The Cat Who Could Read Backwards

by Lilian Jackson Braun

    

 “The world of modern art is a  mystery to many. But for Jim      Qwilleran, it turns into a mystery of  another sort when his assignment to  the art beat for The Daily Fluxion  leads down the path to murder. A  stabbing in an art gallery, vandalized  paintings, a fatal fall from a  scaffolding--this is not at all what  Qwilleran expects when he turns his  reportorial talents to art. But  Qwilleran and his newly found  partner, Koko the brilliant Siamese,  are back in their element--sniffing  out clues and confounding criminals  intent on mayhem and murder.”

Synopsis from Amazon

I’ve been a fan of Lilian Jackson Braun since my friend Kris introduced her to me many years ago. I had seen her books around for years but to be honest I thought they sounded “silly.” Then Kris recommended them so I tried one and was hooked.

I’ve done another review on Lillian Jackson Braun H.E.R.E.

If the first three seem v.e.r.y. different from the rest the reason is because Braun wrote the first three books between 1966 and 1968 then she disappeared from the publishing scene for 18 years. In 1986 a publisher reintroduced her books to a new generation of readers and within the next two years she wrote four more books. Her 29th book  was published in 2007.  She died at age 97 in 2011.

If you like cozies this is a great series. I’ve read them several times and will probably read them several more. – but I’m a rereader! – and I like cats! Especially the ones in Braun’s series.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

I have been an Agatha Christie fan since the early 70’s.  I believe the first Christie book I read was “Murder On the Orient Express.” I was hooked. My favorites are the books with Miss Marple. I do have a secret crush on Hercule Poroit but Jane Marple – LOVE that woman.

In the past few months, I’ve had a hard time finding good books that keep my interest. (it's not the books - it's me.) This is a bit concerning to me because of my love of reading. So, I decided to revisit some of my old favorites that I have enjoyed in the past and I dubbed 2014 my year of “cozies.” I plan on revisiting some of my old favorite authors and introducing myself to some new ones.

Cozies are a sub-genre of crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed or nonexistent. The crime and detection take place in a small intimate community. I prefer cozies over the more graphic crime and detection books.

So, I began 2014 with “The Mysterious Affair at Styles” when Hercule Poroit was first introduced to the world. This book was first published in 1920. 

“The heiress of Styles has been murdered, dying in agony from strychnine slipped into her coffee. And there are plenty who would gain from her death: the financially strapped stepson, the gold digging younger husband, and an embittered daughter-in-law.

Agatha Christie's eccentric and hugely popular detective, Hercule Poirot, was introduced to the world in this book, which launched her career as the most famous and best loved of all mystery writers.”

Synopsis from GOODREADS.

 

One thing I enjoy about Christie’s books is that they move quickly. She doesn’t get bogged down in unnecessary information. She doesn’t over explain. Sometimes I can figure out who the murderer is – sometimes I can’t.

 

In “The Mysterious Affair at Styles” I was looking for a murderer that wasn’t too obvious. I was a bit surprised to find – Oh well, I don’t want to give it away. You may want to read it. So I’ll stop here.

 

"Every murderer is probably somebody's old friend," observed Poirot philosophically. "You cannot mix up sentiment and reason.” From “The Mysterious Affair at Styles.”

 

I hope you will try a few cozies this year. I think you will find them easy to read and fun.

 

I recommend any books written by Agatha Christie.