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The Cat Who... #11
The Cat Who Lived High
Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9780515105667
The colorful Casablanca apartment building is in danger of demolition--but not if Jim Qwilleran can help it. He's determined to restore the building to its original grandeur. So he moves in with Koko and Yum Yum--and discovers that the Casablanca is steeped in history...and mystery. In Qwill's very apartment, a glamorous art dealer met an untimely fate, and the veteran journalist and his crime-solving cats are about to reach new heights in detection as the evidence builds up...and the Casablanca threatens to crumble down around them!
The colorful Casablanca apartment building is in danger of demolition--but not if Jim Qwilleran can help it. He's determined to restore the building to its original grandeur. So he moves in with Koko and Yum Yum--and discovers that the Casablanca is steeped in history...and mystery. In Qwill's very apartment, a glamorous art dealer met an untimely fate, and the veteran journalist and his crime-solving cats are about to reach new heights in detection as the evidence builds up...and the Casablanca threatens to crumble down around them!
298 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 20, 1990
290 people are currently reading
1969 people want to read
About the author
Lilian Jackson Braun
193 books1,714 followersLilian Jackson Braun was an American writer. She is well-known for her light-hearted series of The Cat Who... mystery novels. The Cat Who books center around the life of former newspaper reporter James Qwilleran, and his two Siamese cats, KoKo and Yum Yum in the fictitious small town of Pickax located in Moose County, "400 miles north of everywhere." Although never formally stated in the books, the towns, counties and lifestyles described in the series are generally accepted to be a modeled after Bad Axe, Michigan (located in the "Michigan Thumb") where she resided with her husband for many years until the mid 1980's. Many also believe that the culture and history of the Upper peninsula of Michigan are represented in the series as well, which is quite possible as it is indeed a fictitious location.
Lilian Jackson Braun began her writing career as a teenager, contributing sports poetry for the Detroit News. She later began working as an advertising copywriter for many of Detroit's department stores. After that stint, she worked at the Detroit Free Press as the "Good Living" editor for 30 years. She retired from the Free Press in 1978.
Between 1966 and 1968, she published three novels to critical acclaim: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern and The Cat Who Turned On and Off. In 1966, The New York Times labeled Braun, "the new detective of the year." The rising mystery author disappeared from the publishing scene for 18 years. The blame came from the fact that mystery novels were starting to focus on sex, violence, and foul language, and Braun's light-hearted books were not welcome in this new territory. It wasn't until 1986 that the Berkley Publishing Group reintroduced Braun to the public with the publication of an original paperback, The Cat Who Saw Red. Within two years, Berkeley released four new novels in paperback and reprinted the three mysteries from the sixties. Braun's series became an instant best seller once again. In January 2007 the twenty-ninth novel in the series, The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers, was released in hardcover by the Penguin Group.
Not much was really known about Braun, as she prefered to keep her private life that way. For years, publishers have given inaccurate accounts of her year of birth, which has remained unknown until she openly acknowledged her age in an interview for the Detroit News in January 2005.
Lilian Jackson Braun began her writing career as a teenager, contributing sports poetry for the Detroit News. She later began working as an advertising copywriter for many of Detroit's department stores. After that stint, she worked at the Detroit Free Press as the "Good Living" editor for 30 years. She retired from the Free Press in 1978.
Between 1966 and 1968, she published three novels to critical acclaim: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern and The Cat Who Turned On and Off. In 1966, The New York Times labeled Braun, "the new detective of the year." The rising mystery author disappeared from the publishing scene for 18 years. The blame came from the fact that mystery novels were starting to focus on sex, violence, and foul language, and Braun's light-hearted books were not welcome in this new territory. It wasn't until 1986 that the Berkley Publishing Group reintroduced Braun to the public with the publication of an original paperback, The Cat Who Saw Red. Within two years, Berkeley released four new novels in paperback and reprinted the three mysteries from the sixties. Braun's series became an instant best seller once again. In January 2007 the twenty-ninth novel in the series, The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers, was released in hardcover by the Penguin Group.
