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The Cat Who... #2
The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern
Jim Qwilleran and his cat Koko get a taste of trouble in the second mystery in the bestselling Cat Who series.
Jim Qwilleran isn’t exactly overwhelmed by his new assignment for the Daily Fluxion. Interior design has never been one of his specialties and now he’s supposed to turn out an entire magazine on the subject every week! But the first issue of Gracious Abodes is barely off the presses when Qwilleran finds himself back on more familiar territory—the exclusive residence featured on the cover has been burglarized and the lady of the house found dead.
Now Qwilleran and his brilliant Siamese cat, Koko, have their respective moustache and whiskers twitching. And when Koko starts pawing clues in the dictionary and sniffing designer furniture, Qwilleran finds himself doing a feature on a very clever murder...
Jim Qwilleran isn’t exactly overwhelmed by his new assignment for the Daily Fluxion. Interior design has never been one of his specialties and now he’s supposed to turn out an entire magazine on the subject every week! But the first issue of Gracious Abodes is barely off the presses when Qwilleran finds himself back on more familiar territory—the exclusive residence featured on the cover has been burglarized and the lady of the house found dead.
Now Qwilleran and his brilliant Siamese cat, Koko, have their respective moustache and whiskers twitching. And when Koko starts pawing clues in the dictionary and sniffing designer furniture, Qwilleran finds himself doing a feature on a very clever murder...
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1967
617 people are currently reading
2901 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 - 29 of 725 reviews
May 16, 2020
Background
The summer after I graduated from college, I started missing regular reading... during school, I had less personal choice and recreational reads, as all the college textbooks and novels were the priority. I was an English major and rarely had time for adding in my own particular interests. The last course I had taken was an independent study that one of my professors and I had built the curriculum on together: Murder Mysteries. I learned all about the genres and sub-genres, authors and styles. One in particular I grew fond of was the cozy mystery. I also had a thing about wanting a Siamese cat. And so... my love affair with Lilian Jackson Braun began. Finding myself without required reading, I selected a few books, including this cozy mystery series, and I read through a huge amount in the first few years.
Review
People either love or dislike the cozy mystery book. Sometimes it's too simple. I get that. But sometimes, it's exactly what you want to read before bed, when you need to relax, or because it's just fun and charming humor and easy story.
Braun started writing in 1960s and published a few of these books, then stopped writing for 25 years before re-igniting the series in the 1980s... producing another 25+ in the collection. This is book number two, and it is where Qwill, the main character, adopts his second Siamese cat when its owner... for reasons I cannot disclose... can no longer care for YumYum. And thus begins the life of these 3 primary characters in the entire series.
Qwill is a really likable character. He's about 60, a bit ornery, highly intelligent, very set in his ways, and the object of every woman over 60 in town. There are less male protagonists in cozy novels than female leads, which make this a bit of a unique series. It was one of the very first series that put the cozy sub-genre on the market. And the world that Braun creates in Moose County is just amazing.
In this book, Qwill hasn't yet moved to Moose County, so you're still learning background about him and his prior life before becoming sober and everything changing post divorce. And he's asked to write a story and column about home design, something he has very little knowledge of.
It's a very cute story with a cast of strong characters, a few of which move with him to Moose County along the path. This book establishes his relationship with the two cats, including their extra-strong senses when it comes to helping him solve crimes.
Yes, the cats come up a lot. Always funny. But the mystery is the focus, I promise. It's worth a shot to see if you're hooked on the series, but if you do... you have to read the first 3 or 4, so you can see his initial move to Moose Country where 90% of the books take place.
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.
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[polldaddy poll=9719251]
The summer after I graduated from college, I started missing regular reading... during school, I had less personal choice and recreational reads, as all the college textbooks and novels were the priority. I was an English major and rarely had time for adding in my own particular interests. The last course I had taken was an independent study that one of my professors and I had built the curriculum on together: Murder Mysteries. I learned all about the genres and sub-genres, authors and styles. One in particular I grew fond of was the cozy mystery. I also had a thing about wanting a Siamese cat. And so... my love affair with Lilian Jackson Braun began. Finding myself without required reading, I selected a few books, including this cozy mystery series, and I read through a huge amount in the first few years.
Review
People either love or dislike the cozy mystery book. Sometimes it's too simple. I get that. But sometimes, it's exactly what you want to read before bed, when you need to relax, or because it's just fun and charming humor and easy story.
Braun started writing in 1960s and published a few of these books, then stopped writing for 25 years before re-igniting the series in the 1980s... producing another 25+ in the collection. This is book number two, and it is where Qwill, the main character, adopts his second Siamese cat when its owner... for reasons I cannot disclose... can no longer care for YumYum. And thus begins the life of these 3 primary characters in the entire series.
Qwill is a really likable character. He's about 60, a bit ornery, highly intelligent, very set in his ways, and the object of every woman over 60 in town. There are less male protagonists in cozy novels than female leads, which make this a bit of a unique series. It was one of the very first series that put the cozy sub-genre on the market. And the world that Braun creates in Moose County is just amazing.
In this book, Qwill hasn't yet moved to Moose County, so you're still learning background about him and his prior life before becoming sober and everything changing post divorce. And he's asked to write a story and column about home design, something he has very little knowledge of.
It's a very cute story with a cast of strong characters, a few of which move with him to Moose County along the path. This book establishes his relationship with the two cats, including their extra-strong senses when it comes to helping him solve crimes.
Yes, the cats come up a lot. Always funny. But the mystery is the focus, I promise. It's worth a shot to see if you're hooked on the series, but if you do... you have to read the first 3 or 4, so you can see his initial move to Moose Country where 90% of the books take place.
