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The Cat Who... #21
The Cat Who Saw Stars
an alternate cover edition can be found here
UFOs in Mooseville? Rumors abound that a missing backpacker has been abducted, and it looks like Jim Qwilleran's sedate summer may be interrupted by an investigation -- with the help of his own little aliens, Koko and Yum Yum. And when the backpacker's body turns up -- and transplanted Floridian Owen Bowen is found dead soon afterward -- the search for intelligent life turns into a close encounter with a killer...
UFOs in Mooseville? Rumors abound that a missing backpacker has been abducted, and it looks like Jim Qwilleran's sedate summer may be interrupted by an investigation -- with the help of his own little aliens, Koko and Yum Yum. And when the backpacker's body turns up -- and transplanted Floridian Owen Bowen is found dead soon afterward -- the search for intelligent life turns into a close encounter with a killer...
287 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 11, 1999
150 people are currently reading
2208 people want to read
About the author
Lilian Jackson Braun
193 books1,713 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 335 reviews
September 24, 2017
Book Review
3 out of 5 stars to The Cat Who Saw Stars, the 21st book in the "Cat Who" cozy mystery series, written in 1998 by Lilian Jackson Braun. By this time, the series is will under way, almost writing itself. The mysteries are mostly just light and cute, revolving around different people in the town and the outsiders who visit Moose County. I'm not a huge fan of extra-terrestrial and UFO stories, as there isn't a whole lot to do with them when it comes to characters or plot; it always ends up being the same thing. But this one is, of course, not really a UFO; there's no chance the small town of Pickax has aliens running around. It's just someone doing something they shouldn't be, and when they're caught, and a dead body turns up, there's gotta be some funny connection, right? The story was a bit of a stretch, didn't do a whole lot for me, but it was still a quick and enjoyable read. You can tell Braun works hard to add something different with each bookl sometimes it's great, other times it's just average. This was an average one. Nothing bad, just nothing thoroughly exciting. But I enjoy the books and the characters, and it makes me feel like I'm around friends and family when reading them. And that's what counts, given why I'm reading them!
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.
3 out of 5 stars to The Cat Who Saw Stars, the 21st book in the "Cat Who" cozy mystery series, written in 1998 by Lilian Jackson Braun. By this time, the series is will under way, almost writing itself. The mysteries are mostly just light and cute, revolving around different people in the town and the outsiders who visit Moose County. I'm not a huge fan of extra-terrestrial and UFO stories, as there isn't a whole lot to do with them when it comes to characters or plot; it always ends up being the same thing. But this one is, of course, not really a UFO; there's no chance the small town of Pickax has aliens running around. It's just someone doing something they shouldn't be, and when they're caught, and a dead body turns up, there's gotta be some funny connection, right? The story was a bit of a stretch, didn't do a whole lot for me, but it was still a quick and enjoyable read. You can tell Braun works hard to add something different with each bookl sometimes it's great, other times it's just average. This was an average one. Nothing bad, just nothing thoroughly exciting. But I enjoy the books and the characters, and it makes me feel like I'm around friends and family when reading them. And that's what counts, given why I'm reading them!
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.
October 28, 2019
The 21st …Cat Who… was a big, boring mess. I think it took me longer to slog through this one than the previous 20 combined. It is only my extreme affection for this series and these characters that stops me from giving it one star.
The story: Qwill and the cats head back Moose County for a short vacation at their luxurious cabin by the lake. There were a lot of interesting ideas that in previous novels, the author might have done something fun with: UFOs; a woman obsessed with crows (the birds, not Native Americans); a sudden outbreak of knitting; a big Fourth of July parade including a children's dog-cart race.
The problem is, these quirky elements were described without much humor, nor were they really tied together in any cohesive way. Most of the usual characters flit in and out of the action but fail to do anything memorable. It seems to me that Braun phoned this one in and relied on the loyalty of her readers to just go with it and choose not to notice that it was deadly dull and had no plot.
The final straw was this ridiculous incident at the very end, that was out of character for the sensible, cynical Qwill and off-tone for the series in general:
Originally published: 1998
Body Count: 3
Preceded by: …Sang for the Birds
Next Up: …Robbed a Bank
The story: Qwill and the cats head back Moose County for a short vacation at their luxurious cabin by the lake. There were a lot of interesting ideas that in previous novels, the author might have done something fun with: UFOs; a woman obsessed with crows (the birds, not Native Americans); a sudden outbreak of knitting; a big Fourth of July parade including a children's dog-cart race.
The problem is, these quirky elements were described without much humor, nor were they really tied together in any cohesive way. Most of the usual characters flit in and out of the action but fail to do anything memorable. It seems to me that Braun phoned this one in and relied on the loyalty of her readers to just go with it and choose not to notice that it was deadly dull and had no plot.