Not much was really known about Braun, as she prefered to keep her private life that way. For years, publishers have given inaccurate accounts of her year of birth, which has remained unknown until she openly acknowledged her age in an interview for the Detroit News in January 2005.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 319 reviews
May 13, 2020
Book Review
4 of 5 stars to The Cat Who Lived High, the 11th book in the "Cat Who" cozy mystery series written by Lilian Jackson Braun in 1990. For fans of the series, this one's a real treat. Qwill heads back "Down Below" to investigate something back in Junktown, where he formerly resided (sort of) prior to the Pickax Klingenschoen inheritance. It's a good cross between the two places... but Braun takes it a step further, tricking fans into believing she's killed off Qwill in this book. It's a bit of a nightmare for us fans, but in the end, the spoiler is, he's alive... which is not a spoiler at this point because you know the series goes on for at least another 15 books. But the fun and humor associated with the whole situation is quite amusing. It's a fun change of pace that should delight readers with a little sarcasm to pickup the pace in the books.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
4 of 5 stars to The Cat Who Lived High, the 11th book in the "Cat Who" cozy mystery series written by Lilian Jackson Braun in 1990. For fans of the series, this one's a real treat. Qwill heads back "Down Below" to investigate something back in Junktown, where he formerly resided (sort of) prior to the Pickax Klingenschoen inheritance. It's a good cross between the two places... but Braun takes it a step further, tricking fans into believing she's killed off Qwill in this book. It's a bit of a nightmare for us fans, but in the end, the spoiler is, he's alive... which is not a spoiler at this point because you know the series goes on for at least another 15 books. But the fun and humor associated with the whole situation is quite amusing. It's a fun change of pace that should delight readers with a little sarcasm to pickup the pace in the books.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
November 29, 2022
2 1/2 stars
My least favorite "Cat Who . . ." book so far. Qwill and the kitties are out of their element in a decrepit high rise where he discovers two murders took place prior to him taking up residence. Took 200pp for anything to really happen! Of course, Koko helps solve the crime, this time with the help of Scrabble tiles. Almost 300pp is too long for these very light reads.
Why I'm reading this: I can't help myself - can't read just one :)!
My least favorite "Cat Who . . ." book so far. Qwill and the kitties are out of their element in a decrepit high rise where he discovers two murders took place prior to him taking up residence. Took 200pp for anything to really happen! Of course, Koko helps solve the crime, this time with the help of Scrabble tiles. Almost 300pp is too long for these very light reads.
Why I'm reading this: I can't help myself - can't read just one :)!
June 6, 2014
I like when Qwilleran goes away from the home base to have an adventure.
December 23, 2019
3.5 stars
I enjoy the Cat Who Pickax setting more then the other settings in the series so I was surprised to find that this book set "Down Below" in the big crime ridden city was as enjoyable as it was. It had a great cast of quirky characters and a fast moving plot. It was also nice to see a few of the characters from early in the series when it was set "Down Below" appearing again, and also nice to see that Qwill has changed so much those books.
I enjoy the Cat Who Pickax setting more then the other settings in the series so I was surprised to find that this book set "Down Below" in the big crime ridden city was as enjoyable as it was. It had a great cast of quirky characters and a fast moving plot. It was also nice to see a few of the characters from early in the series when it was set "Down Below" appearing again, and also nice to see that Qwill has changed so much those books.
November 20, 2023
#11 in the Cat Who cozy mystery series
This started out slow but ended with some excitement. Qwill is asked to temporarily live in the penthouse of a run-down historical building Down Under. They hope to entice him to get the K Fund to underwrite a huge reconstruction. As Qwill starts to decide if it's worth it, he also investigates the murder of the previous tenant. There are some odd mushroom paintings, Yum Yum's interest in a waterbed, Qwill's descriptions of the local wacky characters, as well as Koko's usual shenanigans. I loved hearing about the amusingly frustrating problems Qwill faces with the building (broken elevator, noises, heating problems, etc.), as well as his disappointment with changes at the Press Club and the comparison between urban life and his happier quiet lifestyle, especially his relationship with Polly. Fun and clever, including Koko's new interest in Scrabble, although I was surprised that the point scores they compiled were different from what they are now. Either Braun can't do addition or letter points have changed in the last few decades.
This started out slow but ended with some excitement. Qwill is asked to temporarily live in the penthouse of a run-down historical building Down Under. They hope to entice him to get the K Fund to underwrite a huge reconstruction. As Qwill starts to decide if it's worth it, he also investigates the murder of the previous tenant. There are some odd mushroom paintings, Yum Yum's interest in a waterbed, Qwill's descriptions of the local wacky characters, as well as Koko's usual shenanigans. I loved hearing about the amusingly frustrating problems Qwill faces with the building (broken elevator, noises, heating problems, etc.), as well as his disappointment with changes at the Press Club and the comparison between urban life and his happier quiet lifestyle, especially his relationship with Polly. Fun and clever, including Koko's new interest in Scrabble, although I was surprised that the point scores they compiled were different from what they are now. Either Braun can't do addition or letter points have changed in the last few decades.
