Miranda James is back with another installment in the Cat in the Stacks series. THE PAWFUL TRUTH is the eleventh book in the series. Now, for me, I have only read one other book in the series, but it’s definitely enough for me to get a feel of the author’s writing style.

I definitely think this series has a slower and more mature pace than some of the other Cozy Mysteries out there and so, I do think I have to be in a certain mood for it. THE PAWFUL TRUTH has Charlie going back to school, so it’s a little bit of a different feel to it. The tension and conflict is definitely there from the very beginning, but I found that I struggled with a lot of this book. I think it was mainly because I find it hard to relate to Charlie. His personality is a bit more reserved than I would like, but it is more of a departure from the curious amateur sleuths you find in most books.

That being said, I’m not sure if I will continue with this series. However, if you’re a fan of Lea Wait’s Needlepoint series, then you may find that this series is enough for you.

I always enjoy these books (mostly for the cats) but I really liked this one because it had a Victorianish feel to it with all the upset men fighting over the woman and everyone being in love with everyone else. Diesel is a very brave kitty and knows how to protect humans and kittens alike.

Another 5 star read from Miranda James, whose Cat in the Stacks mysteries are at the top of my must-read list. In this installment, Charlie's stepping back into the classroom, where the class roster will soon be a list of suspects.

There are many reasons I really like this cozy series. Set in a small university town, the “regulars” remain part of each book but the ever changing university atmosphere introduces us to different groups within the university. This time the action centers on the History department. While sleuth Charlie Harris is occasionally called Jessica Fletcher, I enjoy that the cozy sleuth in this series is a man with a Maine Coon cat named Diesel. I also like the Old South, small town setting of the series. Others have given a good synopsis of the story, so I’d like to encourage you to read this delightful series. The books are standalone so feel free to jump in the middle of the series.

I was looking for a comfort read this week. I’ve been reading too much fanfiction and haven’t been able to just dive into anything that I could write a review for. And the cats have been particularly adorable this week, which led me to Charlie Harris, his large and in charge Maine Coon cat Diesel, and the Cat in the Stacks series. As if that wasn’t enough of a reminder, I just picked up an eARC of the next book in the series!

Charlie Harris is the rare books librarian and archivist at Athena College in the cozy little small town of Athena Mississippi. Charlie, an alum of Athena College, spent most of his professional life in Houston, but returned home at the beginning of the series in Murder Past Due, when he inherited a lovely old house from his Aunt Dottie. (A far northerly version of this opening occurs in Lillian Jackson Braun’s The Cat Who series.)

By this 11th book in the series we’ve gotten to know Charlie, his friends and family, and the denizens of Athena fairly well. Especially Charlie’s large and colorful cat, Diesel. Maine Coons are generally large and fairly placid cats, but Diesel is exceptional even for his breed, as Charlie comments that he’s 37 pounds or so with the bone structure to carry that weight. Diesel can afford to be fairly laid back, as he is bigger than even some medium sized dogs.

Diesel is often a common sight around town, as he accompanies his person nearly everywhere that Charlie goes. But Diesel, for all his size and empathy, is never portrayed as anything more than just a very large cat who is smart on the feline intelligence scale. He doesn’t solve murders.

Yes, I want a Diesel of my own. Maine Coons are handsome and very well behaved.

Which is more than one can say for Ramses, the kitten that Charlie and Diesel adopted at the end of Six Cats a Slayin’.

If you’re getting the impression that I read this series more for the cat than his human, you might be right.

Nevertheless, Charlie Harris is an interesting sleuth, and the author, a real-life librarian, has done an excellent job of making Charlie read like “one of us” while still allowing the other characters to lampshade Charlie’s unfortunate resemblance to TV small town sleuth Jessica Fletcher.

Too many dead bodies seem to turn up in both of their wakes – to the point where one might wonder – as some of the other characters frequently do, whether Charlie’s luck is good or bad and whether or not it is safe to be in his orbit.

This particular case combines the character’s loves of both English literature and history with that oft-quoted quip by Henry Kissinger, the one that goes, “The reason that university politics is so vicious is because takes are so small.”

Only Charlie Harris could manage to audit a college class that results in not just one but two dead bodies. And ends with the killer’s hands wrapped around Charlie’s own throat.

Escape Rating B: I read this series for fun – and I certainly had fun reading The Pawful Truth. In spite of the terribly punny title.

This entry in the series provided a light read that instantly swept me back into the little town of Athena and Charlie Harris’ terrific family, whether those family members are by birth or by “adoption”.

(I’ll admit that I would also love to audit that class that Charlie does – Plantagenet and Tudor England was also my favorite period of history.)

But the mystery in this one was also interesting in the way that it spins out from what seems like a relatively simple case of love triangle gone wrong to something that in the end surprisingly resembles Shakespearean tragedy. A particular Shakespearean tragedy in fact – that of Othello.

It was fun to watch the case morph from the simple to the increasingly complex, even as Charlie did his usual job of digging into something that he should never have been part of in the first place – only to find himself in the middle yet again.

That this case looked to be based in the insular world of academia added yet more red herrings while also providing a semi-credible excuse for Charlie to involve himself way more than he ought to have. Not that Charlie ever needs much of an excuse.

And I was too busy catching up with all my friends in this series to spot who the murderer was, which just added to the fun.

