Cat Who Knew a Cardinal (Cat Who... (Audio))

Rating:
Summary: This is one of Lilian Jackson Braun's best books!
Review: I like this book because you would never suspect who the killer actually is. It was exciting all the way through the book. Now since I've read this book I'm thinking about reading all the other Cat Who mysteries.

Rating:
Summary: Meow!
Review: I saw this page and just knew that I had to write something. I have been a fan of all of Lillian Jackson Braun's books since her comeback. I anxiously anticipate each upcoming book and attempt to read the current one slow enough as to make it last - almost savoring it like a scrumptiously delicious sweet dessert. I thouroughly applaud Mrs. Braun on her creativity present in every novel. I highly recommend these books to anyone and everyone whether they be a mystery fan, a cat fan or both! Tina Bugan - Cincinnati, Ohio

Rating:
Summary: One of the lesser books in the series.
Review: In a series that for many years was one of my very favorites this is one title I never cared for. The reason is simple, Quill comes off as such a total jerk. If the main character comes off as unlikeable it's hard to much care about what happens. I will give one example of what I am talking about. In this book there is a sucicide. This man just walks out on his wife and child to live in Pickaxe for no reason what so ever. { All this is set up in The Cat Who.. Talked to Ghosts} When his wife lets him know she will not take him back he kills himself and Quill makes the wife into a heel as if this mans own actions had nothing to do with the situation. It was at that point I stopped reading. For some I am sure this would be perfectly fine but it stuck in my craw. But of the first 14 books in the series this is the only one I would not recomend.

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Summary: bird and cleric watching with Qwill and the kitties
Review: Jim Qwilleran, the star of this series, is the heir to the vast Klingenschoen fortune. He lives with his two Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum in Moose County, 400 miles north of everywhere.

The action opens with the Qwill and the cats settling in to their latest residence, the newly remodeled apple barn. The peace is shattered as the Theater Club drops by for a house (barn) warming party. When the last of the party goers leave Qwill discovers that one is unable to go on his own power, he has been murdered just outside Qwill's door! The story then focuses on the deceased, Hilary VanBrook, principal of Pickax High School and director of the latest Theater Club production. When a fellow actor disappears he becomes the chief suspect. Qwill, of course, believes that the answer lies elsewhere and, aided by the cats, begins to investigate.

His attention is divided however, his latest lady friend, Polly Duncan, is acting strangely - perhaps he has a rival for her affections. Koko and Yum Yum are similiarly distracted by a new activity - bird watching, especially cardinals. The trio presses on, even traveling out of Moose County looking for answers. In the end the mysteries are solved and life in Moose County continues.

I found this one of the less satisfying books in the series. The action begins nearly a year after the end of the previous book. The character of the second victim, Dennis Hough, who was Iris Cobb's son - introduced in The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts - has changed character slightly, and earned Qwill's trust and respect since we first met him. The motive for his death is weak and there is no real explanation given for the breakup of his family.

Qwill's relationship with Polly is one of the themes of this story and though it is given quite a bit of attention I felt that it was more of a tease. Also, as with the previous novel, I felt that the ending had been rushed with some of the threads left a bit loose.

If you are a devotee of the series you will want to read this one, especially for the Polly and Qwill story. If you are new to series perhaps starting elsewhere would be better, but if you a just looking for a good mystery this may not be your best choice.

Rating:
Summary: bird and cleric watching with Qwill and the kitties
Review: Jim Qwilleran, the star of this series, is the heir to the vast Klingenschoen fortune. He lives with his two Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum in Moose County, 400 miles north of everywhere.

The action opens with the Qwill and the cats settling in to their latest residence, the newly remodeled apple barn. The peace is shattered as the Theater Club drops by for a house (barn) warming party. When the last of the party goers leave Qwill discovers that one is unable to go on his own power, he has been murdered just outside Qwill's door! The story then focuses on the deceased, Hilary VanBrook, principal of Pickax High School and director of the latest Theater Club production. When a fellow actor disappears he becomes the chief suspect. Qwill, of course, believes that the answer lies elsewhere and, aided by the cats, begins to investigate.

His attention is divided however, his latest lady friend, Polly Duncan, is acting strangely - perhaps he has a rival for her affections. Koko and Yum Yum are similiarly distracted by a new activity - bird watching, especially cardinals. The trio presses on, even traveling out of Moose County looking for answers. In the end the mysteries are solved and life in Moose County continues.

I found this one of the less satisfying books in the series. The action begins nearly a year after the end of the previous book. The character of the second victim, Dennis Hough, who was Iris Cobb's son - introduced in The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts - has changed character slightly, and earned Qwill's trust and respect since we first met him. The motive for his death is weak and there is no real explanation given for the breakup of his family.

Qwill's relationship with Polly is one of the themes of this story and though it is given quite a bit of attention I felt that it was more of a tease. Also, as with the previous novel, I felt that the ending had been rushed with some of the threads left a bit loose.

If you are a devotee of the series you will want to read this one, especially for the Polly and Qwill story. If you are new to series perhaps starting elsewhere would be better, but if you a just looking for a good mystery this may not be your best choice.

Rating:
Summary: If you have cats, expecially Siamese you'll enjoy this book
Review: My mom sent me this book to read and it was my introduction to the "Cat Who" books. I could not put it down. Since then I have "lapped up" every book in the series I can find. Siamese cats are extremely smart and Koko is right up there with my own. I can definately identify with Q when dealing with his loved ones at home!

Rating:
Summary: A necessary read, though not a great one.
Review: Sometimes I wonder why Qwill has to be so negative about everything. If he were a real person, I doubt whether I would want to be that great of a friend of his. Lillian Braun writes his attitude to be that he is always wonderful, and everyone else grows boring and tiresom. Instead it is Qwill who grows boring and tiresom. In the later books, this deficiency is corrected, but when I go back and read the earlier books, I always wonder where Qwill gets off.

As with all the books, Qwill and Koko find the killer in the end, though Qwill's life is put in grave danger to do so. There is a little character development, especially in the relationship between Qwill and Polly, and we learn a little more about Bushy the photographer and Derek Cuttlebrink finally comes into play.

Over all, it is a necessary book to read if you are intent on reading the series, but you could probably skip it.

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Summary: The cat who caught my fancy... :)
Review: Well I must start by saying, I have never really cared for mystery novels. But my mother-in-law left a copy of The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal here after her last visit, and I picked it up to glance at it and the next thing I knew, I was on the fourth chapter. These stories aren't just mystery novels, in fact, I wouldn't care if there were no mystery at all - the characters (including the cats, of course!) and the scenarios are just endearing, and I want to read more of these stories just so I can be back in Qwilleran's world.