865 books
—
2,351 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Cat Who Could Read Backwards (Cat Who..., #1)” as Want to Read:
The Cat Who Could Read Backwards
(Cat Who... #1)
by
Jim Qwilleran is a prizewinning reporter who's been on the skids but is now coming back with a job as feature writer (mostly on the art scene) for the Daily Fluxion. George Bonifield Mountclemens, the paper's credentialed art critic, writes almost invariably scathing, hurtful reviews of local shows; delivers his pieces by messenger; lives with his all-knowing cat Koko in a
...more
Get A Copy
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
August 5th 2003
by Berkley Trade
(first published 1966)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
The Cat Who Could Read Backwards,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all)
Read it and find out. This is not a homework shortcut website.
Teresa
I like the Agatha Raisin series too by MC Beaton
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of The Cat Who Could Read Backwards (Cat Who..., #1)
5 stars to Lilian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who Could Read Backwards. The cozy mystery is a major fan favorite, but who would think it could rate a full 5 stars! To me, I only compare books for ratings in their own genre, so among cozies, I think this is a top notch read.
I am very intrigued with this series. I loved the introduction of the cat. And the city backdrop was very fun. I was surprised to see the author had a 20 year span between the first few books and the remainder of the series, but I ultimately like ...more
I am very intrigued with this series. I loved the introduction of the cat. And the city backdrop was very fun. I was surprised to see the author had a 20 year span between the first few books and the remainder of the series, but I ultimately like ...more
I didn’t really know what to expect from this book, but in the end it pleasantly surprised me, sound like I’m “damning it with faint praise” but that is not the case. In the end it really was good fun, and of course being a cat lover, I thought Koko was good and a fine example of a Siamese. My Siamese(cross) is also very vocal and amazingly intelligent.
Besides Koko, the characters were good and whilst stereotypes in a detective novel, they were all well done. The setting was a good one, small t ...more
Besides Koko, the characters were good and whilst stereotypes in a detective novel, they were all well done. The setting was a good one, small t ...more
I am surprised in a way at finding myself giving a "series mystery" book four stars (since I make it a point to hand out very few "5s" that's a big score for me). I don't read a lot of mysteries and only ran across MS. Braun because I was looking for audio books for my wife. She was in ill health for a long time and had trouble holding and later seeing to read text, so I was constantly scouring the public library shelves and used book stores for audio books. Sometimes I would take them to work w
...more
Jim Qwilleran's life took a bit of an unexpected detour....divorce, alcoholism....but he's getting things back on track. He takes a job as a feature writer with a newspaper, the Daily Fluxion. Although in the past he was a prize winning reporter, he starts out a bit humbly at his new job -- writing features on local artists. His publisher wants him to smooth some ruffled feathers. The paper's art critic has published some scathing, sarcastic commentary on the work of many local artists. Jim does
...more
This is the first book in the series, published in 1966. Like most of The Cat Who... books I've read, I found the mystery - a series of murders in the local art scene - to be the least compelling part of the experience. This was a great introduction to newsman James Qwilleran. For fans of the series, we know what fate has in store for Jim, but his circumstances are very different in this original novel: divorced, broke, unemployed. He lands a job as a features reporter for The Daily Fluxion. Arc
...more
Cats are my family. I enjoy any books that adequately include them; you know, more than claiming they exist. However I staved off collecting most of Lilian Jackson Braun’s sweet-looking books because they are numerous. Even I surmised they would be fluff. Perusal took years. Let me overturn that impression: they have substance! The mysteries are excellent and you really settle into the cast!
“The Cat Who Could Read Backwards”, 1966, is constructed superbly. Jim Qwilleran, like many, didn’t know cats in close quarters./>“The ...more
“The Cat Who Could Read Backwards”, 1966, is constructed superbly. Jim Qwilleran, like many, didn’t know cats in close quarters./>“The ...more
The mystery plot is decent but it took awhile to get going. The resolution felt extremely rushed and was a bit out of left field, which I don't enjoy in a murder mystery.
The book was written in the 1960's so parts of it are predictably dated. An electric pencil sharpener is a shocking piece of cutting edge technology. There's a very casual attitude to smoking and getting on a plane involves a lot less security. Also, I was very confused about a clue until I remembered that an electric clock is ...more
The book was written in the 1960's so parts of it are predictably dated. An electric pencil sharpener is a shocking piece of cutting edge technology. There's a very casual attitude to smoking and getting on a plane involves a lot less security. Also, I was very confused about a clue until I remembered that an electric clock is ...more
Not bad, but boring.
