I love Miranda James other series, but this one has just completely lost it for me. They’re too formulaic even for cozy mysteries.

So, to be honest, I’ve had this author and this book on my shelf for a very long time but since I was finally into the Christmas spirit, I decided to read it. Miranda James is a popular name in the Cozy Mystery genre and so I was looking forward to try my very first book by him.

What I found the most interesting for me was the fact that the main protagonist is a male. In all of the Cozy Mysteries I’ve read so far, this is the first one I’ve come by. I’m sure that there are others, but I do think this makes the series that much more special. I enjoyed Charlie’s character, but also found that I couldn’t connect with him as well as other female amateur sleuths I’ve read before. So while it is interesting, I’m still not sure if he’s a favorite. I guess I will have to read more of the series to see if I end up warming up to him more. Nevertheless, I do think Charlie was an interesting character and I look forward to reading more of this author.

Another thing that great about this series is the focus on cats and the holiday aspect. These days, I’ve been thinking of getting a cat and so, it just happened to fit my interests well. And as always, I adore holiday reads, especially ones in a Cozy Mystery book. James delivers a delightful read that I’m sure cat and Christmas lovers would enjoy!

I really wanted to like this book, especially since the main character is a big-time cat lover/rescuer, but sadly I could not connect with Charlie or any other character in this story. Even Diesel the cat seemed strange and serious to me. Charlie is nice enough and he's clearly a very devoted family man, but he needs to lighten up and crack a few jokes. On the bright side, the mystery proved to be a real puzzler, and i did not see that big reveal coming! Also, Charlie nurses a whole box of kittens back to good health, so that's a plus. He had quite the busy holiday season with a litter of hungry kittens, a family mental health crisis, and never-ending holiday chores. On top of all that, he has to single-handedly solve the murder of his overly flirtatious next-door neighbor. Boy, the holidays sure can be rough. Overall, this might be worth a read for the older folks who enjoy slow-moving mysteries with senior citizen sleuths. This series just isn't for me.

This just might be my favorite Miranda James cozy yet! The mystery was good and complicated, but I loved the side story of the five motherless kittens and the little child that loved them and wanted them safe. What better way to keep them safe than to give them to Charlie Harris and is Maine Coon cat Diesel?

Yep, I love cats, so this book was one I just had to read. Between the kittens and the main coon, and the slayings, this book was practically purrfect! Add in a mystery and lots of fur and purring, I'm hooked.

I voluntarily read a copy of this book from Net Galley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and this review is left of my own free will.

Title: Six Cats A Slayin



Author: Miranda James



Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Christmas, Cats,



Plot: Charlie Harris has a nice routine down with a cozy schedule. He and his fluffy Maine Coon cat, Diesel, are getting set to rock Christmas and settle in for the holidays. But they weren't expecting a basket full of new arrivals for the holidays. With curious kittens wandering the house in need of a permanent home, Charlie doesn't think he needs anything else on his plate right now.



But when curiosity over the suspicious new neighbor turns deadly, Charlie and his friends find themselves knee-deep in a murder mystery. And all he wanted to do was a nice quiet Christmas and enjoy his new grandbaby.



Likes/Dislikes: I gave this book a really good try but the writing had a disjointed jarring feel to it and the conversations between the characters were all clipped and short. I really enjoyed the references to other books I've read and the adorable little kittens, but I don't think Charlie and I will be solving any mysteries together for awhile.



Rating: PG-14 and up, mainly for reading level.



Date Review Written: January 19th, 2019



I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netglley for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

I love this series, Cat in the Stacks, and this is book 10, my favorite so far. Charlie Harris, librarian extraordinaire and his large Maine Coon cat Diesel are getting ready for Christmas. But when the new neighbor across the street invites him to a Christmas open house he's not happy and then he opens his door and finds a box with 5 tiny kittens. Diesel is ecstatic and is very protective of the new arrivals. At the party the hostess is murdered and there are lots of suspects. Between solving the murder and finding the kitten's owner it's a busy holiday for Charlie. Diesel has a more active role in this book and you'll be laughing out loud. This can be read as a stand alone but you'll want to enjoy more than this one. Cat lovers won't be able to put it down and the mystery is pretty well written. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A great holiday themed mystery from Miranda James! I enjoyed this latest installment, which mixes the Christmas mood with a murder at a holiday party. A fun read.

