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James, the Connoisseur Cat
An American gentleman and his very proper English cat, James, form the perfect partnership as they attend London auctions, visit art galleries, and witness the marriage of a lord
169 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
March 5, 2015
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.
Henry is the cat in my neighborhood that everyone knows. He says hi to everyone. He’s also a big hit with the local college. True story, in the middle of winter, the college has provided him with his very own heat lamp.
He is my neighborhood’s version of James.
James the Connoisseur Cat is about a cat and the people around him. He is a class act, as most cats are. He solves various mysteries that don’t involve death and destruction. The charm of the story isn’t so much the mysteries or the romance (a very light and Austen one), but the description of what James does to solve them. If you have ever lived with a cat (or been owned by one), you will recognize James.
The book lies on the border of children and adult literature. The material is suitable for children – nothing too bloody or sexual. The writing is accessible, but not at a low level. It is quite enjoyable with a level a wit that makes a pleasant few hours reading for an adult, especially an adult who owns a cat.
The stories are constructed in such a way that each chapter, while linking characters and some plot details from previous chapters, in essence functions as an individual short story. The book itself is slightly reminiscent of Jeeves and Wooster.
Henry is the cat in my neighborhood that everyone knows. He says hi to everyone. He’s also a big hit with the local college. True story, in the middle of winter, the college has provided him with his very own heat lamp.
He is my neighborhood’s version of James.
James the Connoisseur Cat is about a cat and the people around him. He is a class act, as most cats are. He solves various mysteries that don’t involve death and destruction. The charm of the story isn’t so much the mysteries or the romance (a very light and Austen one), but the description of what James does to solve them. If you have ever lived with a cat (or been owned by one), you will recognize James.
The book lies on the border of children and adult literature. The material is suitable for children – nothing too bloody or sexual. The writing is accessible, but not at a low level. It is quite enjoyable with a level a wit that makes a pleasant few hours reading for an adult, especially an adult who owns a cat.
The stories are constructed in such a way that each chapter, while linking characters and some plot details from previous chapters, in essence functions as an individual short story. The book itself is slightly reminiscent of Jeeves and Wooster.
March 6, 2015
I love cats — really, I do. I’ve had up to seven at a time, quite a few of them strays, although it’s safe to say none of them were like James.
At first, the book dragged enough that I was surprised to find that this edition was a reissue by Open Road Media of a 1991 book and not a recent self-published ebook. However, one-fifth of the way through, Harriet Hahn found her way, and James the Connoisseur Cat improved somewhat, but the slim novel never rose above adequate.
James, a whiskey-swilling, paté-eating, canapé-cadging, imperious, sentient silver-gray cat, becomes the boon companion of our unnamed narrator, an American áwho spends a year in London. Although James can’t speak, he certainly lets our narrator — and others, including the narrator’s friends, Lord Henry Stepson and the artist Helena Haakon — know what he needs and is thinking. Together (with James hidden in a travel bag) our narrator and the clever cat travel through Fortnum & Mason and go on a number of adventures — including quite a few crime-fighting ones.
James the Connoisseur Cat isn’t a bad book, even if it’s no Carbonel: The King of Cats or Miss Bianca. However, I wonder who its target audience could be; while marketed as a children’s book, it is too sophisticated for most children and too fantastical for adults. At the same time, although released in the early 1990s, it has more of the contrived feel and the arch tone of a light book published late in the 19th or early in the 20th century: You’ll predict the outcome of every adventure, even if Hahn writes them up in an amusing way and in a pseudo-sophisticated voice, and occasionally gives the cocky James a comeuppance when he’s got it coming to him.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Open Road Media in exchange for an honest review.
At first, the book dragged enough that I was surprised to find that this edition was a reissue by Open Road Media of a 1991 book and not a recent self-published ebook. However, one-fifth of the way through, Harriet Hahn found her way, and James the Connoisseur Cat improved somewhat, but the slim novel never rose above adequate.