The final straw was this ridiculous incident at the very end, that was out of character for the sensible, cynical Qwill and off-tone for the series in general:
Originally published: 1998
Body Count: 3
Preceded by: …Sang for the Birds
Next Up: …Robbed a Bank
October 20, 2018
Second Read: Been about four years since I read this book, when in the library, saw this book and thought I must be in the mood, so checked this one out, and they are a quick read and very enjoyable to read again. I'm a big fan of this series, and a cat person too. I compare them to my cat, no comparison at all, but I love the cats. This book is fun, and Qwill has a good visit with his old friends in Mooseville. They were going there for a one month vacation. But seeing what they thought was UFO's and a killing, and other things drove them to go back to their home.
First Read: I've read almost all of Lilian Jackson Braun's books. Qwilleran is like an old friend after the many years I've read these books. Braun's writing style has changed some over the years, and perhaps isn't quite as sharp as it was in her earlier books. I still enjoy them, and can read one in an afternoon! Enjoy & Recommend.
First Read: I've read almost all of Lilian Jackson Braun's books. Qwilleran is like an old friend after the many years I've read these books. Braun's writing style has changed some over the years, and perhaps isn't quite as sharp as it was in her earlier books. I still enjoy them, and can read one in an afternoon! Enjoy & Recommend.
October 22, 2017
I like this series a lot. Unfortunately, I ended up listening to the two that follow before I could get this one. I tried to wait as long as possible, but they were due back to the library and I knew it would take forever to get them back. Anyway, it was an interesting story, perhaps not the strongest, but still fun to read. I thought the very end was funny and if true, explains a lot.
February 7, 2019
Although the mystery in this book, as others in the series, is not exciting (there usually isn't much sleuthing and it practically solves itself) the people, and the cats, are very endearing, and I enjoy reading each escapade. Just small town people, but it's a really feel good book!
April 9, 2017
Qwill decides to head to his rarely used Summer cabin for a change of scenery and also because the main woman in his life, Polly, has gone on holidays herself with her sister. While there, Koko starts acting strangely, and the new chef's husband is killed while they are out in their boat. SOmething is fishy with the Ogilvie daughter, and Qwill has to use all his interviewing techniques to find out the truth and work out what is really happening. This one has the crow lady (I say this because I can't remember the name for a person who studies crows, I always improve my vocabulary reading this books, but often so many new and strange words are introduced I can't keep up)
A nice change of scene book, and just as enjoyable as ever. The cat who books are best read with a lazy cat at your feet or on your lap; every time Koko does something odd I look strangely at my pair and wonder if reading aloud would make them smarter?
A nice change of scene book, and just as enjoyable as ever. The cat who books are best read with a lazy cat at your feet or on your lap; every time Koko does something odd I look strangely at my pair and wonder if reading aloud would make them smarter?
October 3, 2010
This one was better than the last but Braun seems to be taking the direction of introducing weird subplots and then never fully following them up (i.e. the backpacker??). I also felt the main plot was clouded and the resolution was somewhat incomplete. Ernie was willing to confide the murder to Barb who'd been having an affair with her husband?? Why would she not think Barb would go to the police? The body was not found? Ernie happens to get killed in a sinkhole? Why the great focus on Elizabeth and her shop the last few books when she doesn't really add anything to the story? Braun's writing is definitely starting its decline in these last couple of books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2015
Many years ago, when I was a teen and dinosaurs roamed the earth, I read the very first “Cat Who” book: “The Cat Who Could Read Backwards” and enjoyed it. Decades later, I discovered that Braun had written a whole series of ‘Cat Who’ mysteries. So I picked this book up when I saw it.
The protagonist, a news reporter named Qwilleran, is still the same. He’s a recovered alcoholic with literate tastes and a sixth sense for news. The cat, Koko, (the one who could read backwards) is still with him (Koko also has a sixth sense for news and finds ways to communicate these things to Qwilleran), and has been joined by Yum Yum, another Siamese. Qwilleran and cats have moved from a big city to a small town. The cats are not like the ones in the Mrs. Murphey Mysteries by Rita Mae Brown- Brown’s cats talk amongst themselves like humans; Braun’s do not. The only thoughts we are privy to are Qwilleran’s.
Sadly, this book was not like the first one. It’s the 21st book in the series, and Braun seems to have lost her touch on this one. It’s disjointed and lacks any tension. A person turns up dead near the beginning, and that mystery is never solved- barely mentioned later. There are a couple of instances where a scene starts and goes a ways, then there are a few sentences that contradict what just happened. While the ending is dramatic, it has nothing to do with the murders at all. It all has an air of “And then this happened. And this. And this” and very little of it advances the story other than in time. It’s fitting that it occurs in summer, because it really reads like “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” by a 6th grader.
