A major element in the popularity of The Cat Who novels is that the reader can anticipate the reappearance of characters from the earlier mysteries. In this novel, Mary Duckworth (The Cat Who Turned On and Off, 1968; see separate entry) introduces Qwill to Robert Maus and Maus Haus, while Zoe Lambreth (The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, 1966) provides information about artists who once were members of Penniman's bohemian commune. As in previous novels, Daily Fluxion photographer Odd Bunsen is called upon to provide a diversion by taking numerous photographs and asking countless questions; he also arranges for the diver to recover Joy's broken pots. Of course, a The Cat Who mystery would not be complete without the presence of Arch Riker, Qwill's lifelong friend and now his editor.

The first murder victim in this novel is Joy Wheatley Graham, who was Qwill's boyhood sweetheart. Joy tells Qwill that...