James, a whiskey-swilling, paté-eating, canapé-cadging, imperious, sentient silver-gray cat, becomes the boon companion of our unnamed narrator, an American áwho spends a year in London. Although James can’t speak, he certainly lets our narrator — and others, including the narrator’s friends, Lord Henry Stepson and the artist Helena Haakon — know what he needs and is thinking. Together (with James hidden in a travel bag) our narrator and the clever cat travel through Fortnum & Mason and go on a number of adventures — including quite a few crime-fighting ones.
James the Connoisseur Cat isn’t a bad book, even if it’s no Carbonel: The King of Cats or Miss Bianca. However, I wonder who its target audience could be; while marketed as a children’s book, it is too sophisticated for most children and too fantastical for adults. At the same time, although released in the early 1990s, it has more of the contrived feel and the arch tone of a light book published late in the 19th or early in the 20th century: You’ll predict the outcome of every adventure, even if Hahn writes them up in an amusing way and in a pseudo-sophisticated voice, and occasionally gives the cocky James a comeuppance when he’s got it coming to him.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Open Road Media in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2015
This is a short, cozy novel, about an unusually gifted cat, called James. Our narrator is a fine art agent – who visits London to bid on art and antiques for clients and carry out research for academics. While working in London, he resides in the wonderfully named Baron’s Chambers, presided over by Mrs March. When our narrator arrives in London to stay, he is met by James, who Mrs March claims has been ‘dumped’ on her by her sister. Before long, the two have an affinity and it is obvious that James understands everything that is said to him, has a liking for whiskey and fine pate and a gift for solving crime.
It is fair to say that this short book gives a slightly rose coloured view of London life. Main characters include Lord Henry, Earl of Haverstock, involving visits to stately homes, and his romance with artist Helena Haakon. During this book, James discovers missing jewels, ferrets out forgeries and rids Lord Henry of unwanted relatives. This is a fun read for feline lovers, and the author is wise to keep the book short enough that the jokes do not wear thin. An enjoyable and easy mystery. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
It is fair to say that this short book gives a slightly rose coloured view of London life. Main characters include Lord Henry, Earl of Haverstock, involving visits to stately homes, and his romance with artist Helena Haakon. During this book, James discovers missing jewels, ferrets out forgeries and rids Lord Henry of unwanted relatives. This is a fun read for feline lovers, and the author is wise to keep the book short enough that the jokes do not wear thin. An enjoyable and easy mystery. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
November 24, 2016
Cute piece of fluff about a man and his best friend, a crime solving cat. Not really marketed for adults but a perfect book for parents to introduce their kitty loving children to the mystery genre, half the fun being imagining ones own cat as James.
*Thank you St Martins Press and Netgalley for this review copy.
*Thank you St Martins Press and Netgalley for this review copy.
March 20, 2015
James the Connoisseur Cat by Harriet Hahn is a 2015 Open Road Integrated Media Publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love that Open Road Integrated Media finds these little gems and reissues them onto digital format. I have discovered some really great novels that were tucked into the “where are they now files” and are now having new life breathed into them in the digital age.
When I first started reading James the Connoisseur Cat I thought perhaps there had been a misunderstanding on my part about the classification. First of all, I was under the impression this was a cozy mystery, and for a good long while there didn't appear to be much of a mystery, must a series of adventures featuring James the cat. I also thought this book may have been written for a younger audience since it is obviously a fantasy. I know there are mystery novels about cats who help solve mysteries and the animals talk amongst themselves and so forth, but James is an extraordinary creature beyond belief.
However, I was determined to stick with the book and if nothing else I just fell in love with James. I am a cat lover and so naturally the cat as a main character appeals to me. James definitely had some trademark cat characteristics that I found charming and humorous.
I have no idea how to access this one in all honesty. Quirky, cute, and certainly outside the box. I do think cozy mystery lovers will like this one, but it is super short and did take too long to get rolling, but it's a clean, escapist read that would make for a nice diversion from the usual fare and I do think middle grade and YA could also appreciate this one too.
Overall this one gets 3 stars.
I love that Open Road Integrated Media finds these little gems and reissues them onto digital format. I have discovered some really great novels that were tucked into the “where are they now files” and are now having new life breathed into them in the digital age.