December 8, 2018
My least favorite book in this series. Braun doesn't seem to like any of her characters and neither do I. Hard to get invested in the situation. Also, at the end, I feel the story is incomplete. Pretty sure I know who destroyed the building, pretty sure I know who the murderer was, and pretty sure the shooting on the freeway was just some random incident and some thug just stole Q's car and then became a victim himself. But the book does not feel satisfactorily resolved/explained. And I would have liked it better if Q had actually talked to Lt. Hames, the detective, explained his findings and been assured the crimes would be addressed. Most appropriate adjective for this book: Unsatisfactory.
October 14, 2016
Ms. Braun starts off her book with a flourish - Jim Qwilleran (Qwill) is dead. Despite all the warnings, Qwill ventured down below and was involved in a horrific automobile murder/accident, his body incinerated. And with his death, the K-Fund monies will be leaving Pickaxe County for the New Jersey shore. How did this happen? Well...
As hinted at the end of her previous book (though in a manner somewhat contradictory to the beginning of this one), Ms. Braun decides to allow Qwill back "down below" for the winter. One of the Weird Sisters (Amberina), Mary Duckworth, and Robert Maus, all originally introduced in The Cat Who Turned On and Off invite Qwill to move into the penthouse suite of the Casablanca, an old apartment complex on the edge of Junktown, hoping he'll decide to buy the place and renovate it. Otherwise, the owners of the Morning Rampage and the other powers that be will tear down the place to build an upscale business complex.
Qwill meets with a great many of the Casablanca's residents - all of whom are wonderfully depicted as usual - but it's a former resident in whom Qwill becomes most interested - Dianne, the woman who previously rented his current apartment . She was murdered by her neighbor and lover, who then proceeded to jump from the balcony out of remorse. One of Qwill's Siamese cats, Koko, is sniffing around, making odd noises and pointing out clues, letting Qwill know all is not as it seems with the apparent murder-suicide. And in taking up Dianne's cause of saving the Casablanca, he'll end up being targeted while driving in his car and...
Ms. Braun works in all four elements from the early city novels - art, home decor, antiques, and food - and, while introducing many new characters and places, also brings back persons and places from those novels as well. Indeed, The Cat Who Lived High is pretty much a throwback from Ms. Braun to her loyal readers, allowing us to see what happened in the lives of many personages she left "down below" when Qwill moved to the country. I regret that she didn't involve Odd Bunsen though - he was the best character from the city novels and I would have liked to have known what became of him and his family.
Also of interest, in trying to help an alcoholic resident at the Casablanca, Qwill gives us a rare, honest dialog regarding his own battle with alcoholism and the reason he was able to get on the wagon prior to teaming up with Koko.
While the characters are excellent as always, as is the mystery, the story will leave you wanting... by design. Ms. Braun really wants to drive home the idea that Qwill's decision to venture to the crime-infested cities down below wasn't a good one (like he was never in any danger up in Pickaxe?) For this reason, she'll leave the reader feeling unfulfilled.
So while it leaves a bit of a sour taste in my mouth, I must still give The Cat Who Lived High 4 out of 5 stars.
Pfft... Thanks for the novel, Lilian!
As hinted at the end of her previous book (though in a manner somewhat contradictory to the beginning of this one), Ms. Braun decides to allow Qwill back "down below" for the winter. One of the Weird Sisters (Amberina), Mary Duckworth, and Robert Maus, all originally introduced in The Cat Who Turned On and Off invite Qwill to move into the penthouse suite of the Casablanca, an old apartment complex on the edge of Junktown, hoping he'll decide to buy the place and renovate it. Otherwise, the owners of the Morning Rampage and the other powers that be will tear down the place to build an upscale business complex.
Qwill meets with a great many of the Casablanca's residents - all of whom are wonderfully depicted as usual - but it's a former resident in whom Qwill becomes most interested - Dianne, the woman who previously rented his current apartment . She was murdered by her neighbor and lover, who then proceeded to jump from the balcony out of remorse. One of Qwill's Siamese cats, Koko, is sniffing around, making odd noises and pointing out clues, letting Qwill know all is not as it seems with the apparent murder-suicide. And in taking up Dianne's cause of saving the Casablanca, he'll end up being targeted while driving in his car and...
Ms. Braun works in all four elements from the early city novels - art, home decor, antiques, and food - and, while introducing many new characters and places, also brings back persons and places from those novels as well. Indeed, The Cat Who Lived High is pretty much a throwback from Ms. Braun to her loyal readers, allowing us to see what happened in the lives of many personages she left "down below" when Qwill moved to the country. I regret that she didn't involve Odd Bunsen though - he was the best character from the city novels and I would have liked to have known what became of him and his family.
