The Cat Who Turned On and Off (1968)

I think if I read this one first, I probably wouldn't have wanted to read any others in the series. This time, Qwill's beat was: antiques. In his quest to win a much-needed monetary prize for writing, he decides on a series of articles about Junktown, a decrepit area of the city famous for it's moldering buildings and many antique stores with silly names. I loved the way characters were constantly questioning how people who own these shops can possibly make a living - I ask myself this every single time I enter one. There were a few other amusing scenes, but overall there were too many characters and none of them were very memorable; coupled with a less-than compelling mystery this one fell flat for me.

A few tidbits about Qwill's life were revealed. It's confirmed that he was once a well known and much-lauded crime writer in New York city; that alcoholism played a role in his fall from grace, and that his ex-wife lives in Connecticut and he still sends her money. Also, as I predicted, his girlfriend Cokey from the previous book wasn't in it for the long haul, but the breakup was barely mentioned and apparently untraumatic to both parties. (Qwill quickly moves on to another much-too-young-for-him woman; not my favorite part of his character at this point, but men will be men.) So I guess they can't all be home runs, and I'm optimistic about the next adventure with Qwill, Koko and Yum Yum.

Originally published: 1968

Body Count: 3 Andy the Antique Dealer; Bum who claimed Andy was murdered; Mr. Cobb, the other Antique Dealer and Qwill's temporary landlord

Preceded by: The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern

Next Up: The Cat Who Saw Red ( )

This mystery has Mr. Jim Qwilleran or just Qwill to his friends changing from coverage of the world of interior design to coverage of antiques in a location of the city called "Junktown." Ever present are the magnificent companions of Qwill's world, Siamese cats Koko and Yun-Yum, that each add dimension to crime investigations in their own unique ways.

I have read some of these mysteries "out of order" but to enjoy learning the backdrop/history of Qwill and characters and his assignments for the newspaper, Daily Fluxion, adds a special delight to the reading entertainment of this series! ( )

Journalist and amateur detective James Qwilleran is assigned a piece on Junktown, which he thinks is drugs, but turns out to be antiques. When people in the area keep dying, Qwill suspects foul play. Koko the Siamese supplies the main clues to help him solve the mystery and catch the killer.
This one was a bit more complex, and I admit I wasn't sure who the culprit would be almost to the very end. Braun doesn't have any qualms about killing off people I'd consider essential characters, either. Koko is a delight, as is his 'sister' Yum Yum. Interesting information about certain varieties of antiques, as well. ( )

Qwilleran, a newspaper reporter in a northern city, takes on an assignment in the antiques district in the weeks leading up to Christmas. With the help of his cats, he investigates the mysterious death of an antiques dealer. This is one of the early entries in the Cat Who series, and one of my favorites. Though it's not the first book, it's a decent entry point into the series if you're not familiar with it: early enough that you haven't missed much back story, but far enough in for the author to have hit her stride. ( )

good novel @ Junktown — antique center of city — cats are super!

The team of Koko, the brilliant Siamese cat, and Qwilleran, the reporter with the perceptive moustache, is back in action -- with an adorable female Siamese, Yum Yum, added to the household.When Qwilleran decides to do a feature series on Junktown, he gets more than he bargained for. Not the dope den he anticipated, Junktown is a haven for antique dealers and collectors -- as strange a lot as the crafty reporter has ever encountered. When a mysterious fall ends the career -- and the life -- of one of Junktown's leading citizens, Qwilleran is convinced it was no accident. But, as usual, it takes Koko to prove he's right.