The Cat Who Sang for the Birds

Rating:
Summary: This is the one that got me hooked!
Review: A couple of years ago, I came across this in audiobook format and got it. I had seen some of the books but never purchased any. I listened to it (which is the 20th of the Qwilleran books) and I was hooked! I loved it. I am a cat lover and a lover of light mysteries, and this story had both. The death of a woman in a fire was a little too creepy for me, but other than that, it was light fair very similar to the "Murder She Wrote" TV series that I am still watching in syndication. This book got me hooked and I went to the beginning (The Cat Who Could Read Backwards) and have bought and read the paperback version of each one in order. When I got to this one, I bought and read the book and read it, even though I had heard the audiobook already. It was neat to read the story now that I have a familiarity with the recurring characters. One thing - I don't remember the spelling bee subplot being in the audiobook. The audiobooks are abridged, and that may be something they just removed entirely. (Or I could be forgetting it.) Anyway, I think this is a great book and part of a great series. I am so glad I tried it, and I highly recommend this story and the series to all light mystery lovers.

Rating:
Summary: This is the one that got me hooked!
Review: A couple of years ago, I came across this in audiobook format and got it. I had seen some of the books but never purchased any. I listened to it (which is the 20th of the Qwilleran books) and I was hooked! I loved it. I am a cat lover and a lover of light mysteries, and this story had both. The death of a woman in a fire was a little too creepy for me, but other than that, it was light fair very similar to the "Murder She Wrote" TV series that I am still watching in syndication. This book got me hooked and I went to the beginning (The Cat Who Could Read Backwards) and have bought and read the paperback version of each one in order. When I got to this one, I bought and read the book and read it, even though I had heard the audiobook already. It was neat to read the story now that I have a familiarity with the recurring characters. One thing - I don't remember the spelling bee subplot being in the audiobook. The audiobooks are abridged, and that may be something they just removed entirely. (Or I could be forgetting it.) Anyway, I think this is a great book and part of a great series. I am so glad I tried it, and I highly recommend this story and the series to all light mystery lovers.

Rating:
Summary: Really great addition to the series
Review: Although a lot of diehard fans argue that this is the first "The Cat Who" book that may provide evidence that Lillian Jackson Braun is no longer writing the series, I honestly think that "The Cat Who Sang for the Birds" is a wonderful book. It is a great addition to any "Cat Who" collection. The characters in this book are given much care and thought, and it is a definite page turner. It was this book that made me wish for a real Pickax, so that I could go live among these wonderful people. Qwilleran becomes more compassionate in these pages, Polly loses her constant doubting attitude, and the rest of the residents of Pickax become more than just "characters" in Qwill's life. If Lilian Jackson Braun did indeed pass on her pen, then the author of this book would be an excellent successor. Long live the Siamese!

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good, But Not Quite as Good
Review: I am a big fan of the Cat Who mystery series. The Cat Who Sang For the Birds was the first new book in the series to come out after I had begun reading the series. Therefore, it was all rather fresh to me, and I found both the book and the style quite interesting. I think part of what makes this series so great is that it's not so much murder mystery as a nice, well-connected tale. The Pennant Race (spelling bee) is a nice extra, and so are some of Qwill's pursuits. On further reading of the book, after reading some of the others, I find that it could be more interesting and exciting. The humor however is there, and so are the cats! Let the cats live on forever!

Rating:
Summary: Another one of her best
Review: I found that this one was a real good one. Not only did I laugh in some parts, I cried in some parts. It was a touching story. And that cat, KOKO, gets better in solving the mysteries in each book. I hope that Lilian never runs out of story lines.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I generally enjoy Lillian Jackson Braun's "Cat Who," books. I have read them all and was a subscriber and contributor to now defunct newsletter that promoted the books. I eagerly waited the 20th book, "The Cat Who Sang to the Birds." I was disappointed. The story line, as in the other 19 books, continues the relationships of the recurring characters. (That's why it's important to read the books, including the collecting of short stories, in sequence.) The latest entry finds a very early Spring in Moose County. Qwillearan interview with an elderly woman who dies in suspicious fire, sketches stolen from the newly opened art museum and a the disappearance of a young artist should make for an exciting novel. It falls short. The cats do play a part in the investigation but their role is not as involved as in the past books. Fans of LJB probably will want to read this book. Those who have never read her books might be turned off from searching out the older ones. For me, there is always next year and the 21st "Cat Who.." book.

Rating:
Summary: I Never met a "Cat Who . . . " book I haven't enjoyed
Review: I have found Mr. Q, Koko and Yum-Yum to be delightful company. I discovered them in the local library in the "Try it you'll like it" section. I have been a faithful reader ever since. The "Cat Who . . ." series are a welcome change from the explicit violence and sex that are found in so many of today's reading material. It is wonderful to find a comtempary writer whose works I feel comfortable pasing along to my teen-agers. I love the tongue-in-cheek humor. Where is the Northeast Central U.S.? I love the character names, the place names, and the name of the local newspaper. The relationship between the Humans and the cats is refreshing, delightful and humorous. Our library didn't have the complete set. I liked these books so much I buy the ones they don't have and give them to the library. I look forward to inviting Mr. Q, Koko, Yum-Yum, Polly, Arch, Derek, and company into our home as soon as the next book is completed.

Rating:
Summary: Always a catnip treat
Review: I have read every Cat Who book printed. My daughter bought me The Cat Who Saw a Cardnial approximately 6 years ago. I was hooked from then on. Every Spring and Fall I always ask my favorite Encore book store if there any new "Cat Who" books are coming out. We have 10 cats, 2 of them are house guests. I feel as though KoKo and Yum Yum are also members of our family. Thank you for giving us such great reading that we can give to our children and their children.

Rating:
Summary: Okay, but Braun has been better.
Review: I have read the majority of cat who books and enjoyed everyone I read. Sang for the Birds however tends to drift from Braun's style. Has a friend of mine said, "It's a little too soupy." Also the best part of the book is the last five-ten pages where everything is revealed. Koko and YumYum however are still the best detectives.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best!!!!
Review: I just purchased 2 of Braun's books, this one and "The Cat Who Saw Stars." I inadvertently read them out of order. This book, the predecesor to Stars, was by far the best work that Braun has released in recent years. Second only to Backwards (for the older books ) and Cheese (for the newer ones). Her work is always superlative and Qwill and their Royal Catlinesses are wonderful. If you like the "Cat Who" series, buy this one. I'll even recommend the Stars, simply because Braun wrote it.