Qwilleran inherits a mansion and staff in Pickax and takes an interest in the local paper, but gets even more involved when the publisher dies in a car crash.

"Charlie Harris is busy enjoying his new grandson when a mysterious man with a connection to Charlie's family starts visiting the library, bringing with him troubling questions about an unsolved murder..."--

Philanthropist James Qwilleran and his crime-solving cats investigate the murders of a volunteer fire-watcher and a local curling champ as a mysterious crime wave engulfs the town of Pickax.

When a kitty discovers there is no cat food in the house, she decides to become very, very bad.

With the help of her rescue cat Eddie, librarian Minnie Hamilton is driving a bookmobile based in the resort town of Chilson, Michigan. But shed better keep both hands on the wheel, because its going to be a bumpy ride.

While the residents of Pickax eagerly await a festival celebrating the 150th anniversary of the town's founding, newspaper columnist James Qwilleran must entertain Harvey Ledfield, an aspiring architect. Strange occurrences seem to follow Harvey around. Koko, the Siamese cat, leaps on his head, a knitter predicts murder, and a woman comes from California to leave a message for Qwill. It's up to Koko to help Qwill piece the clues together.

Jim Qwilleran, and two cats, Koko, and Yum Yum work as a team to investigate the murder case that happened in Pickax.