The Cat Who Turned On and Off

by Lilian Jackson Braun

Book Overview

Brilliant Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum help reporter Jim Qwilleran solve a complicated murder plot in this mystery in the bestselling Cat Who series. When Qwilleran decides to do a feature story 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...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0515087947
• ISBN13: 9780515087949
• Release Date: December 1986
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.1" x 6.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Love this series!

This is my 3rd Cat Who book and I plan on reading all 42. What a wonderful series and a glorious step back in time, with a thoroughly modern feel and twists. The cat(s), the man, the whole supporting cast are all welcome additions in the book lovers reading and relaxation time. Ms Jackson Braun really wrote to captivate and bring the reader into her stories. I felt like I was right there with Qwill, Koko and Yum Yum through every adventure. A must read series, especially for cat lovers.

THE BEST BOOK SERRIES EVER

The Cat Who is the best serries ever full of humor wit and complexity, James Macentosh Qwilerin is a off beat repoter/Billion air with his 2 cats Koko and Yumyum who are no shorter than extra ordinary. This is the best book serries I have ever read and would recomend it to any one over 10. Trevor Oliver 12 Years old

A Fun Mystery Set in the Antique World

Christmas in Junktown. When the idea hits reporter Jim Qwilleran, he thinks he's come up with the perfect way to win the Daily Fluxion's annual contest and some much needed money to get an apartment of his own. But when he gives the idea to his editor, he finds out that Junktown isn't a place for drug addicts but an area with a bunch of antique dealers. Qwill isn't excited about this any more, but his editor loves it and gives him the assignment. Qwill's first day on the new beat is the day of an auction to sell off the merchandise of a dealer who recently died in an accident. Something about the accident makes Qwill's mustache tingle, however, and he begins to poke around. Soon, he's convinced that the man was really murdered. Unfortunately, Koko doesn't seem to be providing any help. But where does the cat keep disappearing to? And what's with the stuff that Koko and Yum Yum keep bringing to the apartment? These books are very light mysteries, but when I'm in the mood for them, nothing else will hit the spot. I love following the antics of Koko and Yum Yum as Qwill tries to keep up. Being an early book in the long running series, Qwill is still a full time reporter. And the plot is much better developed. I spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out who done it, and once I did how Koko would prove it. Along the way, I got to laugh at the cats' antics. They always make these stories so much more enjoyable. When I do "read" these books, it's usually through these wonderful unabridged recordings. George Guidall is an excellent reader, and I can't picture anyone else doing these books justice. He brings all the characters to life and perfectly captures each "Yowl" of the cats. While the later books seem to be going downhill, this series started off with some great mysteries. This is a perfect example. If you like your mysteries cozy, don't pass up this excellent series.

if you are a Cat Who fan if you are not then 3 or 4

Jim Qwilleran, Qwill to his friends, has decided to ease his cash flow problem by winning the prize offered by The Daily Fluxion for the best story of the year. Qwill is a feature writer for the paper but his doubts that anything on his usual beat of interior design will achieve this goal so he pitches the idea of a heart touching story about Christmas in Junktown. His editor agrees and then Qwill finds out that the junk in Junktown is not narcotics but instead refers to the low end of the antique trade. There is no option for Qwill but to try and make the best of the situation. He soon becomes immersed in the characters of Junktown even locating a new apartment there for himself and his two Siamese cats. Qwill keeps hearing of a tragic death that occured in the community a few weeks before, a death that seems odd to him but that everyone around him keeps insisting must have been accidental. As more tragic accidents and odd occurences that place Qwill becomes more convinced that Junktown is no as crime free as his neighbors would like to believe. As always Qwill, with the help of his cats, solve the mysteries.This, the third entry into the Cat Who series, was orginally published in 1968 which becomes evident whenever prices are mentioned. Other than that the story holds up well and could be enjoyed even by some one who is not familiar with the series. For fans of the series please note that it is not set in the familiar Moose County of the later books but is instead located in a "large Mid-western city'. As is common for this series some old familiar characters make repeat appearances if only in passing.

Another great book from Lilian Jackson Braun!

This is the third of "The Cat Who ..." series. Really a good read. I like the character development, the clues, and the way everything comes together at the end. Koko and Yum Yum are both great cats (even though only Koko seems to be a good detective) and if you read the books in order you find Jim (Qwill) becoming a better person for his friendship with the cats.

Reporter/sleuth solves a mystery with help of feline friend.

Certainly one of the best in the Cat series, and one of the earliest. Qwilleran and his feline companion Koko take on Junktown, an antique dealers' section of the city which has fallen into ruin and (eeekkk!!) murder. While living in Junktown, Mr. Q soaks up the local color, writes an award-winning documentary and solves a curious murder with the help of his faithful and brilliant sidekick Koko, and KoKo's favorite feline Yum Yum. Harkens back to the early series (pre-millionaire) phase of Mr. Q's career as a reporter/sleuth with lots of colorful characters, antique-collecting/urban renewal, and a delightful mystery. Very enjoyable reading!!