When I first started reading James the Connoisseur Cat I thought perhaps there had been a misunderstanding on my part about the classification. First of all, I was under the impression this was a cozy mystery, and for a good long while there didn't appear to be much of a mystery, must a series of adventures featuring James the cat. I also thought this book may have been written for a younger audience since it is obviously a fantasy. I know there are mystery novels about cats who help solve mysteries and the animals talk amongst themselves and so forth, but James is an extraordinary creature beyond belief.
However, I was determined to stick with the book and if nothing else I just fell in love with James. I am a cat lover and so naturally the cat as a main character appeals to me. James definitely had some trademark cat characteristics that I found charming and humorous.
I have no idea how to access this one in all honesty. Quirky, cute, and certainly outside the box. I do think cozy mystery lovers will like this one, but it is super short and did take too long to get rolling, but it's a clean, escapist read that would make for a nice diversion from the usual fare and I do think middle grade and YA could also appreciate this one too.
Overall this one gets 3 stars.
March 4, 2015
Princess Fuzzypants(https://www.facebook.com/Princessfuzz...) here. Since the star of this book is a cat, who better to review it than a literary kitty.
I gave the book five purrs and two paws up. Our narrator meets James in the lobby of his digs whilst he is in London on business. The two hit it off. James, who runs the establishment with an iron paw in a velvet mitt, deciding who passes muster to rent rooms and who fails the grade. He is intelligent and takes to the finer things in life like fine single malt and devon cream. Our narrator discovers that while James is sophisticated and genteel, he has not ventured into the wide world and takes it upon himself to introduce James to society and society to James.
Soon he is the marvel of all whom he meets. He learns about the finer things in life, including food, drink, art,, antiques and stamps. Nothing escapes his notice and he becomes adept at spotting forgeries He is an amazing fellow but then, he is a cat.
Each of his adventures is enjoyable as he helps his friends and stymies those who would do others harm. He does this with grace and style and a certain savoire faire.
I would highly recommend this book to my fellow kitties and to the humans who serve them. While we cats would find nothing untowards about James and his myriad of abilities, it will provide instruction to those who might underestimate the feline.
Purr, trill, coo, warble and chirp.
I gave the book five purrs and two paws up. Our narrator meets James in the lobby of his digs whilst he is in London on business. The two hit it off. James, who runs the establishment with an iron paw in a velvet mitt, deciding who passes muster to rent rooms and who fails the grade. He is intelligent and takes to the finer things in life like fine single malt and devon cream. Our narrator discovers that while James is sophisticated and genteel, he has not ventured into the wide world and takes it upon himself to introduce James to society and society to James.
Soon he is the marvel of all whom he meets. He learns about the finer things in life, including food, drink, art,, antiques and stamps. Nothing escapes his notice and he becomes adept at spotting forgeries He is an amazing fellow but then, he is a cat.
Each of his adventures is enjoyable as he helps his friends and stymies those who would do others harm. He does this with grace and style and a certain savoire faire.
I would highly recommend this book to my fellow kitties and to the humans who serve them. While we cats would find nothing untowards about James and his myriad of abilities, it will provide instruction to those who might underestimate the feline.
Purr, trill, coo, warble and chirp.
March 25, 2015
I received this book as a digital ARC from the publisher through Net Galley in return for an honest review.
This is the story of Sir James, a clever cat and an agent of fine-arts who is narrator of this novel.
By writing a cozy-mystery novel, the author tries to describe the “human” characters of a funny cat who has a liking for whiskey and a gift for solving crime.
Even if it’s an amazing story and a work of fiction, the plot is quite implausible since I do own two cats and certainly they do not show the human behavior claimed by the author.
The plot is quite predictable and this book is only a pleasant reading for a rainy day.
September 7, 2015
2.5 stars: A light read but nothing special.
January 11, 2026
What a fun story about a delightfully precocious cat and the group of friends he collects. A happy read!