Also of interest, in trying to help an alcoholic resident at the Casablanca, Qwill gives us a rare, honest dialog regarding his own battle with alcoholism and the reason he was able to get on the wagon prior to teaming up with Koko.
While the characters are excellent as always, as is the mystery, the story will leave you wanting... by design. Ms. Braun really wants to drive home the idea that Qwill's decision to venture to the crime-infested cities down below wasn't a good one (like he was never in any danger up in Pickaxe?) For this reason, she'll leave the reader feeling unfulfilled.
So while it leaves a bit of a sour taste in my mouth, I must still give The Cat Who Lived High 4 out of 5 stars.
Pfft... Thanks for the novel, Lilian!
May 26, 2018
In this 11th book in the series, the nomadic Qwill accepts an offer to spend the winter in a fully furnished penthouse apartment Down Below. The penthouse is at the top of the historic Casablanca hotel, now gone to seed, and the purpose of this residency is to determine whether the K fund will underwrite the restoration of the once elegant and famous building.
The mystery involves the previous tenant of the penthouse who was apparently the victim of a murder-suicide. But it isn’t long before Koko unearths clues that make Qwill question that conclusion, and wonder if he himself is in danger. It seems that someone wants to make sure the Casablanca restoration project doesn’t go through.
One of the fun things about The Cat Who…books is revisiting characters, events and places from previous novels, and this one is no exception. For example, the Casablanca is right at the edge of Junktown; and lots of the characters make an appearance here, including Robert Maus, who has given up law to open a restaurant; and Mary Duckworth, who is spearheading the “Save the Casablanca” movement. When packing for his trip Down Below, Qwill packs a suit that he wore only twice – one to a wedding, and once to a funeral. Those of us who have read the books in order know exactly which two events he is referring to.
This was an enjoyable outing in the series. Qwill was once again likeable, and the cast of characters was varied and interesting, especially the residents of the Casablanca hotel. Qwill opens up to one of them about how he overcame his drinking problem. I liked the way this sojourn to his old stomping ground Down Below made Qwill realize that he didn't belong there anymore, and just how much Moose County had become his home.
I wonder if at this point Ms. Jackson Braun went through the same body count analysis I did in my previous review, and determined that 29 deaths somehow related to Qwill in 10 books was a bit much - and that was humans only, there was also a murdered cat and some unfortunate goats. So this one had an extremely low body count – only one (not counting the murder-suicide which happened before he entered the picture and couldn’t be blamed on him.)
Originally published: 1990
Body Count: 1
Preceded by: The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts
Next Up: The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal
The mystery involves the previous tenant of the penthouse who was apparently the victim of a murder-suicide. But it isn’t long before Koko unearths clues that make Qwill question that conclusion, and wonder if he himself is in danger. It seems that someone wants to make sure the Casablanca restoration project doesn’t go through.
One of the fun things about The Cat Who…books is revisiting characters, events and places from previous novels, and this one is no exception. For example, the Casablanca is right at the edge of Junktown; and lots of the characters make an appearance here, including Robert Maus, who has given up law to open a restaurant; and Mary Duckworth, who is spearheading the “Save the Casablanca” movement. When packing for his trip Down Below, Qwill packs a suit that he wore only twice – one to a wedding, and once to a funeral. Those of us who have read the books in order know exactly which two events he is referring to.
This was an enjoyable outing in the series. Qwill was once again likeable, and the cast of characters was varied and interesting, especially the residents of the Casablanca hotel. Qwill opens up to one of them about how he overcame his drinking problem. I liked the way this sojourn to his old stomping ground Down Below made Qwill realize that he didn't belong there anymore, and just how much Moose County had become his home.
I wonder if at this point Ms. Jackson Braun went through the same body count analysis I did in my previous review, and determined that 29 deaths somehow related to Qwill in 10 books was a bit much - and that was humans only, there was also a murdered cat and some unfortunate goats. So this one had an extremely low body count – only one (not counting the murder-suicide which happened before he entered the picture and couldn’t be blamed on him.)
Originally published: 1990
Body Count: 1
Preceded by: The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts
Next Up: The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal
July 3, 2022
2.5 Stars
This one was just okay. Too much story on who is who, and whether Qwill is attracted to them or not. Lunches at the press room and a broken down apartment building. Let it go; just like this story.
On to the next... I mean, the series itself is fun.
This one was just okay. Too much story on who is who, and whether Qwill is attracted to them or not. Lunches at the press room and a broken down apartment building. Let it go; just like this story.
On to the next... I mean, the series itself is fun.
November 19, 2017
One of my favorite Cat Who books.
November 24, 2017
Possibly one of the best in the series.