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.
[polldaddy poll=9729544]
[polldaddy poll=9719251]
September 19, 2018
So, the return of Koko and Jim, sees them embroiled in the interior decorating business, and learning never to say drapes. Clues abound as Jim ably assisted by Koko set up a new magazine and surreptitiously investigate a theft and a murder.
Koko, is as ever on the ball and Jim’s moustache quivers at red herrings and false leads. All in all another enjoyable cozy cat detective novel.
Koko, is as ever on the ball and Jim’s moustache quivers at red herrings and false leads. All in all another enjoyable cozy cat detective novel.
June 16, 2025
Plan to reread entire series halted. Perhaps aborted. The books are the same (apparently) but I am not. They are pleasant enough, but I want something more than just pleasant.
I would recommend this series for cat lovers who also like cozy mysteries and journalism, although if I recall correctly, the main character does retire at some point and moves into an apple barn. But that could just be a fever dream I once had. Who knows?
I would recommend this series for cat lovers who also like cozy mysteries and journalism, although if I recall correctly, the main character does retire at some point and moves into an apple barn. But that could just be a fever dream I once had. Who knows?
August 13, 2021
Book on CD performed by George Guidall
3***
Book two in the “Cat Who” cozy mystery series, starring journalist James Qwilleran and his Siamese Koko. Much to his chagrin, Qwill has been assigned to write pieces for a new interior design magazine insert for the Fluxion. There’s a tight deadline so he asks a couple of leading interior designers for a lead and goes to the home of a wealthy jade collector and his invalid wife. The home itself is interesting, but the jade collection is spectacular. Unfortunately, right after the story is published there is a burglary at the featured abode, and the wife dies of an apparent heart attack. Qwilleran doesn’t believe the article – or a stranger – was to blame and he begins to look into things.
I like this series, set in an unnamed northern-midwest city (possibly in Michigan, which is where the author lived). I like the way Qwill ferrets out information, and how he’s beginning to notice that his cat is quite astute. Love the dictionary game they play! The plot is full of twists and turns, as well as a colorful assortment of characters, good and bad. Photographer Odd Bunsen is an able sidekick.
I also like that Braun doesn’t anthropomorphize Koko. He’s a cat and behaves like a cat, though he has an uncanny ability to provide clues – like coughing up a bit of fabric, or insisting that Qwill retrieve his toy mouse from under a piece of furniture, where the journalist happens to also find a single gold earring.
I also like that the time frame is before internet or cell phones and old-fashioned detecting is required to solve the case. Qwill’s journalism background provides a great framework.
George Guidall does a reasonably good job of performing the audio. There’s something about his delivery though … perhaps he sounds jaded or bored? … that initially put me off, but once I let myself focus on the plot I didn’t notice this so much.
3***
Book two in the “Cat Who” cozy mystery series, starring journalist James Qwilleran and his Siamese Koko. Much to his chagrin, Qwill has been assigned to write pieces for a new interior design magazine insert for the Fluxion. There’s a tight deadline so he asks a couple of leading interior designers for a lead and goes to the home of a wealthy jade collector and his invalid wife. The home itself is interesting, but the jade collection is spectacular. Unfortunately, right after the story is published there is a burglary at the featured abode, and the wife dies of an apparent heart attack. Qwilleran doesn’t believe the article – or a stranger – was to blame and he begins to look into things.
I like this series, set in an unnamed northern-midwest city (possibly in Michigan, which is where the author lived). I like the way Qwill ferrets out information, and how he’s beginning to notice that his cat is quite astute. Love the dictionary game they play! The plot is full of twists and turns, as well as a colorful assortment of characters, good and bad. Photographer Odd Bunsen is an able sidekick.
I also like that Braun doesn’t anthropomorphize Koko. He’s a cat and behaves like a cat, though he has an uncanny ability to provide clues – like coughing up a bit of fabric, or insisting that Qwill retrieve his toy mouse from under a piece of furniture, where the journalist happens to also find a single gold earring.
I also like that the time frame is before internet or cell phones and old-fashioned detecting is required to solve the case. Qwill’s journalism background provides a great framework.
George Guidall does a reasonably good job of performing the audio. There’s something about his delivery though … perhaps he sounds jaded or bored? … that initially put me off, but once I let myself focus on the plot I didn’t notice this so much.
October 17, 2019
This was a cute cozy mystery. All I remembered from the previous book was quill and koko's twitching moustache/whiskers. Odd Bunsen's antics were hilarious, hope he continues to entertain just the same throughtout the series. The mystery was quite intriguing, I tried very hard to pin the killer and motive but I failed. And we're introduced to the second cat, yum yum, who becomes a part an integral part of the series in the upcoming books. That said, this is definitely a series I'm going to continue.
March 16, 2025
This book is Jackson's second of her series of many many books. She wrote it in 1967, and this starts to get the ball rolling. I have definitely read them all or just shy a couple. I love them, they are very entertaining for me.
When I found this one in the Library, there were so many of them that I didn't remember the title of this one, and my history states that I had read it the first time in 1992. Lilian Jackson Braun's "Cat Who..." series is a perennial favorite of mine. I read my first ones at about age twenty five or thirty years ago, and have been hooked on them since. My Mom and I read them at the same time and thoroughly enjoyed them. She's gone now, but she was an amazing reader and it was fun to share things we both liked together. In fact, the day she died, she had been to the library that morning. Came home and she was gone. My poor dad. They're all fairly quick reads, nicely paced whodunnits featuring a mustachioed former crime reporter and his genius cat Koko. Clean enough that all but the most squeamish can handle the content. Clever and fun with a few twists and turns along the way. Great for summer reading.
