





The Cat Who...
29 books
Here are 29 books from The Cat Who... series by Lilian Jackson Braun. Start with The Cat Who Could Read Backwards (1966), then read the rest in the order below.
Books in order

The Cat Who Could Read Backwards
Lilian Jackson Braun
A celebrated reporter finds himself entangled in a baffling murder mystery when his eccentric, art-critic neighbor and his enigmatic feline companion become central figures. As the reporter delves deeper, he uncovers a complex web of rivalries within the city's art scene, where artistic ambition and personal vendettas collide. With the help of his unusually perceptive cat, he must piece together the clues to expose a killer lurking in the shadows of the art world.

The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern
Lilian Jackson Braun
Newspaper reporter Jim Qwilleran is assigned to edit an interior-design magazine, a subject far removed from his usual interests—until a featured home becomes the scene of a burglary and a suspicious death. With his perceptive Siamese cat, Koko, at his side, Qwilleran follows a trail of clues through the polished world of designer furnishings, affluent homes, and hidden resentments. Blending gentle humor, atmospheric small-town intrigue, and classic whodunit suspense, this mystery explores the contrast between cultivated appearances and the secrets concealed beneath them.

The Cat Who Turned on and Off
Lilian Jackson Braun
Newspaper reporter Jim Qwilleran finds himself drawn into a murder investigation in Junktown, a neighborhood where antique shops, eccentric residents, and long-held secrets create an intriguing backdrop. With the help—or interference—of his remarkably perceptive Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, Qwilleran follows a trail of clues hidden among the community’s cluttered past and complicated relationships. Blending classic mystery with gentle humor, memorable characters, and feline intuition, the novel explores deception, loyalty, and the unexpected connections within a close-knit neighborhood. Lilian Jackson Braun’s witty, atmospheric storytelling gives the case an engagingly lighthearted charm while maintaining the suspense of a traditional whodunit.

The Cat Who Played Brahms
Lilian Jackson Braun
When journalist Jim Qwilleran retreats to a quiet country cabin with his perceptive Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, he hopes to escape a professional crisis and enjoy a peaceful summer. Instead, strange nighttime disturbances, guarded locals, and a shocking discovery draw him into a murder investigation. As Qwilleran follows a trail of secrets and suspicion, Koko’s unusual fascination with classical music may offer an unexpected clue. Blending cozy atmosphere, gentle humor, and clever detection, this charming mystery explores the hidden tensions beneath small-town life.
The Cat Who Saw Red
Lilian Jackson Braun
Prizewinning reporter Jim Qwilleran moves into a gloomy old mansion with his two exceptionally perceptive Siamese cats, only to find that its troubled history may not be confined to the past. When strange occurrences begin and an old girlfriend vanishes, Qwilleran is drawn into an investigation filled with unsettling clues and hidden motives. Blending classic mystery, atmospheric suspense, and wry feline charm, the story explores the secrets that linger behind respectable façades. Lilian Jackson Braun’s engaging series style makes the cats as compelling—and mysterious—as the human suspects.

The Cat Who Played Post Office
Lilian Jackson Braun
When reporter Jim Qwilleran and his inquisitive Siamese companions, Koko and Yum-Yum, inherit an unexpected fortune, they leave familiar surroundings for an exclusive world of wealth, glamour, and privilege. But their new life takes a sinister turn when a shocking murder disrupts the glittering social scene, drawing Qwilleran into another perplexing investigation. Blending cozy mystery, gentle humor, and keen observations of small-town society, this installment showcases the cats’ uncanny knack for uncovering clues and their human companion’s determined pursuit of the truth.

The Cat Who Knew Shakespeare
Lilian Jackson Braun
In the quirky northern community of Pickax, journalist Jim Qwilleran finds himself drawn into a baffling mystery when an unsettling death exposes tensions beneath the town’s familiar charm. With his perceptive Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, at his side, Qwill follows a trail of eccentric clues linked to local history, literature, and the enduring presence of Shakespeare. Blending gentle suspense with small-town gossip, richly drawn characters, and affectionate observations of feline behavior, this cozy mystery is as much a visit with beloved friends as it is an investigation.
The Cat Who Sniffed Glue
Lilian Jackson Braun
In the seemingly tranquil city of Pickax, a veteran newspaperman finds himself drawn into a perplexing murder investigation. Aided by his two discerning feline companions, Koko and Yum Yum, he must unravel a complex web of secrets, love, and unexpected danger. As the investigation deepens, the unique talents of his Siamese cats prove instrumental in uncovering the truth behind a peculiar crime. This installment in the beloved series offers a charming blend of cozy mystery and character-driven storytelling, set against the backdrop of a quirky, close-knit community.

