4 comments about Stable Cat (Allen, Garrison. "Big Mike" Mystery.).

1. Big Mike is on the prowl again! He is the ultimate purrivate eye, with his macho-ism and his keen observation of the human goings on around him. In these books, the cat "detective" is really a bystander, but his contribution is great nonetheless. His human, Penelope Warren really does the detecting. She wouldn't be able to do it without the help and protection of Big Mike. These books are fast moving and have a lot of unusual interchange among the human characters. This is a worthy addition to the cat detective genre.



2. I proudly list "Stable Cat" among my very favorite books, Mr. Allen has done it again. There is never a dull moment in the life of Ms. Penelope Warren, all of the characters are life-like, fresh, new...I am so happy that finally there is another type of murder-mystery besides the gloomy, dead-serious world of Agatha Christie. This book deserves more than five stars, I have read it twice and plan on reading it again.



3. I love Mikey and the person he owns. I've read all so far and can't wait til the next one comes out. The Mikey and Penelope books are easy to read. And very funny. At least once every book I find myself laughing out loud and tears running down my cheeks. The characters are one of a kind.They are outragous, lovable, contemptable, and very very strange. Enjoyable reads when you just want to kick back and get some fun out of reading with a little mystery thrown in.



4. Have read all of this series and plan to continue future ones. The cat is great. Like him having a dog for a friend and the fact that he can walk through life and leave chaos in his wake as crimes are being solved.. It is nice to recognize areas I have lived near and be able to picture the scenes in my mind. What I really like is the fact that a lot of the characters have a true love relationship with their partners and there are some interesting parings. The unfortunate part of these couples is that is seems they have to pretend to be someone else or become an exhibitionist in order to have sex with their partner. And the "real" cowboy still alive in this town appears to make his living being a gigolo. All in all this series is a good read but dear author your male bias still shows through in spite of the male calendar which I would like see described in more detail in next book along with reactions of the characters. Author, keep on with the funny stuff and please please keep the animals traveling through your books.

No comments about Samantha's Love Story: A Guide on Psychic Communication with Animals.

1 comments about The Charms of Tea: Reminiscences & Recipes.

1. A delightful history on the gracious tradition of tea from the dependable editors of Victoria magazine. This beautiful book also features ideas and recipes for creating a personal, lovely, and delicious tradition for your self. Tea accessories, various types of teas (afternoon, Victorian, children's, ect.), and how to choose your tea are included to round out this comprehensive guide to the relaxing ritual of tea. A must for all collectors of tea accessories, this book also makes a lovely gift.

5 comments about The Cat Who Knew A Cardinal.

1. Qwill and the Siamese move into the apple barn. It is spectacular! The cats and Qwill seem to be very cozy. Qwill gets ready for bed and looks out the window to see a caravan of carlights heading his way. It happens to be the cast of Henry VIII, dropping by for a barn warming party.
   
   The party lasts quite late. After they leave the cats get jumpy and look out the window to see a leftover car. After several minutes, Qwill decides to go investigate. He discovers the dead body of the high school principal. Qwill and Koko work to solve the crime.
   
   Qwill comments about Polly being jealous. Read this book to see if, in fact, Qwill is the jealous party.
   
   This was a very enjoyable book. You will enjoy it too.



2. In the 12th book in The Cat Who...mystery series with KoKo and Yum Yum, James Qwilleran and his two Siamese cats move into their newly converted apple barn, and are celebrating the successful first run production by the Pickax Theatre Club. When the entire cast (except for one) shows up at Qwilleran's new home for a wrap-party and informal housewarming, he is happy to entertain many of his close friends. The party lasts well into the early morning hours, and when the last guest drives away, KoKo starts his impressive "death howl". Walking outdoors, Qwilleran learns there has been a shooting on his property, and the controversial high school principle has been murdered. Qwilleran and his amazing cats begin to investigate, and quickly dig into some truths buried in the nearby town of Lockmaster. And when Polly returns a day late from a wedding she attended in the town, Qwilleran starts to get suspicious about what is happening in Lockmaster. In between bird watching with KoKo, a cat pageant to find a look-alike for Tippy's beloved mascot, and a steeplechase, Qwilleran puts the pieces together on another murder in sleepy Moose County.
   
