Braun, Lilian Jackson. The Cat Who Saw Red. New york: Jove Books, 1986.
Only 183 pages long The Cat Who Saw Red was a really quick, really fun read. Although it had all the elements of an on-your-toes thriller: a possible murder, intrigue, scandalous affiars, missing persons, and too many possible suspects to count, it was what I would call a “gentle” mystery. A quiet, light suspense ripples throughout the plot. There is just as much humor as danger.
James Qwilleran is an award winning journalist sent on assignment to write a food column. As a former cop Qwill, as he is known by everyone, smells as mystery sooner than a burning souffle. Sniffing out leads, it is not long before he is using his restaurant experiences to wine and dine clues out of unsuspecting suspects.
As an aside: every chapter begins with a sentence that mentions James Qwilleran. I found that to be a weird thing to notice.
Tidbit of trivia: I find it amazing that Lilian J. Bruan first started her “The Cat Who…” series back in the 1960’s and then vanished for eighteen years. Her triumphant return was with The Cat Who Saw Red.
Funny conversation: “…’This is crummy soup.’
’Is it canned?’
’No, worse! It tastes like I made it.’” (p 101)
BookLust Twist: From Book Lust in the chapter called, “Cat Crazy” (p 52).
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