Henry Carter Hull

After a long drought, the citizans of Pickax are worried about wildfires. Their fears are soon realized. With a case of arson, the shooting of a volunteer fire-watcher and the murder of the president of the curling club, James Qwilleran and Co. are called in to sniff out the rat responsible.

Journalist/philanthropist Jim Qwilleran and his sagacious Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, decide to investigate when the mysterious Mr. Delacamp, a renowned estate jewelry dealer, is murdered in his hotel room while visiting Moose County during the Highland Games.

The resort development on Pear Island makes local residents, summer people, and mainland fishermen hopping mad, but who is angry enough to commit murder?

Assigned to the art beat ace reporter Jim Qwilleran, assisted by his talented cats Koko and Yum Yum, solves a series of seemingly unrelated crimes in the art community.