Cat Who Smelled Smoke by Lilian Braun Jackson has been on order since October, 2007. The most recent publication date was January, 2009. Putnam has finally officially cancelled the publication of this title.
We will be cancelling all the holds. Each patron with a hold will be notified either by email or snail mail.
Becky Buckingham
29 responses so far ↓
jeanne // January 14, 2009 at 3:58 pm
I’m curious about this. When I read the last Cat book (60 Whiskers, 2007) I thought it should be the last one, based on the way things petered out. It seemed like the author had come to the end of her productive days. Any information on this decision?
myounker // January 14, 2009 at 4:39 pm
LJB was born in 1916 so perhaps the cat is on strike?
virginialawhorne // January 26, 2009 at 5:04 am
After 60 Whiskers, I too thought that would be the end of the series. I was delighted to learn about the newest book. It was delayed from last year. So I waited patiently, but to announce it, then cancel is pretty tacky.
Erin Sharwell // February 2, 2009 at 11:30 am
Do you have a link to the official cancellation? I’m not finding it, and am hesitant to cancel all of our holds without being able to point to an official source of information.
myounker // February 2, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Erin, Baker & Taylor lists the book as cancelled and it is no longer in Ingram’s database. hope that helps.
Travis // February 6, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Thanks for an update on the title. I had for the most part given up on seeing the book published. This confirms it won’t have a “closer” to the series that kept us cat fans entertained all these years.
Gaya // March 10, 2009 at 3:58 am
Anyone knows WHY the book was cancelled ?
I understood it was already written.
Becky Buckingham // March 10, 2009 at 7:41 am
The publisher, Putnam, no longer lists this title on their website.
JD // April 1, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I’m glad to finally see something about this. I’ve had a Google News Search RSS for Ms. Braun for months, but never get a hit.
I don’t think it was “tacky” to announce and then withdraw the book. Be kind. The lady IS over 90 years old, you know.
I just always _assumed_ the delay, and now cancellation, was due to Ms. Braun’s health, or lack of it.
kat // July 24, 2009 at 4:22 pm
I think we should all give the dear lady a break. Look at how much joy she’s given us all these years. She was mom’s fave and mom was the same age as Ms. Braun. Mom passed in 2005. Lilian Jackson Braun is still living, thanks be to God. I will look forward to reading The Cat Who….. series over and over and over. Thankyou, Lilian Jackson Braun
kat // October 14, 2009 at 6:11 pm
As I said in July of this year, give the dear lady a break! So what if this book didn’t make it to publication, we have all the other magical, wonderful books and she deserves to be honored, not criticized!
virginianc // October 15, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I’m not trying to be unkind to Ms Braum. On the contrary, I have the utmost respect for her ability to write books that I read over and over again and never tire of. I just don’t think the publisher should have announced something they weren’t sure of delivering.That is what is unkind; to get peoples hopes up and then “cancel” it.
Becky Buckingham // October 15, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Unfortuatley, cancellation are becoming very common in the tight economy. In this case, I think it is just that the author was too frail to continue her long-standing series.
Diane whitaker // November 2, 2009 at 8:18 am
I just reread the complete set of “cat who . . .” again and am sad to have it end. I hope, as someone mentioned, that the “smoke” book is written and will be out there some day. Good health LJB.
andrea // November 21, 2009 at 10:00 am
Bummer, I discovered the cat who series when I was pregnant with my daughter, and I would listen to them on cd, so she could hear the stories too! She loves cats and reading, and is a gifted and talented student! Thank you Ms. Braun! Also, when ever I felt sad or depressed, I would go to the bookstore and the first thing I would do is look to see if she had a new book out, and I was never disapointed! I’m sad about the new book, but hey maybe its time to re-read the series again!
Chris // December 1, 2009 at 9:36 am
Always looked forward to a new adventure with KoKo & YumYum. Hope LJB is doing alright. Thanks to Her for all the hours of good reading. I Think a new title could be “The Cat Who Deserves To Retire.” God Bless You, Lillian Jackson Braun & Everyone North Of—-
Ethel Smith // December 1, 2009 at 12:59 pm
IF “the Cat Who Smelled Smoke” is ever published, please let me know! I’m one of the readers who periodically re-read the whole series – it is such a fresh breeze to read LJB’s stories without all the detailed sex and violence so many authors think they must include to sell their books!