Lilian Jackson Braun (1913-2011) published three mystery novels between 1966 and 1968, works that established central character James Qwilleran as divorced, a recovering alcoholic, and a newspaper reporter who finds himself unexpectedly drawn to a pair of Siamese cats—and who uses their unexpected insights to unravel the murders he encounters in his work. Qwill is a very inteesting man. His career working on the newspaper crime scene has set the scene for the next book All three books were more about character than mystery, and they were popular bestsellers of the era. For reasons that remain unclear, Braun stopped the series at that point—and then unexpectedly revived it eighteen years later, ultimately producing 29 novels and several three related works.
In my opinion, the three early novels are the best in the series; while most of her books have tremendous charm, her later books are very loosely written (several of her final books so much so that they are extremely weak) and increasingly fanciful; her first novels, however, have a tighter construction and a more forceful narrative. The second novel, THE CAT WHO ATE DANISH MODERN, was published in 1967, and presents leading character Qwill as a recovering alcoholic trying to recover his career as a reporter at The Daily Fluxion—where he is now (much to his annoyance) ordered to produce a weekly tabloid on home decorating named “Gracious Abodes.”
Qwill’s first edition features George and Signe Tait’s high-tone estate in Muggy Swamp, and focuses on Mr. Tait’s jade collection. Unfortunately, the edition is scarcely out when the estate is burgled, the jade is stolen, and Mrs. Tait is dead of a heart attack. Along the way Qwil finds a new apartment, a second Siamese cat he names Yum Yum, and meets a good many unexpected characters in the home decorating field. Braun never competed with the likes of Agatha Christie, but she has a light touch, and when she is at her best her novels are compulsively readable. The notion of a cat who helps solve murders is extremely far-fetched, but in this particular title she carries it off with considerable aplomb, and the cast of characters, story, and atmosphere are extremely entertaining.
This book he is having the fun of getting his second cat YumYum. a sweet and small Siamese. Being only the second book of the series, I really have enjoyed reading them again. The first time I read them, Qwill had not inherited his millions and was not rich yet. He is starting at the beginning and building his career, friendships, etc. I recommend this series if you haven't read them. They stand alone, however there are characters you will get to know if read in order. Highly Recommend.
When I found this one in the Library, there were so many of them that I didn't remember the title of this one, and my history states that I had read it the first time in 1992. Lilian Jackson Braun's "Cat Who..." series is a perennial favorite of mine. I read my first ones at about age twenty five or thirty years ago, and have been hooked on them since. My Mom and I read them at the same time and thoroughly enjoyed them. She's gone now, but she was an amazing reader and it was fun to share things we both liked together. In fact, the day she died, she had been to the library that morning. Came home and she was gone. My poor dad. They're all fairly quick reads, nicely paced whodunnits featuring a mustachioed former crime reporter and his genius cat Koko. Clean enough that all but the most squeamish can handle the content. Clever and fun with a few twists and turns along the way. Great for summer reading.
Lilian Jackson Braun (1913-2011) published three mystery novels between 1966 and 1968, works that established central character James Qwilleran as divorced, a recovering alcoholic, and a newspaper reporter who finds himself unexpectedly drawn to a pair of Siamese cats—and who uses their unexpected insights to unravel the murders he encounters in his work. Qwill is a very inteesting man. His career working on the newspaper crime scene has set the scene for the next book All three books were more about character than mystery, and they were popular bestsellers of the era. For reasons that remain unclear, Braun stopped the series at that point—and then unexpectedly revived it eighteen years later, ultimately producing 29 novels and several three related works.
In my opinion, the three early novels are the best in the series; while most of her books have tremendous charm, her later books are very loosely written (several of her final books so much so that they are extremely weak) and increasingly fanciful; her first novels, however, have a tighter construction and a more forceful narrative. The second novel, THE CAT WHO ATE DANISH MODERN, was published in 1967, and presents leading character Qwill as a recovering alcoholic trying to recover his career as a reporter at The Daily Fluxion—where he is now (much to his annoyance) ordered to produce a weekly tabloid on home decorating named “Gracious Abodes.”
Qwill’s first edition features George and Signe Tait’s high-tone estate in Muggy Swamp, and focuses on Mr. Tait’s jade collection. Unfortunately, the edition is scarcely out when the estate is burgled, the jade is stolen, and Mrs. Tait is dead of a heart attack. Along the way Qwil finds a new apartment, a second Siamese cat he names Yum Yum, and meets a good many unexpected characters in the home decorating field. Braun never competed with the likes of Agatha Christie, but she has a light touch, and when she is at her best her novels are compulsively readable. The notion of a cat who helps solve murders is extremely far-fetched, but in this particular title she carries it off with considerable aplomb, and the cast of characters, story, and atmosphere are extremely entertaining.
This book he is having the fun of getting his second cat YumYum. a sweet and small Siamese. Being only the second book of the series, I really have enjoyed reading them again. The first time I read them, Qwill had not inherited his millions and was not rich yet. He is starting at the beginning and building his career, friendships, etc. I recommend this series if you haven't read them. They stand alone, however there are characters you will get to know if read in order. Highly Recommend.
