A review by mariahmmm
The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun

adventurous mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Jim Qwilleran, a washed up political journalist, is offered a second chance when he's hired as an art critic in a small town bursting with artists and galleries. But with the art scene ruled by the powerful art critic George Bonifield Mountclemens (and his Siamese cat), Jim is soon pulled into the obnoxious, competitive, and deadly world of fine art.

Advertised as cosy art mystery led by a genius "magical" cat who helps a journalist solve murders, this was the farthest thing from it and SO disappointing!! 
Instead, we're given a gritty brash journalist bumbling along (thanks to the snail paced writing with minimal plot), occasionally crossing paths with the cat who is NOT magical, is barely a side character, and does little of the murder "investigation". This misogynistic writing should be left in the past.
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