he catches something unbelievable. Koko finds a secret tape stashed in the cabin and the vacation turns into another wonderful mystery.

I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to all mystery lovers. It kept my interest and I loved the cats. They bring a new meaning to mystery solving. This is the first book in the series that I have read and it will not be the last.

Rating:
Summary: NORTH TO MOOSE COUNTY!
Review: In this book, the fifth in "The Cat Who ..." series, Qwill and the cats head north to vacation in a cabin owned by family friend "Aunt Fanny." This book introduces us to Moose County and some of its residents. By the end of the book, Qwill's life has changed drastically. Not to be missed, especially if you're reading the series. Has important developments in the characters and settings. Will hold your interest. If you like cats and light mysteries you'll love this book.

Rating:
Summary: A good read (and an essential "early" one) in the Cat series
Review: Ms Braun wrote her first three "Cat Who" books about 30 years ago. When she returned to the theme in 1986 she apparently made the decision to move the locale from the City to the rural setting of Moose County. After one more book "down below" (TCW Saw Red), this volume, THE CAT WHO PLAYED BRAHMS, introduces us to the geography, people and their families and many of the other intrigues and relationships that are further explored in future books in the series.

Jim Qwilleran decides to take an extended vacation and chooses a cabin in Mooseville, 400 miles north of the city. He has the free use of it from a quasi-aunt and long time friend of his mother's. While passing through Pickax, the county seat, he visits Aunt Fanny for a reunion after many years and proceeds to Mooseville accompanied by Koko and Yum-Yum. While settling into the cabin he meets many locals who will also feature in future episodes and becomes aware that all is not well on the crime front. Several deaths and other events point in so many different directions hat the precise nature of the crime is not clear at all to either Jim or Koko. Eventually, the puzzle is solved, but not before the chain of events leads to the death of octagenarian Aunt Fanny. At the end of the book, Jim is informed that Aunt Fanny has made him her sole heir, but a stipulation of the will requires that he relocate to Moose County for a period of no less than five years. This sets the stage for future "tails" in the "The Cat Who" series.

Rating:
Summary: Koko Takes The Turkey
Review: Qwilleran is feeling dissatisfied with his job at the Daily Fluxion. Despite numerous efforts on his part to return to crime reporting, the managing editor persists in keeping Qwill assigned to the feature page. Finally, he decides that he needs a long break, a sabbatical where he can take the time to think things over, maybe do some independent writing. Thus, it will come as no surprise to loyal readers that "The Cat Who Played Brahms" finds Jim, Koko, and Yum Yum making their longest move ever, 400 miles north to Pickaxe City where his 'Aunt' Fanny Klingenschoen lives and has made a summer cabin available to him.

Qwilleran's dreams of an idyllic vacation are quickly shattered. Footsteps on the roof, laughter from the beach, and eerie sounds from the underbrush all haunt his nights. Koko the high-tech cat figures out how to play the cassette player. And Qwilleran, a died-in-the-wool city boy finds that living without locks on the doors leaves him perpetually nervous. Of course, inevitably, on his first trip fishing he overhears a violent argument and then hooks a mysterious corpse. One that just as quickly disappears back into the depths.

Qwill knows something illegal is going on, but is unable to pinpoint it. It is divers plundering wrecks from the lake? Or, perhaps, illicit smuggling. Then again, it may be a fiendish plot aimed at Aunt Fanny, who seems to run most of Pickaxe. No one seems to have a clue. Jim and his visiting friend Rosemary (from 'down under') investigate, but make very slow progress. Indeed, the only crime that can be proven is the terrible pasties served at the 'Foo' Diner. Once again it is necessary for Koko and Yum Yum to take charge and guide their fumbling humans from clue to clue.

With this novel the reader is introduced to the setting for the rest of the series - Pickaxe and it's environs, far to the north of the Daily Fluxion. For those of you who wonder where this really is, I can only say that Lilian Braun's home for many years was the state of Michigan, but you will have to draw your own conclusions. Much of this novel, as well as those to follow, will spend significant time fleshing out the scene with characters (every other one of which seems to be named Goodwinter), history and geography. This sets the overall pattern for the tales, which will gradually become more cozy than mysterious. The puzzles, never really particularly difficult, will become increasingly less important as Braun focuses on life in this somewhat fantastical world.

The writing itself remains enjoyable throughout, the antics of the cats stay as delightful, and Qwilleran will be stubborn and irascible for the foreseeable future. I enjoy the stories for the relief they provide from the seemingly inescapable seriousness of many mysteries and thrillers. The books provide a comfort zone where bad things happen, but horrible things don't. While I don't recommend trying to read the series one book after another they are great for those times when one needs a distraction. And as another writer who is often out-thought by his cats, Braun strikes a very sympathetic note.

Rating:
Summary: Koko Takes The Turkey
Review: Qwilleran is feeling dissatisfied with his job at the Daily Fluxion. Despite numerous efforts on his part to return to crime reporting, the managing editor persists in keeping Qwill assigned to the feature page. Finally, he decides that he needs a long break, a sabbatical where he can take the time to think things over, maybe do some independent writing. Thus, it will come as no surprise to loyal readers that "The Cat Who Played Brahms" finds Jim, Koko, and Yum Yum making their longest move ever, 400 miles north to Pickaxe City where his 'Aunt' Fanny Klingenschoen lives and has made a summer cabin available to him.