February 9, 2018
In this second book, Qwilleran is back, now the official owner of the amazing Siamese cat named Koko, whose owner was murdered. This time Jim's beat is...interior design. Tasked with producing a weekly insert for The Daily Fluxion called, obnoxiously, "Gracious Abodes," Jim attacks the assignment with reluctance - he knows nothing about interior design. But he is soon immersed in design-world intrigue that includes, of course, murder. Again, the mystery here is almost beside the point.
This book as funnier than the first - I laughed out loud quite a few times. There is a running gag that designers refer to all colors as foods; a conceit which becomes more and more absurd: Parsley, Mushroom, Caramel Custard, Avocado, Poppy Seed, Dried Fig, Cream of Carrot.
Odd Bunsen is back; in this installment we learn that he has six children and a fondness for strong drink (probably related concepts). Also Qwill's age is pegged as "over 45" which is a bit younger than I imagine him. He acquires a pretty younger girlfriend named Alacoque Wright, or Cokey for short. (I don't trust her. At one point, Koko bites her in the head, so the relationship is surely doomed.) Another important development is the appearance of Yum Yum. At the very end of the book, she plays an important role, and becomes a permanent fixture in the Qwilleran household.
First Published: 1967
Body Count: 3
Preceded by: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards
Next up: The Cat Who Turned on and Off
This book as funnier than the first - I laughed out loud quite a few times. There is a running gag that designers refer to all colors as foods; a conceit which becomes more and more absurd: Parsley, Mushroom, Caramel Custard, Avocado, Poppy Seed, Dried Fig, Cream of Carrot.
Suddenly, Qwilleran saw the color scheme of the office with new eyes. It was Pea Soup Green, and the walls were painted Roquefort, and the vinyl floor was Pumpernickel...
Odd Bunsen is back; in this installment we learn that he has six children and a fondness for strong drink (probably related concepts). Also Qwill's age is pegged as "over 45" which is a bit younger than I imagine him. He acquires a pretty younger girlfriend named Alacoque Wright, or Cokey for short. (I don't trust her. At one point, Koko bites her in the head, so the relationship is surely doomed.) Another important development is the appearance of Yum Yum. At the very end of the book, she plays an important role, and becomes a permanent fixture in the Qwilleran household.
First Published: 1967
Body Count: 3
Preceded by: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards
Next up: The Cat Who Turned on and Off
May 29, 2014
I treasure books featuring cats. I’m thrilled Lilian Jackson Braun exceeds by far, novels that depict but barely mention them. Better than that, her hero Jim Qwilleran’s routine with them is presented the most realistically I’ve ever seen. You see the minute he arrives home, he checks for his young ones. He may exclaim at evidence of what they’ve done, which is truly the way it goes, sees to their needs, but a real animal person lives with them. You don’t drop off food and forget they communicate and interact. I applaud Lilian for this accuracy alone.
What I discovered about these works next, which languished in my home too long, is supremely well-written mysteries. Come book two, “The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern”, 1967, I noticed a different field being explored. We stroll a step from art, to interior design. As Jim amasses information about the trade, we do too. Fiction is often a teacher like that. I ponder the extent of research the author must have embarked upon, to present all of this flavour in her vast suite of books. It is amusing to observe, in the first four: Jim and the kitties have a different home every time! On television, we are anchored by a setting. Perhaps this is mute in literature. Kitties are territorial in some ways but remaining with those they love, is all that matters. Clever scenarios result in the availability of these homes.
Jim’s boss proposes a colour spread on designer homes of the city. Their rival newspaper is pleased the launch is bumpy because each house featured, fell victim to a crime. Their reputation warrants private perusal of clues. ‘Danish modern’ refers to couches but this story is adventurous. We meet Yum-Yum and the special, melodic inspiration of this sweetheart being renamed.
What I discovered about these works next, which languished in my home too long, is supremely well-written mysteries. Come book two, “The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern”, 1967, I noticed a different field being explored. We stroll a step from art, to interior design. As Jim amasses information about the trade, we do too. Fiction is often a teacher like that. I ponder the extent of research the author must have embarked upon, to present all of this flavour in her vast suite of books. It is amusing to observe, in the first four: Jim and the kitties have a different home every time! On television, we are anchored by a setting. Perhaps this is mute in literature. Kitties are territorial in some ways but remaining with those they love, is all that matters. Clever scenarios result in the availability of these homes.
Jim’s boss proposes a colour spread on designer homes of the city. Their rival newspaper is pleased the launch is bumpy because each house featured, fell victim to a crime. Their reputation warrants private perusal of clues. ‘Danish modern’ refers to couches but this story is adventurous. We meet Yum-Yum and the special, melodic inspiration of this sweetheart being renamed.
January 19, 2011
Half way thru the book I realized there was only Koko, and then I realized (after some googling) that this was the second book of The Cat Who series. Now I'll want to read the other two old ones too (already on the queue, and will probably read next). Three of the books were written in 1960s, (.. could read backwards in '66, this one in '67, and ..who turned on and off in '68). Then they resumed in 1980s with a lot of new ones. (Lilian Jackson Brown was apparently born in 1913, still lives and probably writes, and uses a typewriter for writing...)
Qwill gets an assignment to do some interior architecture for Fluxion, which is something he isn't too interested in. But then some strange things start to happen: a house that was just published in the magazine gets burglarized from some expensive jade collection, and someone is found dead. And for the next houses that are presented in the magazine, also then something goes wrong... Qwill's moustache gets itches and Koko helps him get some clues, and after more articles, meeting a lot of interesting people, they find out what happened. That's too shortly put: I love the mystery as it's so 1960s, and makes you realize how everything has changed (green telephones.. typewrites, color/b&w photos... how important the magazines and newspapers were back then etc), and yet how similar the people still are. Of all The Cat... books I've read so far, I liked the characters in this book the most. The humor also seems a bit different compared to the later books. A happy, light type of mystery, and perfect of that kind.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/7...
