The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers

Until CD 3, I was enjoying The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers even while I wished it had been subjected to some prudent editing. It seemed a nice visit with old friends in Moose County. There were only hints that what had seemed a natural death might be... DUN DUN DUUUNNNN... murder.

Then there were hints that a longtime supporting character was about to get the old heave-ho. Oh, yes, and in such a manner that I suspect my fellow cat lovers will also feel it no great loss.

The other big change was telegraphed more subtly, and it's one I regret more. I was planning on listening to the whole series again, but the second change has me thinking I should put that off.

Cat lovers, rest assured that all of the cats are all right.

How disappointing. This book started off well enough with good characterizations and the usual strong sense of place. But the mystery (vaguely hinted at) never comes to fruition. The writing sputters, gazes off distractedly, and then just...ends. No denouement, no explanation, no form or structure. I have loved earlier entries in this series, but I cannot recommend this one. I am sorry.

It's been years since I have read one of the "Cat Who" books. I gave up on the series after noticing that the books were declining in quality. When the audiobook of this installment was donated to our library right before my Thanksgiving week trip, I decided to try it on the trip. I'm not a big fan of audiobooks because I'd rather read the books, but I thought I would give this one a try. It was delightful to revisit the characters in Pickax again. I love Moose County and its inhabitants. However, this book fell short in many ways. Long time fans will be disappointed by developments in the relationship between Qwilleran and Polly. There appears to have been a murder, but unless I didn't catch the development as I was listening, the show more murder was never resolved in spite of Koko's yowls insisting that there had been a murder. Without giving away the plot, I'm just going to say that Qwilleran's reactions to a development in the closing chapters of the book are quite unnatural. The narrator did a good job giving voices to the different characters. While this book is short on plot and very flawed, I still found it a pleasure to return for a visit to Pickax. show less

Short and rambling and somewhat lacking in mystery or solution, but since I have become involved with the characters, I enjoyed the book. If you don't have an interest in these quirky characters the mystery would not keep you going.

It is time for this series to die. I have obviously loved it, but it has outlived its originality and needs to be put down.

Koko's whiskers still quiver, and he still does his best to give clues and solve the murder, but Qwill is too busy being the eligible-bachelor-about-town to notice, at least until after someone else has solved the murder. Then he thinks, "So that's why Koko freaked out whenever so-and-so walked into the room. Hmmm. I wonder what [insert female character's name here:] is doing tonight?"

It's always fun to check back in with the gang from Pickax, but I give up. These are nothing more than catalogs of Qwill's latest columns and dates at this point.

Don't let me dissuade anyone from starting the series; they are really show more good cozy mysteries at the beginning. Just give up on them well before this point. show less

I usually like this series, but this one had little to no mystery at all. Very repetitious--how many times can you mention cats dancing in the windows or jumping like flying squirrels from the loft. Disposing of Polly Duncan like that? Please! Maybe designed to just sort of "wrap things up," but this was disappointing in the extreme. Time to end this series!

Possibly the worst book in the series. Choppy, dull, and sorely lacking in both cats and plot. Not recommended, even for fans. It was a struggle to finish it.