The Cat Who... Books in Order
How to Read The Cat Who... series
Mostly standalone stories with recurring characters in a shared setting.
The Cat Who... series does not need to be read in order. Each book tells a complete story with its own resolution. Continuity is limited to recurring characters and the shared setting. Reading the books out of order does not cause confusion, as there are no overarching plots or cliffhangers connecting the volumes.
About The Cat Who... series
Series Premise
The Cat Who... series centers on Jim Qwilleran, a recovering alcoholic journalist turned amateur sleuth, and his extraordinary Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum. Each book presents a new murder mystery in the quiet town of Pickax, where the cats’ unusual behaviors often provide crucial clues to the crimes.
Main Characters
Jim Qwilleran is the central protagonist, a journalist who inherits wealth and becomes involved in local crimes. His intelligent Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, act as key helpers in investigations, alongside recurring friends and residents of Moose County.
Setting
The series is primarily set in the fictional town of Pickax in Moose County, a rural area “400 miles north of everywhere.” Stories often involve the local newspaper, historic homes, and the surrounding countryside.
Tone & Themes
The tone is gentle and cozy with light humor. Core themes include justice, community, the unique bond between humans and animals, and second chances in life.
Is This Series Worth Reading?
This series appeals to readers who enjoy classic cozy mysteries with clever animal sidekicks, small-town charm, and a relaxed pace focused on character and deduction rather than graphic violence.
Content Warnings and Heat Level
This is a clean cozy mystery series with mild descriptions of crime. There is no explicit sexual content or strong language.
The Cat Who... series combines traditional mystery solving with the unique insights of two remarkable Siamese cats. With its self-contained stories and consistent small-town world, it allows flexible reading. Lilian Jackson Braun’s gentle humor and focus on feline-assisted detection define the long-running series.
FAQ
30 books total: 29 main + 1 extra story
No new book is currently scheduled. The latest book, The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers, was published in January 2007.
The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers was published in January 2007.
The first book in the series is The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, published in January 1966.
The series primarily falls into the Cozy Mystery genre.
No, the books do not need to be read in order. Each story stands on its own, but recurring characters and the shared setting connect the series.
The Cat Who... series centers on Jim Qwilleran, a recovering alcoholic journalist turned amateur sleuth, and his extraordinary Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum. Each book presents a new murder mystery in the quiet town of Pickax, where the cats’ unusual behaviors often provide crucial clues to the crimes.
The series does not currently have a new book scheduled.