Qwill gets an assignment to do some interior architecture for Fluxion, which is something he isn't too interested in. But then some strange things start to happen: a house that was just published in the magazine gets burglarized from some expensive jade collection, and someone is found dead. And for the next houses that are presented in the magazine, also then something goes wrong... Qwill's moustache gets itches and Koko helps him get some clues, and after more articles, meeting a lot of interesting people, they find out what happened. That's too shortly put: I love the mystery as it's so 1960s, and makes you realize how everything has changed (green telephones.. typewrites, color/b&w photos... how important the magazines and newspapers were back then etc), and yet how similar the people still are. Of all The Cat... books I've read so far, I liked the characters in this book the most. The humor also seems a bit different compared to the later books. A happy, light type of mystery, and perfect of that kind.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/7...
December 31, 2022
I first started reading this series when I was in college. There were only a few books at that time. Lillian Jackson Braun wrote the first 3 books in the 1960s, and then continued the series starting in 1986. I loved the early books! But life happened and I lost track of this series for a very long time.
Flash forward a couple decades. I decided to read my way through this whole series starting back at the very beginning! Loving it!
The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern is book 2 in this series. Jim Qwilleran continues to work at the Daily Fluxion putting out a Sunday special magazine on interior decorating. The assignment isn't making him exactly happy because everytime he publishes an article on an art collection or a wonderfully decorated home...something horrible happens! A break-in and theft. A police sting. A murder. Jim just can't seem to catch a break! At least no matter what happens he still has his strangely intelligent sidekick -- his Siamese cat, Koko.
At under 200 pages for the paperback edition, this book was a quick and very enjoyable read. The reporter/newspaper journalism portion of the plot is quite outdated, but the mystery is still spot on. I love how Koko seemingly gives Jim clues, and how Jim's mustache tingles when he's on the right track. Just a fun series to read! The series changes quite a bit when it hits the 4th book, published in 1986. I like the first three books, but I prefer the Qwilleran character once his life changes a bit in the 4th book.
Moving on -- The Cat Who Turned On and Off is next!! :) There are 29 books in this series, plus a couple short story collections. I'm going to be reading for awhile! But, I'm ok with that! Glad to finally be going back and reading this series!
Flash forward a couple decades. I decided to read my way through this whole series starting back at the very beginning! Loving it!
The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern is book 2 in this series. Jim Qwilleran continues to work at the Daily Fluxion putting out a Sunday special magazine on interior decorating. The assignment isn't making him exactly happy because everytime he publishes an article on an art collection or a wonderfully decorated home...something horrible happens! A break-in and theft. A police sting. A murder. Jim just can't seem to catch a break! At least no matter what happens he still has his strangely intelligent sidekick -- his Siamese cat, Koko.
At under 200 pages for the paperback edition, this book was a quick and very enjoyable read. The reporter/newspaper journalism portion of the plot is quite outdated, but the mystery is still spot on. I love how Koko seemingly gives Jim clues, and how Jim's mustache tingles when he's on the right track. Just a fun series to read! The series changes quite a bit when it hits the 4th book, published in 1986. I like the first three books, but I prefer the Qwilleran character once his life changes a bit in the 4th book.
Moving on -- The Cat Who Turned On and Off is next!! :) There are 29 books in this series, plus a couple short story collections. I'm going to be reading for awhile! But, I'm ok with that! Glad to finally be going back and reading this series!
January 1, 2012
There was one passage in this book where Qwilleran sees a couple decorative eggs in a shop and notes how expensive they are. Each one costs $5. For some people, that may still be a great deal of money, but you couldn't buy a new copy of this book in paperback for $5 now. In 1967, the average paperback was about 75 cents. I wasn't alive when the book was written, but it sure does remind me of just how much things have changed since I was little, and in some ways, it just really amuses me. It makes books like this that much more endearing.
April 18, 2019
This clever and amusing book features Jim Quilleran, journalist, amateur sleuth, and cat lover with his partner-in-solving-crime, the brilliant Siamese, Koko. Qwill gets a new assignment – covering the Interior Decorating beat! He’s not thrilled but in the course of his work he stumbles across murder. Interesting characters, spoofy décor details make this a fun read.
November 9, 2010
The second of the Cat Who books is as satisfying as the first and third, with a real plot, a real mystery, and real heroics. Enjoy the first three books and then ask yourself: what happened with the rest of the series?
April 19, 2022
These continue to be solid, but not spectacular. I'm not sure how I felt about all the decorators in this one (I admit, I prefered the artists in the last one). And the murder resolution was a bit out of the blue. But it's readable, so yeah, I'll probably keep going.
October 30, 2015
Really enjoying this cute new mystery series! That's probably a good thing, seeing as there's about a hundred books in the series! :)
September 29, 2014
'Gracious Abodes', the newspaper Daily Fluxion's new interior design magazine, opens up a new horizon and a new assignment for Jim Quilleran, and a new mystery for fans of Koko the psychic cat.
The dictionary is Koko's Ouija board and his claws are his planchette. Jim takes the hints from Koko's dictionary suggestions after the murder of a rich woman, whose house was featured in Jim's magazine, and he is soon following up clues. G. Verning Tait, besides the loss of his wife to an apparent heart attack, also has been robbed of his priceless jade collection. Surprisingly, Tait doesn't seem too upset about either. David Lyke, co-owner of a decorating studio, is very helpful to Jim, introducing him to suspects and inviting him to parties, but Lyke ends up paying a heavy price for his kindnesses.