The Cat Who Went Underground
Lilian Jackson Braun
When a mysterious death occurs in a quiet small town, a semi-retired journalist finds himself drawn into the investigation. Accompanied by his exceptionally intuitive Siamese cat, Koko, he must unravel a web of secrets and long-buried resentments. As they delve deeper, the journalist questions whether Koko's uncanny insights are genuine feline brilliance or a reflection of his own subconscious deductions. This charming mystery blends cozy small-town life with the unique bond between a man and his extraordinary cat.

The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts
Lilian Jackson Braun
When a friend is found terrified to death in her own home, journalist Jim Qwilleran is drawn into a baffling investigation in the small town of Pickax. With the help—or possibly the uncanny intuition—of his two perceptive Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, Qwilleran follows a trail of hidden motives, local secrets, and unsettling clues. Blending cozy mystery, gentle humor, and atmospheric suspense, the novel explores friendship, community, and the ways the past can haunt the present. Lilian Jackson Braun’s signature combination of clever detection and feline charm makes this an engaging entry in the beloved Cat Who... series.
The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal
Lilian Jackson Braun
Returning to Pickax, journalist Jim Qwilleran hopes for a peaceful change of pace—but an insistent bird, complications in his romantic life, and a shocking murder accusation quickly disrupt his plans. When a close friend becomes entangled in the case, Qwilleran’s curiosity and investigative instincts draw him into the community’s secrets. Blending small-town atmosphere, feline intuition, and classic whodunit intrigue, this installment offers a witty and warmly observed mystery in which appearances can be deceiving.

The Cat Who Lived High
Lilian Jackson Braun
When journalist Jim Qwilleran moves with Koko and Yum Yum into the historic Casablanca apartment building, his plans to restore its faded grandeur are interrupted by the murder of a glamorous art dealer. As the building faces the threat of demolition, Qwilleran investigates its colorful past and the secrets hidden within its walls. With Koko’s uncanny instincts and Yum Yum’s watchful presence offering unexpected clues, the case draws them into a perilous puzzle of art, history, ambition, and betrayal. Blending cozy mystery, vivid setting, and feline ingenuity, this installment delivers another engaging investigation in the beloved Cat Who series.

The Cat Who Moved a Mountain
Lilian Jackson Braun
When journalist Jim Qwilleran retreats to Big Potato Mountain with his perceptive Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, he expects a peaceful change of scenery—but instead finds himself drawn into a suspicious death. Local developer J. J. Hawkinfield has been blamed for disrupting the mountain community and is presumed to have met a violent end at the hands of an angry resident. Yet Qwilleran doubts the official story, and Koko’s uncanny behavior suggests that hidden clues—and deeper tensions—remain beneath the surface. Set against a vividly eccentric mountain community, this installment blends cozy mystery, sharp observation, and feline intuition in a compelling search for the truth.

The Cat Who Wasn't There
Lilian Jackson Braun
When Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese companions, Koko and Yum Yum, join a group of Moose County residents on a tour of Scotland, the journey proves far more mysterious than expected. Amid historic landscapes, eccentric travelers, and unsettling incidents, Qwill finds himself drawn into a puzzle that demands both journalistic instinct and feline intuition. Blending gentle suspense with wit, community charm, and richly observed cat behavior, the novel explores friendship, loyalty, and the enduring appeal of uncovering hidden truths. It is a warm, atmospheric installment in a beloved cozy-mystery series.

