The Cat Who Tailed a Thief

The Cat Who Tailed a Thief is the nineteenth installment in Lilian Jackson Braun's popular mystery series featuring journalist Jim Qwilleran and his two Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum. The story takes place in the small town of Pickax during the holiday season, where a series of minor thefts has disrupted the usually peaceful community. The arrival of new bank manager Willard Carmichael and his wife Danielle coincides with plans to restore the historic Pleasant Avenue district. As Qwilleran investigates the connection between recent events and the town's newest residents, his cat Koko begins displaying unusual behavior that may point to deeper mysteries. The novel continues Braun's signature blend of small-town dynamics and feline-assisted detection, exploring themes of trust, appearances, and the contrast between surface charm and hidden motives in close-knit communities.

Most readers consider this a weaker entry in The Cat Who series, noting it lacks the depth and mystery elements of earlier books. Readers appreciated: - The familiar comfort of returning characters - The small-town winter holiday setting - Light, quick reading experience - Continued cat antics from Koko and Yum Yum Common criticisms: - Too many subplots that don't connect - Mystery feels underdeveloped - Less focus on the cats compared to other books - Characters acting out of established personality traits One reader noted "The mystery takes a backseat to mundane details about shopping and decorating." Another mentioned "The ending feels rushed and unsatisfying." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (180+ ratings) ThriftBooks: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) Most dedicated series fans recommend starting with earlier books rather than this one, though they still found it entertaining enough to finish.

The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun A journalist and his Siamese cat solve murders in a small town while uncovering corruption in the art world.

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann A flock of sheep investigates their shepherd's murder using their unique animal perspectives and observations.

Dog On It by Spencer Quinn A private investigator and his canine companion work together to solve missing person cases through the dog's narration.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith A female detective in Botswana uses local knowledge and understanding of human nature to solve mysteries in her community.

A Midsummer Night's Scream by Jill Churchill A small-town librarian turns amateur sleuth to investigate murders during a community Shakespeare festival.

🔍 Lilian Jackson Braun began writing "The Cat Who" series at age 52 and continued until she was 97 years old. 🐱 The Siamese cats in the series, Koko and Yum Yum, were inspired by the author's own real-life Siamese cats. ❄️ Published in 1997, this nineteenth book in the series uniquely focuses on winter crimes, setting it apart from many of the series' summer and autumn-centered mysteries. 🏦 The fictional town of Pickax is believed to be based on Bad Axe, Michigan, where Braun spent much of her life. 🗞️ The main character, Jim Qwilleran, reflects Braun's own journalism background - she worked for The Detroit Free Press for 30 years before becoming a novelist.