Are the two cases linked? Koko knows, but he has issues of his own. He's taken a sudden liking to chair coverings and a dislike to Jim's new girlfriend, Alacoque 'Cokey' Wright.
Will Jim figure it out?
The dictionary is Koko's Ouija board and his claws are his planchette. Jim takes the hints from Koko's dictionary suggestions after the murder of a rich woman, whose house was featured in Jim's magazine, and he is soon following up clues. G. Verning Tait, besides the loss of his wife to an apparent heart attack, also has been robbed of his priceless jade collection. Surprisingly, Tait doesn't seem too upset about either. David Lyke, co-owner of a decorating studio, is very helpful to Jim, introducing him to suspects and inviting him to parties, but Lyke ends up paying a heavy price for his kindnesses.
Are the two cases linked? Koko knows, but he has issues of his own. He's taken a sudden liking to chair coverings and a dislike to Jim's new girlfriend, Alacoque 'Cokey' Wright.
Will Jim figure it out?
March 25, 2017
Poor Koko's eating wool, and Qwill's at his wit's end. A Pyscatricist recommends a female companion, but first the pair have to solve a murder and a theft. In traditional Lilian Jackson Braun style, all the clues add up and the finger is pointed at the character you least suspect.
I enjoy this one because YumYum is first introduced, and she is in need of rescuing, in a way. I like that he's still writing for the Fluxion, and going to the press club. He hasn't inherited his millions yet, and Koko isn't living on his high diet. It's a very simple life, although he is staying in Harry Noyton's apartment and seeing how the other side really live for the first time.
Another enjoyable read, I read this one quickly. Very good indeed!
I enjoy this one because YumYum is first introduced, and she is in need of rescuing, in a way. I like that he's still writing for the Fluxion, and going to the press club. He hasn't inherited his millions yet, and Koko isn't living on his high diet. It's a very simple life, although he is staying in Harry Noyton's apartment and seeing how the other side really live for the first time.
Another enjoyable read, I read this one quickly. Very good indeed!
March 27, 2017
probably a 3 1/2 star, but a comforting follow-up to the debut book in this series. unpretentious and doesn't try to stretch beyond it's limits, and I found it to be a little better written than I was expecting. some character development sacrificed for the sake of plot but so what, Christie built a legendary career using the same technique.a perfectly acceptable form of the cozy mystery.
July 29, 2021
I got into this series when a friend gave? traded? me a copy of this book, which I’ve since read a few times. Good stuff…
February 13, 2021
Riprendiamo le avventure di Koko e Jim da dove li avevamo lasciati.
Il giornalista deve lasciare l’appartamento dove viveva e cercarne uno nuovo, si sente solo a parte la compagnia di Koko, non è soddisfatto del ruolo assegnatogli al Fluxion nella pagina artistica, e ritrova tutte le cravatte mangiate dalle tarme.
Sembra andare tutto male quando, d’improvviso, gli viene proposto di occuparsi dell’inserto Belle dimore sull’arredamento, conosce alcuni architetti e arredatori famosi tra cui uno che gli offre per un certo periodo il suo appartamento alla moda in una zona in della città, conosce una ragazza architetto con cui instaura una relazione positiva.
Purtroppo però a ognuna delle sue uscite sembra seguire un delitto o comunque un evento non esattamente positivo, e questo mette Qwilleran in cattiva luce e il suo direttore di cattivo umore nei suoi confronti.
Quindi l’uomo comincerà a cercare di capire chi cerchi di gettare fango sul giornale, indagando nella comunità in cui si è appena integrato, con l’aiuto delle intuizioni del siamese che però sembra mostrare qualche disturbo per cui sarà necessario chiedere l’intervento di una terapeuta per gatti.
Ho trovato questo caso molto più articolato e complesso del primo anche se un po’ più ingarbugliato.
È sempre tutto molto ben studiato, ma io mi sono sentita meno coinvolta rispetto al primo, non so bene dire perché, ma probabilmente perché leggere di arredamento senza vederlo è risultato per me meno interessante.
Inoltre avevo ipotizzato già quasi subito la soluzione del primo caso, e speravo in qualcosa di più per il secondo.
Il terzo per me è stato del tutto impensabile fino all’ultimo momento anche se poi, quando ho scoperto il colpevole mi sono detta caspita, avrei dovuto pensarci!
Come nel primo capitolo ho trovato comunque molto più affascinanti le vicende di Jim, del gatto e dei loro baffi che percepiscono le vibrazioni e danno intuizioni ai due portandoli sulla strada giusta nei casi affrontati. Ai due si aggiunge il fotografo Bunsen che ormai è diventato un componente fisso della squadra, con la sua originalità che lo rende simpaticissimo.
Riconosco come tipici dei felini, i comportamenti del micio.
In questo libro intravediamo marginalmente Yum Yum che purtroppo arriva subito in clinica veterinaria, perché maltrattata dal suo vecchio padrone che non ama i gatti. Con lei faremo poi conoscenza meglio dal terzo capitolo della serie.
Non mi convinceva dall’inizio e, nonostante gli sviluppi, continua a non convincermi la ragazza Cokey, e non per il nome come per Koko😆.
Se non avessi altri titoli a cui dare la precedenza proseguirei senza dubbio con la lettura dei casi seguenti.
