Episode 6 - the Cat Who Played Brahms

It's finally time to leave the Metropolis of no name (or Checleveroit)and head 400 miles north of everywhere to Moose County!

Qwill finds himself unhappy with city life and heads north to write the book he's always dreamed of, but country living reveals more underhanded dealings than he expects.  He and Koko suss out a crime ring, but not in time to save his mother's best girlhood friend Fanny. There are frozen turkeys, mysterious histories and of course, Qwill's nosiness saves the day!

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Here are my thoughts:

Where in the World is Pickaxe?  Consensus seems to say it’s modeled after Bad Axe Michigan where Braun lived until the Mid 80s.

Also, in the beginning of the book, it’s mentioned that Koko has his portrait in the lobby of the press club with the Pulitzer Prize winners and his own press card, signed by the chief of police- but we never find out how this happens!!!!!!!!

Qwill is expanding his pocket tokens - we have the jade he received in The cat who at Danish modern, a clay scarab made by Joy from the Cat who saw Red and now a scrimshaw carving of a cat. 

Melinda Goodwinter - an odd case in Qwill’s dating history.  She’s described as plain as first, but becomes descriptively more conventionally attractive as the book goes on and despite Qwill’s history of not dating “pushy females” Melinda somehow circumvents that - she’s pushy, aggressive and blatantly flirtatious (lots of cracks about his age and how she likes older men) she also clearly has no need for a savior.  

This is the introduction of the Pasty, the unofficial food of Moose County. You get the delightful, flaky, turnip-less versions at the Nast Pasty and the giant, soggy bottomed (Paul and Pru would not approve) filled with turnip incarnation at the FOO. Qwill has a distinct preference, and it turns out to be a source of community argument as to whether the turnip is traditional or not. 

So much for the book in this book - Despite being constantly asked, Qwill hasn’t even started on his book - and he’s getting annoyed that people keep asking about it. This becomes a thing later in the series - he’s always trying to write a book, and does manage it eventually.

Rosemary - oh Rosemary.  You do not understand cats, especially one like Koko.  She keeps trying things like giving them carrots (they eat around them), and punishing Koko for pulling out the black tulips by locking him in the bathroom (he shreds the toilet paper and tissues).  Koko also begins following her around and maneuvering his tail under her feet so he can howl when she steps on him.  Koko is amused, Rosemary is becoming a nervous wreck.  Qwill comments that in a battle with a Siamese, you never win. 

Now we have to wait til the next book to see if Qwill takes the money (and what he's going to do with it if he does!)

Join us next time for the Cat Who Played Post office!