Cat Who Went Up the Creek

Rating:
Summary: Lackluster compared to earlier "Who.." books
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Can we say GHOSTWRITER?
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Where was the climax?
Review: I have been a fan of Quill and his amazing cats for a few years, but this one really soured me. When I finally got to the "climax?", I felt like I must have missed something. It fell flat. Was that what I stuck through the books for? What about Walter, the heart condition,etc,etc,etc? Most unsatisactory tale. I'm swearing off the "cat" books until I hear that she's reclaimed the charm of the originals.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good
Review: Yes, "Pretty Good" isn't much of a recommendation, but this is
an enjoyable, easy read, and I do recommend it to friends. But,
truthfully, this tale of Mr. Q. and his loveable Siamese isn't
quite up to par, and we see and hear too little of those famous
cats.
There is nothing taxing or engrossing about this story, but, that said, it is still enjoyable.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderously Improbably Tale (Tail?)
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: I liked the IDEA.... But...
Review: I listened to the abridged audio version of this tape, and was once again entranced with the 'warm cozy' feeling of Qwill's world.

However, part of me feels that Quill is suffering from "Bruce Wayne" syndrome. He has become complacent with his riches, has money dripping out of his ears, and can purchase anything and everyone in the county with the resources of the K fund. I half expect Qwill to tackle world hunger next. (LOL).

Too many riches, too much idle time, have made Qwill a dull boy.. Or at least a rich eccentric one.

Ms. Braun needs to breath some little back into this character by having him tackle some real world adversity.

I loved the setting in this book, but the plot went nowhere and Qwill relied overmuch on his cats to solve parts of the mystery for him. I hope the next one is better.

Rating:
Summary: Northwoods Mysteries - Lite
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: The Cat Who Went Up the Creek
Review: BORING!!! Even Ms Braun seems bored. The pages have lots of white spaces. This is the last of the series I will ever read

Rating:
Summary: Left up the creek
Review: Am I the only one who feels that Ms. Braun is not really supplying us with honest solutions to her mysteries? On more than one occasion, I have finished a "Cat Who" book feeling like I just stuffed on chips and salsa and didn't get any meat in my nachos. Although Qwill, Koko and Yum-Yum help pass an idle afternoon without requiring much thought on the reader's part, one is left with a curiously let-down feeling that there wasn't really a mystery. The clues aren't there, there is no villain looming in the shadows waiting to be exposed. This is entertainment, I guess, but no longer the substantive sort of mystery + solution that Qwill and Koko's whiskers used to winkle out.

Rating:
Summary: Has she lost it?
Review: Either Ms. Braun has forgotten how to write wonderful "Cat Who..." stories, or she figures any garbage will please her fans...this is the worst of her last few poor books...everything that made her earlier works vital, wonderful reads is lacking in this one. What a waste of my time and money. Phooey!