The protagonist, a news reporter named Qwilleran, is still the same. He’s a recovered alcoholic with literate tastes and a sixth sense for news. The cat, Koko, (the one who could read backwards) is still with him (Koko also has a sixth sense for news and finds ways to communicate these things to Qwilleran), and has been joined by Yum Yum, another Siamese. Qwilleran and cats have moved from a big city to a small town. The cats are not like the ones in the Mrs. Murphey Mysteries by Rita Mae Brown- Brown’s cats talk amongst themselves like humans; Braun’s do not. The only thoughts we are privy to are Qwilleran’s.
Sadly, this book was not like the first one. It’s the 21st book in the series, and Braun seems to have lost her touch on this one. It’s disjointed and lacks any tension. A person turns up dead near the beginning, and that mystery is never solved- barely mentioned later. There are a couple of instances where a scene starts and goes a ways, then there are a few sentences that contradict what just happened. While the ending is dramatic, it has nothing to do with the murders at all. It all has an air of “And then this happened. And this. And this” and very little of it advances the story other than in time. It’s fitting that it occurs in summer, because it really reads like “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” by a 6th grader.
July 2, 2020
Re-reading this book was like a visit with an old friend. I marvel at the vocabulary Braun uses. While the plot wasn't stellar, and the topic of UFO's not at the top of my list, the characters are pleasant.
September 11, 2018
This is my first "The Cat Who.." read. It's been fun, cute and entertaining.
I wouldn't say it's a brilliant book, but it's definitely enjoyable. I'll pass it on to my younger sister to read.
I wouldn't say it's a brilliant book, but it's definitely enjoyable. I'll pass it on to my younger sister to read.
April 4, 2025
cette fin était ADORABLE
October 17, 2012
BOTTOM LINE: This 21st Qwilleran story is a sweet and quirky cosy that's rather disconnected in spots and feels as though the book has been "pasted together". Not bad and still rather entertaining for long-time fans like myself, but if you're not already a die-hard fan you're not likely to enjoy this much.
Odd things always seem to happen to Qwill whenever he tries to vacation at the lake cabin, and this time is no exception. “Visitors”. Aliens. Trespassers. Murderers. And a loony Fourth of July parade, an extremely unfriendly shopkeeper, and Willard The Weatherman’s unusual cousin, make for an active visit.
Another nice visit with Qwill and the folks, and the cats, and a fairly good mystery plot as well, but the tone is a mite sticky-sweet, and there’s far too much woo-woo and ‘way too much of odd tales told to Qwill by old folks. A “good enough” book for long-time fans like myself but, oh, the quality of writing in this long series has certainly diminished over the years, especially since the mid-1990s.
December 2006
Odd things always seem to happen to Qwill whenever he tries to vacation at the lake cabin, and this time is no exception. “Visitors”. Aliens. Trespassers. Murderers. And a loony Fourth of July parade, an extremely unfriendly shopkeeper, and Willard The Weatherman’s unusual cousin, make for an active visit.
Another nice visit with Qwill and the folks, and the cats, and a fairly good mystery plot as well, but the tone is a mite sticky-sweet, and there’s far too much woo-woo and ‘way too much of odd tales told to Qwill by old folks. A “good enough” book for long-time fans like myself but, oh, the quality of writing in this long series has certainly diminished over the years, especially since the mid-1990s.
December 2006
April 2, 2010
I love these books. Qwilleran, KoKo and Yum Yum are at it again in Mooseville. This time it is murder and UFO's. They are such a fun trio to read about. I want a cottage in Mooseville with two siamese cats! Lilian describes the beach, water, town and people so well, I feel as though I know them. I can picture it all and it is beautiful. Another great "cat who" book.
January 2, 2022
This series always makes me smile. I love Yum Yum and Koko and of course Qwill. I love the descriptions of the people and the places Qwill goes. I liked the story line and all the little side stories that make this book a really good read. The bit I didn't like was the last few pages they were just silly to me.
June 9, 2017
Love the "cat" books!
April 4, 2024
I found a lot of aspects of this book lazy, such as the naming, “Owen Bowen” “Qwilleran” naming a town “Brr,” “mooseville” “moose county” to name a few. Yea this book took me a while to read as I’m in school but I was not engaged with it either. If you are looking for a cat mystery I preferred Sophie Kelly’s works!
July 2, 2020
Re-reading this book was like a visit with an old friend. I marvel at the vocabulary Braun uses. While the plot wasn't stellar, and the topic of UFO's not at the top of my list, the characters are pleasant.
