Her first book in the series, The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, was published in 1966, and introduced Jim Quilleran, a journalist living in an unnamed Midwestern city, who solves crimes with his Siamese cats Koko and Yum-Yum. A total of 29 books in the series were published; she was working on the 30th, when she died.
Author Lilian Jackson Braun died with one regret, her husband of 33 years said Monday. Because of her failing health, she was unable to finish her last novel, “The Cat Who Smelled Smoke.”
“She regretted it most of all because so many fans wanted another book,” Earl Bettinger said.
Read the full story HERE.
Hat Tip: Omnimysterynews.com
Oh, I am sorry to hear that...
ReplyDeleteThat's sad. But it's encouraging that she was still writing at 97. Maybe someone will finish the book.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that too. Loved all her books. GOOD, CLEAN, FUN & Cats, too! What else could anyone ask of a grand writer.
ReplyDeleteI hope someone finishes her latest work in her memory.
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
My condolences to Earl.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to think there will be no more Jim Quilleran, KoKo or Yum Yum stories, but Lillian left a great legacy of all her previous Cat Who books.
My condolences to her family and friends.
ReplyDeleteShe was such a great lady in so many ways. And so inspiring in how she was still writing.
Perhaps what she had written of the last book could be published, finished by someone else or not. Haven't some books been published like that before, some finished, some not? I'm thinking there was an unfinished F. Scott Fitzgerald book published. Maybe others. I'd be willing to buy it.
I feel like I have lost my best friend. She and her work will be sorely missed. I hope someone will finish her final book so it can be published. My heartfelt condolences to Earl.
ReplyDeleteI loved her books, they gave me such enjoyment. She will be missed. My sincere condolences to her family and friends. A wonderful writer with such class, a rarity tese days.
ReplyDeleteI have just read about LJB's passing, in June of this year.
ReplyDeleteI am very sad, as she was one of the greatest writers, I have ever had the pleasure to read.
I will miss her, enormously, but so glad that I have been able to enjoy James Qwilleran and his 2 lovely cats.
A cat lover, myself, these were such fun, and gave much pleasure.
I have most all of Ms. Braun's books, and will treasure them, always.
My condolences, to her dear husband, Earl.
Kindest regards,
Linda Huthmaker/Torrance, California
Sorry to read about her passing, but I felt that her last books were written to close out the series. If you re-read them you will notice that she was moving in another direction. I was especially struck by this when Quill's barn burned and Polly was removed as his love interest. It was like the series was ending the way it started, with Quill and his cats. I will miss her stories.
ReplyDeleteI started reading Mrs. Brown's series "The Cat Who..." and got addicted! Love the books and am enjoying each one of them. (I just can't understand why in the world some refer to her as "Ms." Brown when she was clearly married! Only English uses "Ms.", no other language has anything close to it, that I am aware. Silly...)
ReplyDeleteI loved her books so much! I have two cats, one Siamese. I haven't kept up with her, so only today saw of her passing. I've thought of her so much as I have many of her books. In some ways she inspired me & my whimsy in the cat poetry I hope to publish soon. I love the glasses she sported in her picture--how well I remember wearing those cat-eye glasses!:) Love & best wishes to those who knew her personally. I, too, was looking forward to the next--I so hated the wait! Sincerely.
ReplyDeleteI want the last book! Can't someone finish it?? I mean, didn't she have notes? I need closure here. I can't believe she is gone, I have so loved her books. There is an empty place on my shelf waiting for #30.
ReplyDelete