Written in 1966, Lilian Jackson Braun’s The Cat Who Could Read Backwards is certainly not the oldest book I’ve ever read, nor is it one of the best books I’ve ever read, but it was unique because of one of the main characters. Koko the Siamese cat, who can read a freshly published newspaper backwards by tracing the letters and who has a knack for uncovering clues that piece together difficult crimes. This book in a way reminded me of an Alfred Hitchcock film – a lot of build up to a brief yet ex
...more
Mar 13, 2017
Dani (Dani Reviews Things & Love in a time of Feminism)
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Rating: 3.5*
I don't read a lot of mysteries, but I had to read this for my university's book club. This is even more out of my norm, since it's not a modern thriller but more of a classic whodunnit, published before I was born.
The story is narrated by Qwilleran (not the only guy with an odd name), who takes on a job as an art reporter despite having a history of crime reporting (and no art knowledge whatsoever). But never fear, as his old job follows him to the new, with a death ...more
I don't read a lot of mysteries, but I had to read this for my university's book club. This is even more out of my norm, since it's not a modern thriller but more of a classic whodunnit, published before I was born.
The story is narrated by Qwilleran (not the only guy with an odd name), who takes on a job as an art reporter despite having a history of crime reporting (and no art knowledge whatsoever). But never fear, as his old job follows him to the new, with a death ...more
Jan 31, 2015
Bill
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-us,
mystery-cozy
This is my first exposure to Lilian Jackson Braun's cozy Qwilleran and Koko (the Siamese cat) mysteries. I had previously avoided them as the concept of the reporter, aided by a cat, solving mysteries didn't really appeal to me. However as I've begun to explore the mystery genre more and more and due to recommendations from a number of Goodreads friends, I finally bit the bullet and took the plunge (how's that for mixed metaphors). And I have to say, this introduction to Qwilleran, the new repor
...more
Although I started listening to the Cat Who series with The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern, The Cat Who Could Read Backwards is actually the first in this series of cozy mysteries. The narration was just as good as in the other book. Sadly, I couldn't say the same for the story itself.
First, I think the story is beginning to show its age in an entirely unacceptable way, as we deal with a woman the book somewhat subtly indicates is a lesbian and than very un-subtly names "Butchy". The plot ...more
First, I think the story is beginning to show its age in an entirely unacceptable way, as we deal with a woman the book somewhat subtly indicates is a lesbian and than very un-subtly names "Butchy". The plot ...more
3.5
I was so surprised with this one! I'm a crazy cat lady so the title was very appealing to me. I thought it would be very quirky and over the top but it works so well that I didn't mind it!
It was so quick to read to, it was refreshing. I'll continue the series for sure!
I was so surprised with this one! I'm a crazy cat lady so the title was very appealing to me. I thought it would be very quirky and over the top but it works so well that I didn't mind it!
It was so quick to read to, it was refreshing. I'll continue the series for sure!
"5" For feline entertainment, about a "3" for mystery technique.
I used to love these novels when I was in high school [some 13 years ago] and decided to rent them from the library again from sheer nostalgia. It was as entertaining as I remember it being, from the point of view of an openly excited reader and a cat-lover to boot.
The introduction of Qwill to KoKo is more poignant than I remember it being, simply because he [KoKo] is a bit more of a snob, being with his prev ...more
I used to love these novels when I was in high school [some 13 years ago] and decided to rent them from the library again from sheer nostalgia. It was as entertaining as I remember it being, from the point of view of an openly excited reader and a cat-lover to boot.
The introduction of Qwill to KoKo is more poignant than I remember it being, simply because he [KoKo] is a bit more of a snob, being with his prev ...more
The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun is the first in a series of cozy mysteries. Jim Qwilleran is a middle aged reporter starting a new position at the Daily Fluxion as an art writer assigned to write stories about the local artists for the newspaper's feature section despite his complete lack of knowledge about art. As he begins introducing himself around town, the one constant he finds is that everyone hates his newspaper's art critic George Bonifield Mountclemens III. Then a local
...more
The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun is the first book in the Jim Qwilleran Feline Whodunnit mystery series. Jim Qwilleran takes an assignment to cover the art beat for the Daily Fluxion and becomes involved in a murder when a gallery owner is killed. It was interesting to go back to the first book and find out how the relationship between Jim Qwilleran and his cat Koko came about, and to see how Koko assists with the investigation. This book sets the scene for the series. A
...more
3.5 stars.
