The Cat Who Blew the Whistle (The Cat Who... Series #17)

by Lilian Jackson Braun

Overview

Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese sleuths, Koko and Yum Yum, investigate the disappearance of a wealthy railroad buff in this mystery in the New York Times bestselling Cat Who series.

Floyd Trevelyan’s historic steam locomotive, newly restored, is the newest attraction in Moose County. But the excitement is eclipsed by shock when Trevelyan disappears—along with millions of investors’ dollars. Puzzled and suspicious, Qwill’s trying to make a connection between the missing millionaire and a recent murder at a nearby railroad tavern. Now, with the help of his cats, Koko and Yum Yum, he’s about to prove that the police are on the wrong track.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780515118247
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	03/01/1996
Series:	Cat Who... Series , #17
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	92,728
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 10.98(h) x 0.86(d)

About the Author

The history of Lilian Jackson Braun is perhaps as exciting and mysterious as her novels. Between 1966 and 1968, she published three novels to critical acclaim: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern, and The Cat Who Turned On and Off.  In 1966, the New York Times labeled Braun, “the new detective of the year.” Then, for reasons unknown, the rising mystery author disappeared from the publishing scene. It wasn’t until 1986 that Berkley Publishing Group reintroduced Braun to the public with the publication of an original paperback, The Cat Who Saw Red. Within two years, Berkley released four new novels in paperback and reprinted the three mysteries from the sixties. Since then, G.P. Putnam’s Sons has published seventeen additional novels in the Cat Who series. Braun passed away in 2011.

Hometown:

North Carolina

Date of Birth:

1916

Date of Death:

June 4, 2011

Place of Birth:

Massachusetts

Place of Death:

South Carolina

Education:

Graduated from high school at age 16

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Lilian Jackson Braun and the Cat Who series

“A master of mystery.”—People

“Upbeat prose and amiable characters.”—Publishers Weekly

“The mix of crime and cats [is] catnip to readers who like both.”—Chicago Sun-Times

“Braun keeps both paws on the side of charming.”—Los Angeles Times

From the Publisher

Best of series, this 17th The Cat Who caper slyly creeps up on the reader. The newest delight in Moose County, ``400 miles north of everywhere,'' is a railroad buff's refurbished locomotive, which is making its debut run. Floyd Trevelyan, the train owner, disappears just as the state closes down the credit union associated with his business. While others believe the man has decamped with investors' money, newspaper columnist Jim Qwilleran doesn't believe Trevelyan would abandon his railroad project. He persuades his friend and sleuthing cohort Celia, recently moved to Pickax City from Chicago, to go undercover to find the missing businessman. Meanwhile, librarian Polly Duncan, with whom Qwill has had a long-standing relationship, is becoming distraught about the house she is building nearby. After a carpenter on the project is stabbed in a barroom brawl and the contractor, Trevelyan's son, is seriously injured on the job, Qwill begins to fear for Polly's health. Qwill's Siamese cat, Koko, plays a central role in solving these puzzles as Qwill struggles equally to interpret the cat's hints and cope with those problems complicating his personal life. Literary Guild, Mystery Guild and Doubleday Book Club selections. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Cat mystery lovers beware! Pickax's Qwilleran and Koko have returned for a go at catching a train fancier who has embezzled millions from Moose County investors. Another best seller from the prolific Braun.

Library Journal

In the seventeenth book of her cat mystery series, which began with "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards" (1966), Braun extends her North Country locale from Pickax to the whole of Moose County. When the discovery of embezzlement at the Lumbertown Credit Union in Sawdust City (aka Mudville, population 5,000) coincides with the disappearance of its wealthy president, who is also a model railroad buff and owner of a salvaged and restored steam locomotive, Moose County's best-known philanthropist, columnist, and amateur detective, Jim Qwilleran, decides to investigate the mystery--with the help of his two Siamese sleuths, Koko and Yum Yum. Financial fraud and, later, murder seem almost secondary, however, to the activities and attachments of familiar characters, for example, a local theater production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and Qwill's genteel affair with head librarian Polly Duncan. The author provides enough background information to make new readers feel at home, and devotees of the series will applaud the added interest of railroading language and lore. As the communicative and prescient Koko would say, "Yow!"

Barbara Duree