This is another cozy mystery I really enjoyed myself reading. I might have to read this again after reading the other books. It kind of has me wondering if it would make more sense and give me a better understanding of the characters if I had read the first one as well. But who knows honestly. But yeah I mean it wasn't amazing, but I enjoyed it enough to wonder about the previous books and look forward to the next books. The plot was interesting, the characters were overall pretty likable, and the feline characters were adorable. Diesel was a fun cat and I wish I had read more of him, he was funny at times! Hope I like the others as much as this one!

I am a big fan of this series so when I saw the latest one on Netgalley, I immediately requested it. It took me a while to get to it as I needed to read the one before it, Claws for Concern, as this series builds on the previous ones in the series. This series gets better with each new volume, and this one was no exception. Charlie and Diesel become the foster "parents"for 5 kittens left on their door step, a new, mysterious neighbor moves in across the street who is murdered at a neighborhood party, and Charlie's curiosity gets the best of him about this neighbor as no one seems to know her which is unheard of in his small town of Athena, MS. Charlie also is caught up in trying to find who left the kittens on his doorstep. There are a lot of surprises in the book which I did not see coming.

Six Cats a Slayin' by Miranda James. Not one but two mysteries, not one but six kitties, a loving family and friends, books.....all together in a delightful cozy mystery. Can't believe that I have missed this series before. Fell in love with Diesel and Charlie, will be looking for Ms James back list.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Thank you NetGaley for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review. Charlie and Diesel are back! This is a great series and this latest installment does not disappoint. Loved the ending and can’t wait for the next one!

Miranda James continues the Cat in the Stacks series with Six Cats a Slayin". Charlie Harris and his Maine coon cat have been lumbered with six kittens left on the door step just before Christmas. When Charlie attends a neighbor's party, the neighbor drops dead: poisoned!!! Who was she really? Who hated her enough to kill her?
Who left the kittens? Many suspects and not too many clues. Diesel and Charlie have their work cut out.

As the Christmas season approaches, I found this book to be an enjoyable mystery, and joyful celebration of the season. The ending was heartwarming and satisfying.

I'm almost mad at myself that it took me this long to really start reading this series. This is the 3rd book I've read and each one has been a delight. This was especially fun because not only did if feature a mystery involving figuring out the true identity of the victim but it also had a basketful of kittens!

The setting and the characters really add to the atmosphere of the book and I feel like I'm catching up with old friends. There is some non-investigation information about Charlie's grandchildren or things like that but it isn't so much that the mystery gets lost and it adds a little depth to the characters. The actual murder doesn't occur until almost a 100 pages into the book but there's so much going on already that it didn't drag and there were already some questions I wanted answered! This was the perfect calming reading break and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Charlie's world in Athena, MS is quirky and fun with memorable characters and it's always a place I look forward to revisiting.

If you enjoy a good fast paced mystery with likable characters and a cat that will make even non-cat people fall in love with him you must try this series!

Six Cats a Slayin' by Miranda James is the tenth novel in A Cat in the Stacks Mystery series. Charlie Harris has a new neighbor, Gerry Albritton who makes him uncomfortable with her overly flirtatious manor. Gerry is hosting a Christmas party to meet her new neighbors, and she sends over her assistant to make sure Charlie will be attending. Charlie will attend if his girlfriend, Helen Louise Brady can be on his arm (protection). Christmas is approaching, and it is Charlie’s first one as a grandfather. He is worried about his daughter-in-law, Alex who seems exhausted from work and taking care of a colicky baby. But Alex is not ready to accept help. Charlie opens the door one day to find a box of five kittens on his doorstep with a note asking him to keep them safe. Diesel decides it is his duty to keep the little frisky felines out of trouble. At Gerry’s Christmas party, the whole neighborhood has shown up. Gerry has been causing a stir with her attempts to buy up the houses on the street and her over-the-top outdoor Christmas decorations. There is quality champagne and inexpensive appetizers. Suddenly there is a loud crash and, when the crowd parts, Charlie sees Gerry collapses on the floor. Helen Louise performs CPR, but Gerry is pronounced dead by the EMTs. Gerry’s death is suspicious, and Charlie is curious which one of the party attendees is the killer (and will be getting coal in his stocking this Christmas). Charlie has two mysteries to solve and Christmas preparations to complete. Will he get is all accomplished before Santa slides down the chimney?

Six Cats a Slayin’ is a light and joyful Christmas cozy mystery. Charlie is a unique main character for cozy mysteries because he is male. Charlie Harris is a librarian at the local college in the archive room. His cat, Diesel goes with him to work (and about town) and contributes with his little chirps which are so cute (and expressive). Diesel appoints himself guardian of the kittens which exhausts him since they are so busy. Thankfully, Charlie’s renters come up with an idea to keep the curious kitties contained. Gerry Albritton has moved into the neighborhood and is wasting no time making her mark. She has flirted with every man she has encountered and is now trying to buy up her neighbor’s homes. It is no surprise when when Gerry ends up murdered. Solving Gerry’s murder was a cinch. I was surprised when it did not occur until I was almost halfway through the book. One little detail gave me the identity to Gerry’s killer (I kept hoping it I would be wrong since I would have loved a twist). I did enjoy reading on to find out more about Gerry since she was mysterious about her background. The mystery surrounding the kittens was a puzzle and who doesn’t love cute felines. Six Cats a Slayin’ contains good writing with a gentle pace. Six Cats a Slayin’ contains Christmas preparations, taking care of the kittens (in detail), speculation on Gerry’s killer, shopping for Christmas presents, food preparation and eating, playing with kittens, Charlie talking about his weight and needing exercise, attempts to catch the kittens’ owner, time spent at work, and concern about Alex. Charlie has caring friends and a loving family. They rally round to help out when there is a need. Six Cats a Slayin’ is a merry cozy mystery that will have you laughing over the rambunctious kittens’ behavior.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

I just adore librarian Charlie and his most estimable cat Diesel, and it is hard to believe that Six Cats a Slayin’ is the tenth book in the Cats in the Stacks Mystery Series. The plot and characters are as fresh as ever with the added benefit of these characters feeling like old friends.

Christmas is quickly approaching, and Charlie is excited to celebrate with his family, especially his two grandbabies experiencing their first holiday season. However, all is not smooth sailing when he meets his new neighbor, Gerry, whose bold flirtatious nature and sights set on buying houses in the neighborhood make Charlie uncomfortable. In addition, someone has dumped a box of kittens on Charlie’s doorstep, and his daughter-in-law is facing a crisis. When Gerry is murdered at her own Christmas party, Charlie investigates, uncovering deep secrets along the way.

Charlie has got to be one of the decent men in the literary world. His old-fashioned Southern manners and his genuinely kind and curious nature make me wish he was a real person I could call my friend. His sleuthing never seems over the top or inappropriate; he simply puts his vocational skills and sharp mind, along with his gossiping friends, to work. I do appreciate that Deputy Kanesha actually seeks out his opinion and knowledge this time around. Gerry, the victim, does start out rather unlikable, but the more we learn about her, the sadder I became about her senseless death.

There is a lot going on in this book, but the pace is never rushed and the various threads fit together nicely. Author James tackles some timely and serious subjects within the pages of Six Cats a Slayin’, all with a deft, sensitive touch. What could be too heavy for a cozy mystery left in another author’s hands is balanced well with the antics of five feisty kittens and Christmas preparations. There are plenty of murder suspects and lots of revelations leading to the killer. In fact, I did not pay enough attention to a clue early on that proved vital in identifying the perpetrator in the end. It is a smart, well-crafted mystery.

Six Cats a Slayin’ is a wonderful read, appropriate for the Christmas holiday season or anytime. I recommend it to any fan of cozy and traditional mysteries.

Even though it still feels too early to talk about the Xmas holidays, this was still the perfect book for this week. Why? Because just like Charlie Harris, we got a kitten this week. But we got just the one, while Charlie found five little ones on his and Diesel’s doorstep.

If our two boys turn out to be half the cat-uncle-babysitter that Diesel does, we’ll be very happy. Also totally astonished.

Back to the book…although our itteh bitteh kitteh is utterly adorable.

This is the holiday entry in the cozy mystery series Cat in the Stacks. Our hero, amateur detective and fellow librarian ends up with two mysteries to solve. One mystery has a suitably heartwarming ending for the holiday season and the other is a convoluted murder case.

There is no such thing as a “heartwarming” ending to a murder case. Someone has died before their time, and someone else needs to pay for bringing that time ahead of schedule.

The first part of the mystery is that stealth placement of five kittens on Charlie and Diesel’s doorstep, along with a note that lets Charlie know that although the kittens owner loves them, his or her male parent is not letting said owner keep them at home. Based on the handwriting, the owner is a child – and said parent is being a Grinch this Christmas.

So Charlie’s first mystery is to find the owner of the kittens, so that he can give that male parent a piece of his mind – as well as get the owner’s take on what to do with the kittens. They are almost old enough to be adopted out, so in the six to eight week range. And he can’t keep all five, as much as he wants to. Diesel is exhausted playing uncle to the brood.

At the same time, there’s a much darker mystery wrapped around the sudden advent of his new neighbor, Gerry Albritton. She claims to have lived in tiny Athena all of her life, but no one seems to recognize her. She looks vaguely familiar, but no one can place her. And there are no females of the right age on the well-known Albritton family tree.

Gerry is a mystery. Also a slightly distasteful one. She comes on much too strong to all of the men who get within grabbing distance, and makes everyone, especially Charlie, uncomfortable with her heavy-handed flirting. She’s also had the most garish holiday light display ever seen in Athena set up in, at and on her house.

Charlie needs blackout curtains to sleep at night.

But everyone in town is invited to the big holiday shindig she is hosting – and no one plans to miss it. Including Gerry’s murderer – whoever they might be. Whoever Gerry might be.

Escape Rating B+: This series is a comfort read for me, and I was certainly comforted by reading it. This series is always very cozy, with lots of friendly and family happenings stashed in between the bits of Charlie solving the murder. It is also not a series where you have to read the books in order to get into the action. Although I think it helps to have read at least one or two.

The fact is that I like Charlie. While his penchant for solving murders is a bit outside the usual librarian job description, what makes this series work for me is that Charlie sounds like “one of us”. His experiences as a librarian ring true for me as a librarian. If they didn’t it would throw me out of the story. (This reflects very much on the observations about scientists in Friday’s Putting the Science in Fiction review. When we know something intimately, and an author goes there, if the scenario doesn’t ring true the rest of the book falls flat. Or gets thrown against a wall.)

Charlie reads like “one of us librarians” because his creator is a real-life librarian. I’d be happy to have drinks at a library conference with either one of them.

I also like that Diesel, Charlie’s big, handsome Maine Coon cat, is intelligent for a cat but does not veer into human intelligence. I love Joe Grey in Shirley Rousseau Murphy’s series of the same name, but one cat detective is enough. Instead, Diesel makes himself a big part of the story by doing what cats do best – taking care of their people, making sure their people take care of them and getting into just the right amount of mischief.

Although Diesel’s role in this story is to keep the clowder of rambunctious kittens OUT of mischief. It’s an exhausting job, but somebody definitely has to do it!

The solution to the mystery of who dropped the kittens at Charlie’s door had just the right kind of light touch to offset the family crisis that Charlie has to deal with and especially with the increasing mystery that surrounds Gerry Albritton. Not just the mystery of her death, but first the mystery of her life. It’s impossible for either the police or Charlie to figure out whodunnit until they are able to discover who it was that got done.

Gerry’s life is a tragedy that turned into a triumph and ultimately back into the tragedy of her death.Once they figured out who she was, it was all too easy to figure out who benefitted from her death.

But the final tragedy was appropriately leavened by the advent of the most rambunctious of the kittens into Charlie and Diesel’s life. For good this time!

Delightful! Great mystery and terrific continuation of the story of these characters. I loved all of the pieces with Diesel and the kittens. The author did an outstanding job with the descriptions for this piece of the story. I enjoyed trying to puzzle out the mystery. While it resolved fairly quietly (no big life-or-death confrontation at the end), that fit with the overall tone of the story. This was quite charming and reminded me why I fell in love with this series from the beginning.

Charlie is looking forward to the holiday season with being a newly minted grandfather, the only downer is his new neighbor who he doesn't much care for much. He does his best to avoid her because anytime she catches him she flirts outrageously and make shim uncomfortable. Gerry is a local real estate agent who seems to have designs on the houses in their neighborhood. When Charlie gets an invitation to a party she is holding he immediately invites Helen Louise so that she can see that he is taken. With tacky Christmas decorations, terrible food, and several angry guests Charlie is ready to head home and forget the party. It looks like Helen Louise might be ready to leave when their hostess drops dead to the floor. Did she have a heart attack or could she have been murdered? If so, how and why? Charlie wants to help figure out what happened but someone has left five kittens on his porch and they are taking up a great deal of time. He also wants to figure out who left the precious bundles and why. Can he figure out both mysteries before Christmas? Follow along and find out! This was a great read with a wonderful twist that turned the mystery on its head.