I remembered enjoying one of Rita Mae Brown's cat-involved mysteries a long time ago so when this book was donated I thought I'd give it a try even tho I am not a cat lover. Not terrible. A preponderance of sly amusements and literary hints. A problem I didn't really care that much about. Moving it on to the next donation pile. Likely to appeal to cat owners who are on vacation & need something quick and amusing to keep their mind busy. Likely came from a grocery store news rack. ( )

I am more than halfway through reading "The Cat Who..." Series and it never fails as a pick-me-up for an enjoyable reading adventure! If characters can be thought of as old friends then I simply love spending time with these old friends from Qwill to Polly Duncan to Arch Riker and his wife Mildred to Fran Brodie and her father Andrew Brodie to Dwight Somers and in more recent offerings Celia Robinson and that's only naming a few. And of course, top billing to the paws of furry friends, Koko (short for real name Kao K’o Kung) and Yum-Yum who cohabitate with Qwill and a special place in the heart for Polly's Bootsie.

Polly, Arch, and Chief of Police Andrew Brodie have dismissed Koko's superpowers to such an extent in the past that now Qwill doesn't even share Koko's communications. However Qwill and all faithful readers of the series know that in each novel in the series Koko communicates to Qwill in various ways to help Qwill solve the murder mystery of the hour. I love matching wits with Qwill to understand Koko's clues but too often to count I'm with Qwill in only understanding all of Koko's clues when the mystery has been solved. Until the series comes to a close, I'll keep trying to stay in step with Qwill. I can't imagine which series might ever compare...

Until my reading of this series comes to a close, I will once again be enchanted by the author's dedication...Dedicated to Earl Bettinger, the husband who... ( )

In #17 ...Blew the Whistle, Qwill and the cats are fresh from their adventure on Breakfast Island and living in their actual home for a change. I noted in my review of #16 that Qwill was a real jerk, and it seems that even the author realized she took it too far because as this one opens, Qwill's character is given glowing reviews by various citizens of Moose County.

For a change of pace, Braun decides to make Polly the annoying one. We learn that she was named after Hippolyta from "A Midsummer's Night Dream," the latest production being put on by the Pickax drama club. (We also learn that Qwill's real first name is Merlin, so he goes by his middle name James, as any sensible person would.) Polly is having a house built on Qwill's property, near his converted apple barn. She proceeds to get all crazy and obsessed with it, which is totally understandable but not much fun to read about.

The builder of Polly's house is a young man whose family, the Trevelyans, once owned the property. His father is a wealthy man who owns a credit union and appears to have recently absconded with the money, leaving depositors high and dry.

Celia Robinson, who helped Qwill solve a murder in "...Went into the Closet," moves to Pickax and becomes his secret assistant again on this case. She befriends the widow and daughter of the missing man, and reports back to Qwill on the tidbits of information she gathers, which ultimately helps Qwill crack the case.

Unfortunately, the solution to this mystery was ridiculous. I was disappointed, as it seemed out of character with the low key earlier novels. Would the old man who loves trains really destroy a beautiful restored steam engine, and risk the lives of all his friends, to commit suicide? And hermaphroditism - really?

Body Count: 5 Ozzie Penn (suicide by train crash); Fred Trevelyan (murder by hammer); James Ducker (stabbing); Eddie Trevalyan (owl attack/tractor accident); Zak the dog (gunshot to the head)

Published: 1995

Preceded by: The Cat Who Came to Breakfast
Next up: The Cat Who Said Cheese ( )

Enjoyed the mystery, the train and Celia. Poor Polly is stressed out and ignored. The cats of course know more than anyone else. ( )

Characters are likeable, especially Koko and Yum Yum. I wish I could semi-"retire" with plenty of cash, a large barn/house, and two cats for company in a smaller community where I have many friends! Easy mystery read. The hints Koko gives to provide clues for his sometimes clueless owner are sometimes a bit farfetched, even when accompanied with the explanation that "maybe this is just a catfit or some kind of weird cat-action." Nevertheless, I look forward to reading the next "The Cat Who..." book I have on my shelf. ( )