Il giornalista deve lasciare l’appartamento dove viveva e cercarne uno nuovo, si sente solo a parte la compagnia di Koko, non è soddisfatto del ruolo assegnatogli al Fluxion nella pagina artistica, e ritrova tutte le cravatte mangiate dalle tarme.
Sembra andare tutto male quando, d’improvviso, gli viene proposto di occuparsi dell’inserto Belle dimore sull’arredamento, conosce alcuni architetti e arredatori famosi tra cui uno che gli offre per un certo periodo il suo appartamento alla moda in una zona in della città, conosce una ragazza architetto con cui instaura una relazione positiva.
Purtroppo però a ognuna delle sue uscite sembra seguire un delitto o comunque un evento non esattamente positivo, e questo mette Qwilleran in cattiva luce e il suo direttore di cattivo umore nei suoi confronti.
Quindi l’uomo comincerà a cercare di capire chi cerchi di gettare fango sul giornale, indagando nella comunità in cui si è appena integrato, con l’aiuto delle intuizioni del siamese che però sembra mostrare qualche disturbo per cui sarà necessario chiedere l’intervento di una terapeuta per gatti.
Ho trovato questo caso molto più articolato e complesso del primo anche se un po’ più ingarbugliato.
È sempre tutto molto ben studiato, ma io mi sono sentita meno coinvolta rispetto al primo, non so bene dire perché, ma probabilmente perché leggere di arredamento senza vederlo è risultato per me meno interessante.
Inoltre avevo ipotizzato già quasi subito la soluzione del primo caso, e speravo in qualcosa di più per il secondo.
Il terzo per me è stato del tutto impensabile fino all’ultimo momento anche se poi, quando ho scoperto il colpevole mi sono detta caspita, avrei dovuto pensarci!
Come nel primo capitolo ho trovato comunque molto più affascinanti le vicende di Jim, del gatto e dei loro baffi che percepiscono le vibrazioni e danno intuizioni ai due portandoli sulla strada giusta nei casi affrontati. Ai due si aggiunge il fotografo Bunsen che ormai è diventato un componente fisso della squadra, con la sua originalità che lo rende simpaticissimo.
Riconosco come tipici dei felini, i comportamenti del micio.
In questo libro intravediamo marginalmente Yum Yum che purtroppo arriva subito in clinica veterinaria, perché maltrattata dal suo vecchio padrone che non ama i gatti. Con lei faremo poi conoscenza meglio dal terzo capitolo della serie.
Non mi convinceva dall’inizio e, nonostante gli sviluppi, continua a non convincermi la ragazza Cokey, e non per il nome come per Koko😆.
Se non avessi altri titoli a cui dare la precedenza proseguirei senza dubbio con la lettura dei casi seguenti.
January 13, 2025
In honor of my mom, who died one year ago this month. She loved this author and read all of these books over and over. She loved cats, a good mystery and never wanted to read anything heavy.
I’m sad I never read one while she was alive, I always said I wasn’t interested because it’s not really my genre. 😩
I now think I would’ve loved to call and tell her “I’m finally reading a Lillian Jackson Braun book mom!” And then talk to her about it. 😔 I also think she might have had a crush on the main character
By the way, so far it’s cute, and I like that the main character is a man. Not your typical Cozy Mystery I guess. The dialog is pretty old fashioned but the whole thing was a tribute read and I enjoyed it.
Josie Kilpack is another author she loved and I’ve never read. Maybe that will be next.
One thing is for sure, I got my love of reading from my mother. I have fond memories of her reading me Frog and Toad books before bed🩵
I’m sad I never read one while she was alive, I always said I wasn’t interested because it’s not really my genre. 😩
I now think I would’ve loved to call and tell her “I’m finally reading a Lillian Jackson Braun book mom!” And then talk to her about it. 😔 I also think she might have had a crush on the main character
By the way, so far it’s cute, and I like that the main character is a man. Not your typical Cozy Mystery I guess. The dialog is pretty old fashioned but the whole thing was a tribute read and I enjoyed it.
Josie Kilpack is another author she loved and I’ve never read. Maybe that will be next.
One thing is for sure, I got my love of reading from my mother. I have fond memories of her reading me Frog and Toad books before bed🩵
April 7, 2018
The mystery "cozy" is a departure from my normal reading fare, but I found The Cat Who... good enough to hold my interest to the end. It's simple and the who-did-it is pretty easy to figure out (of course hindsight is 20-20). And, it's a cute story.
Simple innocence thrives. Lillian Jackson Braun doesn't have to rely on violence, gore and mayhem to tell a story. Instead, she writes well enough to convey her ideas at a nice pace. One reviewer here made a good point. This is a good series to read at bedtime because it won't foster any nightmares or troubled sleep.
The book was written in 1967, but I found myself re-checking the pub date just to be sure. There's a timelessness to this story. Qwill smokes a pipe, a sign of the times of ago, I guess, but this could play at any decade. Braun writes with timeless wit as well. Qwill works for "Gracious Abodes," a design tab put out by his newspaper. She pokes fun at the design world: Note the different types of styles her designers use throughout the book. They are quick, one-line knockoffs, but they add to the flavor and humor of the book.
This is a good series to delve into if you want to stray from your normal reading genres, or if you are into cozies overall. A fun read that I am sure I'll return to soon just to see what the cats are up to next.
Simple innocence thrives. Lillian Jackson Braun doesn't have to rely on violence, gore and mayhem to tell a story. Instead, she writes well enough to convey her ideas at a nice pace. One reviewer here made a good point. This is a good series to read at bedtime because it won't foster any nightmares or troubled sleep.