The Cat Who Went into the Closet
Lilian Jackson Braun
When journalist Jim Qwilleran moves into the old Gage mansion, he expects a quiet new chapter in Moose County—but a troubling mystery soon demands his attention from afar. With his perceptive Siamese companions, Koko and Yum Yum, at his side, Qwill follows a trail of clues that reaches beyond the mansion’s walls and tests his investigative instincts. Blending gentle suspense, small-town intrigue, and richly drawn feline personalities, the novel explores loyalty, hidden histories, and the uncanny bond between humans and their pets. Lilian Jackson Braun’s warm, witty style makes this cozy mystery an inviting visit with familiar characters, clever cats, and an atmosphere of understated charm.
The Cat Who Came to Breakfast
Lilian Jackson Braun
Newspaperman and philanthropist Jim Qwilleran is drawn from quiet Pickax City to the glittering Breakfast Island resort, where a series of strange accidents suggests that something far more sinister is taking place. With his intuitive Siamese companions, Koko and Yum Yum, at his side, Qwill investigates a mystery involving old acquaintances, hidden motives, and the uneasy clash between small-town traditions and ambitious development. Set against the cozy, eccentric world of Moose County, this sixteenth entry in the series blends gentle suspense, feline charm, humor, and community intrigue in Lilian Jackson Braun’s distinctive style.
The Cat Who Blew the Whistle
Lilian Jackson Braun
When Moose County celebrates the restoration of Floyd Trevelyan’s historic steam locomotive, the festivities come to an abrupt halt when Trevelyan vanishes—along with millions of dollars belonging to his investors. Prizewinning reporter Jim Qwilleran investigates, suspecting a connection between the missing millionaire and a recent murder at a nearby railroad tavern. With the uncanny assistance of his Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, Qwill follows a trail of clues that challenges the local police and uncovers tensions beneath the town’s cheerful surface. Blending cozy mystery, small-town atmosphere, and feline intuition, this installment delivers Lilian Jackson Braun’s signature charm and quietly suspenseful storytelling.

The Cat Who Said Cheese
Lilian Jackson Braun
As Moose County prepares for the eagerly anticipated Great Food Explo, culinary celebrations are overshadowed by the arrival of a mysterious guest at the New Pickax Hotel. When a deadly explosion claims the life of a housekeeper, journalist Jim Qwilleran and his perceptive cats, Koko and Yum Yum, begin probing a case steeped in rumor, secrets, and small-town intrigue. Against a backdrop of restaurant openings, cheese tastings, and bake-offs, the investigation explores loyalty, deception, and the hidden tensions beneath a seemingly festive community. With its cozy atmosphere, wry humor, and trademark feline sleuthing, this installment delivers an engaging mystery without sacrificing the series’ charm.
The Cat Who Tailed a Thief
Lilian Jackson Braun
When a rash of burglaries unsettles the quiet town of Pickax, former crime reporter Jim Qwilleran finds himself drawn into the investigation—even as the local authorities struggle to identify the culprit. With Siamese companions Koko and Yum Yum offering their own curious brand of assistance, Qwilleran follows a trail of suspicious behavior, hidden motives, and elusive clues. Set against the cozy rhythms and colorful residents of Moose County, this installment blends gentle suspense, wry humor, and an affectionate portrait of small-town life. Lilian Jackson Braun’s signature cat-centered mystery is as much a comforting visit with familiar friends as it is an engaging puzzle.

The Cat Who Saw Stars
Lilian Jackson Braun
Retired journalist Jim Qwilleran expects a tranquil lakeside retreat with his remarkable cats, Koko and Yum Yum, but an unsettling death disrupts the quiet community. When whispers of UFO sightings and a missing backpacker turn local curiosity into suspicion, Qwill is drawn into an investigation that reaches beyond the town’s surface. Blending cozy mystery, eccentric small-town characters, and feline intuition, the novel explores the tension between peaceful escape and the search for truth.

The Cat Who Sang for the Birds
Lilian Jackson Braun
As spring arrives in Moose County, journalist Jim Qwilleran hopes to enjoy the quiet beauty of the season—but noisy birds, curious disturbances, and his unusually vocal cat Koko soon disrupt the peace. When vandalism is followed by a troubling series of deaths and disappearances, Qwill turns to Koko and Yum Yum for clues amid the commotion. Blending small-town charm, feline intuition, and a cleverly unfolding mystery, this cozy crime novel explores the secrets hidden beneath an apparently tranquil community.

Cat Who Smelled a Rat
Lilian Jackson Braun
In the quirky northern community of Moose County, journalist and amateur sleuth Jim Qwilleran is drawn into a troubling case involving suspicious fires, explosions, and murder. With his prescient Siamese companions, Koko and Yum Yum, nearby, Qwill follows a trail of clues that reveals tensions beneath the town’s friendly surface. Blending gentle suspense, eccentric small-town characters, and feline intuition, this cozy mystery explores community secrets, justice, and the unexpected ways trouble announces itself.

