I borrowed the CD version from the library and have been "listening" to it every night. I am the world's worst insomniac, but all I can say is, "WOW!" This audio book puts all my sleep and relaxation CD'S to shame! Such a boring tale--I barely heard any of it. I even tried listening to it when I was wide awake and sitting up, but it was still mind-numbing.

On the other hand, I do look forward to reading one of Lilian Jackson Braun's HIGHLY RATED "Cat who..." books. I've always loved seeing them on display at Hastings, with the bright colors and clever graphics, but despite the "eye candy", they are not all so sweet. I'm glad to know that there are some great stories among Braun's "Cat Who..." books. Isn't that what makes amazon reviews so helpful? (click "yes")

It is autumn again in Pickax. Polly is staying busy getting the new bookstore opened. She and Qwill hardly have time for each other.

Qwill decides to write a book about the Hibbard House for Violet Hibbard. Her house is very historical and was built many years ago by her great grandfather. Violet is a professor of English and Qwill invites her to dinner.

Mystery follows mystery as Qwill and the cats move to town to prepare for winter.

I liked this edition of "The Cat Who.." series. It made you think at the end. You don't want to miss this one.

Hardcore mystery fans may find it a bit of a stretch, but if your taste runs to expertly written and very light fiction, you can't do better than Lillian Jackson Braun's "The Cat Who..." series. Her detective, reporter James Qwilleran, investigates crimes with the aid of his Siamese cats--and the solutions to the crime inevitably rest more upon intution than actual deduction. The premise sounds farfetched, but Braun's work is usually less fanciful than you might expect, and she presents her eccentric characters and stories with great charm.

Unfortunately, the series has been in marked decline for some time now, and THE CAT WHO WENT BANANAS is a case in point. On the surface, the plot has possibilities: Qwilleran's interest in a local theatre group's production of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST opens a path to death that may or may not be accidental. Unfortunately, the plot goes nowhere and, although the conclusion certainly points to a specific person as a killer, there is no actual resolution per se. To make matters worse, the prose lacks Braun's light, bemused touch. While I think it possible that the book has been written from Braun's basic ideas, I think it very unlikely that Braun herself wrote it. It reeks of "ghosts."

This is a tremendous pity, a disservice to both Braun and the reader. Newcomers to the series should look to earlier works, such as THE CAT WHO CAME TO BREAKFAST or THE CAT WHO MOVED A MOUNTAIN--but the later titles in the series should be avoided like the plauge.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

The "Cat Who ..." series is 27 books long already. Unfortunately, it is showing its age. This book has to be counted as the weakest book in the series in terms of its plotting and mystery elements. On the other hand, longtime fans (like myself) can enjoy it by simply regarding it as a further chapter in the soap opera of life in Pickax.

Since this book is ostensibly a murder mystery, let's dispense with that aspect of it. In this book there is NO mystery. The culprit in the series of murders and other shenanigans is very obvious; the culprits demise is unexpected and there is no real resolution. Koko does his best to point Qwilleran at the bad guy and in normal "Cat Who" practice, it is very obvious after the fact that the cat knew who the bad person was ... but for us it IS hindsight.

To go along with the weak mystery, we are regaled with several new characters and locations. I am not sure how many old widows or never-married women inhabit that county but it certainly seems excessive that almost every one who has been mentioned recently is loaded with money and yet manages to fall for some charlatan or other. I think it is time to lay these plot devices to rest. The unique location that is described is also unbelievable as such a fascinating structure should surely have elicited mention before this volume. Its disposition was as predictable as the other elements of this non-mystery. there also several subplots going on and all of them get dropped hastily at the end of the book. Do we really believe that no one cared when a minor character who was developed throughout most of the book simply leaves?

The best parts about this volume was the ongoing saga of the people we have come to follow throughout the series. Most of the regulars are back in their normal roles. While the relationship between Polly and Qwill seems to have developed some complications, the others including Weatherbe Goode, Arch Riker, Bushy, Andy Brodie, Fran Brodie, Amanda Goodwinter, and so on are still there and all make an appearance in the book. Short mentions are also given to the famous Pickax and Moose County restaurants that are a common theme in each of the books. Of course there are also mentions of all the cats in the town and even a dog or two!

These books have been going on for so long that just to recap Qwill's relationships with the people, the cats, the K-Foundation, and the other regular members of the troupe fills close to 50 - 75 pages in each book - those parts practically write themselves. Even the famed salt and pepper mustache makes an appearance in all its quivering glory!

So, to summarize, I would not buy this book hoping to read a scintillating murder mystery ... as it is not. I would buy this book as a confirmed Pickax lover and treat it as another chapter in the life of the "town who" charmed us and their continuing evolution. Very nice, pleasant, and endearing look at small town life in the northern U.S.

I am a big fan of all the Cat Who stories. Lilian Jackson Braun has drawn her characters very well, in my opinion. The mystery part of the tale is rather an afterthought but I found I really liked her 'people' and read the books more for them than the mystery. A good rainy day read.

I don't read "The Cat Who..." books for mystery or thrills. I read them for their charm and warmth, to visit old friends again, to walk down the streets of Pickax and browse the shops, to admire Quill's reserved intelligence and thoughtfulness, and to play with Yum Yum and Koko as they race up and down the ramps in the apple barn. By that measure, "The Cat Who Went Bananas" is a wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable addition to Braun's series.

Some reviewers have criticized the ending as vague or unclear, but I found it more realistic than endings where everything is wrapped up neatly. In real life, nothing is wrapped up neatly. If you view these books as character studies of idealized small town life, then the ending was more appropriate, more fitting, and more satisfying.

If you're looking for a comfortable, cozy reunion with your friends in Moose County, you'll enjoy this book.

I was merrily reading along, enjoying the trip, when it just stopped!
I actually looked to see if there were pages missing! I like answers!