Order of Lilian Jackson Braun Books

Lilian Jackson Braun (1913-2011) was an American author of cozy mystery novels. Her series is The Cat Who (aka the Jim Qwilleran Feline Whodunnit series) books featuring a pair of feline sleuths and their rich and eccentric owner Jim Qwilleran. Braun wrote sports poetry as a teenager for the Detroit News and wrote some copy for department stores. She also worked for the Detroit Free Press as the editor of the Good Living section. Lilian never wrote on a computer or even a word processor, sticking to writing using a typewriter.

Lilian Jackson Braun made her debut as a published novelist in 1966 with The Cat Who Read Backwards. After two critically acclaimed follow-ups, she would leave the publishing industry for nearly 20 years, returning in 1986 with The Cat Who Saw Red. She also wrote three collections of short stories in her The Cat Who series. Below is a list of Lilian Jackson Braun’s books in order of when they were originally published (and in chronological order):

Publication Order of Cat Who... Books

Publication Order of Cat Who Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Midnight Louie Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

If You Like Lilian Jackson Braun Books, You’ll Love…

• Sue Grafton
• M.C. Beaton
• Joanne Fluke

Lilian Jackson Braun Synopses: The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun is the first book in her The Cat Who… series. In an unexpected turn of events, reporter Qwilleran finds himself immersed in the world of art when a series of unsettling incidents unfold. From a stabbing that occurs within the walls of an art gallery to paintings being deliberately vandalized, and even a fatal fall from a scaffolding, the peaceful art scene is suddenly marred by violence and chaos.

With his uncanny partner, Koko the brilliant Siamese cat, by his side, Qwilleran sets out to investigate these perplexing occurrences. Armed with his investigative talents and Koko’s keen senses, the duo is uniquely equipped to uncover the truth behind the mysteries that have befallen the art world.

As Qwilleran and Koko delve into the intricate web of clues, they navigate through the intricacies of the art community, facing off against criminals determined to spread mayhem and commit murder. Despite the unexpected nature of their new venture, Qwilleran and Koko are in their element, using their combined skills to expose the culprits and restore order to the once-peaceful art realm.

The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern by Lilian Jackson Braun is book 2 in the Cat Who… cozy mystery series.
Jim Qwilleran finds himself facing a new challenge in his role at the Daily Fluxion. Assigned to produce an entire magazine on interior design each week, he’s far from confident in this field. However, his journalistic instincts lead him to a more familiar territory when he discovers a shocking incident connected to his magazine’s very first issue.

The luxurious home featured on the cover of Gracious Abodes is hit by a burglary, and worse, the lady of the house is found dead. As Qwilleran delves into the investigation, his sharp instincts are sharpened even further by his astute Siamese cat, Koko. The feline’s unusual behavior, including pawing at clues in a dictionary and showing interest in designer furniture, indicates that there’s more to this case than meets the eye.

With Koko’s unique assistance and his own investigative prowess, Qwilleran embarks on uncovering the truth behind the sophisticated murder. As he peels back the layers of the elegant world of interior design, he must navigate through a complex web of secrets and intrigue to unveil the cunning killer behind the curtain of high society.

The Cat Who Turned On and Off is the third book in Lilian Jackson Braun’s The Cat Who… series. When Jim Qwilleran takes on a feature story about Junktown, he finds himself immersed in an unexpected world. Contrary to his initial expectations of a rundown area, Junktown turns out to be a unique haven for antique dealers and collectors. The eclectic and eccentric group of individuals he encounters there is unlike any he’s encountered before in his reporting career.

However, Qwilleran’s exploration of Junktown takes a dark turn when one of its prominent citizens meets a mysterious and fatal end. Though it appears to be an accident, Qwilleran’s intuition tells him otherwise. Yet again, it’s his perceptive Siamese cat, Koko, who manages to provide the crucial insights that support Qwilleran’s suspicions.

As Qwilleran delves deeper into the enigmatic world of Junktown, he uncovers hidden motives, tangled secrets, and a network of connections that might shed light on the untimely demise. With Koko’s unique talents as his guide, Qwilleran navigates through the twists and turns of this unusual community to reveal the truth and unmask a cunning killer lurking amidst the treasures and shadows of Junktown.

5 Responses to “Order of Lilian Jackson Braun Books”

1. Claudia Eileen Wilch: 3 years ago

   What is an anthologie?

   Reply

   • Graeme: 3 years ago

     A collection of stories by various different authors.

     Reply

2. Carol Ann Marquez: 7 years ago

   For the person who does not read romance novels—billions are sold every year to men and women. They are an escape from work, children, dishes, etc., etc. What’s wrong with a happy ending?

   Reply

3. Shari: 12 years ago

   What about the Mystery Cat Series of 3?

   Reply

   • Brandon: 12 years ago

     At the time we added Lilian, we did not include anthologies. I’ll have those added soon!

     Reply