The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal

Written by Lilian Braun

Narrated by George Guidall

Back in Pickax, Jim Qwilleran expects to resume a quiet life, but the people and animals of Pickax have other ideas. A noisy cardinal wakes him every morning, nosy neighbors drop by uninvited, and the Siamese cats—Koko and Yum Yum—misbehave, even sneezing on guests. As if they weren't bad enough, Qwill's long-time companion, Polly Duncan, acts as though she is in love—with another man.

Worst of all, Qwill finds a body in his apple orchard. When his friend, Dennis Hough, becomes the chief suspect, Qwill embarks on a crusade to clear Hough's name and win back Polly's heart. Even Koko sniffs out a few clues. But will their efforts be too little too late? Not even Koko knows for sure in the quirky, engaging romp that was a New York Times bestseller.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phoenix Books, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 1, 2006
• ISBN: 9781607472353

Reviews for The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal

[bostonian71 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Much like its protagonist, this story ambles along, leisurely highlighting the nooks and crannies of the small town and its characters. But the narrative also never loses sight of its main mystery, and Qwill's interactions with his neighbors aren't separate from his murder investigation, but an integral part of it. (Being a cat lover, I also appreciate the humorous asides about Qwill's feline accomplices.) Nothing earthshattering, but it's light and entertaining -- a good one to read on a trip and then pass on.

[talon2claw · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love the way these little mysteries wander into small town, middle of nowhere life. The cats keep me entertained. One thing is for sure, I never want to meet Jim Qwilleran; people are always dying around that man!

[kevn57-163679 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4 ½ stars
This was a reread that I’d last read in the 1990’s when I read the entire series available at the time. It was my favorite book of the series back then and I still remembered many details of the book which is different from my reread of the early books which I retained a slight familiarity with. It really stood up for me I liked that the mystery was tied together with Edmund Backhouse and will look for his biography next time I’m in the library. I also love the barn as a setting.

[fernemysteryreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of the delights of this series is that one never knows where Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese cats, Koko and Yum-Yum will be residing as the setting for their residence changes throughout the series and they always add an interesting twist to the mystery of murder and mayhem and a fascinating new cast of characters for their interactions.

As always, I can't wait to read the next one in the series but didn't realize until I added the title on GoodReads that I missed reading #11 so will take a step back as I can't miss any of the titles in this series.

[chazzifrazz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Pickax Theatre Club shows up at Qwill's converted apple barn for an impromptu closing-night cast party. When things die down and most everyone is gone, there is still a car parked on the property. When Qwill checks on it, he finds the dead body of Hilary VanBrook, the disliked director of the play!Having been a prize-winning reporter on the crime beat, Qwill finds himself drawn into searching for the murder and the reason for the killing. His partners in sleuthing are Koko and Yum Yum, his pair of Siamese cats.When a visitor shoots and kills a cardinal that Koko has befriended, Qwill starts to take a long hard look at the man and the people around him. Qwills ability to engage people in conversation and learn things, and Koko's extraordinary ability to give Qwill hints to follow make for a fun and interesting read.This is a series that I've read almost all the books on and will be sad to get to the end, but I am enjoying them as I go!

[nx74defiant · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another fun mystery with Koko and YumYum.I love the descriptions of Qwill's barn home

[dukefan86 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Once I started listening to this one, I realized I'd heard it before, but it was worth hearing again. As with many other Lilian Jackson Braun stories, this was an easy one to listen to while driving. The cast of characters was pretty interesting to follow, though I remembered whodunit from my last listen a few years ago.

[bluesalamanders · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When Qwill moves into his remodeled apple barn, he hosts a party after the latest theater production. After everyone leaves, he finds the unpopular director murdered outside.Qwill and Poly have some problems in this book, and it's kind of frustrating and sad. Not my favorite of the series.

[dele2451 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another adorable story in the tried and true Lilian Jackson Braun formula. It's not particularly weighty reading, but it was just the perfect thing to pass the time while I waited out a snowstorm. One Warning: If you are a serious cardinal lover, you might want to pick something else.

[fernandame_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Audiobook - I really enjoy this series and even though there was less about the cats in this one the story was good.

[universehall · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Largely an enjoyable book. I got stuck somewhere half way through during a dry part... But I think I actually enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed the last couple. I felt there was more interaction with the main characters -- which is, after all, the reason one reads these books. And the finish was pretty good.

[angiebrooke · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As usual another great story featuring Qwilleran and his lovely siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum. I never tire of these stories. This is one of my favorite series.

[reading_fox · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I picked this up as my entry point to the series, which given it is twelve books in porbably doesn't help, but found it plesaingly understandable anyway. There are several references to previous events, which I assume happened in the other books, but they don't effect the plot of this one at all.Qwill a semi-retired jounalist ex-police officer has recently moved into a large barn conversion with his two cats, and is new arrangements are part of the talk of hte town. Following the sucessful close of the local Am Dram production of HenryVIII, the actors descend upon him for a late night party. In the morning the cats discover that the producer - the unliked school headmaster - never made it home. Although Qeill doesn't investigate as such, in the manner of a male Miss Marple, or a non-smoking Columbo he quickly turns up a few odd facts about the deceased, and by the time of the second body he is quite curious. Although there are two bodies, not much actually happens. The Cardinal in question is both a bird in Qwill's newfound garden, and Cardinal Worsley who was played by the school master.The quiet pace and gently engaging chats and antics of the cats make this a perfectly enjoyable though hardly remarkable cosy. There is plenty of backstory interaction with characters presumably known from previous books.

[arl5n5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A play is in the works up North. Koko helps Qwill find the killer of the nasty director.