   This is my favorite cozy mystery series! I had read all of the books in the past, and wanted to read them again for a second time. This time around, I have chosen to listen to them on CD, as I love the voice of George Guidall. The stories are charming, and I have fallen in love with Moose County and all of its residents. The mysteries themselves are not always very difficult to figure out...but that is not the allure of the series for many. The characters are endearing, and as you read the books in the series, you will feel like you know each one. The books are also a great read for pre-teens or those that have read and enjoyed the Nancy Drew series. I feel this series is the benchmark for many cozy mysteries today, and hope to enjoy this series for years to come. I highly recommend any (and all) of the books in this series.
   
   
   The 1st book in the series is called "The Cat Who Could Read Backwards". Enjoy!



3. Another enjoyable quick reading mystery story by Lilian Jackson Braun featuring Qwilleran and his two Siamese cats Koko and Yum-Yum. In this episode, Hilary VanBrook, the disliked Principle of PickAx is found murdered in Qwilleran's orchard the morning after a cast party is thrown. Koko was the one to find the body and Qwilleran begins to piece together the clues. A cardinal singing outside the window holds the key to the suspect.



4. The 12th book of this series starts with Qwilleran settled into his new home, an old apple barn that has been restored and turned into living quarters. The upper beams are about forty feet above the ground and the cats are in seventh heaven. Qwilleran's other project, building a community theater, has also been completed and a successful run of "Henry VIII" has just finished. When the director, school principal Hilary VanBrook had proposed this play nobody thought it would fly, but the unpopular director had pulled it off in high fashion.
   
   Following the final performance the cast and crew descended on Qwilleran's barn for the cast party. As was normal, the much-maligned VanBrook kept pretty much to himself but for some reason Koko found him very interesting. Once the party guests had all departed, Koko called Qwilleran's attention to a single car that was still outside. Going out to investigate, Qwilleran found a body with a very fresh gunshot wound inside the abandoned car. Determined to mind his own business this time the former reporter called the police and tried to stay out of the investigation. Koko however would have none of that and started leaving clues.
   
   Despite Koko's clues however, Qwilleran continued his hands off approach except for sniffing around the victim's house looking for an old book. Finally though, Qwilleran gave in and started to sniff around because a friend of his was being falsely accused of the crime. This time our amateur sleuth solves the mystery on his own, not picking up on Koko's clues until it was all over. Yum Yum actually provides the most important clue, although completely by accident and once again the cats rush in to save the day when Qwilleran gets into deep trouble.
   
   Along the road to solving this murder Qwilleran runs into several sub-plots that add a great deal to the story. There is a suicide that may or may not be connected to the murder, a cat beauty pageant that turns into a riot and a horse race down in Lockmaster. On top of everything else, Qwilleran and Polly seem to be on the outs and Qwilleran is sure that the librarian has a new love interest.
   
   Like the previous books in this series, this book is filled with quirky and fun characters and features the wonderful backdrop of Moose County. The interaction between the characters is cleaver and imaginative and the cats are superbly portrayed. I am also happy to report that the mystery, while not always the center of the plot, is interesting and it is solvable. The clues are all there and if the reader pays close attention he/she can solve the mystery before Qwilleran.
   
   On the negative side, there are some questions involving the victim that are never answered. Maybe however, these questions will be answered in a future book because Qwilleran is thinking about doing a biography of the deceased. Given what he has already found out he just might have a best seller on his hands.



5. Jim Qwilleran, the star of this series, is the heir to the vast Klingenschoen fortune. He lives with his two Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum in Moose County, 400 miles north of everywhere.

