Lilian Jackson Braun didn't just write a series about a guy and his cats. She basically invented a vibe. If you’ve ever spent an afternoon lost in the fictional world of Pickax, you know exactly what I’m talking about. People call it the Order of the Cat Who Books because reading these stories feels like joining a secret club where the entry fee is just a love for Siamese cats and quirky small-town drama.
It started back in 1966. Jim Qwilleran, a journalist with a legendary mustache and a tragic backstory involving a failed marriage and a battle with the bottle, moves into a world he doesn't quite fit into. Then he meets Kao K'o Kung—Koko for short. Koko isn't your average house cat. He's got sixty-some whiskers and an intuition that puts most detectives to shame. Honestly, the way Braun describes Koko’s "sixth sense" is what makes the series work. It’s not magic, exactly. It’s more like a heightened feline sensitivity to the things humans are too distracted to notice.
When Yum Yum enters the picture, the dynamic shifts. Now you’ve got a household. You’ve got a family.
For a long time, these books were out of print. Between 1968 and 1986, there was nothing. Silence. Then, suddenly, Braun returned, and the "Cat Who" phenomenon exploded. Why? Because the world got louder, and Pickax stayed "400 miles north of everywhere." We need that.
The Mystery of the Order of the Cat Who Books and Why the Chronology Matters
You can’t just jump in anywhere. Well, you can, but you’d be doing yourself a disservice. The Order of the Cat Who Books matters because Qwilleran’s life changes significantly over the course of the twenty-nine novels.
In the beginning, specifically in The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, Qwill is a beat reporter in a gritty city. He’s living in a basement. He’s kind of a mess. By the time he inherits the Klingenschoen fortune and moves to Moose County, the stakes change. He goes from being an outsider to being the most influential man in a tiny town. That transition is the backbone of the series.
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If you read them out of order, you miss the slow-burn development of Qwill’s relationship with Polly Duncan, the local librarian. You miss the recurring jokes about the "Moose County" way of doing things. You miss the evolution of Koko from a clever pet to a near-mythic figure who can predict murders by knocking specific books off a shelf.
The First "City" Trilogy
The first three books—The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, The Cat Who Turned On and Off, and The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern—feel different from the rest. They’re a bit darker. More "noir." Koko is sharp, and the murders feel a little more visceral. Braun was finding her footing here. She was blending her own experience as a "Living" section editor for the Detroit Free Press with a burgeoning interest in feline behavior.
The Transition to Moose County
Everything changes with The Cat Who Played Brahms. This is where Qwill heads north. He meets his eccentric Aunt Fanny. He realizes he’s about to become incredibly wealthy. This shift is crucial for the Order of the Cat Who Books because it moves the series from a standard mystery into the realm of "lifestyle" fiction. You aren't just reading for the "whodunnit" anymore; you're reading to see what Qwill is eating, what eccentric house he's living in this time, and how the locals are reacting to his latest project.
Why Koko and Yum Yum Aren't Just Gimmicks
Let's be real. A lot of people see "cat mysteries" and roll their eyes. They think it's going to be cheesy. But Braun’s Siamese are different. She doesn't make them talk. They don't have human thoughts in italics. They are just cats.
Koko’s "investigations" are usually just him being a brat. He digs in the trash. He scratches at a specific floorboard. He stares at a painting. Qwilleran, being a curious journalist, interprets these actions as clues. Sometimes he’s right. Sometimes he’s just projecting. That ambiguity is brilliant. It allows the reader to believe in Koko’s genius without the book becoming a fantasy novel.
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Yum Yum provides the emotional weight. She’s the "lovable" one, the one who needs affection, while Koko is the intellectual. It’s a classic duo. Braun based them on her own Siamese cats, and it shows in the details—the way they "yowl" at the door or the specific way they eat their expensive canned salmon.
The Weird, Wonderful World of Pickax
Pickax is a character. Seriously. It’s a town where the biggest news is the Apple Festival or the opening of a new bookstore. The people who live there—like the hard-nosed Celia Robinson or the gossipy Mildred Hanstable—feel like neighbors after a few books.
Braun was a master of building a localized mythos. She created a history for Moose County involving mining disasters, old family feuds, and strange legends. This depth is why fans obsess over the Order of the Cat Who Books. You aren't just reading a plot; you're visiting a place.
It’s worth noting that the later books in the series—roughly from The Cat Who Went Up the Creek onwards—became a bit thinner. Some fans felt the plots were getting repetitive. Braun was in her 80s and 90s by then. But even in those later entries, the comfort factor remains. You know what you’re getting. You’re getting a glass of Squunk water, a crackling fire, and two cats acting strangely.
Navigating the Publication Gaps and the Final Mystery
The series ended abruptly with The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers in 2007. Lilian Jackson Braun passed away in 2011, and a final rumored book, The Cat Who Smelled Smoke, was never published.
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This left a lot of threads hanging. Does Qwill ever marry Polly? Does he ever truly find peace with his fortune? The lack of a "grand finale" actually adds to the charm. Life in Pickax just... goes on. We don't need a neat ending because the whole point of the series is the continuity of daily life.
Real-World Influence of the Series
It’s hard to overstate how much these books influenced the cozy mystery genre. Before Braun, mysteries were often either hard-boiled or very "English manor house." She brought it to small-town America. She showed that you could have a successful series where the protagonist's primary motivation is just wanting to take a nap with his cats.
- Feline Literacy: The idea that Koko "reads" by sitting on books has inspired countless real-world cat owners to name their pets Koko or Yum Yum.
- Journalistic Integrity: Qwilleran’s background as a reporter gives the books a grounded feel. He asks the questions a real journalist would ask.
- The "No-Gore" Rule: Braun proved you could have a murder mystery that didn't leave the reader feeling disgusted. The focus is on the puzzle and the social fallout, not the blood.
How to Start Your Own Reading Order
If you're looking to dive into the Order of the Cat Who Books, don't just grab whatever is at the thrift store. Do it right.
Start with The Cat Who Could Read Backwards. Experience the grit of the city before you head to the country. It makes the transition to Moose County feel earned. Pay attention to the way Qwill talks to the cats. At first, he’s skeptical. By book ten, he’s reading them Shakespeare.
Keep a list of the characters. Braun brings people back from books you read five years ago. If you remember who the Duncans are or the history of the Klingenschoen mansion, the payoff is much higher.
Don't rush it. These aren't thrillers. They are slow-burn, atmospheric stories. They are meant to be read with a cup of tea (or a ginger ale, if you want to be like Qwill).
Actionable Steps for the "Cat Who" Enthusiast
- Seek out the early paperbacks: The cover art by Bernie Fuchs and others in the 80s and 90s perfectly captures the mood of the series.
- Map the county: Many fans have tried to create maps of Pickax and Moose County based on Braun’s descriptions. Try to visualize where the Apple Barn is in relation to the Goodwinter farmhouse.
- Read the short stories: The Cat Who Had 14 Tales isn't a Qwilleran book, but it gives you a deeper look into Braun’s love for feline folklore.
- Join the community: There are still active forums and social media groups where people discuss the "Pickax vibe." It’s a great way to find similar "cozy" recommendations.
- Pay attention to the food: Qwill’s meals are described in detail. If you’re a cook, try recreating some of the "northern" dishes mentioned, like pasties or specific apple desserts.
The Order of the Cat Who Books is more than just a bibliography. It’s a roadmap to a slower, more observational way of living. Whether Koko really solved those crimes or Qwilleran just got lucky doesn't actually matter. What matters is the 400 miles north of everywhere we get to visit every time we open a cover.