The joint protagonists of all The Cat Who novels are James M. Qwilleran (Qwill) and his seal-point Siamese, Kao K'o Kung (KoKo) and YumYum. Since Braun restricts physical descriptions to a few striking details, Qwill's luxuriant moustache is his distinguishing feature. Apparently an instrument of his Scottish second sight, this moustache functions much as the cats' whiskers do, alerting him to anything suspicious or unusual. Once a well-known crime reporter in New York and Los Angeles, the author of an important book on urban crime, and the recipient of numerous journalism awards — Qwill now finds himself middle-aged (past forty-five) and unsettled both professionally and personally. Alcoholism has damaged his professional reputation, and a failed marriage has ruined him financially. Thus, he needs to win the Daily Fluxion's feature-writing contest, as he now lives from hand to mouth, residing in a third-rate hotel and eating his meals at...