I love this series! The characters are very personable and you want to know what happens to them. It was nice to see what is happening with Charlie's growing family and their struggles/joys, too. The mystery in this book had me guessing until the end. It was a little more complicated than normal. And I loved the second (kittens) mystery, too! The story moves along at a great pace and kept me wanting to know how it was going to end. I look forward to the next book!

This is the only book I’ve read in the Cat in the Stacks mystery series. Although it was a little frustrating not knowing the back stories of the characters and how they initially came into Charley’s life, the mystery was complex enough that I really enjoyed this book. Especially when there’s a Maine coon and kittens involved.
Charles has a new neighbor across the street who says she lived in town many years ago. The trouble is no one can remember her and with her abrasive personality she’s someone they’re not likely to have forgotten. As everyone reluctantly accepts her Christmas party invitation, they’re also,hoping they can figure out who she is, but that’s not to be.

The gang's all here for the 10th entry in the Cat in the Stacks series. Author Miranda James has created an endearing and relatable cast of characters, centered around librarian Charlie Harris. Charlie catalogs rare books for the college in small town Athena, Mississippi, that is, when he is not solving murder mysteries with his Maine coon cat, Diesel. Nevertheless, this is not one of those cozy series in which the animals help solve the mystery.

The primary mystery involves a realtor who has moved into Charlie's neighborhood and has managed to alienate nearly everyone around her, not in small part because she appears to be after all the available and not-so-available men in town. Gerry's murder occurs at her Christmas gathering and there is no shortage of potential suspects. The secondary mystery centers around a basket of kittens left on Charlie's doorstep. I found myself as caught up in this mystery as the murder itself.

If you have read any of the series entries, this one doesn't deviate from Miranda James' successful formula but is another pleasant visit with Charlie, his family, and friends. However, the book can be read as a standalone as it's easy to slip into Charlie's universe. Bottom line: pleasant, Christmas-themed fun.

Full Disclosure--Net Gallery and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.