May 30, 2019
Of course I liked it, having a favorite "sleuth" and a beloved pair of cats as characters. The mystery is solved in the book to my satisfaction. However, there is other story line that really ... isn't resolved. I know there are lots of books in the series, but I don't have the feeling this is to be re-addressed in a future book, just that it is left hanging.
January 28, 2018
This time Qwill and the cats have been offered a chance to live in the top floor apartment of an old historic building. A chance for them to spend the winter out of the cold and snow of Pickax. Granted they will be living Down Below in Qwill's old haunts, but it will be a bit warmer. So Qwill packs up Koko and Yum Yum's blue cushion and commode and away they go!
They arrive to find the Casablanca apartment building in serious condition, filled with a motley cast of tenants, history and mystery. It is also in need of saving and restoration or it will be torn down to make room for a huge new residential and business complex.
Qwill decides that it could be saved and that the Klingenshoen Foundation could foot the bill. He also finds that the previous tenant of the sublet apartment was murdered and her lover committed suicide in and around the apartment! When Koko discovers blood in the carpet under a piece of furniture the hunt for the real truth of the murder is under way.
Qwill also finds that in the three years he's been away Down Under has gone through big changes. Many of his friends and colleagues have moved on and many of his old haunts have been renovated. It isn't the same as he left it.
Will Qwill and the cats stay the whole winter? Will the Klingenshoen Foundation fund the restoration of the Casablanca? Was it really murder with a side of suicide or a double homicide?
Another quick and fun read.
They arrive to find the Casablanca apartment building in serious condition, filled with a motley cast of tenants, history and mystery. It is also in need of saving and restoration or it will be torn down to make room for a huge new residential and business complex.
Qwill decides that it could be saved and that the Klingenshoen Foundation could foot the bill. He also finds that the previous tenant of the sublet apartment was murdered and her lover committed suicide in and around the apartment! When Koko discovers blood in the carpet under a piece of furniture the hunt for the real truth of the murder is under way.
Qwill also finds that in the three years he's been away Down Under has gone through big changes. Many of his friends and colleagues have moved on and many of his old haunts have been renovated. It isn't the same as he left it.
Will Qwill and the cats stay the whole winter? Will the Klingenshoen Foundation fund the restoration of the Casablanca? Was it really murder with a side of suicide or a double homicide?
Another quick and fun read.
April 11, 2018
Another excellent book from this wonderful author. While not a fan of cats, I am totally enjoying every one of these books. I'm reading them in succession and find her writing over time improved and the stories more intriguing. She has made her readers love her community of characters in the county "400 miles north of everywhere."
August 23, 2019
FIRST READ: With this in mind, he decides to venture "Down Below"--the local's derogatory term for the city--where he moves into temporary quarters at the Casablanca , a colorful 1920's apartment building he hopes to save from the demolition crews.
But things are off to dubious beginnings when Qwill gets trapped in the elevator shaft, and is later accosted by an irate matron wielding a lethal cane.
SECOND READ: Worse things are still to come, when Qwill discovers that his penthouse is covered with wall to wall mushrooms. Yes, mushrooms. Can Koko save he day, or will he find the high life to intoxicating?
The highhearted silliness of this popular series is in full force here, with Qwill finding himself once again totally at the mercy of his two Siamese and buddies. It gets to the point to where he can hardly wait to get back to his home. Okay read!!
But things are off to dubious beginnings when Qwill gets trapped in the elevator shaft, and is later accosted by an irate matron wielding a lethal cane.
SECOND READ: Worse things are still to come, when Qwill discovers that his penthouse is covered with wall to wall mushrooms. Yes, mushrooms. Can Koko save he day, or will he find the high life to intoxicating?
The highhearted silliness of this popular series is in full force here, with Qwill finding himself once again totally at the mercy of his two Siamese and buddies. It gets to the point to where he can hardly wait to get back to his home. Okay read!!
May 28, 2008
Ugh. I used to love this series, but something has gone wrong. The dialog in this one is stiff and unrealistic. It ended in the fastest, most unorganized way possible and left half of the plot unresolved. There were no clues anywhere to let you try and guess about the culprit. The whole thing was one meandering stroll from meal to meal with one boring person after another.
January 27, 2009
They're like candy. I can't help myself. Give me a Lilian Jackson Brown book, two hours, and a bathtub -- and I'll have a cavity. I love her writing, I adore the siamese cats, and Qwill is a great character.
Candy. M&M's in book-form.
Candy. M&M's in book-form.
November 5, 2024
What? This got a little complicated at the end, but still a page turner.