March 3, 2024
I loved the ending!!
September 29, 2025
2 people die in this little town. Good thing Koko is around. I love how Koko uses books and objects around the house to give clues.
August 28, 2023
More action with Qwill and Koko.
November 7, 2021
In this installment I felt like part of the story was left untold. But maybe it was on purpose, to go along with the unusual obsession of many Moose County residents. Still a fun read, regardless.
December 5, 2020
Only Steven Spielberg as creator of ET could find me charmed by a story about an Extra-Terrestrial and Lilian Jackson Braun as creator of "The Cat Who... Series" could find me enchanted by a story with the possibilities of UFO sightings in Mooseville. I simply love this series from the author's continued dedication of each novel to "The husband who..." to reading the next adventure of James (Qwill to his friends) Qwilleran, to the sleuthing feline assistance by clue master Koko and the lovely and playful Yum Yum, to all of the other secondary characters that make this series so captivating to read.
I can best describe reading a novel in this series to my pleasure at eating chocolate. I savor each piece but am always ready for another. For the series, I can hardly believe I've read over 1/2 the series already and I've enjoyed each and every one. Thankfully, there are a few more treats and I know each one will be entertaining.
I can best describe reading a novel in this series to my pleasure at eating chocolate. I savor each piece but am always ready for another. For the series, I can hardly believe I've read over 1/2 the series already and I've enjoyed each and every one. Thankfully, there are a few more treats and I know each one will be entertaining.
April 25, 2011
Qwill takes the cats to Mooseville for a month's vacation at his cottage, since Polly is visiting her sister in Canada. The recent news in Mooseville is the disappearance of a back-packer who's body is found on Qwill's beach buried in a sand dune (due to Koko's digging). Qwill does the announcing for the annual dog cart race, goes out with Bushy on his new boat, and eats at the new restaurant run by a couple from Florida. When the husband dies while out on the lake, Qwill wonders if something funny is going on. Derek Cuttlebrink is working as a server at the new restaurant and has inside information. Weatherby Goode's cousin, Tess, comes to visit Qwill and stays for several days in his new guest cottage, cooking him some of his favourite meals. Tess is working on a movie about crows. The weather is very dry, then suddenly a three day downpour makes Qwill want to head back to Pickax but the roads are flooded. When the sun comes out again, there's a loud explosion in Mooseville, and the giant dune caves in, taking the new restaurant and the chef with it.
Qwill wonders about a young woman who he sees walking on his beach and in Mooseville and learns she's the dead back packer's girlfriend. This is left unanswered and may be visited in a future book.
Qwill wonders about a young woman who he sees walking on his beach and in Mooseville and learns she's the dead back packer's girlfriend. This is left unanswered and may be visited in a future book.
January 16, 2015
Qwill and the cats are at the cabin in Mooseville for what is to be a month vacation that lasts a couple of weeks. Shortly after they arrive, a backpacker is found dead on the beach, buried under a mound of sand. Later, the proprietor of a restaurant goes missing. Qwill thinks there is more going on than is reported. Can he and Koko get to the truth?
Didn't enjoy this as much as most of the series. I know they are light, but this one, very much so. Also, there seem to be so many different story lines going on that it is a bit disjointed. Disappointing.
Didn't enjoy this as much as most of the series. I know they are light, but this one, very much so. Also, there seem to be so many different story lines going on that it is a bit disjointed. Disappointing.
August 29, 2014
When I picked this book, I did not realize it was one of the later Cat books. typical of other "late" books, in 287 pages of this one, there are about ten sentences that relate to the so-called "mystery." Some of the meager mystery elements are not even tied in by the end. The rest is just local color, and not nearly as witty or charming as the earlier books. What a disappointment-- and a waste of my time.
October 14, 2012
I'm enjoying The Cat Who series immensely. They are a nice combination of small town happenings, antics of the delightful Siamese cats, and some mystery/murders to solve. I've been trying to read them more or less in chronological order which gives a nice picture of the changes in Pickax and in the development of the town characters.
September 6, 2010
Great book, and I would read it again. The main character, James Mackintosh Qwilleran, is one of my favorite characters, I like him very much. I enjoy his relationship with his cats, and the adventures they find themselves in.
February 12, 2014
Was anything solved in this? There were more loose ends than in the infamous 'Big Sleep' when Chandler just forgot about a stiff he left in a car. Random unidentified potential suspects, numerous deus ex machine... Not pleased.
October 4, 2015
This one was a little harder to stay with. Polly was put to the side, which was fine. I've enjoyed how new characters have been introduced in previous stories, and they grow throughout the series.
July 31, 2016
No review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews