Cat Who Short Story Collections books in order

All three Cat Who Short Story Collections by Lilian Jackson Braun in order, featuring short stories set in the world of Jim Qwilleran, Koko, and Yum Yum.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 The Cat Who Had 14 Tales 1988 Lilian Jackson Braun Buy
2 Short and Tall Tales / Qwilleran’s Short and Tall Tales 2002 Lilian Jackson Braun Buy
3 The Private Life of the Cat Who… 2003 Lilian Jackson Braun Buy

The Cat Who Short Story Collections are three books of shorter fiction by Lilian Jackson Braun set in the same world as her Cat Who… mystery novels. These collections feature Jim Qwilleran, his Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum, and the colorful residents of Moose County in briefer, lighter stories than the full-length novels.

The first collection, The Cat Who Had 14 Tales (1988), gathers cat-themed mystery stories, some of which predate the novel series. Short and Tall Tales (2002) presents stories told by Moose County locals at community gatherings, giving readers a broader look at the people and folklore of the fictional county. The Private Life of the Cat Who… (2003) takes a different approach, telling stories from the cats’ point of view.

These collections are companion reading for fans of the main series. They can be picked up at any point, though familiarity with the characters from the novels adds to the enjoyment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Cat Who Short Story Collections?

Lilian Jackson Braun published three short story collections set in the Cat Who… universe: The Cat Who Had 14 Tales (1988), Short and Tall Tales (2002), and The Private Life of the Cat Who… (2003). These books contain shorter pieces featuring Jim Qwilleran, Koko, Yum Yum, and the residents of Moose County.

Do I need to read the Cat Who... novels before the short story collections?

The short story collections work best if you have some familiarity with the main series characters, but they do not depend on specific novels. The Cat Who Had 14 Tales actually includes some of Braun’s earliest cat mystery stories, written before the novel series began.

What is The Private Life of the Cat Who... about?

The Private Life of the Cat Who… (2003) tells stories from the perspective of Koko and Yum Yum, Qwilleran’s Siamese cats. Instead of following the human characters, these stories show daily life in Pickax as seen through the cats’ eyes.

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