Shalanna Collins // December 2, 2009 at 7:30 pm
It’s too bad the book won’t be coming out. The series was a good one.
Ethel Smith: I agree with you that all the gratuitious sex and violence isn’t needed in most books, but I think the AUTHORS are not so much at fault as the businesses. The marketing people think that you have to have that stuff or it won’t sell, so they pressure editors, who pressure agents, who pressure the writers until all the writers just believe that it’s needed. There aren’t many happy-ending and uplifting series left. Most books are so dark these days. Films, too!
MRSNsCats // December 8, 2009 at 8:14 am
I have enjoyed listening to the Cat Who books on tape.. they are wonderful. I hope that she is well enough to grace us with one more book… God bless you Ms. Braun
Judy Curry // December 11, 2009 at 1:17 am
I am on the road with my job and love to listen to audiotapes. My mother was a huge fan of LBJ’s and got me hooked on her books. My precious mother passed away 12-14-06 and left a big hole in my heart. Listening to Koko and YumYum’s adventures bring me such good memories of my mama.
God bless you Ms. Braun!
Pamina // December 11, 2009 at 2:47 am
We are a group of friends from Nice on the French Riviera and we are positively in love with “the Cat who” saga.
Thank you Ms Braun for all the happiness you give us,Koko,YumYuhopem and of course Qwill belong to our family surrounding and we have the feeling that we know them better than our own friends!
We hope you feel well enough to go on giving us more happiness.
With all our loving.
Hope Salais // December 11, 2009 at 10:08 am
I have the whole set in hardcover and was so looking forward to this one. But…like most of you I’m thankful for the ones Ms. Braun wrote. And I’m thankful for Ms. Braun. Wish I could wish her a Merry CHRISTmas!
MARION // December 12, 2009 at 4:15 pm
DEAR MS. BRAUN,
I HAVE READ YOUR BOOKS FOR YEARS AND HAVE LOVED THEM. I LOVED THE FAMILY IN THEM AND OF COURSE THE CATS.
IN 1996, I GOT DIVORCED AND WAS VERY SAD AND DEPRESSED ABOUT IT. I WOULD READ YOUR BOOKS AND SEE HOW QUILL LIVED ON HIS OWN-TREATING HIMSELF, MAKING COFFEE AND SNACKS FOR HIMSELF, ETC. I REALIZED I COULD ONCE AGAIN HAVE A NICE LIFE W/O A HUSBAND.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR BOOKS AND HOPE YOU WILL WRITE AGAIN.
Emmy // December 14, 2009 at 12:02 am
I’m 21 years old, and have been reading “The Cat Who…” series since I was in 7th grade. I was always a quiet child, with her nose in a book, and I can remember going to the library on my way home from school almost every day to get a new Braun book. I sped through them so fast, and couldn’t wait to turn a page to find out what happened next! I still love “The Cat Who…” series, and always will – there are still us youngin’s out there who appreciate good literature when they read it! Thank you for the joy you’ve brought into my life with your words Ms. Braun, and I hope you stay happy and healthy for a long time to come!
Thank you!
Jamie // December 21, 2009 at 7:27 pm
I am very sad to hear about her health. I love all her books and always enjoyed reading a new adventure. I am sad to see her go, but am glad I came across her books a few yars ago, while at the library. God bless her!
Winkie // December 22, 2009 at 9:17 am
Yes, it is sad to learn we won’t be hearing any more from Ms. Braun. There were some ominous signs in the last book that were very out of character of the series: the apple barn burns down and hardly a mention of it as the story continued. And Quill’s girlfriend rides out into the sunset to ?France? indefinitely. Somebody out there please let us have that last hurrah that her publisher decided not to release. And thank you to Lillian for so many joyous years connecting to these great characters.
Sheryl // December 22, 2009 at 6:43 pm
My mother has every one of the cat who and I will miss not having any to read .But hope that miss braun knows how much pleasure she has given her readers.
Ewill // December 26, 2009 at 8:13 am
Dont understand the reasons for the cancellation of “Smoke” whats going on? Really enjoy my friend Qwuii Want to know Wasup! ?
kat // December 26, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Yahknow, I’d buy the book no matter what condition it was in. It isn’t “perfect”? So? I would consider it a treasure after all the joy the writing of that dear lady has brought.