An amusing send-up of modern art disguised as a mystery.
Very 1960s; girls are called dolls, electric pencil sharpeners are considered ostentatious, and everybody drinks and smokes.
The characters are charming and the mood is fun.
I would have rated it higher, but I found the ending a little disappointing.
An amusing send-up of modern art disguised as a mystery.
Very 1960s; girls are called dolls, electric pencil sharpeners are considered ostentatious, and everybody drinks and smokes.
The characters are charming and the mood is fun.
I would have rated it higher, but I found the ending a little disappointing.
Fine 1st entree in long running series for cat/mystery fans...
With nearly two dozen novels in "The Cat Who..." series, Braun has obviously struck a chord with mystery and cat lovers. Almost a classic yarn in the ilk of Elliot Queen, there's no sex and no profanity in this nice clean straightforward story of three murders -- a puzzling whodunit. Jim Qwilleran is introduced as the leading man; an accomplished journalist, he takes an "Art Beat" job with a small paper for which he's har ...more
With nearly two dozen novels in "The Cat Who..." series, Braun has obviously struck a chord with mystery and cat lovers. Almost a classic yarn in the ilk of Elliot Queen, there's no sex and no profanity in this nice clean straightforward story of three murders -- a puzzling whodunit. Jim Qwilleran is introduced as the leading man; an accomplished journalist, he takes an "Art Beat" job with a small paper for which he's har ...more
This the first in the “Cat Who…” series. It is were we meet Jim Qwilleran, prize winning newspaper reporter. He has had a bit of a rough time in the past few years – not much is said as to what the problem was, but he only drinks tomato juice, his wife has left him, and all he can hope for is a job reporting on the art scene for the Daily Fluxion. There is a mysterious art critic, George Bonifield Mountclemens, already commenting on the actual art – Jim is expected to work on the human interest
...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of how gruff cynical reporter Jim Qwilleran acquires his detecting sidekick, Koko the Siamese cat.
Qwill at this point is a hardworking, gone-sober reporter in a city, with little money and no love interest. He's definitely not looking for a snooty cat. A crime intervenes and Koko is left without an owner.
I liked these early books better than the ones where Qwill comes into a lot of money and lives a rural life just below the Canadian border. Qwill is presented w ...more
Qwill at this point is a hardworking, gone-sober reporter in a city, with little money and no love interest. He's definitely not looking for a snooty cat. A crime intervenes and Koko is left without an owner.
I liked these early books better than the ones where Qwill comes into a lot of money and lives a rural life just below the Canadian border. Qwill is presented w ...more
Sep 01, 2013
Alondra
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
cozy mystery lovers
Shelves:
books-i-own,
mystery
4 Stars
What a fun piece of fluff. This was just enjoyable and the main character Qwilleran is not irritating or over the top. Koko or should I say Kao K'o-Kung; the Siamese cat. Qwillerans descriptions of his interactions with the cat were hilarious; you have to be a cat owner to understand (maybe). I like his easy manner, unapologetic honesty and dry sense of humor. Just fun reading.
Need a cozy mystery while it is cold?? This book is for you.
What a fun piece of fluff. This was just enjoyable and the main character Qwilleran is not irritating or over the top. Koko or should I say Kao K'o-Kung; the Siamese cat. Qwillerans descriptions of his interactions with the cat were hilarious; you have to be a cat owner to understand (maybe). I like his easy manner, unapologetic honesty and dry sense of humor. Just fun reading.
Need a cozy mystery while it is cold?? This book is for you.
Just the thing to distract one from the end of the world.
I enjoy the wit and lightness of this series. I usually dig into heftier tomes, but with the horrific presidential election and a cancer diagnosis, some engaging entertainment is in order.
I enjoy the wit and lightness of this series. I usually dig into heftier tomes, but with the horrific presidential election and a cancer diagnosis, some engaging entertainment is in order.
An intriguing start to a new (for me) cozy mystery series. I enjoyed the characters and the unfolding of the plot. The murders happened later in the book than usual, with a quick resolution. I'm interested to see how things will pan out with the apartment now in the next book.