April 13, 2023
Het elfde boek al in deze reeks en meteen het meest duistere. Nochtans begint het veelbelovend wanneeer Jim Qwilleran uitgenodigd wordt om in zijn vroegere buurt een luxe-penthouse te betrekken. Doel is om uit te maken of het gebouw waar de penthouse zich bevindt het waard is om gered te worden van de sloop. Qwill heeft de miljoenen die daarvoor zouden nodig zijn.
Bij aankomst zit hij vol nostalgische gevoelens maar niet alleen hijzelf blijkt na enkele jaren Pickaxe verandert te zijn, ook Junktown.
Hier overdrijft de schrijfster wel enigszins al mogen we niet vergeten dat dit verhaal zich in de Verenigde Staten afspeelt, niet zo heel ver van de Canadese grens. De criminaliteit en vooral de apathische manier hoe de mensen er mee omgaan komt door de karikatuur wel een beetje komisch over (eerder tragikomisch feitelijk). En dat zal wel de bedoeling zijn. Hoewel er in elk boek minstens 1 moord voorkomt, soms vallen de slachtoffers bij bosjes, overheerst er toch altijd een postieve toon zodat het lezen altijd aangenaam en ontspannend is.
In dit boek wordt dat positieve wel erg op de proef gesteld. Het gebouw is vervallen, de parkeerplaats van Qwill is ingenomen door een andere wagen, hij herkent op enkele uitzonderingen na niemand meer en als toppunt is zijn favoriete hangout en restaurant volledig gemoderniseerd. In het penthouse vindt Koko al direct een grote bloedvlek, het restant van de moord op de vorige bewoonster, en de afscheidswoorden van een moordenaar/zelfmoordenaar die slecht overschilderd zijn.
Het begin van het boek is erg dramatisch met de aankondiging dat Qwill in zijn auto werd doodgeschoten. De rest is grotendeels een flashback hoe het zo ver is kunnen komen.
Spannend, eerder somber en nogal fatalistisch op weg naar een dramatische ontknoping. Ook al doet Qwill er alles aan om het tij te keren. Ook de katten en dan vooral Yum-Yum gedragen zich abnormaal. En de personen die Qwill (en de lezer) nog kent zijn veranderd.
Bij aankomst zit hij vol nostalgische gevoelens maar niet alleen hijzelf blijkt na enkele jaren Pickaxe verandert te zijn, ook Junktown.
Hier overdrijft de schrijfster wel enigszins al mogen we niet vergeten dat dit verhaal zich in de Verenigde Staten afspeelt, niet zo heel ver van de Canadese grens. De criminaliteit en vooral de apathische manier hoe de mensen er mee omgaan komt door de karikatuur wel een beetje komisch over (eerder tragikomisch feitelijk). En dat zal wel de bedoeling zijn. Hoewel er in elk boek minstens 1 moord voorkomt, soms vallen de slachtoffers bij bosjes, overheerst er toch altijd een postieve toon zodat het lezen altijd aangenaam en ontspannend is.
In dit boek wordt dat positieve wel erg op de proef gesteld. Het gebouw is vervallen, de parkeerplaats van Qwill is ingenomen door een andere wagen, hij herkent op enkele uitzonderingen na niemand meer en als toppunt is zijn favoriete hangout en restaurant volledig gemoderniseerd. In het penthouse vindt Koko al direct een grote bloedvlek, het restant van de moord op de vorige bewoonster, en de afscheidswoorden van een moordenaar/zelfmoordenaar die slecht overschilderd zijn.
Het begin van het boek is erg dramatisch met de aankondiging dat Qwill in zijn auto werd doodgeschoten. De rest is grotendeels een flashback hoe het zo ver is kunnen komen.
Spannend, eerder somber en nogal fatalistisch op weg naar een dramatische ontknoping. Ook al doet Qwill er alles aan om het tij te keren. Ook de katten en dan vooral Yum-Yum gedragen zich abnormaal. En de personen die Qwill (en de lezer) nog kent zijn veranderd.
December 22, 2022
2.5 stars, rounded down.
Qwill has to go down to the big city, ostensibly to avoid winter in Moose County, 400 miles north of everywhere. I always enjoy Jackson Braun's country stories much better than the city stories, and this one was no exception. Qwilleran is staying in an apartment building that used to be the height of luxury, but has fallen on hard times. There's lots of stuff about the evils of the big city (the exception being the range of cuisines available), featuring muggers and gunshots and the perils of parking. (Although reading this did make me glad for emissions regulations, because there's a lot here about how smoggy and poor the air quality is in big cities, which just isn't true anymore.) When Qwill moves into an apartment following a gruesome murder suicide, he and his cat Koko must unravel the truth.
