Book Reviews with Amber ~ The Cat Book Connoisseur at The Mewton-Clawson Library ~ #355 featuring **The Cat Who Played Post Office** by Lilian Jackson Braun **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins & Photo Fails

This review of The Cat Who Played Post Office by Lilian Jackson Braun is part of Book Reviews with Amber, the Cat Book Connoisseur at the Mewton-Clawson Library. Scroll to read.

The world’s leading feline literary critic

From the shelves of the Mewton-Clawson Library, a curated review destination for cat-centric fiction at BionicBasil.com

✨ This Week’s Intro ~ 92% Calm, 5% Baking Aroma, 3% Harmless Anomaly ✨

Hello, my gorgeous library guests,

and

Welcome back to the Mewton‑Clawson Library at BBHQ.

I am delighted to report that the library remains comfortably calm this week, not quite as sparkly as last time, but still pleasantly peaceful, with only the faintest hint of… cinnamon?

Yes, my dahlings, the air has taken on a warm, buttery fragrance, and while that may sound 

suspicious, I assure mew it’s nothing alarming. Most likely.

The shelves are still aligned with their usual military precision. The glitter trail from last week has dispersed.

The books are reclining in their designated spots like the aristocats they are.

The mice are gliding about with serene purpose, tiny clipboards and even tinier aprons in paw.

And the encyclopaedias? They’ve abandoned jazz and are now humming something that sounds suspiciously like a baking show theme tune.

And Melvyn?

Melvyn is still rather calm … but alert.

Not anxious.

Not twitchy.

Just quietly monitoring the situation with the seriousness of a cat who once saw a prawn soufflé collapse and never fully recovered.

📚 A Morning of Mild, But Delicious, Intrigue

Me: “Melvyn, sweetie, mew look contemplative.”

Melvyn: “I am. There was an anomaly in the B Aisle.”

Me: “Oh dear. What kind of anomaly?”

Melvyn: “A warm one.”

Me: “Warm?”

Melvyn: “And fragrant.”

Me: “Fragrant how?”

Melvyn: “Cinnamon. Nutmeg and possibly brown sugar.”

Me: “That sounds … lovely?”

Melvyn: “It was coming from a baking book.”

Me: “A baking book?”

Melvyn: “Yes. It wanted to share a new recipe.”

Me: “That’s … actually quite sweet.”

Melvyn: “It insisted I take a sample page.”

Me: “Did mew?”

Melvyn: “Of course. It had a scratch-and-sniff square on the page. It smelled delicious.”

Me: “And was it?”

Melvyn: “Amber … it was life‑changing.”

Me: “We’ll add it to the staff cookbook.”

Melvyn: “Already done.”

Me: "When do I get to sample it?"

Melvyn: "Chedds, Flora and Aardvar are in the staff kitchen cooking up a storm right now!"

Me: "Oh, fluff, help us!" MOL

📚 General Library Status Update

Happy mice

Happy vibe

Happy baking book

Happy thesaurus (still in its poetic era, now writing odes to pastries)

In short:

The library is calm.

Mostly calm.

Calm with a warm, buttery undertone.

And honestly? I’m not complaining.

So, my meowvellous library guests, if mew notice a cosy aroma drifting through the stacks or a cookbook gently steaming with pride, don’t worry, it’s simply the library sharing its culinary enthusiasm.

Probably.

And baked goods will be served imminently to all ... catnip tea with that?

Many thanks to the library mice for bringing new flavours to the stacks.

The P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.

1. My plans for this weekend include _________ and __________________.

2. I meant it when I said I _____________________________.

3. I should probably _________ more often so that _________.

4. I will never jump on the _________ trend.

The P.A.'s answers are...

1. My plans for this weekend include writing, cleaning, writing, gardening - weather permitting, and more writing. If you hadn't guessed, I'm writing, yep, a new book, but no, it's not the latest B Team adventure, that's still at 8 chapters, I'll finish that when I've finished this. Not long, I'm going as fast as I can.

2. I meant it when I said I will never dilute the B Team cats or their epic adventures for anything ever. They are who they are, and they can stay epic, not watered down for modern-day parameters.

3. I should probably weed the garden more often so that I don't stand there and go, "Fluff me, that's a lot of work!"  Usually, I'm pretty good, but sometimes I let things get past the point where I should have tackled it 2 or 3 weeks sooner. 