I read this a long time ago and I'm not sure why it's still on my TBR list
Ahh...A beloved classic. Time to re-read this series.
This book was disapointing in many aspects, I was expecting a cozy mystery with a cat that helps the main character solve the case. And technically we got that, but this book was not cozy enough and the cat participation let a lot to be desired.
In this book there is no point of view of the cat, and since the main character has no experience in dealling with cats his responses to the cat actions were annoying, even though I have read books with characters that are interacting with cats for ...more
In this book there is no point of view of the cat, and since the main character has no experience in dealling with cats his responses to the cat actions were annoying, even though I have read books with characters that are interacting with cats for ...more
This is the first book in this series and it’s the second one I’ve read. I wish I’d read this one first. It tells the story of how Jim ends up with Koko the Siamese Cat. It was a fun fast read with lots of great characters and an interesting storyline. I like murder mysteries that keep my attention without being too violent but can also be funny at times. I think I may have found a new series for me read for awhile. 😊
Some days you just want a light novel, something you don't have to get into to deeply. Sometimes you want to meet with old friends, and not worry about heavy duty mystery or murders but can go from murder to solving it in a few hours.. some days you need "the Cat Who.." books.
the series has 28 books, I have read all at least twice, they are quickly engrossing, the characters likable and you are always surprised by the ending.
the first books, "the Cat who read Backwards" the cat who ...more
the series has 28 books, I have read all at least twice, they are quickly engrossing, the characters likable and you are always surprised by the ending.
the first books, "the Cat who read Backwards" the cat who ...more
Oct 25, 2011
Kirsti
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Cat lovers, Mystery lovers, Animal detective fans
Oddly enough, I picked up a different book to read last night, but couldn't bring myself to open the front cover and start. I just really wanted to begin this book again, so I did!
The cat who could read backwards, the book that begun them all. Koko isn't in this one as much as I'd like, but it's still where we first find out about his origins. He is living with the Art critic George Bonifield Mountclemens the third, when Qwilleran comes to stay at the apartment below. Together, they ...more
The cat who could read backwards, the book that begun them all. Koko isn't in this one as much as I'd like, but it's still where we first find out about his origins. He is living with the Art critic George Bonifield Mountclemens the third, when Qwilleran comes to stay at the apartment below. Together, they ...more
Jun 30, 2016
Michelle
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorite-series,
one-drive,
2018,
reviewed,
mystery-thriller,
2016,
read-again,
calibre,
kobo
Here is where it all began, folks. Jim Qwilleran, clawing his way back from hitting rock bottom, returns to the gritty world of reporting by getting a place on the art beat. He knows nothing about art, but he doesn't let that stop him. He lucks into a sweet apartment for $50 a month (hey, it was 1966) and befriends the pompous, overbearing art critic, George Bonifield Mountclemens III, who eviscerates all of the local artists with his scathing opinions. Everyone hates him but Qwill, who is sucke
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic & Foreign Authors, Which Do You Prefer? | 3 | 13 | Jun 03, 2019 08:59AM | |
| Play Book Tag: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards / Lillian Jackson Braun. 3 stars | 3 | 17 | Nov 16, 2018 09:31AM | |
| Mystery Madness: 1/19 Whodunits Pick: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun | 1 | 6 | May 23, 2018 06:36PM | |
| 2017 Reading Chal...: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards | 1 | 14 | Dec 22, 2015 02:38PM | |
| The Women's Myste...: I love the cat | 13 | 41 | Jun 25, 2012 11:26PM |
Readers also enjoyed
Lilian Jackson Braun was an American writer. She is well-known for her light-hearted series of The Cat Who... mystery novels. The Cat Who books center around the life of former newspaper reporter James Qwilleran, and his two Siamese cats, KoKo and Yum Yum in the fictitious small town of Pickax located in Moose County, "400 miles north of everywhere." Although never formally stated in the books, the towns,
...more
Other books in the series
Cat Who...
(1 - 10 of 29 books)
1 trivia question
More quizzes & trivia...
“Are those cat hairs on your lapel, or have you been dating a blonde with a crew cut?”
—
14 likes
“The dance of life should be created from moment to moment with individuality and spontaneity.”
—
0 likes
More quotes…
