The Cat Who Played Brahms (1987) - Plot & Excerpts
In this pivotal fifth installment in Lilian Jackson Braun's "Cat Who" continuum, both Jim Qwilleran's personal life and the setting and pace of the book series change dramatically. Qwill's landlord, the dignified attorney and frustrated chef Robert Maus, who was introduced in the previous installment ("The Cat Who Saw Red"), has decided to sell Maus Haus and open an Italian restaurant. Concurrently - and coincidentally - Qwill has received a letter from an old friend of his mother's, whom he'd known as "Aunt Fannie": Francesca Klingenschoen, an eccentric octogenarian millionairess who's discovered the whereabouts of her long-lost "nephew" through his restaurant review column, which appears in an out-of-town newspaper. Francesca, who lives in a fieldstone mansion in the tiny city of Pickax, in Moose County - described in subsequent books as being "500 miles North of everywhere", although its exact location is never revealed - has requested a reunion, and has also invited Qwill to spend the summer at the Klingenschoen cottage in the coastal resort town of Mooseville. Already dissatisfied with the modernization of his newspaper office and the lurid redecoration of his beloved Press Club, and faced with a 60-day eviction notice, Qwill decides to take a leave of absence from the Daily Fluxion, packs up the cats, and heads for Moose County...and destiny. This story, which is characteristically rich in vivid detail, follows Qwill through the first few days in his new enviornment, as he meets, for the first time, many of the people who would become central characters in later installments: Mildred Hanstable, Roger MacGillivray, Nick and Lori Bamba, Junior Goodwinter, Dr. Melinda Goodwinter, Gary Pratt, Police Chief Andrew Brodie, and a host of other soon-to-be neighbors. As always, there's murder in the mix; with a cassette tape of Brahms recordings as the only link, it's up to Koko to sniff out the clue among the classics! Great reading!
A Review of The Cat Who Played Brahms by Lilian Jackson BraunRating: Five Stars Edition: Mass Market Paperback Genre: Cozy Mystery The Cat Who Played Brahms by Lilian Jackson Braun is a cozy mystery, focusing on an inquisitive journalist and his two Siamese cats (one who happens to by a psychic detective cat). It is the fifth book in the series and was published in 1987. This Cat Who book ranks as one of my top three of the series, maybe even my favorite.Newspaper reporter, Jim Qwilleran, is a little disenchanted with city life and his career as a journalist. Thinking that a summer of country-living will do him some good, he decides to take his two Siamese cats to a cabin owned by his "Aunt" Fanny. However, what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation becomes a mystery that needs solved. Of course, Koko, Qwilleran's psychic cat, is there to sniff and scratch in the right places to help solve the mystery.Qwilleran is an awesome character and is incredibly likable. He's also got some integrity despite having a rocky past, which is what I like about him. Koko is probably my favorite literary animal ever, and Yum Yum is absolutely adorable. In fact, these characters had such a large impact on my life that I am now the proud owner of three Siamese cats.I love the Cat Who series, especially the ones written before the year 2000 (they kind of went downhill after that). The books are light-reads that are fun when life gets a little hectic and you need something easy and mindless. Yes, the books are not masterpieces, but they are cute, fast reads.This book is actually a good starting point for someone who is just getting into the series because it provides a turning point for Qwilleran. It's also just a fun read with a dash of mystery and intrigue. Plus, it's got kitties. How could you not like that? Five stars.-Jesshttp://jessicabrister.blogspot.com/
What do You think about The Cat Who Played Brahms (1987)?
It's vacation time for Qwill and the cats as they head up to Moose County, 400 miles from anywhere, to stay in Aunt Fanny's cabin for some R&R. Qwill's apartment building has been sold and it is the perfect time to take a few months off, relax, and start writing that novel. But things don't go as planned. Of course they don't, otherwise we wouldn't have a cozy to read, would we? I think this book is where the series takes a fun turn. We get Qwill out of the city and away from the crazy newspaper beat, and we see a different side of him here. The first three books in the series were written by Braun in the late 60s, and she returned to it in the book before this one in the mid 80s. Her decision to change things up is apparent starting with this book. With age comes wisdom, I guess, and it works here. Koko is still in charge and solving crimes, while Yum Yum sits there and looks pretty. Qwill makes several comments in this book about his penchant for young career women in their 30s while creepily stroking his mustache like a villain. He has never been written as an appealing character to me so this made me chuckle. And the ending gives the series new direction and completely new ways to grow and change the characters. Here's to new beginnings!
—Michelle
The book where everything changes for Qwill and his feline companions! I love this one, for that reason alone. I of course, love the writing and the plot as well, but the books really pick up for me at this point.Koko is up to his usual tricks, and uncovers a tape that will bring to light the mystery that the locals don't want found. They don't like to admit anything is wrong, or else they will deter the tourists from 'Down Below'. I'm rereading this series currently, but not in any particular order or even reading just this books. I like how each is an individual story, and you can pick up any single one and enjoy it."The Cat who played Brahms", a great mystery for mystery lovers, and cat lovers too.
—Kirsti
While this is not the finest literature, I find the Cat Who series entertaining, nonetheless. The Cat Who Played Brahms finds Qwill on his first visit to Pickax and Moose County. Braun did a wonderful job of recreating northern Michigan without actually naming it. I felt that her descriptions were spot on. The Cat Who Played Brahms did something for me that very few do in this day and age -- The ending surprised me. I did not see the twist coming from half way through the book as I normally do with cozy mysteries. Admittedly, I avoided the Cat Who series for many years simply because I am not a cat person. The idea of a book series with a mystery solving cat seemed absurd to me. While the first three books are written in a style that makes them a bit tedious to read, everything after her 18 year is light and enjoyable. If you enjoy an occasional cozy mystery, give this series a chance. You will not be disappointed that you did.
—Kerry Boerst