   The action opens with the Qwill and the cats settling in to their latest residence, the newly remodeled apple barn. The peace is shattered as the Theater Club drops by for a house (barn) warming party. When the last of the party goers leave Qwill discovers that one is unable to go on his own power, he has been murdered just outside Qwill's door! The story then focuses on the deceased, Hilary VanBrook, principal of Pickax High School and director of the latest Theater Club production. When a fellow actor disappears he becomes the chief suspect. Qwill, of course, believes that the answer lies elsewhere and, aided by the cats, begins to investigate.

   His attention is divided however, his latest lady friend, Polly Duncan, is acting strangely - perhaps he has a rival for her affections. Koko and Yum Yum are similiarly distracted by a new activity - bird watching, especially cardinals. The trio presses on, even traveling out of Moose County looking for answers. In the end the mysteries are solved and life in Moose County continues.

   I found this one of the less satisfying books in the series. The action begins nearly a year after the end of the previous book. The character of the second victim, Dennis Hough, who was Iris Cobb's son - introduced in The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts - has changed character slightly, and earned Qwill's trust and respect since we first met him. The motive for his death is weak and there is no real explanation given for the breakup of his family.

   Qwill's relationship with Polly is one of the themes of this story and though it is given quite a bit of attention I felt that it was more of a tease. Also, as with the previous novel, I felt that the ending had been rushed with some of the threads left a bit loose.

   If you are a devotee of the series you will want to read this one, especially for the Polly and Qwill story. If you are new to series perhaps starting elsewhere would be better, but if you a just looking for a good mystery this may not be your best choice.

No comments about My First Kitten.

1 comments about The New Complete Scottish Terrier.

1. This book was originally published as The Complete Scottish Terrier in 1967. This is a new updated version of this work. Mr. Marvin was long active in this breed in the early days in this country. This volume examines in depth the history of this breed, the major champions in both the United Kingdom and the United States. One of the highlights of this book is the section on grooming the Scottish Terrier, with excellent drawings demostrating both correct and incorrect grooming. There is an extensive listing of British and American kennels that were active in this breed up to 1980. Also covered in depth is breeding axioms, conditioning show stock, bloodlines and line breeding and the standard for the breed. There is a large amount of black and white photos of past and present Scottish Terrier champions, including Scotties who won big at Westminster-best in show. Although this book is now out of print, it is not difficult to locate and is a must for anyone interested in this breed. Both the pet Scottie owner and the Show enthusiast will learn much from this volume. The cover is green and white with a large photo of the great champion "Carmichael's Fanfare" who won BIS at Westminster. This dog was handled by John Murphy and owned by Mr. & Mrs Charles Stalter.

No comments about Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Textbook, Complete Version.

2 comments about Cat Conundrums: Simple Solutions to Everyday Problems (Pet Peeves).

1. This book gives you valuable information on cat behavior with a twist of humor. It gives a little insight on why sometimes cats behave the way they do. I really enjoyed reading this as a pet owner and can relate to one chapter in particular. Dr. Sampson has helped me work with my cat with some behavior problems and he know his stuff!!! Great book and highly recommend it!



2. This is a great book! Dr. Sampson takes the mystery out of cat behavioral problems in a way cats would approve of - by pointing out that it's often human misbehavior (or misguidance) that's causing the problem. Not only is this book extremely helpful, it is also incredibly funny! Whether or not your cat is about to push you over the edge, you will appreciate the humor and the sage advice regarding behavior modification. Every person who belongs to a cat can learn something from this book.

2 comments about Emotional Healing for Cats.

1. I've studied flower essences for over ten years. I own several books on flower essences + animals, and this is in the top four. I use it all the time for my several cats.
   
   However, I am giving this book only four stars. As nice as this book is, it is limited to ONLY Bach's original 39 flower essences mainly from England. Nowadays, flower essences are much more than the first 39, including flowers from North America (Northern California, deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Florida); Scotland; Australia bush; New Zealand; South Africa; South America; Central America; to mention a few. Bach died young in 1936, leaving his work unfinished, and many people in the last 70 years have taken up where he left off, much expanding the number and quality of essences (depending on where in the world the flowers are indigenous).
   
