Title: The Cat Who Saw Red
Author: Lilian Jackson Braun
First published April 15, 1986
249 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780515090161 (ISBN10: 0515090166)
Rating: 3.97
Overview
In the midst of a tense Cold War, a group of American bombers is on a mission to Moscow, armed with nuclear weapons. But something goes wrong and they pass the fail-safe point, beyond recall.
Panic sets in as no one knows why or how to stop them. In the War Room at the Pentagon, the secretary of defense and his aides watch with growing anxiety as the blips on the screen map move closer to their target.
Meanwhile, the young president calmly turns to his Russian translator, ready to talk to Premier Kruschchev. Fail-Safe, first published in 1962, captures the apocalyptic mood of the time and the fear that disaster could strike at any moment.
Decades later, with new enemies and nuclear threats on the horizon, this powerful novel’s issues continue to resonate.
About the Author
Lilian Jackson Braun was an American writer who gained popularity for her enjoyable series of mystery novels called The Cat Who… Her books revolve around the life of James Qwilleran, a former reporter, and his two Siamese cats, KoKo and Yum Yum, in the imaginary small town of Pickax located in Moose County, which is “400 miles north of everywhere.” While it was never officially stated in the books, it is generally believed that the towns, counties, and lifestyles depicted in the series are based on Bad Axe, Michigan (in the “Michigan Thumb”), where she and her husband lived for many years until the mid-1980s.
Some also speculate that the culture and history of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are represented in the series, which is possible since it is a fictional location.
Braun’s writing career began when she was a teenager, writing sports poetry for the . She later worked as an advertising copywriter for several department stores in Detroit.
After that, she became the “Good Living” editor at the Detroit Free Press for 30 years, retiring in 1978.
Between 1966 and 1968, Braun received critical acclaim for publishing three novels: , and . In 1966, labeled Braun as “the new detective of the year.” However, the rising mystery author disappeared from the publishing scene for 18 years.
This happened because mystery novels were beginning to focus on sex, violence, and foul language, and Braun’s light-hearted books were not welcome in this new territory. It wasn’t until 1986 when the Berkley Publishing Group reintroduced Braun to the public with the publication of an original paperback, .
Within two years, Berkeley released four new novels in paperback and reprinted the three mysteries from the 1960s. Braun’s series became an instant best-seller once again.
In January 2007, Penguin Group released the twenty-ninth novel in the series, .
Braun was a private person, and little was known about her. For years, publishers provided inaccurate accounts of her birth year, which remained unknown until she mentioned her age in an interview with the Detroit News in January 2005.
Editoral Review
The Cat Who Saw Red by Lilian Jackson Braun is a delightful addition to her well-loved series of cozy mystery novels featuring the remarkable Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum. Originally published on April 15, 1986, the book perfectly captures the essence of the genre with its charming setting, engaging plot, and quirky characters.
Braun was an American writer who gained fame in the 1960s with her literary reviews and short stories. However, it wasn’t until she started writing mysteries that she became a household name.
Her novels are known for their intricate plotlines, vivid descriptions of small-town life, and delightful feline companions. Her series featuring journalist Jim Qwilleran and his cats Koko and Yum Yum has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
The Cat Who Saw Red continues the adventures of Jim Qwilleran, an investigative journalist who has recently moved to the sleepy town of Pickax after a rough patch in his personal and professional life. Qwilleran is determined to settle in and start afresh, but his world is turned upside down when he stumbles upon a murder case while visiting the local art museum.
The plot is well-paced, and the storyline is full of twists and turns that keep readers on their toes. The setting is beautifully depicted, and readers will feel as though they have been transported to Pickax themselves.
The mystery is intricately woven together, and the clues are cleverly hidden throughout the text, making it a challenge to figure out who the killer is. One of the book’s main strengths is the character development of Jim Qwilleran.
He is a likable and relatable protagonist, and readers will root for him as he tries to solve the murder case. The cats, Koko and Yum Yum, are also vibrant characters that add to the book’s overall charm.
However, the book’s biggest weakness is that it can be predictable at times. The mystery is relatively easy to solve, and some readers may find the conclusion unsatisfying.
Additionally, some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped, and their subplots are left unresolved. Overall, The Cat Who Saw Red provides a delightful cozy mystery experience that readers of the genre will enjoy.
It’s a beautifully written book that’s full of heart and wit, and I highly recommend it. If you’re a fan of cozy mystery novels, or if you simply love cats, then you won’t be disappointed.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
