Lillian Jackson Braun, a wonderful and entertaining author of "The Cat Who........" series of books and has delighted cat fancier with her apt descriptions of feline behavior, unfortunately, in The Cat Who Went Underground has left in the opinion of this reviewer, some of the spark out of the plot in this novel.
For those familiar with Ms. Jackson Braun's "The Cat Who..." series all of the main characters are present either by being physically on the scene or in the case of Polly Duncan, through postcards while on her vacation.
For those not familiar with the series, this novel explores the exploits of James Quilleran, a journalist for a metropolitan area who had the good fortune to inherit the largest fortune in the "north central United States' and his two Siamese cats, Koko,a male, and Yum Yum, a dainty female. Quilleran is active in the newspaper publishing business, in furnish a commentary or opinion article, "The Quill Pen", to the local paper, He is a "hands off" beneficiary of the legacy left him except to propose to the Foundation advisors a worthy grantee who would benefit from the Foundation's assistance. When not writing, he becomes involved in one of any of number of projects, in this case a renovation of his summer cabin. As in the other novels in the series he becomes involved in a local mystery which results in murder. Koko, his perceptive "detective" cat who provides clues which Quilleran cannot fully understand, as usual, come to light when the mystery is solved.
Without giving away the plot, the conclusion of this story is not as satisfying as that found in other of the novels in the series. Yet for fans of Quilleran and the kitties, this is not one they will pass up.
