In this 27th book in the 'Cat Who' series, newspaper columnist (and sometime amateur detective) Jim Qwilleran is thinking about a play, a bookstore, and an old mansion.
*****
Background: Jim Qwilleran (Qwill) was a crime journalist in Chicago when he inherited billions of dollars from his mother's friend Fanny Klingenschoen. To receive the money Qwill had to move to the city of Pickax in Moose County, which is '400 miles north of everywhere.' So Qwill and his two Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, relocated to Pickax.
There Qwill used his inheritance to set up the Klingenschoen Fund, which supports projects that benefit the community.
In Pickax, Quill had a huge apple barn converted into a unique home for himself and his felines.....
......and also bought a condo in 'The Willows' for winter, when the barn couldn't be kept warm.
The majority of the 'Cat Who' books are mystery stories, in which Qwill solves crimes with the help of his cat Koko - who has a supernatural ability to detect crime and criminals. Koko communicates by yowling, snubbing people, licking photographs, knocking down books, ripping up papers, tripping people with banana peels, and more.
There are two minor mysteries in 'The Cat Who Went Bananas': one involves a road accident, and another revolves around the theft of a valuable book. However these are minimal parts of the story, and the book is more 'a slice of life in Pickax' tale than a suspense novel. For the most part, we follow Qwill as he goes about his everyday activities.
For instance, Qwill writes a twice-weekly column called 'The Qwill Pen' for the 'Moose County Something' newspaper. Qwill spends a good bit of time researching topics for the column, and interviewing people with interesting stories. For example, Qwill speaks to hunters about ducks and their habitats, and asks the town historian about iconic old buildings.
Quill also feeds, grooms, and reads to his cats; collects old books; writes limericks; shops for groceries for his busy girlfriend Polly Duncan; enjoys beverages, snacks, and meals with various friends and acquaintances; and is writing a book about Pickax's historic 'Hibbard Mansion'- a large wooden structure now used as a guesthouse.
I'll give examples of a couple of storylines, to provide a feel for the book.
✿ The Pickax Community Theater is putting on a production of 'The Importance of Being Earnest', and actor Ronnie Dickson, who lives 60 miles away, has a major role.
Shortly after opening night, Ronnie is driving home and has a fatal accident. Qwill suspects foul play, and invites Police Chief Andrew Brody to the barn, to discuss the matter over drinks and a cheese board.
✿ Qwill's ladyfriend Polly, formerly a librarian, is now opening a bookstore called 'The Pirate's Chest'.
The shop is on the premises of a used bookshop owned by the late Eddington Smith, and Quill is planning a tribute to Eddington, who was a beloved member of the community.
Opening 'The Pirate's Chest' bookstore means Polly has little time to spend with Qwill, since she's making decisions about the shop's interior, choosing inventory, acquiring a bookstore cat, hiring personnel, etc.
One of Polly's new employees is handsome Alden Wade, who's also acting in the town play, and Qwill worries Alden has turned Polly's head.
To add to Qwill's concerns, Alden is living in 'The Hibbard Mansion' guesthouse, which is owned by rich Violet Hibbard. There's scuttlebutt about a relationship between forty-year-old Alden and sixty-year-old Violet, and gossips suggest Alden is 'up to something'.
✿ In an annex to 'The Pirate's Chest' bookstore, literary ladies will sell first editions and other rare books that have been donated to raise money. After the valuable books are mentioned in the news, a volume goes missing, and Qwill has suspicions about whodunit.
I no longer expect these novels to be mysteries, and I was pleased to wander around Pickax with Qwill, and see what the residents are up to. If you're in the mood for a quiet human interest story, you'd probably enjoy this book. But if you're searching for a mystery, this isn't it.
Rating: 3 stars
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