The Cat Who Robbed a Bank
Lilian Jackson Braun
In the quiet community of Pickax, a daring bank robbery disrupts Moose County’s comfortable routine and draws journalist-turned-amateur sleuth Jim Qwilleran into another dangerous investigation. With the help of his perceptive Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, Qwilleran follows a trail of suspicious behavior, hidden motives, and clues that others overlook. Blending gentle humor, small-town charm, and a cleverly unfolding mystery, the novel explores friendship, community, greed, and the uncanny bond between a man and his remarkable cats. Lilian Jackson Braun’s warm, character-driven style makes this cozy mystery as inviting as a visit with old friends.

The Cat Who Brought Down the House
Lilian Jackson Braun
When a glamorous former Hollywood resident returns to Pickax City for retirement, journalist Jim Qwilleran is drawn into a mystery amid old acquaintances, local intrigue, and the unpredictable antics of his Siamese companions, Koko and Yum Yum. As secrets surface in the close-knit Moose County community, Qwill relies on his instincts—and perhaps Koko’s uncanny ability to uncover clues—to make sense of a troubling case. Blending gentle suspense, small-town charm, and affectionate observations of feline behavior, this installment offers the warm humor and richly familiar characters that define the beloved series.

The Cat Who Went up the Creek
Lilian Jackson Braun
Former crime reporter Jim Qwilleran retreats with his two Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, to a riverside inn in the nearby town of Black Creek—but a troubling “dark cloud” hangs over the newly reopened establishment. While posing as a guest, Qwill finds himself drawn into the inn’s uneasy atmosphere and the questions surrounding its past and present. With Koko’s uncanny behavior offering tantalizing clues, the story blends small-town mystery with warm character-driven humor, feline intuition, and the pleasures of returning to familiar friends.

The Cat Who Talked Turkey
Lilian Jackson Braun
In Moose County, excitement is building for a new bookstore and Brrr’s bicentennial celebration—until a body is discovered on James Qwilleran’s property. With unsettling similarities to an earlier crime, the case raises fears that a dangerous killer may be operating in the community. Qwill, aided by his sharp-witted Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum, follows a trail of secrets, local rivalries, and suspicious behavior. Blending gentle humor, small-town charm, and classic puzzle-mystery intrigue, this installment offers another engaging investigation in the beloved Cat Who series.
The Cat Who Dropped a Bombshell
Lilian Jackson Braun
In the lively town of Pickax, preparations for its 150th anniversary celebration are interrupted when prizewinning reporter Jim Qwilleran becomes entangled in the disappearance of a prominent couple. At the same time, his Siamese cat Koko develops a baffling habit of dropping from balconies—and landing in remarkably suspicious places. With help from Koko and Yum Yum, Qwilleran follows a trail of clues through small-town rivalries, local history, and hidden secrets. Combining gentle humor, colorful characters, and an ingenious mystery, this installment showcases Lilian Jackson Braun’s signature cozy charm.

The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers
Lilian Jackson Braun
As Pickax City prepares for a summer-long sesquicentennial celebration, former crime reporter Jim Qwilleran is drawn into a troubling mystery when the possible murder of an out-of-town visitor is followed by a string of unsettling deaths. While Qwill juggles civic festivities, local rivalries, and an unexpected weather crisis, his keenly observant Siamese cat, Koko, begins displaying behavior that may point toward hidden clues. Set against the warmly eccentric community of Moose County, this cozy mystery blends gentle suspense, wry humor, small-town relationships, and the irresistible antics of Koko and Yum Yum.

The Cat Who Went Bananas
Lilian Jackson Braun
In Pickax, the excitement surrounding a theatrical opening and the dedication of a new bookstore is overshadowed when an actor from out of town dies under suspicious circumstances and a rare book disappears. Newspaper columnist Jim Qwilleran is drawn into the investigation, while his perceptive Siamese companion, Koko, behaves in a most uncharacteristically cryptic manner. As clues emerge, Qwill must determine whether Koko’s odd actions are mere feline eccentricities or signals pointing toward the truth. Blending small-town charm, literary intrigue, and classic cozy-mystery suspense, this installment offers another engaging puzzle in the beloved Cat Who series.