I will admit that I bought this book mainly due to the fact that it's takes place around Christmastime (my favorite time of year), and that it featured a deaf cat (I have a deaf cat), even if only for one sentence. However, I received quite a surprise, as I absolutely adored the book, and have now become a Lilian Jackson Braun fan for life. Qwill is an interesting, and exciting character, who's constant work on his articles for the MOOSE COUNTY SOMETHING, keep the reader quite entertained, as well as his work on collecting stories for his newest book. Koko and Yum Yum are also fun characters, who spend their days playing, and being quite vocal. Cat lovers will adore this book, as will all fans of cozy mysteries.
Erika Sorocco
The action begins with on December 23rd as Qwill is Christmas shopping. A series of petty thefts is plaguing Moose County. The crime escalates from minor nuisances to grand thefts and a respected member of a beloved County family is accused. A sudden death of a new Moose County citizen occurs during a trip 'Down Below' interrupts the more immediate concerns of the up-coming local theater production, a newspaper write-in poll of intriguing cat names, and preparations for the Ice Festival. When a popular member of an old Moose County family dies Qwill and Koko increase their efforts to get to the bottom of things. They solve all and bring the culprits to justice before the spring thaw. Of more importance to Moose County devotees is the addition of 'Wetherby Goode' the local radio weather forecaster.
This long running (this is the 19th installment) series of cozies has a loyal core of fans who wouldn't dream of missing a trip to see Qwill, the semi-retired journalist who is also one of the richest men in the 'North central eastern United States' and his friends both human and feline. If you like your murders in series and cozy join the annual trek up north, but if you prefer your crimes to be challenging or graphic travel elsewhere.