Qwilleran's dreams of an idyllic vacation are quickly shattered. Footsteps on the roof, laughter from the beach, and eerie sounds from the underbrush all haunt his nights. Koko the high-tech cat figures out how to play the cassette player. And Qwilleran, a died-in-the-wool city boy finds that living without locks on the doors leaves him perpetually nervous. Of course, inevitably, on his first trip fishing he overhears a violent argument and then hooks a mysterious corpse. One that just as quickly disappears back into the depths.

Qwill knows something illegal is going on, but is unable to pinpoint it. It is divers plundering wrecks from the lake? Or, perhaps, illicit smuggling. Then again, it may be a fiendish plot aimed at Aunt Fanny, who seems to run most of Pickaxe. No one seems to have a clue. Jim and his visiting friend Rosemary (from 'down under') investigate, but make very slow progress. Indeed, the only crime that can be proven is the terrible pasties served at the 'Foo' Diner. Once again it is necessary for Koko and Yum Yum to take charge and guide their fumbling humans from clue to clue.

With this novel the reader is introduced to the setting for the rest of the series - Pickaxe and it's environs, far to the north of the Daily Fluxion. For those of you who wonder where this really is, I can only say that Lilian Braun's home for many years was the state of Michigan, but you will have to draw your own conclusions. Much of this novel, as well as those to follow, will spend significant time fleshing out the scene with characters (every other one of which seems to be named Goodwinter), history and geography. This sets the overall pattern for the tales, which will gradually become more cozy than mysterious. The puzzles, never really particularly difficult, will become increasingly less important as Braun focuses on life in this somewhat fantastical world.

The writing itself remains enjoyable throughout, the antics of the cats stay as delightful, and Qwilleran will be stubborn and irascible for the foreseeable future. I enjoy the stories for the relief they provide from the seemingly inescapable seriousness of many mysteries and thrillers. The books provide a comfort zone where bad things happen, but horrible things don't. While I don't recommend trying to read the series one book after another they are great for those times when one needs a distraction. And as another writer who is often out-thought by his cats, Braun strikes a very sympathetic note.

Rating:
Summary: if you are a fan of the series, 3 to everyone else
Review: This 5th book in the Cat Who series should not be missed by any fan of the series. This is the beginning of the 'Moose County' years.
The story opens with Qwill heading to his beloved Press Club for lunch. To his horror it has been transformed into a fern bar, the next blow comes quickly, he will some be losing yet another home. Soon after Qwill has taken a 3 month leave of absence, packed up his cats and other possesions and headed north for a vacation and a plan to write a novel. He has been offered the free use of a lakeside cabin by his 'Aunt' Fanny, a friend of his late mother.

400 plus nerve racking miles later Qwill and cats arrive in Moose County. The introduction to this new environment does not start off smoothly for Qwill. The rural life is too totally strange to Qwill filled with bizarre customs (hats on or hats off dining), terrifying noises (loons) and even requiring a new wardrobe. Worst of all it seems to be impossible to get a decent meal! Still the area is not without its charms, Aunt Fanny is delightful although difficult to converse with, his neighbors are congenial and others he meets are colorful to say the least.

After his current ladyfriend, Rosemary, arrives Qwill is beginning to settle into the area despite some ominious incidents. Things take a turn for the worse with yet another death but as always, Qwill, aided by his cats, gets to the bottom of things. It is Qwill, however, who receives the final surprise and the novel ends with him considering his options.

There are many characters introduced in this book that will continue through the rest of the series, most notably the Bamba family, as are some of the Moose County themes of flowery obituaries and Scottish ancestors. This sets the stage for the rest of the series and should not be missed by any fan of the later books.

Rating:
Summary: if you are a fan of the series, 3 to everyone else
Review: This 5th book in the Cat Who series should not be missed by any fan of the series. This is the beginning of the 'Moose County' years.
The story opens with Qwill heading to his beloved Press Club for lunch. To his horror it has been transformed into a fern bar, the next blow comes quickly, he will some be losing yet another home. Soon after Qwill has taken a 3 month leave of absence, packed up his cats and other possesions and headed north for a vacation and a plan to write a novel. He has been offered the free use of a lakeside cabin by his 'Aunt' Fanny, a friend of his late mother.

400 plus nerve racking miles later Qwill and cats arrive in Moose County. The introduction to this new environment does not start off smoothly for Qwill. The rural life is too totally strange to Qwill filled with bizarre customs (hats on or hats off dining), terrifying noises (loons) and even requiring a new wardrobe. Worst of all it seems to be impossible to get a decent meal! Still the area is not without its charms, Aunt Fanny is delightful although difficult to converse with, his neighbors are congenial and others he meets are colorful to say the least.

After his current ladyfriend, Rosemary, arrives Qwill is beginning to settle into the area despite some ominious incidents. Things take a turn for the worse with yet another death but as always, Qwill, aided by his cats, gets to the bottom of things. It is Qwill, however, who receives the final surprise and the novel ends with him considering his options.

There are many characters introduced in this book that will continue through the rest of the series, most notably the Bamba family, as are some of the Moose County themes of flowery obituaries and Scottish ancestors. This sets the stage for the rest of the series and should not be missed by any fan of the later books.

Rating:
Summary: whimsical but gloomy
Review: This is only the third "TCW" book I've read (the others were the first in the series and the one that apparently takes place right after this).

Call me crazy, but this book was a little dark for my tastes (a sentiment apparently not shared by the other reviewers so far). The cats are amusing, and even Qwill's unending grumpiness did sort of grow on me, but other things left me feeling uneasy -- particularly the apparent casualness with which the Moose County locals accept a man's violent death, and the depressing twist at the end (and I'm not referring to sudden change in Qwill's fortunes). If this is a cozy, it's sort of a Gothic one.