   Frankly, books on Bach's first 39 flower essences are so ubiquitous that I now avoid them in favor of books covering flower essences from other parts of the world besides England. Plants of England are not the only plants in existence! I am REAL tired of books getting published involving only Bach's original 39 essences. Even though Bach "bumped into" his first 39 essences, Bach's essences are not the holy grail of flower essences! Look further afield than Bach's essences.



2. Anyone wanting to improve the quality and increase the longevity of their feline companion's life should own this reference book. Based on the teachings of Dr. Edward Bach, a prominent physician in the early 1900s, who was concerned not only with the physical problems of his patients, but with their emotional outlook as well. This book reminds us that cats are as individual as humans--each with their own set of emotional and health issues. The 38 Bach Flower Essences are listed alphabetically, with a general description as well as specific behavioral traits exhibited by cats that each remedy could correct. Suggested remedies for humans having difficulty dealing with injured or ailing cats are also given. No previous knowledge or experience with flower essences is needed to start using this information immediately.

5 comments about The Cat Who Came in from the Cold.

1. I first picked up the audio version of "The Cat Who Came in From the Cold" from our library while preparing for a marathon car trip with my husband (not a man who thinks highly of cats) and sons (ages 23, 20 and 14). I was pretty skeptical that the male majority would really 'let' me listen to a book with a cute little kitten on the cover, but I added it to my stack anyway (it's good to be Queen!). After having had my fill of "Tom Clancy" and his friends, I plugged in "The Cat Who Came in From the Cold" and soon ALL of us were all laughing the miles away. On our return leg of our trip, all these big guys (and their mom AND DAD) wanted to hear the "Thermal" tapes again (listening to a story a second time through is unheard of around here!) Along with most of Deric Longden's other books, we now own our own set of tapes to share with family, and the book version (which my 14 year old son, who hates to read, read cover to cover in about a day). Cheeky Thermal is an oft quoted cat around here. It is also nice to find a book that appeals to everyone in the family without any objectionable material. This is just great, light-hearted fare.



2. I listened to this book on audio cassette while I cleaned my barn. It was so much fun to listen to, I cleaned more and more each day because I didn't want to turn off the tape. My barn is now immaculate, and I was sorry to come to the end of the story!



3. Having read Deric Longden's first five books (the others include Diana's Story, Lost For Words, I'm a Stranger Here Myself & Enough to Make a Cat Laugh), I can confidentally say that this is when the author is at his best. He delivers enough comedy (something to be expanded upon in subsequent books), but mixed with a subtle version of his own blend of tragedy (already established in previous books). Whilst many thought that his characterization of his mother's mental decline in Lost For Words was distasteful, I would think that even the harshest of critics would fail not to find the story of a lost kitten a least a little endearing.

   Although it may be easy enough to dismiss this as simply a children's novel, I would say that, given enough suspension of disbelief & a little imagination, this can be a thoroughly enjoying read, and (cliche) a book that you will want to keep coming back to, time & again, even if only for some of the amusing anecdottes presented by Thermal.




4. American readers who enjoy authors such as Cleveland Armory are really deprived of the British author Derick Longden's classics. "The Cat Who Came In From the Cold" was the first of his books I read, but was able to read more only because I have a friend who orders them from the UK. Longden imparts personality and (imagined) dialogues and thoughts from his cats, which will have you chuckling and nodding in agreement with his knowledge of our feline favorites. GET HIS BOOKS!



5. I am from England and have bought all of Deric Longden's books there. I am surpries to find that they are all out of print here - he has an amazing way with words that left me laughing out loud. The tale of a small white kitten called Thermal (for reasons which I will not go into here) is one that as well being incredibly funny also has moments of sadness init as well. The books "Diana's story" and "Lost for words" are also not to be missed, although I can guarentee tears as well as laughter with these books.