ANNOTATION

Floyd Trevelyan's historic steam locomotive, newly restored, is the newest attraction in Moose County. But the excitement is eclipsed by shock when Trevelyan disappears--along with millions of investors' dollars. Now, Qwill--with the help of his cats, Koko and Yum Yum--is trying to make a connection between the missing man and a recent murder at the railroad tavern.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Can Qwill and the cats find the rich embezzler who has cheated Moose County out of millions of dollars? When the affluent owner of a historic steam locomotive and private railcar absconds with millions of dollars belonging to Moose County investors, police are called in to search for the fugitive. In Pickax, journalist Jim Qwilleran and his feline sleuths probe another mystery, however: Who blew the whistle on the embezzler, and why? With the help of Koko and Yum Yum, Qwill proves that the police are on the wrong track. The mystery is just beginning to heat up, and no easy solutions are at hand. Disturbing questions are left unanswered: What caused a train wreck on the main line? Is there a connection between the wreck and the missing millionaire? When a dead body turns up in a railroad tavern, it's obvious someone has a secret he is willing to kill to keep. Can Qwill and the cats find out who blew the whistle, before they are silenced permanently?

SYNOPSIS

This is one of the beloved collection for lighthearted mystery lovers, particularly those who also happen to love cats! Newspaper columnist Jim Qwilleran and his crime-solving Siamese cats, Koko and Yum-Yum live in tiny Moose County and solve crimes together.

Lilian Braun has written 24 Cat Who¿¿¿book in this enormously popular series.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Best of series, this 17th The Cat Who caper slyly creeps up on the reader. The newest delight in Moose County, ``400 miles north of everywhere,'' is a railroad buff's refurbished locomotive, which is making its debut run. Floyd Trevelyan, the train owner, disappears just as the state closes down the credit union associated with his business. While others believe the man has decamped with investors' money, newspaper columnist Jim Qwilleran doesn't believe Trevelyan would abandon his railroad project. He persuades his friend and sleuthing cohort Celia, recently moved to Pickax City from Chicago, to go undercover to find the missing businessman. Meanwhile, librarian Polly Duncan, with whom Qwill has had a long-standing relationship, is becoming distraught about the house she is building nearby. After a carpenter on the project is stabbed in a barroom brawl and the contractor, Trevelyan's son, is seriously injured on the job, Qwill begins to fear for Polly's health. Qwill's Siamese cat, Koko, plays a central role in solving these puzzles as Qwill struggles equally to interpret the cat's hints and cope with those problems complicating his personal life. Literary Guild, Mystery Guild and Doubleday Book Club selections. (Feb.)

Library Journal

Cat mystery lovers beware! Pickax's Qwilleran and Koko have returned for a go at catching a train fancier who has embezzled millions from Moose County investors. Another best seller from the prolific Braun.