March 4, 2019
Flourish & Blotts Golden Trio Challenge 2019
Prompt 38, Care of Magical Creatures: A book with an animal on the cover
Prompt 38, Care of Magical Creatures: A book with an animal on the cover
March 7, 2015
James, a very unusual cat, attaches himself to an academic researcher who is staying in London on an extended visit. James actually nominally lives with Mrs March, the caretaker of the apartment block where the visitor is staying.
The narrator soon finds James is drinking his single malt whisky and prefers to eat food from Fortnum and Mason. As well as having expensive tastes in food and drink, James also has a talent for spotting fakes and forgeries and an ability to sniff out wrong doing. During the course of this delightful story he recovers some stolen jewellery, gets rid of unwelcome visitors from a stately home, detects forgeries in a collection of stamps and becomes a hero.
This is charming story though maybe not one which will appeal to everyone though people with cats will probably love it. James is never cute - in fact he is a very dignified cat who has certain standards to maintain. I liked the small mysteries which James solves and the whole book stops just the right side of being twee and sentimental. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.
The narrator soon finds James is drinking his single malt whisky and prefers to eat food from Fortnum and Mason. As well as having expensive tastes in food and drink, James also has a talent for spotting fakes and forgeries and an ability to sniff out wrong doing. During the course of this delightful story he recovers some stolen jewellery, gets rid of unwelcome visitors from a stately home, detects forgeries in a collection of stamps and becomes a hero.
This is charming story though maybe not one which will appeal to everyone though people with cats will probably love it. James is never cute - in fact he is a very dignified cat who has certain standards to maintain. I liked the small mysteries which James solves and the whole book stops just the right side of being twee and sentimental. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.
March 10, 2015
A light enjoyable read. If you like cats you are going to love James. He is grey cat who lets you live with him. James's character is defined in depth and the supporting cast will catch your interest. The romance between 2 friends is a nice addition. The story is told by an art investor who makes the Baron Chambers his home while in London. James meets him at the door and approves of him. Daytimes he is busy controlling the hotel. Evenings he spends times with the narrator and his friends. Before longs James is riding the subway and taking charge. He can separates different stamps. He has all the normal cat actions and is able to get it across to his humans without talking. I smile the all the way through the Book. This a favorite and I recommend it highly.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from Open Road Integrated Media through Netgalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.
Full Disclosure: I received a free copy from Open Road Integrated Media through Netgalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.
February 2, 2019
A charming start quickly devolves into nonsense that far exceeds anthropomorphism. James is, indeed, a cat with good taste. He loves pate and a good scotch. However, the author seems as if she could not make up her mind to create rich fantasy or to have fun with feline quirks. James' traits are fully human, and at first I wondered if it would turn out he was in a phase of reincarnation or some such. Nope. He is intended to be an actual cat, who just happens to be able to walk around on his hind legs, wear clothing, take acting cues, and solve/prevent crimes. The only reason humans are present is James doesn't actually talk or have thumbs, hence people are his tools. The supporting characters are interesting enough to merit the two stars, rather than one. There is a follow up novel, which I also got as a daily special, but I think I will just have to let that $1.99 go.
May 25, 2015
A cute story. Good fluff read for a tired brain.
August 25, 2015
Cute, but a little too silly for me to go on reading the series.
June 3, 2017
Well, I am a long-time cat person, so I was intrigued by this title as well as James’ portrait on the cover.
I soon was charmed by the British silver-grey cat named James and his good friends who introduce him to the good life (which he embraces wholeheartedly). Not sure my veterinarian would approve of James’ penchant for saucers of single-malt whiskey or his taste for gourmet ultra-rich foods. But this is a light-hearted book, so if you take it in that spirit and you like cats, this is a charming read.
It’s true that some of James’ exploits strain credibility. But at least the author does not have James actually talking to people, as is the case in some detective stories featuring feline sleuths.
If you like cats, and just want a little light reading with some amusing moments, this is a good book for you. I enjoyed it, although it’s true that the story is a little thin on plot and drama.
I gave it five stars because, as noted above, I am a cat person and I found this a fun read. Someone who is not a cat person would likely not be amused for long, and would probably award fewer stars.
