The Cat Who Moved a Mountain

The 13th in the series is a lucky one for James Qwilleran. Having fulfilled his 5 years living in Pickax as required by the will, he is now the sole and rightful heir in full possession of the billion dollar Klingenschoen fortune, and free to go wherever he wants. Now he has a decision to make �ÛÒ what‰Ûªs next? Does he stay on in Moose County? Move back to a big city? Buy a newspaper? Write a book?

Jim has recently heard about the unspoiled beauty of the Big Potato mountains, and he feels that this would be a perfect destination to get away from it all and think about his future. He loads Koko and YumYum and the infamous ‰ÛÏturkey roaster that serves as their commode‰Û into his clunker car and off they show more go to the Tiptop Inn, the only place he can find that will allow cats. He‰Ûªs not renting a room, he‰Ûªs renting the entire inn, which is empty and for sale. Koko begins acting strangely as soon as they move in and it turns out ‰ÛÒ surprise ‰ÛÒ that the inn was the site of a murder. Qwill soon suspects that the wrong man was convicted of the crime.

This was one of my favorites so far in the series and more tightly plotted than some of the others. The themes of economic growth versus conservation; locals versus newcomers; and wealth versus poverty are timeless and a bit more weighty than those that usually confront Jim and his sidekicks. I liked the way Jim becomes friendly with the mountain people (Taters) as well as the town dwellers (Spuds) and develops sympathy for both points of view, realizing that the issues they face will probably confront his beloved Moose County in another few years as progress and tourism increase.

I have a few minor quibbles. All this action is supposed to happen in one short week - why the rush? Also, the BIG CLUE that Koko uncovers to identify the murderer was, to me, ridiculous. A hairball of white hair. Really? Would this stand up in court? Finally, this is the first time that Braun deliberately dangles a cliffhanger for the next book, which I dislike. On the other hand, that situation lead directly to Jim firmly and clearly declaring, ‰ÛÏI love you‰Û to Polly which, as we long time Cat Who readers know, is BIG.




Originally published: 1992

Body Count: This is unique in The Cat Who‰Û_series as there are zero deaths that can be attributed to the cursed proximity of Qwill and the cats. Two old people die in Moose County while they are away in the Potatoes; the murder happened a year before they arrived and no new people go toes up during the investigation.


Preceded by: The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal

Next Up: The Cat Who Wasn‰Ûªt There show less

I love this series! It never fails as a pick-me-up for an enjoyable reading adventure!

Qwill (as his friends call him) has decided to take a summer hiatus from Moose County and this decision by the author for her wonderful character and our longtime friend of this series provides Qwill and his Siamese companions, Koko and Yum Yum, the chance to meet a wealth of new characters in the mountains. It's also an opportunity for the author to provide thought-provoking conversations as Qwill learns of the changes that occur in small town America when real estate developers see the potential for land development. Koko's detective skills are ever present and may help result in the capture of the real murderer(s) and proof that an innocent man show more should be released from his prison sentence. show less

I guess it makes sense to move the action away from the same small town/northern county now and then, so it doesn't become a place full of murders, but sadly, the change of locale often means I won't like the book as much. Still, this one wasn't too bad. I liked the way Qwilleran sees both sides of an ongoing battle, meeting and talking talking to people with both points of view. The mystery was decent, though not quite as interesting as others in this series have been. Koko's antics that inspired the title aren't exactly new, though I did appreciate the play on words.

I recently read a mystery novel with a main character who had been a gangster in the past but was forced to change due to circumstances beyond his control. In that book, show more the MC's new life involved things he never would have done or cared about in the past, but it felt really forced to me. That made me notice all the more the way Qwilleran's changes in lifestyle and personality throughout the series have been a lot smoother and more subtle. He's certainly still himself, but also quite different from the man that used to live in the big city and write about urban crime. Overall, this was a good addition to the series. show less

The trio is at it again, solving mysteries, but this time in the mountains. I really enjoyed Qwill's way of asking questions, prodding, charming and agile: one can definitely learn from his manner. The plot is thin and it's easy to guess who the culprit is, but it's the dynamics between the villagers and the setting that make this book a light, fun read.
Amateurs of the series will enjoy this one.

Another terrific addition to the series. Qwill decides to get away from Pickax following the end of his time sequestered there per the rules of his vast Klingenshoen inheritance. He and the less than amenable Koko and Yum Yum head for the mountains ... the Potato Mountains, that is. Qwill is looking for solitude and time to reflect and decide what to do with his life now that he no longer must stay in Pickax. He finds neither solitude or time to reflect, but rather quite a lot of discontent between Taters (those living on Little Potato Mountain) and Spuds (those living on Big Potato Mountain). The story gets more interesting when he finds out the previous occupant and owner of the home he is renting was murdered and, according to the show more Taters, the wrong man was put away as his murderer. Of course our intrepid reporter and his feisty felines solve the case and before he has time to give it any more thought, Qwilleran is on his way back home to Pickax. Home. Pickax will be home as far as it seems at this time. Another wonderful Cat Who tale. show less

Qwill has finally come into the Klingenshoen Inheritance. This huge change in his life makes him feel that he needs to take time away and do some thinking about his life. Hearing how great it was camping in the Potato Mountains, he decides to rent a house for him, Koko and Yum Yum. What he winds up with is a monster of a place that is not quite what he is used to, but it does have a killer view!

Qwill finds that all is not peace and beauty in the Potatoes. Big development is encroaching on this beautiful area. It was brought in by J.J. Hawkinfield, the man who owned the house Qwill and the cats are staying in. Also that he was murdered just the previous year, at the house. The man convicted of the crime is in jail, but many feel that he show more is innocent. Many feel the opposite. Qwill feels that the man was railroaded...and Koko's behaviour seems to back up that there are secrets within the house that point in the same direction.

Once again it is the team of Qwill, Koko and Yum Yum out to solve the crime.

This series is a quick and fun read, and luckily I haven't read all of them....yet. show less

4 stars
This is my favorite non Pickax City book in the series so far. The setting, the Potato Mountains was interesting, after an extremely funny drive which took a few days and chapters Qwill lands in the midst of a rural vs town feud. The mystery itself was terrific and of course Koko solves it early on it only takes Qwill the rest of the book to solve it for the human audience. There is even quite a bit of suspense in the book as Qwill drives the mountain roads, and hikes through the woods.

All my 2020 Cozy Mystery Reviews