4. I will never jump on the _________ trend. I'm not really a 'trend jumper,' it's been a lifelong quest to do my own thing, regardless. I think I've reached Grand Master status at this point! LOL

As it's the last Friday of the month, we're also joining in the furbulous ...

Do stop by Mudpie's meowvellous blog at www.mochasmysteriesmeows.com to join in.

Fluff Knows What Fudge is Doing

This was from March 2024, and no, we have no idea what all this was about!

We asked him, but he refused to comment! MOL

Let's see what I've got to show mew this time!

          Mewton-Clawson Library Copy              

The Cat Who Played Post Office

The Cat Who… Mysteries, Book 6

by 

Lilian Jackson Braun

Today I'm back with The Cat Who series; there are 29 in total, but don't quote me. I got an urge to reread this epic series earlier this year, for the first time since 2007.

Eight down, including today's review, and ONLY twenty-one to go! MOL

Here are the previous reviews. Fluff knows what I was thinking, jumping to the middle of the series, maybe the catnip tea was a bit too strong, and I wasn't thinking straight:

The Cat Who Could Read Backwards ~ BK 1

The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern ~ BK 2

The Cat Who Turned On & Off ~ BK 3

The Cat Who Saw Red ~ BK 4

The Cat Who Played Brahms ~ BK 5

The Cat Who Moved a Mountain ~ BK 13

The Cat Who Wasn't There ~ BK 14     

📚 This Week’s Paw‑Approved Top Pick: The Cat Who Played Post Office 

Dahlings, preen your whiskers and adjust your tiaras or crowns, because this week’s mystery drops us into a world of unexpected wealth, eccentric servants, and a mansion so large even I would need a map. And at the centre of it all? The incomparable Siamese sleuths, Koko and Yum Yum, who are adjusting to their new life as furbulously wealthy felines … with trouble lurking just beyond the caviar bowl.

❓ What’s the Vibe?

Think cosy crime meets “new money chaos.”

A sprawling mansion, a missing maid, a murder among the upper crust, and two cats who refuse to let luxury distract them from the scent of a mystery.

It’s witty, warm, and wonderfully cat‑centric, classic Braun with a decadent twist.

🐾 What’s the Story?

Jim Qwilleran, moustache maestro, journalist, and full‑time servant to Koko and Yum Yum, has just inherited a staggering fortune. Suddenly, he’s living in a mansion, hiring staff, and trying to navigate the world of the supurr wealthy without tripping over his own good luck.

Koko and Yum Yum, naturally, take to the lifestyle like royalty:

more rooms to explore

more furniture to nap on

more servants to charm

But beneath the champagne sparkle, something is very wrong. A housemaid goes missing, and a shocking murder follows.

And Qwill quickly realises that money doesn’t buy safety or honesty.

Thankfully, Koko’s uncanny instincts kick in. Between pawing at clues, knocking over suspicious objects, and generally being a genius, he leads Qwill straight toward the truth, and the most unlikely suspects.

⚔️ What I Loved

😼 Koko: Sharp, dramatic, and utterly unstoppable. Wealth has not dulled his detective instincts one bit.

😺 Yum Yum: Sweet, delicate, and quietly observant, the purrfect counterbalance to Koko’s flair.

💰 The Mansion Setting: Rich, atmospheric, and full of secrets. A playground for cats and a nightmare for murder victims.

🧹 The Eccentric Staff: Quirky, suspicious, and endlessly entertaining. Every one of them feels like a clue waiting to happen.

🔍 The Mystery: Twisty, clever, and full of red herrings. The purrfect blend of cozy and compelling.

📖 Final Thoughts

This entry in the Cat Who… series is a delightful romp through wealth, secrets, and feline brilliance. The shift to a grand estate adds fresh flavour, the mystery is engaging, and Koko’s clue‑finding antics are as sharp as ever.

If mew love cozy crime with charm, humour, and cats who are clearly the brains of the opurration, this is a wonderfully satisfying read.

🪄 Summed Up in One Sentence

🐾 A witty, whisker‑twitching mystery where wealth brings trouble, servants hide secrets, and Koko steals the show. 🐾

Another Top Paw Edition To The Series!

