The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts

Jackson's 10th entry in the series featuring middle-aged, curmudgeonly reporter Jim Qwilleran pits the independently wealthy citizen of the remote town of Pickax City against malevolent spirits, of either this world or another. Iris Cobb, the resident-curator of the local historical museum, tells Qwill she's hearing ghosts; after she dies of what the coroner says is a heart attack, Qwill and his Siamese cats, Yum Yum and the psychic zany Koko, move in to find out what could have scared her to death. Unearthing old and well-kept secrets in Moose County family histories, Qwill also investigates some newcomers to the area, notably the museum's neighbors down the road at Fugtree Farm, and the deceased's son whose inheritance is considerable. Fans of earlier The Cat Who . . . stories may welcome Qwill's return along with other Pickax regulars such as librarian Polly Duncan and Arch Riker, editor of the weekly Moose County Something , but as a mystery, this busy, superficial and weakly plotted tale is as unsubstantial as any ghost and much less haunting. Mystery Guild selection; Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club alternate. (Jan.)