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A review by april_does_feral_sometimes
The Cat Who Sniffed Glue by Lilian Jackson Braun
3.0
'The Cat Who Sniffed Glue' by Lilian Jackson Braun is another delightful mystery in the The Cat Who series! Since it's number eight in the series and there are continuing situations and characters, I suggest beginning with [b:The Cat Who Could Read Backwards|508903|The Cat Who Could Read Backwards (Cat Who..., #1)|Lilian Jackson Braun|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1298562424l/508903._SY75_.jpg|1469462], number one, first.
The author's style changes slightly from the first novels, but all of the novels are witty. Scenes and action are offered in the form of brief sketches which are very much clues despite the breezy tone and lighthearted fun. Murder is done and physical attacks happen, so the books are not G-rated, but these books are definitely PG-13 cozies with a lively touch!
The two cats, Koko and Yum Yum, who 'help' fifty-year-old Jim Qwilleran, retired journalist, solve murders, are simple and ordinary Siamese cats full of charm and kitty hijinks true to real life. Well. That is if real life involved a cat who appears to be psychic! However, his owner, Jim Qwilleran, isn't very good at reading Koko's attempts to show Jim clues, such as Koko rubbing his jaw on articles of furniture or art or people in a rather pointed fashion. Qwilleran still has to do a lot of legwork and visit or call people to ask questions. Frankly, I think the many characters he talks to in his new home, the small northern town of Pickax City where he has inherited a house and money, all appear guilty! But by the end, it is obvious Koko somehow knew who the murderer was by page 30 or so!
In this mystery, Koko's interest in licking glue off of stamps meant more than about getting high! Or was Koko just interested in the taste? The author almost always leaves readers in a state of doubt about Koko, as well as the fact Qwilleran never seems to actually solve murders. His usual routine involves stumbling about stirring up anxieties - but it works! Even if sometimes Qwill is completely wrong, the murderer usually makes an attempt on Qwill's life. However, in past adventures Koko has given a hand, er, paw, to Qwill and saves his life. Not this time, though! Koko and Yum Yum get into trouble after a car wreck!
These stories are pure entertainment for quiet days - or to relax during pandemics....
The author's style changes slightly from the first novels, but all of the novels are witty. Scenes and action are offered in the form of brief sketches which are very much clues despite the breezy tone and lighthearted fun. Murder is done and physical attacks happen, so the books are not G-rated, but these books are definitely PG-13 cozies with a lively touch!
The two cats, Koko and Yum Yum, who 'help' fifty-year-old Jim Qwilleran, retired journalist, solve murders, are simple and ordinary Siamese cats full of charm and kitty hijinks true to real life. Well. That is if real life involved a cat who appears to be psychic! However, his owner, Jim Qwilleran, isn't very good at reading Koko's attempts to show Jim clues, such as Koko rubbing his jaw on articles of furniture or art or people in a rather pointed fashion. Qwilleran still has to do a lot of legwork and visit or call people to ask questions. Frankly, I think the many characters he talks to in his new home, the small northern town of Pickax City where he has inherited a house and money, all appear guilty! But by the end, it is obvious Koko somehow knew who the murderer was by page 30 or so!
In this mystery, Koko's interest in licking glue off of stamps meant more than about getting high! Or was Koko just interested in the taste? The author almost always leaves readers in a state of doubt about Koko, as well as the fact Qwilleran never seems to actually solve murders. His usual routine involves stumbling about stirring up anxieties - but it works! Even if sometimes Qwill is completely wrong, the murderer usually makes an attempt on Qwill's life. However, in past adventures Koko has given a hand, er, paw, to Qwill and saves his life. Not this time, though! Koko and Yum Yum get into trouble after a car wreck!
These stories are pure entertainment for quiet days - or to relax during pandemics....