Paperback:  228 pages

Audio:  Only cassette, terribly expensive

My Rating Scale

Ratings of:

The Cat Who Played Post Office

Overall Enjoyment

Other Fun Blog Hops to Join in Today

          Brian's Home   Catblogosphere    Feline Friday   Nature Friday    Flashback Friday   Friendship Friday          

I really hope mew enjoy the book if mew choose to read it.

It's time for me to say BFN or bye-for-now as mew know the drill, so many books, so little time, and I'll be back next week with another specially paw-picked book just for mew, and don't forget that all my previous reviews can be found on my Book Review page.

Until next time...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 

The Cat Book Connoisseur

Follow us @BionicBasil® on Instacat

Don't furget to subscribe and never miss another review! 

Copyright Notice

© [2026] BionicBasil®. All Rights Reserved. No part of this post, characters, or lore may be reproduced, scraped, or rewritten in any form (including AI) without express written permission

 graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com 

Book Reviews with Amber ~ The Cat Book Connoisseur at The Mewton-Clawson Library ~ #351 featuring **Twelve Angry Librarians** by Miranda James **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins & Pet Photo Fails

From the shelves of the Mewton-Clawson Library, a curated review destination for cat-centric fiction at BionicBasil.com

✨ This Week’s Intro ~ 100% Stability, 100% Calm, 0% Shenanigans (Suspiciously) ✨

Hello, my gorgeous library guests

and

Welcome back to the Mewton‑Clawson Library at BBHQ.

I am thrilled to report that the library remains in a state of utter, uninterrupted serenity. Yes, my dahlings, another week of epic calm. No flickers. No anomalies. No books or tomes endeavouring to express themselves interpretively. The atmosphere is so peaceful that even the dust motes are floating in slow motion.

Melvyn, naturally, is convinced this is a trap.

The shelves are still flawlessly aligned.

The books are still whisper‑quiet.

The mice are still conducting themselves with the poise of tiny librarians in training.

Even the encyclopaedias have embraced a soothing hum that could be marketed as a relaxation soundtrack.

It’s all very … harmonious.

📚 A Morning of Tranquil Peace 

Me: “Melvyn, sweetie, isn’t this lovely? Another purrfectly calm morning.”

Melvyn: “Amber… the stapler hasn’t even clicked once today.”

Me: “It’s conserving energy.”

Melvyn: “It doesn’t conserve energy. It plots.”

Me: “Sweetie, everything needs a little stillness.”

Melvyn: “Even the thesaurus hasn’t sighed dramatically.”

Me: “It’s practising mindfulness.”

Melvyn: “Amber, it spent yesterday arranging its pages by emotional intensity. What’s left to be mindful about?”

Me: “Inner peace.”

Melvyn: “Amber, this level of calm is unnatural.”

Me: “It’s called tranquillity.”

Melvyn: “It’s called ominous.”

Me: “Sweetie, mew’re wound tighter than a ball of yarn at a kitten convention.”

Melvyn: “I’m just saying… the library is too quiet.”

Me: “It’s called serenity.”

Melvyn: “It’s called ‘something is about to happen.’”

Me: “The only thing happening is me trying to enjoy my catnip tea. Want a biscuit? I've got some Jammie Dodgers.”

Melvyn: “Amber… the thesaurus just walked past the door.”

Me: “Walking is good. Movement is healthy.”

Melvyn: “It was tiptoeing.”

Me: “It’s being considerate.”

Melvyn: “Amber, please.”

Me: “Fine. I’ll check on it after my tea.”

Melvyn: “Thank mew.”

Me: “Unless I fall asleep first."

📚 General Library Status Update

No time pockets

No flickers

No humming anomalies

No PPE‑wearing mice

No dictionary interventions

No thesaurus incidents (it is doing mindful colouring on Level Six)

In short:

The library is calm.

Deeply calm.

Suspiciously calm.

And honestly? I’m luxuriating in it.

So, my pawesome library guests, if mew notice the soft rustle of purrfectly behaved books and the gentle patter of mice who have embraced administrative excellence, rest assured, this is still the correct version of the library.

Probably.

Now, let’s begin this week’s travelogue before Melvyn starts crafting an emergency preparedness plan titled “What To Do When The Calm Inevitably Ends”, and Oswald begins stockpiling cheese cubes “just in case.”

