35. The Cat Who Went Up the Creek - Lillian Jackson Braun

Another book I stumbled across when combing our bookshelves for stuff I hadn't actually read. I remember when I was younger (Jr highish?) I used to LOVE this series. I guess it's kind of nice to read something you used to love and not react in the same way because it is a testament of how you have grown and changed as a reader and the same things aren't always going to appeal. Which gives me hope that some of the "classics" I have had a hard time with will one day grow on me. But it is also bittersweet because in some ways reading a book from a series I loved as a child and realizing that I don't love that series anymore is like giving up one of those last vestiges of my childhood. And I mean, I'm 25, so it's time to let go at least a little bit. But still .. you know?

Anyways, this is a mystery series and I am a pretty big sucker for mysteries. I find that they tend to go one of 3 ways. Either it is obvious "whodunit" and I am annoyed the whole time that I am putting the pieces together faster than the detective; there are so many twists and turns and red herrings that it is totally unclear what the hell is actually going on and you feel unsatisfied by the ending because you can't figure out where all the pieces fit together; there are just enough twists and turns and redherrings to keep you guessing and the ending kind of surprises you but it feels like it fits. This book fell more into the first category and that was ok and it was a quick no-brainer read and that was what I was looking for when I read it but generally speaking I like my mysteries to have a bit more substance.

I almost felt like Qwill (the main character/"detective") just fell into the solution by accident. To be truthful, the whole series seems to be based on that premise from what I can remember. He just happened to inherit a bazillion dollars so he just happens to be able to throw his money around when it is needed. He just happens to vacation or visit or walk by the scene of something suspicious and then he just happens to run into the right people and they just happen to tell the right stories and his cat just happens to yowl or swipe at him at the right time ... everything just comes across as very accidental. I do recognize that sometimes it is simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time ... but to always fall back on that logic? It seems like a bit of a weak coping method. But then I am not a published author and she has written a ton of books in this series so she must be doing something right.