The Cat Who Could Read Backwards (Cat Who... Book 1)

This book is a replacement for the one I've worn out from reading the series so much. I periodically have to replace one due to wear and tear from carrying them with me when I anticipate long wait times. The color of this one is different from the one I had, but that doesn't bother me. I reread the series every few years. It's like visiting a friend I haven't seen in a long time. Mrs. Braun was an excellent writer. She and Anne McCaffrey are two of my long-time favorite authors.Probably good to note is that the cat is very special, but doesn't actually talk. The human protagonist, Qwilleran, watches behavior and learns to understand what the cat is trying to tell him. Together they solve murders, but this is not a heavy, dark series. It's actually a pleasant setting, friendly -mostly - people and fun. It moves at a good pace and is an easy read. But because the first book of the series was written in the mid-sixties, you will find many aspects of the story are a window into that time period. I found that interesting, not offputting.

But then, most mysteries are that way. Certainly this was entertaining at least, and as complicated as you could ask for it to be. I won't give anything away. Just read it and see what you think.

After the absolutely horrible awfulness and contrivedness of the early-mid 2000s "Cat Who..." novels, it's a comfort to know that true quality is still available for everyone to read."The Cat Who Could Read Backwards" is three parts intriguing, two parts comic, every part excellent and just a plain fun read."The Cat Who Could Read Backwards" takes us back to a time when Qwill was just getting back on his feet --- when he had no cats and his life was a lot different. Qwilleran was a recovering alcohol and a former newsman, trying to get back into his old line of work. And he gets back into it, but not in the way he expected. This former writer for the crime-beat has been assigned to cover stories about art!Qwilleran is convinced he's been assigned a boring, put-out-to-pasture job, but then he finds that in the town he's come to, art is almost like a blood-sport. The newspaper already has an art critic --- George Bonifield Mountclemens III. Mountclemens, or "Monty," for short, is a real character who's not shy to offer his colorful opinions and has gained much animosity among a large portion of the art community.As Qwilleran goes about his new job, he encounters wacky characters, learns things he never expected to learn and meets Mountclemens's truly remarkable Siamese --- Kao K'o-Kung --- or "Koko" as Qwilleran calls him for short. Koko is hyper-intelligent, seems to know what's going to happen before it actually happens and seems to read the daily newspaper, but he always reads it from right-to-left. Together, Qwilleran (which the help of his own extra-sensitive, bushy mustache) and Koko manage to make a fine-detecting team, although Koko is the greater brains of the operation. No Yum Yum yet, as she isn't introduced until the next book. And no Pickax, Moose County, or millions until much later.For those who know and remember this series for what it truly was, "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards" is a must-read. It's a wonderful story to read more than once. Even after you've known how it ends, you'll still be entertained by the offbeat humor.

My plan is to read every book in the series, as I did years ago, and have just finished the first one. I love the way the author draws her characters, particularly Jim Qwilleran and the cat that he meets in this book. These two are especially likeable. Obviously, since the book was written in 1966, it has an old-fashioned feel to it, but I didn't mind that. And the murder mystery turns out to be a little more complicated than I expected. Well, OK, it was a long, long time ago that I read the book and I'd forgotten how it ended.I would like to mention, too, that the cat in this story, Koko, acts like a cat. I've lived with cats for many years. They are definitely inclined to be set in their ways, to be curious about strange smells and changes to their environment, to remember where they left their toys and other belongings, and to be very intent on getting those items back again. I once had a cat who kept a close eye on whatever any repairman to the house was doing, following him around, and even checking out each tool the poor guy would remove from his toolbox. Something of a nuisance, for sure.Koko, in other words, does not solve this mystery. He just happens to be doing what cats do, which leads Qwilleran to discover what he needs to know to solve the mystery.Lilian Braun's writing style is comfortable, natural, and clever. Great fun.

I had never read this book in this series. I have read numerous books in the “The Cat Who…” series and was thrilled to know how this duo came to be. This book and all the others are interesting, great mysteries, and marvelous characters.

I love the Cat Who series of books I have read all 29 of them several times. I return to them when I want to read something I know I will like. Recently I have been unwell and have started to read the series again. I think I like the characters created by the author almost more than the story lines.

This series was recommended but I found #1 too self-analytic. The plot line about the moustache is irritating. I will try #2 to see if I can appreciate the main character development more.

Cats, cats who could read, cats doing catty things and a murder. And a man with a moustache. What’s not to love?

Unusual mystery series. I like the characters and the involvement of Koko in solving the murders.

I like Lilian Jackson Braun's books because of the antics the two Siamese cats get up too and the various other characters in her books are all so original or odd ball! I've read this book quite a few years ago but would like to read it again.