🐊 Amber’s Egyptian Adventure #16: Crocodile Couture at Kom Ombo

(Where the Nile Glitters and the Crocodiles Judge Quietly)

Location: The Twin Temples of Kom Ombo - a purrfectly symmetrical sanctuary dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder, perched dramatically on the Nile’s edge with sandstone glowing honey‑gold in the sun.

Time: Early evening, when the river breeze cools the air, and the temple stones radiate the day’s warmth like a purrfectly heated sunbed.

Dahlings, this week I ventured to Kom Ombo, a temple so symmetrical it felt like walking into a divine mirror, one side for Sobek, lord of crocodiles and chaos, and the other for Horus the Elder, noble and serene. Naturally, I positioned myself exactly in the centre, because balance is important… and also because both gods deserved an equal opportunity to admire me.

The Nile shimmered beside the temple, its waters catching the last rays of sunlight, which glimmered like golden sparkles as feluccas drifted past. I paused dramatically on the steps, tail elegantly curled, and announced:

“I, Amber, have arrived. Please keep all crocodiles and lesser deities calm.”

For this outing, I wore a Nile‑green silk wrap, flowing like river water, cinched with a belt of gold, malachite, and carnelian. Around my neck shimmered a crocodile‑scale collar in iridescent greens and blues. And atop my head? A twin‑plumed headdress with a stylised crocodile tail motif, fierce, furbulous, and guaranteed to make Sobek himself blink twice.

Inside, the temple walls told stories of offerings, rituals, and divine drama. I admired a relief of Sobek receiving tribute and whispered:

“Dahling, mew have excellent taste in accessories.”

Then I padded into the Crocodile Museum, where rows of mummified crocodiles lay in glass cases, their ancient teeth frozen in eternal judgment. I sipped my Crocodile Bite Cooler, a zesty blend of lime, mint, ginger, and a whisper of catnip essence and murmured:

“Oh my, I’ve never been surrounded by so many teeth.”

The dual sanctuaries glowed in the golden light, each chamber mirroring the other. I walked serenely between them, letting the symmetry frame me like a living hieroglyph. The breeze carried the scent of the Nile, and for a moment, I felt like the goddess of balance, beauty, and impeccable fashion.

Kom Ombo may honour two gods, but today it honoured me, a feline of elegance, courage, and just enough sass to keep the crocodiles guessing.

My Crocodile‑Approved Essentials Included:

🐊 A Crocodile Bite Cooler, sharp, refreshing, and with a hint of danger (just like Sobek)

📜 A scroll of temple inscriptions, annotated with my paw‑written notes, “I would’ve loved to have been here back in the day.”

👑 A twin‑plumed headdress, fierce enough to impress crocodiles and falcons alike

🐾 A Nile‑green silk wrap, ideal for dramatic poses against sandstone

Mood: Regal, river‑breezy, and deliciously daring (with one eye on the water… just in case)

Quote of the Day: “Two gods, one temple, and a cat who knows exactly where to stand.”

✨ Next week, we’re heading somewhere island‑bound, goddess‑blessed, and shimmering with magic. Think: sacred waters, lotus blossoms, and a temple rescued from the rising Nile.

Today, the P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.

1. I rue the day ________________.

2. One thing I wish I had closure with is __________________.

3. _________ recently took a turn for the worse when _________.

4. My _________ has improved thanks to _________.

The P.A.'s answers are...

1. I rue the day I said, “I’ll remember that password.” I should have written it down, but there you go! LOL

2. One thing I wish I had closure with is what happened to the amethyst earring that mysteriously vanished years ago.

3. My healthy eating streak recently took a turn for the worse when hubby mentioned take-out pizza and pudding ... and chocolate pudding too ... it's my kryptonite.

4. My day has improved thanks to finding money in a coat I haven't worn in ages.

As it's the last Friday of the month, we're also joining in the furbulous...

Do stop by Mudpie's meowvellous blog at www.mochasmysteriesmeows.com to join in.

 Melvyn The Blur

He was mid lick, no more explanation needed! MOL 

Let's see what I've got to show mew this time!

Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

   Twelve Angry Librarians   

A Cat in the Stacks Mystery: 8

by

Miranda James

Today I thought it was about time to continue with the A Cat in the Stacks series, as it's been ages since I've reviewed any of Miranda James' furbulous novels, and they are so good. If mew missed any of the previous reviews for this series so far, here are the links to catch up:

Murder Past Due ~ Book One - Reviewed by Humphrey

Classified as Murder ~ Book Two

File M for Murder ~ Book Three

Out of Circulation ~ Book Four

The Silence of The Library  ~ Book 5

Arsenic and Old Books ~ Book 6

No Cats Allowed ~ Book 7

📚 This Week’s Paw‑Approved Top Pick: Twelve Angry Librarians

Dahlings, gather your tote bags and polish your spectacles, because this week’s book drops us right into the middle of a librarian convention, which, as it turns out, is far more dangerous than any of us polite library felines might have imagined. And at the centre of it all? Charlie Harris and the incomparable Diesel, a Maine Coon of magnificent proportions and even more magnificent intuition.

❓ What’s the Vibe?

Southern charm, academic drama, simmering rivalries, and a murder that practically begs for a cat’s discerning eye. It’s cozy, clever, and full of that warm, bookish atmosphere that makes me want to curl up on a stack of overdue returns and watch the drama unfold.

🐾 What’s the Story?

Charlie Harris, interim library director and full‑time cat dad to Diesel, is already stressed about hosting the Southern Academic Libraries Association's annual meeting. Public speaking? In front of librarians? The horror.

But things get worse, so much worse, when the keynote speaker turns out to be Gavin Fong, Charlie’s old nemesis from library school. Gavin is arrogant, abrasive, and determined to rile up the entire profession by declaring that degreed librarians are obsolete. Naturally, this does not go down well.

So when Gavin drops dead shortly after his speech, the list of suspects is longer than a library’s overdue fines. And because Charlie was seen arguing with him the day before, he’s suddenly the prime suspect.

Enter Diesel:

dignified

purrfectly observant

and ready to help his human sniff out the truth

Together, they must untangle academic grudges, professional jealousy, and librarian politics, which, trust me, are far more cut‑throat than they sound.

⚔️ What I Loved

😼 Diesel: A gentle giant with impeccable manners and impeccable instincts. His presence alone elevates every scene.

📚 The Librarian Drama: Oh, the pettiness. The rivalries. The whispered gossip over coffee urns. Delicious.

🕵️ Charlie: Endearing, thoughtful, and constantly trying to stay out of trouble … which never works.

🏫 The Academic Setting: A convention full of librarians is the purrfect backdrop for a mystery, so many secrets, so many grudges, so many tote bags.

🔍 The Mystery: Well‑paced, twisty, and satisfying. Plenty of clues, plenty of motives, and a final reveal that feels earned.

📖 Final Thoughts

This is a charming, warm, and thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery with just the right amount of tension. Diesel shines (as he should), Charlie muddles through with heart, and the academic setting adds a delightful flavour of professional chaos.

If mew love mysteries where the cat is the smartest creature in the room, and the humans are just trying to keep up, this is a wonderfully comforting read.

🪄 Summed Up in One Sentence

🐾 A delightful, librarian‑laden mystery where Diesel steals the show, and the humans scramble to keep up. 🐾

A Top Paw Read, and an epic addition to this meowvellous series!

Paperback: 266 pages

Audio: 7 hours 25 mins

My Ratings Scale

Ratings of:

Twelve Angry Librarians 

Overall Enjoyment

Other Fun Blog Hops to Join in Today

          Brian's Home   Catblogosphere    Feline Friday   Nature Friday    Flashback Friday   Friendship Friday    

   

I really hope mew enjoy the book as much as I did if mew decide to read it.

It's time for me to say BFN or bye-for-now as mew know the drill, so many books, so little time, and I'll be back next week with another specially paw-picked book just for mew, and don't forget that all my previous reviews can be found on my Book Review page.

Until next time...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 

The Cat Book Connoisseur

Follow us @BionicBasil® on Instacat

Don't furget to subscribe and never miss another review! 

Copyright Notice

© [2026] BionicBasil®. All Rights Reserved. No part of this post, characters, or lore may be reproduced, scraped, or rewritten in any form (including AI) without express written permission

 graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com