I soon was charmed by the British silver-grey cat named James and his good friends who introduce him to the good life (which he embraces wholeheartedly). Not sure my veterinarian would approve of James’ penchant for saucers of single-malt whiskey or his taste for gourmet ultra-rich foods. But this is a light-hearted book, so if you take it in that spirit and you like cats, this is a charming read.
It’s true that some of James’ exploits strain credibility. But at least the author does not have James actually talking to people, as is the case in some detective stories featuring feline sleuths.
If you like cats, and just want a little light reading with some amusing moments, this is a good book for you. I enjoyed it, although it’s true that the story is a little thin on plot and drama.
I gave it five stars because, as noted above, I am a cat person and I found this a fun read. Someone who is not a cat person would likely not be amused for long, and would probably award fewer stars.
February 27, 2022
This is a whimsical novel about a clever silver-grey feline who likes Scotch whisky, crab salad and foie gras, attending posh parties, and shopping incognito at upmarket department stores. He foils pickpockets on the subway; spots counterfeit art, money and paintings; and prevents jewellery robberies. Besides his crimefighting, he spends his holidays at a countryside estate, screens potential tenants for his upmarket London apartment building, becomes a TV star and even enjoys a stint as an Egyptian god. Told in the first person by a businessman who befriends the cat and lives in the same block of flats, but without any connecting story other than a loose timeline, the book feels less like a novel and more like a collection of amusing anecdotes. In addition, its simple language and lack of any real violence, threat, or even suspense, suggests a children’s book, although I found it in the adults’ section at the library. Overall, it was a pleasant and silly distraction from the ills of the modern world, but it was not engaging enough to read the sequel.
January 2, 2025
As mystery novels go, this one was a bust. James is a beautiful, silver-grey cat with an aloof manner. Nothing unusual about that. However, the mini-mysteries are not very mysterious and James is anthropomorphized in the most ridiculous ways. If an owner ever fed their cat the way these people fed James they would have a very sick cat on their hands. I kept reading thinking there would be a point to all the silliness but the story never evolved beyond a collection of shorts strung together to make it long enough to call a novel. Maybe I took it too seriously but it was rather a waste of reading time.
July 4, 2025
This book reads as more old-fashioned than its publication date. James is a bright and opinionated cat who lives at a hotel and who takes up with a visitor. They have many low-key adventures. There's a bit of romance, some mystery, and much eating. Definitely an acquired taste for the modern reader but having read a lot of books from earlier eras I wasn't bothered. There's another book in the series and I'm going to read that one as well.
November 12, 2017
Surprisingly pleasant
Oddly delightful novel, with no particular plot but rather an engaging narrative of friendship, outings , fine dining and assorted small pleasures with an English cat of unusual sophistication.
Oddly delightful novel, with no particular plot but rather an engaging narrative of friendship, outings , fine dining and assorted small pleasures with an English cat of unusual sophistication.
May 23, 2017
Enjoyable book about a cat who understands everything that is said.
James, the cat, begins to help out his friends and solve mysteries.
It was pretty good.
James, the cat, begins to help out his friends and solve mysteries.
It was pretty good.
January 2, 2018
A terribly gentle book like a collection of short stories about an antiques collection and his preternaturally perceptive cats. Sort of like an Alexander McCall Smith crossed with Dr Doolittle.
March 5, 2018
sweet and charming.
November 4, 2019
So well written and entertaining!!
November 27, 2019
A delightful and most intelligent cat who solves mysteries, enjoys champagne and caviar and generally lords it over all humans.
January 2, 2020
Quirky and fun! As a repeat cat mom this book was delightfully entertaining.
April 29, 2020
Good read. <3
June 1, 2020
Delightful diversion featuring a cat of exceptional taste and perception.
October 11, 2021
Just a sweet and whimsical story about a very special cat. Fans of the "Cat Who....'' series by Lillian Brown will appreciate this fun little book.
January 10, 2022
Cat and then Cats
I read the second one first then the first. I really enjoyed the second and I liked first. All told they were all very enjoyable.
I read the second one first then the first. I really enjoyed the second and I liked first. All told they were all very enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews