This is one of my all time favorite cozy mystery series. I love reading about Diesel, and these stories inspired me to get a Maine Coon cat myself. I thought this installment of the serious was one of the more twisted so far. The plot kept me guessing as to what really happened. I like that it referenced a situation that happened in the past, and Charlie had to do a lot of research and digging into the distant past which I feel gave him more of a challenge than usual. Overall a 4 star read, and I can't wait to see what happens next for Charlie and Diesel.

A highly enjoyable cozy mystery with such a cute feline companion. Though it is the first book that I've read in this series, the author set up the story so well that it was easy to jump into the series without reading the previous books. Of course, now that I've read it I am definitely going to go back and read all the other books. It was a little slow at first, not getting to the murder for quite a while, but I enjoyed seeing more of Charlie's life, especially because this was my first foray into the series.

Charlie Harris is a grandfather, a volunteer at the local library, and an amateur sleuth. I was so delighted about having a male protagonist, as they are pretty rare in the cozy mystery genre. It's actually a toss up as to whether Charlie or his cat Diesel is the real main characters in this story and I loved how Diesel was almost always along for the ride. Having a furry companion along seems to put people at ease and helped them open up more to Charlie during his investigation.

When his as yet unknown cousin Bill shows up in town, Charlie finds himself investigating a cold case murder in order to help clear his cousin's name. When a true crime writer contacts him about working together to solve murders and publish them, they team up to try and find the real killer. I enjoyed following their sleuthing and had a hunch pretty early on as to the identity of the killer. I was definitely surprised by the twist at the end and liked how the truth was discovered.

The one thing I think is over the top - the fact that Diesel the cat needs a constant baby sitter? Most pets you can leave home alone for a few hours just fine, so I didn't quite understand this little quirk.

I definitely can't wait to read more of this series!

Having read each book in the series so far, I can honestly say that this series never gets old or feels stretched out too long or stale. Once again Charlie and Diesel make the perfect pair to solve a cold case...since this is not a present day murder, and with a new character entering the series, a freshness to the methods for solving crimes is attention grabbing.

With the old and new weaved throughout the story, the author has cleverly drawn you into the story, keeping the momentum flowing quickly and your interest completely engaged...the pairing of Charlie and Diesel (having a Maine Coon myself, I can appreciate how Diesel is written so true to life) will always keep bringing me back for future stories in the series.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

James does a fantastic job with this series, in this case spicing up the mix with a cold case that has suddenly turned hot. A fun read.

A fun read! I have recently found these fun mysteries, and really enjoy them. This one was no different! I loved the characters, and the mystery was interesting and the plot well written.

Miranda James has done it again!! Charlie and Diesel make a perfect team to solve the mysteries that occur iaround the delightful town of Athena, Mississippi. Whenever I start a new book in this series, it's like visiting family. James is skilled at including character development that keeps recurring characters interesting and appealing. Some of the best in this book were the interactions of Charlie and Diesel with Charlie's first grandchild. It was also a nice change of pace for Charlie to go beyond Athena to,help with a case. James definitely knows how to keep the reader wanting more!! Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for providing access prior to publication.

April 8-14 is National Library Week. In honor of this week, one that celebrations Libraries and Librarians, I searched the virtually towering TBR pile for a book that related to libraries. Instead of choosing something serious, I went for the lighthearted approach, and snagged Claws for Concern, a cozy mystery by a librarian that features a librarian-cum-amateur sleuth.

While the book managed to be mostly light-hearted, in spite of the surprising number of murders that librarian Charlie Harris seems to trip over in his small Mississippi town, there was also a bit of real librarian seriousness in the background, which makes this the perfect book for this week after all.

The Cat in the Stacks series, which began with Murder Past Due, features the extremely large Maine Coon cat Diesel and his human, librarian Charlie Harris. Diesel does not solve crimes, and he never does anything that is not within the bounds of normal feline behavior, but he is probably the reason a lot of people read the series. We all want a cat just like him because he’s not merely large and intelligent (on the scale of cat intelligence – not human) but he is also incredibly well-behaved.

But of course it’s the human’s point of view that we follow. Librarian Charlie Harris, in spite of his penchant for involving himself in murder investigations, is very much “one of us”. The series is written by a librarian, and Charlie, at least at his actual work, is quite true to life. He does the things that many of us do, puts up with many of the things we have to put up with, and has many of the same gripes and complaints that real-life practicing librarians do, as well as many of the joys and intellectual challenges that make up library-life.

The murder in this particular entry is a cold case. It was refreshing not to have Charlie trip over yet another dead body, as the population of tiny Athena Mississippi and its surrounds would be decimated if he kept up at the rate he was going. But this cold case turns out to be tied to his family, albeit tangentially.

Long before the aunt from whom Charlie inherited his lovely house married the man that Charlie knew as his uncle, said uncle was previously married and divorced. And had a child he never knew about. That child is now in his 60s, seems a bit down on his luck, and is haunting Athena looking for information about the father he never knew.

But the poor man was also the suspect in a long-ago multiple murder, and it seems as if there is someone in town who either wants to settle the old score – or who wants to keep old Bill Delaney from revealing what he knows about that bloody, long ago, night.

Charlie isn’t sure whether his recently discovered cousin is a murderer who got off scot-free, or about to be the victim of a murder in the here and now. But he and his new associate are determined to find out – one way or another.

Escape Rating B: This is a cozy series, so it’s always a light read – no matter how many dead bodies Charlie stumbles over. This particular entry feels unique in that there are no new murders. And that’s probably good for the population of Athena.

Instead, Charlie finds himself investigating a cold case with the help of a new friend who has a history of conducting his own amateur investigations in a nearby town. Jack Pemberton writes true-crime books, investigates cold cases, and wants to feature Charlie and other amateur sleuths in his next book. Together they bring new light to a case that everyone believed was cut and dried if not open and shut.

The process for opening the investigation reads very much like an oral history project, something conducted by many librarians and archivists (Charlie is both) over the years. There is no new forensic evidence – only evidence that may have been overlooked or just needs to be looked at in a new light.

But with a 20-year-old case Charlie and Jack have to find people who were around at the time, and interview them. Not that they don’t think everyone was interviewed at the time, but they need to form their own impressions. And it is always possible that someone remembers something they didn’t back then, or that someone was covering for someone who is now beyond earthly justice.

It is always fun to follow Charlie as he works, whether it’s his work at the library or his work as an amateur detective. Especially when he brings Diesel along with him. Athena is a nice place to visit, Charlie is a terrific person to visit it with, and I always enjoy my time with Diesel. This series is a comfort read for me, and I know I’ll be back for more when the mood arises.

One serious library issue gets raised early in the book, and it’s one that I want to talk about before I close. As a volunteer staff member at the Athena Public Library, Charlie has access to the library circulation system. He can look up people’s library cards, see where they live and what they’ve checked out. In libraries, this is a huge privacy issue, and there have been plenty of court cases about what staff can reveal to anyone other than the cardholder, including law enforcement. But when Charlie discovers that the old man who keeps coming into the library is looking up Charlie’s own address in the old City Directories, Charlie can’t resist the temptation to look up the man’s library card and see who he is and where he lives. Charlie knows he’s not supposed to do this, he has resisted the temptation on previous cases, but can’t resist temptation when he knows that this person is looking for him or his family and casing his house. Charlie feels guilty about it immediately afterwards, and so he should. Protecting patron privacy is one of the cornerstones of library service. He does not let himself off easily for his transgression, nor should he.

In celebration of National Library Week, please visit your local library and/or (preferably AND) tell your local powers that be that you value your library and want to see it continue to be funded and to serve your community.

This is one of my favorite cozy series. This is book 9 in the Cat in the Stacks books and it's just as delightful as book 1. Diesel the Maine Coon Cat steals all the scenes in the book and has Charlie as his supporting adult. Charlie is a retired librarian who still volunteers in this hot southern small town. It's a natural setting and I like that the main clue solver is male and older. In this book Charlie doesn't discover a body but helps a "cousin" solve an old cold case. You can easily read this book without reading the previous 8 but you'll want to pick them up. An easy enjoyable read with no sex or violence.

A solid addition to the series. Focuses on a cold case and an attempted murder, which is a nice change up. Family and friends from the series play a supporting role, but the emphasis is on Charlie and Diesel working with a true crime author. This made for a great combination of familiar settings and faces as well as a fresh location and personalities to help Charlie solve the case.

Another great Cat in the Stacks mystery! I really enjoy this series.

In Claws for Concern, Miranda James links librarian, Charlie Harris, to a new relative of his late aunt and involves Charlie and his Maine coon cat Diesel in the mayhem that engulfs this relative. Was he a murderer? Who tried to run him down? Fast reading cozy.

Claws for Concern by Miranda James is A Cat in the Stacks Mystery. It is July in Athena, Georgia and we find Charlie Harris along with his Maine Coon cat, Diesel volunteering at Athena Public Library. Charlie notices the gentleman, who has been coming into the library for the last week, has returned. The man wants to look at the local phone books to locate Delbert Collins. Delbert was married to Charlie’s Aunt Dottie. Charlie discovers the man is Bill Delaney, and he is the son of Delbert Collins. Del never knew about Bill, and Bill did not find out about his birth father until after his mother passed away three months ago. Charlie wants to get to know Bill better and is going to invite him to stay with him. Then Charlie learns that Bill was entangled in a murder investigation. The multiple homicide investigation went cold and was never solved. Charlie teams up with true crime writer, Jack Pemberton to resolve the twenty-year-old case. Jack wants to write a book about Charlie (and Diesel) regarding a few of his past cases (his sleuthing prowess). Accompany Charlie, Jack and Diesel as they delve into the case and uncover a killer.

Claws for Concern may be the ninth book in A Cat in the Stacks Mystery series, but it can be read as a standalone. I like the author’s writing style (conversational and comfortable) and the characters are developed. Diesel is a smart, lovable cat who enhances the book (I enjoy his manner of speaking and interacting). I do not understand, though, why Charlie feels the need to have someone watch Diesel (a catsitter) when he cannot take the cat with him. This happened a couple of times in the book. I thought the pace, though, was a little slow (especially in the first part of the book). The mystery does not start until the halfway mark. The first half of the story is devoted to Charlie’s daily activities (eating, walking, spending time with girlfriend, volunteering at the library, talking with daughter, watching grandson, etc.) as well as meeting Bill Delaney and talking to Jack Pemberton about his book idea. There was a lack of action through the whole book. There is questioning, looking up records and speculation (ho hum). The mystery had some interesting points, but it was not compelling. There was a lack of suspects which made identifying the culprit a simple matter. The wrap up at the end could have used a few tweaks (it was lacking). I had eagerly been anticipating Claws for Concern after reading Twelve Angry Librarians last year. Unfortunately, Claws for Concern was not of the same caliber as its predecessor. If you are new to A Cat in the Stacks Mystery series, then I suggest starting with Murder Past Due. Readers looking for a light, pleasant cozy mystery will be pleased with Claws for Concern.

I loved this book. I have became hooked on the Charlie and Diesel's shenanigans in Athena, MS. The duo always seems to find trouble. I found this series very intriguing and it always keeps me guessing to the very end. I cant not wait to read more of the series! Diesel rocks!

Claws for Concern (Cat in the Stacks, #9) by Miranda James
Berkley Books, 2018
Crime Fiction (Cozy); 288 pgs
Source: Review copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

This is the ninth book in the Cat in the Stacks series, but my first by Miranda James. Charlie Harris is a retired librarian who volunteers at the local library. He also enjoys every minute he is able to spend with his infant grandson. Charlie is well known about town, probably most notably because of his Maine Coon cat, Diesel, who goes just about everywhere with him.

Claws for Concern was a nice break from the more intense thrillers I have been reading lately, although it was not without its own suspenseful moments. The author takes his time setting up the story. A familiar looking stranger who frequents the library approaches Charlie and asks him about an address that just happens to be Charlie’s. In addition, a true crime author reaches out to Charlie in a roundabout sort of way to see if he would like to be a part of his latest project.

Charlie has a good head on his shoulders and is a very thoughtful man. I liked that he doesn’t rush into anything, something I see all too often in mystery novels. He takes his safety and that of those he loves seriously. He is reluctant about meeting with the true crime author, not wanting to be in the limelight. And, as for the stranger, he knows nothing about him or what exactly it is he wants. Of course, Charlie does make up his mind about both situations, and soon he is digging into a cold case of a triple homicide from years before.

I have read a number of cozy mysteries recently that have really knocked my socks off, and I was hoping this one would too. It didn’t quite, unfortunately, but I did enjoy it just the same. The novel took a little too long to get off the ground for me, and there were day to day details, which I read more like a checklist than naturally occurring events. That was not enough, however, to pull me out of the story. It’s a good solid book overall.

I adored Charlie’s cat, Diesel. Diesel may or may not understand everything going on around him (although it seems like he does), but he clearly is a smart cat. I loved that Charlie takes Diesel just about everywhere—on a leash, even! Talk about a good icebreaker when questioning folks about a murder! Charlie has a great support network from his family to his tenants to his friends, and I appreciated that he took their opinions into consideration.

I would consider reading another book by the author and in this series, although it isn’t at the top of my list. I liked getting to spend time with Charlie and Diesel and am curious to know how they got their start as amateur detectives.

Charlie and his 40lb Maine Coon, Diesel, have become quite the well-known amateur sleuths around the Athena, Georgia parts. So much in fact that Charlie receives communication from a true crime author, wanting to include him in his latest book. Charlie is hesitant at first, but after making an unusual discovery at the library he and Diesel volunteer at, Charlie and Jack (the author) team up to investigate. It becomes a mystery within a mystery as more detail slowly unfold. Why is this unfamiliar older man inquiring about who lives at Charlie's house? Was the hit and run really an accident? Whose side is anyone even on anymore?!

This was my first Miranda James read, and I felt it was a little tough to get started, but after the first 50 pages or so it began rolling smoothly, and the timing between events and clues was just right. I am in love with Diesel's character as he reminds me of one of my cats; I just want to snuggle the fluffy giant cat and wished he worked at my library!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me an advanced review copy of this book. I should go back and read some of the previous mysteries that Charlie and Diesel have solved together.

#NetGalley #ClawsForConcern #MirandaJames

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to have read the latest mystery for Charlie and Diesel. There is a new family member, and possibly a family history that makes present day very interesting.

This is a series that I can always count on to be wonderful, I have come to enjoy reading each mystery that involves Charlie Harris and his wonder cat. The author creates memorable scenes and characters that will last a reader's lifetime.

This book was a cozy treat and highly enjoyable. I LOVED Charlie and Diesel and their bond. I am a crazy cat lady so love books featuring cats! When I saw this cover I fell in LOVE! Cats and Books!!! Well silly me, I didn’t pay attention to the fact it was the 9th installment so I felt I missed out a tad. This book can still be read as a standalone and was a fun mystery! I always love a mystery with a cold case so was pleased with this title and definitely will be checking out the previous books in this series!

Charlie and Diesel are at it again, only this time it is a 20 year old cold case. A relative by marrage (Bill) that Charlie didn't know exsisted comes to the library where Charlie and Diesel work. It turns out that Bill is thought to be the murderer. Charlie, Diesel and a true crime writer work to find out if he really is the killer.
I received an advanced copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35259650-claws-for-concern" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Claws for Concern (Cat in the Stacks, #9)" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1502093821m/35259650.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35259650-claws-for-concern">Claws for Concern</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3237942.Miranda_James">Miranda James</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2085508913">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I really enjoyed the ninth installment in the Car in the Stacks series. In a departure from the usual, Charlie teams up with another amateur sleuth to solve a cold case. The plot moved quickly. I could hardly put the book down. I do wish we had seen more of the Athena characters though. Stewart and Azalea are barely included, and Kanesha Berry and Melba Gilley just get mentions. Overall though, it was an entertaining read, and I can't wait for the next book in the series. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really enjoy this series! The plot moves along quickly and the mysteries are interesting. I really enjoy the characters as well and enjoy seeing the family grow. The one part of this book that sort of bothered me was when Charlie made a big deal about leaving Diesel at home and him saying about cancelling plans if he couldn't find a sitter. I understand that Diesel is important to Charlie, but he is a cat and can be by himself.