The book was written in 1967, but I found myself re-checking the pub date just to be sure. There's a timelessness to this story. Qwill smokes a pipe, a sign of the times of ago, I guess, but this could play at any decade. Braun writes with timeless wit as well. Qwill works for "Gracious Abodes," a design tab put out by his newspaper. She pokes fun at the design world: Note the different types of styles her designers use throughout the book. They are quick, one-line knockoffs, but they add to the flavor and humor of the book.
This is a good series to delve into if you want to stray from your normal reading genres, or if you are into cozies overall. A fun read that I am sure I'll return to soon just to see what the cats are up to next.
August 17, 2023
Antroji serijos knyga. Vienintelis skirtumas nuo pirmosios tas, kad dabar Jimas Qwilleranas rašo nebe į menui skirtą laikraščio rubriką, o paskiriamas vadovauti savaitiniam priedui, skirtam interjero dizainui. Apie tą dizainą, žinoma, jis žino tiek pat, kiek žinojo apie meną – t.y. daugmaž nieko.
Jau pats pirmas numeris atneša siurprizų – sekančią dieną po publikacijos jos herojų apiplėšia, dingsta vertinga nefrito gaminių kolekcija. Toliau irgi ne be netikėtumų. Galiausiai sulaukiame net žmogžudystės, kurios liudininku, rodos tampa katinas Koko.
Iš vienos pusės – skaitosi smagiai ir jaukiai. Iš kitos pusės – jau antra knyga ir iš esmės truputį apie nieką. Detektyvinė linija irgi skystesnė už septynis sykius atskiestą degtinę.
Trys iš penkių. Ir tai tik už katiną. Galėjo būt ir mažiau. Gal kada per panašius karščius, kai smegenys vis tiek neveikia, dar grįšiu.
Jau pats pirmas numeris atneša siurprizų – sekančią dieną po publikacijos jos herojų apiplėšia, dingsta vertinga nefrito gaminių kolekcija. Toliau irgi ne be netikėtumų. Galiausiai sulaukiame net žmogžudystės, kurios liudininku, rodos tampa katinas Koko.
Iš vienos pusės – skaitosi smagiai ir jaukiai. Iš kitos pusės – jau antra knyga ir iš esmės truputį apie nieką. Detektyvinė linija irgi skystesnė už septynis sykius atskiestą degtinę.
Trys iš penkių. Ir tai tik už katiną. Galėjo būt ir mažiau. Gal kada per panašius karščius, kai smegenys vis tiek neveikia, dar grįšiu.
April 10, 2021
Koko di petualangannya yang kedua! ଲ(ⓛ ω ⓛ)ଲ
Qwill si wartawan tetap tampil sebagai teman sekaligus pelayannya Koko, lengkap dengan kesialan dan keberuntungannya. Karena baik sebagai jurnalis profesional maupun sebagai detektif amatir, si Qwill ini sama sekali tidak bersinar. Ngga ada analisisnya yang bikin pembaca berdecak kagum, ngga ada juga dari sepak terjangnya yang bikin w(°ｏ°)w. Semua tingkah dan pemikiran Qwill benar-benar menampilkan standar "Manusia Rata-Rata". Tapi justru (mungkin) inilah yang bikin tokoh Qwill ini terasa dekat, karena toh aku si pembaca juga 'manusia-di-bawah-standar-motor-mio' (≧◡≦) //gepeng.
Jadinya, ini adalah kasus yang pemecahannya terasa nyaman dan mudah diikuti (o´▽`o) Setelah tau genre cosy-mystery ini, aku jadi semakin kesengsem. Apalagi Qwill sangat memuja Koko~ (=①ω①=)❤
Qwill si wartawan tetap tampil sebagai teman sekaligus pelayannya Koko, lengkap dengan kesialan dan keberuntungannya. Karena baik sebagai jurnalis profesional maupun sebagai detektif amatir, si Qwill ini sama sekali tidak bersinar. Ngga ada analisisnya yang bikin pembaca berdecak kagum, ngga ada juga dari sepak terjangnya yang bikin w(°ｏ°)w. Semua tingkah dan pemikiran Qwill benar-benar menampilkan standar "Manusia Rata-Rata". Tapi justru (mungkin) inilah yang bikin tokoh Qwill ini terasa dekat, karena toh aku si pembaca juga 'manusia-di-bawah-standar-motor-mio' (≧◡≦) //gepeng.
Jadinya, ini adalah kasus yang pemecahannya terasa nyaman dan mudah diikuti (o´▽`o) Setelah tau genre cosy-mystery ini, aku jadi semakin kesengsem. Apalagi Qwill sangat memuja Koko~ (=①ω①=)❤
February 19, 2021
A delightful one afternoon read. Reporter Jim Qwilleran has a new assignment: an interior design gig with the Fluxion. Except that some valuable antiquities go missing, and it's up to Qwilleran and his feline friend Koko to figure out what really happened. Add in two mysterious deaths and you've got a first rate mystery on your hands. This is also the book that introduces us to Yum Yum, Koko's female counterpart. Overall a very rewarding book and well worth the time.
December 15, 2020
I just love The Cat Who books!!!
November 28, 2024
For it being the second book of this wonderful series I was certainly hooked. Especially the ending, I think I now want to continue reading what this cozy mystery has to offer.
February 26, 2023
Cozy mystery series; I imagine the main character as Tom Selleck; I think I’ve always wanted to solve crime with the help of my intuitive pet and really have a soft spot for this storyline
June 12, 2022
If you can make it through this book, you aren’t easily bored.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 725 reviews