Aside from my dislike of the setting, the mystery setup was both too simple and too convoluted at the same time. The actual murderer reveal surprised me, but because Jackson Braun didn't leave me any clues at all. Almost any other character could have been the murderer, and it would have made an equal amount of sense.
If you're reading the Cat Who... series and you're not a completist like me, you could probably skip this one.
Qwill has to go down to the big city, ostensibly to avoid winter in Moose County, 400 miles north of everywhere. I always enjoy Jackson Braun's country stories much better than the city stories, and this one was no exception. Qwilleran is staying in an apartment building that used to be the height of luxury, but has fallen on hard times. There's lots of stuff about the evils of the big city (the exception being the range of cuisines available), featuring muggers and gunshots and the perils of parking. (Although reading this did make me glad for emissions regulations, because there's a lot here about how smoggy and poor the air quality is in big cities, which just isn't true anymore.) When Qwill moves into an apartment following a gruesome murder suicide, he and his cat Koko must unravel the truth.
Aside from my dislike of the setting, the mystery setup was both too simple and too convoluted at the same time. The actual murderer reveal surprised me, but because Jackson Braun didn't leave me any clues at all. Almost any other character could have been the murderer, and it would have made an equal amount of sense.
If you're reading the Cat Who... series and you're not a completist like me, you could probably skip this one.
October 15, 2023
This was a shorter one of Miss Braun's book. Qwill is happily ensconced up in Pickax. However he is summoned by former friends from "Down Below". They want his foundation to buy a gargantuan apartment complex and restore it. Other developers want to buy it and tear it down to make way for new buildings.
Qwill heads down to inspect the prospect. He finds the building is in horrible disrepair, the city is not as he remembered it, and the owner is extremely reluctant to sell. Also, his apartment was the scene of a recent murder. Naturally Qwill is most interested in the murder.
It was a cute little book as all of hers are, but it's not deep. It's an interesting juxtaposition where there is lots of details as Qwill notices and appreciates the antiques, the architecture, and the food everywhere he goes. Yet, we're supposed to get the idea that he is miserable in the big city and pining for his small town living. I'll have to research Miss Braun's life and see if she also found happiness in a small town later in life.
However, these books always go down easy and are a nice day read.
Qwill heads down to inspect the prospect. He finds the building is in horrible disrepair, the city is not as he remembered it, and the owner is extremely reluctant to sell. Also, his apartment was the scene of a recent murder. Naturally Qwill is most interested in the murder.
It was a cute little book as all of hers are, but it's not deep. It's an interesting juxtaposition where there is lots of details as Qwill notices and appreciates the antiques, the architecture, and the food everywhere he goes. Yet, we're supposed to get the idea that he is miserable in the big city and pining for his small town living. I'll have to research Miss Braun's life and see if she also found happiness in a small town later in life.
However, these books always go down easy and are a nice day read.
July 6, 2025
I last read this one back around the time it was published, and remembered nothing apart from one major detail, which I will not spoil. Qwill and the cats return to his old stomping grounds Down Below, (possibly Toledo?) not far from the Junktown neighborhood where he'd lived and gotten to know Iris Cobb. Characters from a few of the earlier books reappear, along with a host of new ones, of course. He's been recruited to join an effort to preserve a crumbling but unique old apartment building, moving into one of its two penthouse apartments where two previous tenants had recently died in an apparent murder-suicide. Or was it a double murder? Will the Klingenschoen Fund save the Casablanca from wealthy developers planning to raze it? Will Qwill wind up soaked when Koko and Yum-yum sink their claws into the apartment's waterbed?
Like Braun's earlier books, "... Lived High" is rich in details and idiosyncratic characters, and unlike any before it, begins with the announcement of a shattering catastrophe which threatens everything. It works.
Like Braun's earlier books, "... Lived High" is rich in details and idiosyncratic characters, and unlike any before it, begins with the announcement of a shattering catastrophe which threatens everything. It works.
May 28, 2022
A fun Cozy mystery - the Cat "Who" stories are just fun to read - this was set in a Historical building with many different types of tenants - unsolved murder from the past & strange happenings - Enjoyed the Siamese cats as always!!!!
February 6, 2024
Too many unanswered questions for me. And too many - “how do you spell that” bits.
Who died in the car? / Who stole the car?
Who shot the person in the car? / Why?
Did Qwill talk to the police finally?
Qwill left just before a giant explosion but wasn’t a suspect?
Why didn’t the police find the bracelet before Qwill? / Why didn’t he hand it over to them as now it is assumed to be blown up on the building.
Why didn’t the police figure out the artist was pushed - screaming etc? Are the police stupid?
What happens to the building? Now it needs restoration more than ever. So he just walks away?
