I read a couple "Cat Who..." books by Lilian Jackson Braun and they were odd in that they were almost completely about the detective in this Minnesota town and barely about the mystery. Mildly entertaining read for atmospheric and interpersonal presentation. No "on the edge of your seat" wondering "who done it".
I figure that it's best to read them in order. I'm afraid that reading them out of order might give something away. But if I don't find them soon, I'll read 'em anyway.
TS