Comments on: A blank canvas

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 02:53:23 +0000

I’m a bit late to the party, but I’ve had this reply on the back of my mind for a couple weeks now.

I’m currently 27, and have been reading the misadventures of James Qwilleran, Kao Ko Kung, and Yum Yum for around 20 years. I’ve read just about all of the books. I think there might be a new one or two I haven’t read.

As to where they take place, they’re definitely an amalgam of many places in Central northern United States. I’m not familiar enough to say more than that though.

I do really enjoy the 1500 word articles, however. An interesting thing about it is that LJB actually published a book of his articles about the history of Moose County, Short and Tall Tales. Really good stuff, and they’re all right around 1500 words.

By: Saresa

Saresa — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:46:22 +0000

OK – the most exciting thing for me (and clearly other people) – I found someone else who loves ‘The Cat Who…’ books! Squee! Of course, I also read the Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb ones (have all of those too, pretty kick ass as a rule, sometimes a bit too ‘lovey’ for my liking), and have hooked friends on them, but have never quite gotten anyone to read Braun’s books. I also get a kick out of the Mrs Murphy mysteries by Rita Mae Brown. Completely different in style – about a small town in Virginia (I think), where the postmistress and her 2 cats and dog are forever getting themselves wrapped up in mysteries – but still enjoyable. Very ‘Southern’ though. Then again, I get a kick out of all mysteries basically (except for those books that TV show ‘Bones’ is based on – can’t get into them).

As for the posting, heck, I often feel like I have nothing to say, and I have been blogging for only a few months. Of course, the feeling of coming up with something out of nothing is just fantastic, and we all love reading what you have to say.

A Bientot!

By: Vrathmat

Vrathmat — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:57:42 +0000

Wow I had totally forgotten abou The Cat Who series. I was really into those way back when. So many of them…

By: scott

scott — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:29:08 +0000

Lillian Jackson Braun has never said where the books actually take place. It is generally accepted they are based on Bad Axe in Michigan, where she used to live, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. My guess is she doesn’t want to be specific to avoid disappointing people in places like Minnesota.

We listen to Cat Who on tape (well CD) a lot when we go up North, and are fans.

By: Wulfa

Wulfa — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:12:04 +0000

I tried one of the Cat Who books and put it down after a few pages. I don’t try to be feminist in my reading choices but I just don’t get into male leads. And if the story doesn’t have at least one racy scene then I lose interest, and if it has more than one or two racy scenes it’s too much … I feel a literary post coming on. I will be a copyCat.

By: Krystofar

Krystofar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:10:52 +0000

OMG I laughed so hard when I learned you read “The Cat Who…” novels. You know those are for old ladies, right? Well, that’s how I’ve always referred to them… old lady books. How do I know? I’ve read almost all of theml. Ya, I’m a 43 yr. old man that reads old lady books. Big whoop. Wanna fight about it?
I love them. They’re fun, silly, and have a distinct charm. Actually, I think I’ve read all of ther authors mentioned, but it’s the Braun books I look forward to most.
Thanks, BBB

Krystofar

By: Kiliani

Kiliani — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:44:27 +0000

I’m a huge fan of mysteries of various types – especially series mysteries of both the standard detective/thriller type and the lighter “cozy mystery” type. The “Cat Who…” series was probably the first of the cozy mystery variety that I read, and definitely enjoy – I’ve missed a few here and there and try to fill in the gaps when I can.

I also enjoy John Sandford, Jonathan Kellerman (and his wife Faye Kellerman’s Decker/Lazarus series), James Patterson, etc.

If you’re hesitant about reading the J.D. Robb “In Death” series because it’s Nora Roberts, don’t be. They’re fantastic. My husband loved them, every time we went to visit his mom (who buys pretty much all the mystery type paperbacks from the best seller racks when she goes grocery shopping, and then gave them to us every time we visited) we’d have to fight over who got to read the latest J.D. Robb book first. Expect two or three gratuitous sex scenes per book, but otherwise, a fair amount of humor mixed in with some serious fast paced detective action.

Another thought – unless your budget is tight to the point that you really must rely on the library, you might check out PaperbackSwap.com – I’ve been a member for a few years now, and have found it to be a great source of reading material that I can’t get from my mother-in-law for free :D. It’s cheaper than buying new paperbacks at either the grocery store or a bookstore, and even some used bookstores… and finding the specific books you want is much more likely than at a library sale, garage sale or thrift shop. Just a suggestion for you and your readers who are voracious readers.

By: Bigblackbull

Bigblackbull — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:09:23 +0000

Tisk Tisk.. only 1304 (if you count the title) :)

By: Ally

Ally — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:49:56 +0000

My mother simply devours mysteries. She’s read all of the Cat Who stuff and just about anything else you can imagine. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the genre. The only place she and I agree is on the Rex Stout Nero Wolfe series. Yes, forumulaic cookie cutter characters and plots, but what makes them so predictable is also what makes them so great. You come to actually love the characters, even if you can already figure out “Who dun it” before the end of the first chapter.

By: Tesh

Tesh — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:00:18 +0000

The Cat Who books are excellent. I’ll admit, they start getting a bit… long in the tooth as the series goes on, but I think I’ll attribute that to the advancing age of the author.

I totally forgot about Quilleran’s 1500 word trick. It’s definitely a good indicator of the writer’s bug. If I were getting paid for writing, I’d probably try the same trick. I did something on a smaller scale back in high school for the school paper. As it is, I just write blog articles when I can carve out the time, and I already feel guilty for taking the time to write. Life does that. Even so… 1500 words? Pfft. I find myself writing 2000 about half the time, without even trying. Whether or not it’s worth reading, now that’s another matter… but it’s fun to write and exercise the brain. If someone else gets something out of it, it’s a bonus.