Hmmm
Who died in the car? / Who stole the car?
Who shot the person in the car? / Why?
Did Qwill talk to the police finally?
Qwill left just before a giant explosion but wasn’t a suspect?
Why didn’t the police find the bracelet before Qwill? / Why didn’t he hand it over to them as now it is assumed to be blown up on the building.
Why didn’t the police figure out the artist was pushed - screaming etc? Are the police stupid?
What happens to the building? Now it needs restoration more than ever. So he just walks away?
Hmmm
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2017
Definitely one of my favorites. Braun has fun with character work, and she's also quite adept at making a good setting a character as well.
May 26, 2017
what a crazy book! But at least Koko saved the day!
October 18, 2017
These books are quirky and more than a little hilarious. Koko is up to his usual cleverness in this one. It's an interesting installment, and contains colorful characters typical of this series.
April 11, 2024
A return to “down below”! A architectural gem! The Press Club! Plus you get to know a little bit more about Q in this one, and he and Koko learn Scrabble.
August 6, 2025
Very entertaining!! a cozy mystery. Maybe a favorite genre.
July 3, 2021
This book is a bit of a mixed bag for me. There are things it does well, things it doesn't do so well, and ways it just doesn't quite hold up.
First, the things I liked: Great setting! Braun really made me believe in this quirky old apartment building with its weird characters. Koko's signature detective work was right on point. The mystery was engaging. The pace was appropriately fast for this type of light mystery thriller. Qwill struggling to readjust to city life made for some genuinely funny moments.
Things I didn't like: The ending didn't really make sense to me. First, it had a really pointless digression setting up a coincidence that made everyone think Qwilleran was dead, which he clearly wasn't if you're even slightly familiar with this type of plot structure and/or this series. It seemed like a waste of time and page space that ultimately went nowhere. The people who actually committed the crimes had very little in the way of a clear motive - yes, they were working for bigger bads, but that kind of came out of left field at the end with no obvious reason for them to risk themselves to do so. And finally, the rather... explosive... last few pages also didn't seem well supported by the rest of the story. The big bads seemed poised to win if they did nothing, yet for some reason they sabotaged all their efforts with an overblown dramatic gesture that unraveled their whole plan. It seemed like more of a narrative convenience to extricate Qwill permanently from the story and return him to Moose County, rather than a logical progression of events.
Lastly, ways it doesn't hold up: This book was published three decades ago, and it shows. Jokes about people's "weird" names, stereotypes of various kinds, Qwill's objectification of women and "cute" minor misogyny. While no specific example is terribly dire, Braun can't go more than a few pages without peppering one or more of these in, and it makes the story feel a lot more regressive than it needs to be for no real reason.
Final verdict: This is an okay mystery for a beach read or brain break. The best part was Braun's imagining of the Casablanca. The low points were a resolution that seemed rushed and poorly-supported, and some unfortunate narrative choices that pulled me out of the story as a current reader. Overall, not bad but not a can't-miss.
First, the things I liked: Great setting! Braun really made me believe in this quirky old apartment building with its weird characters. Koko's signature detective work was right on point. The mystery was engaging. The pace was appropriately fast for this type of light mystery thriller. Qwill struggling to readjust to city life made for some genuinely funny moments.
Things I didn't like: The ending didn't really make sense to me. First, it had a really pointless digression setting up a coincidence that made everyone think Qwilleran was dead, which he clearly wasn't if you're even slightly familiar with this type of plot structure and/or this series. It seemed like a waste of time and page space that ultimately went nowhere. The people who actually committed the crimes had very little in the way of a clear motive - yes, they were working for bigger bads, but that kind of came out of left field at the end with no obvious reason for them to risk themselves to do so. And finally, the rather... explosive... last few pages also didn't seem well supported by the rest of the story. The big bads seemed poised to win if they did nothing, yet for some reason they sabotaged all their efforts with an overblown dramatic gesture that unraveled their whole plan. It seemed like more of a narrative convenience to extricate Qwill permanently from the story and return him to Moose County, rather than a logical progression of events.
Lastly, ways it doesn't hold up: This book was published three decades ago, and it shows. Jokes about people's "weird" names, stereotypes of various kinds, Qwill's objectification of women and "cute" minor misogyny. While no specific example is terribly dire, Braun can't go more than a few pages without peppering one or more of these in, and it makes the story feel a lot more regressive than it needs to be for no real reason.
Final verdict: This is an okay mystery for a beach read or brain break. The best part was Braun's imagining of the Casablanca. The low points were a resolution that seemed rushed and poorly-supported, and some unfortunate narrative choices that pulled me out of the story as a current reader. Overall, not bad but not a can't-miss.
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