Lilian Jackson Braun, The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers Review

Overall Rating

The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers
Lilian Jackson Braun
Putnam, January 2007, $23.95, 208 pp.
ISBN 039915390X

In Pickax in Moose County 400 miles from everywhere, newspaper columnist Jim Qwilleran is excited about all the changes that are coming to his adopted hometown. A new senior citizen center is being created. The new theater is putting on a production of Cats, and the deceased Nathan Ledfield's mansion is being converted to a county museum. In fact, Ledfield placed in his will that his collectibles should be sold and the proceeds used for child welfare.

Of course with growth and change comes crime. The Old Hulk the building which was being renovated for the senior center was torched, as was a unique building that was well known in Moose County and the surrounding area. A woman who worked at the museum died when bitten by a bee because she wasn't carrying her emergency medical kit. At the time of the woman's death, Qwill's Siamese cat Koko gave his death cry, which means someone was murdered. Qwill wishes Polly was home so he can discuss what is happening with her, but alas, she is vacationing in France.

Lillian Jackson Braun refreshes her long running mystery series with two shockers that will change Qwill's life forever. Readers will love this fun cozy with the quirky residents of Pickax and the goings on in the town. As always Koko and his female counterpart Yum Yum steal the show with their antics, and readers get a better understanding of what makes Qwill tick (even after twenty-eight previous Cat Who books). The audience will want to see how Qwill copes with these changes in future books.