I’ll definitely be back for the next book in the series, Careless Whiskers, whenever I need a little reading vacation in Athena.

Reviewer’s Note: As much as I always love Diesel, his behavior with the tiny and precocious kitten Ramses brought a smile to my face and reminded me very fondly of feline behavior in my own household. When Hecate was a tiny kitten Freddie used to “let” her chase him and “pretend” that she had thrown him to the ground. At the time, Hecate weighed 1.5 pounds (maybe) and Freddie about 12 pounds. Cats who want to play with each other in spite of a significant size difference will play just the way that Diesel and Ramses do and it’s utterly adorable.

Another fun romp with Charlie and Diesel. This time there were so many twists and turns in the plot and much confusion as to who the murderer might be. Engaging and fun. A quick read that left me eagerly awaiting the next chapter for Diesel and Charlie. Love these characters!

This was a fun, cute cozy mystery! I love the theme throughout, and I will definitely be continuing with the series.

Book number 11 in the Cat in the Stacks Mystery series does not disappoint for the lovers of the cozy mysteries and cats. Miranda James's books are a great way to spend a rainy afternoon, or any afternoon!

Librarian Charlie Harris is looking forward to auditing a class in medieval history but can’t help noticing a mature flirtatious female student who seems to be stalking the professor. From this point, we are immersed into the world and love lives of university professors along with a wonderful cast of characters who are regulars in the Cat in the Stacks series. I really liked the cozy setting of Charlie’s house and Diesel the Maine Coon cat who is as much of a character as Charlie. The mystery moves along well and had me guessing.

I obtained this book from Net Galley and have given an honest review.

The Pawful Truth is the 11th book in the Cat in the Stacks cozy mystery series written by Miranda James. The series takes place in Athena Mississippi and focuses on Charlie Harris, a retired and part-time librarian who spends his free time babysitting his grandchildren, running a boarding house, and solving murders. He's a likable guy, very smart, and opens his arms to many people. At the same time, he is careful not to get himself hurt or trust everyone he meets. All-in-all, I like him a lot as a protagonist, and his supporting cast (Deputy Kanesha Berry, her mother Azalea-Charlie's housekeeper, several boarders, Charlie's family and girlfriend, Diesel the Maine Coon cat, and Melba the bestie) are all fun to read about.

In this caper, Charlie's auditing a history class. Another mature student asks him to be a study partner, but Charlie senses danger and declines. The next day, she's dead. Then, the professor is murdered. Who had it out for them? The wife? The best friend? The new boarder? Another professor? The woman he had an affair with? A few others infiltrate this bird's nest, a la Othello. Will Charlie figure out who was the jealous man or woman, and which person was truly playing Iago behind the scenes?

This was another great story, and I enjoyed the mystery a lot. It was full of suspects, almost a little much at times trying to figure out who was cheating with whom. I liked the tale but wish it had a longer ending to flush out the details on how and why the two victims were killed... but that might just me liking more detail. The subplots with Charlie's cats and his relationship with Helen Louise and Melba were interesting and kept me entertained. These are the kind of books I will always read, as they are super-well-written and have great characters. I recommend them to light readers and those who like a little sass and pomp to their cozies.

I'm current now... and I'll have to wait until early 2020 for the next issue. Oh no!

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for an advance digital copy. This series never fails, well-plotted mysteries and lots of Southern charm. The opinions are my own.

Retired librarian and Widower Charlie Harris moved to Anthena M.S., upon the death of his Aunt Dottie. He now works part-time as a librarian/archivist at his alma mater, Athena College. His beloved aunt left him her home which came with housekeeper and cook named Azalea who looks after him and the boarders he has taken in. His grown children and new grandchildren also now live near him. He rescued a kitten which he named Diesel, a huge and intelligent Maine Coon cat and now has a new kitten, Ramses. He has discovered a talent for solving mysteries, much to the displeasure of Azalea's detective daughter, Kanesha, and his family.

Murder strikes the campus when the well liked and gifted medieval history professor whose course Charlie was auditing is murdered, as well as another auditing student. Rumors abound about the dead professor and his wife. Both might be carrying on affairs with more than one person. Even a new boarder at Charlie's home may be involved. There are many characters, both old and new in The Pawful Truth. Diesel is always a welcome presence and Ramses adds comic relief. Even though this is a long-running series, a new reader could start here with no confusion.

I’m back on my cozy train this week with a review of the latest Cat in the Stacks mystery, The Pawful Truth. What a great title, first of all. I know some don’t love punny titles but I definitely do! I found this book filled with charm, interesting characters, and a fascinating mystery that certainly had me spinning as I tried to figure out the who and the why behind the murders.

Librarian and researcher Charlie Harris has decided to audit a history course offered by young, attractive, and respected professor Carey Warriner. After class he stops to introduce himself and as he departs, he hears a heated exchange between another student, Dixie Belle Compton and Warriner that piques his interest—the two definitely know each other!

When Dixie winds up murdered a few days later, Charlie can’t help but wonder about the conversation he overheard. Partnering up with Melba, his main on-campus gossip connection, and Diesel, his Maine Coon cat, Charlie puts some feelers out to see if he can offer any assistance to the detective. It turns out that Warriner and his wife, another professor at Athena, have been the subject of gossip around the quad lately. Their marriage is rumored to be in trouble, and Charlie can’t help but wonder if Dixie’s death could be related to a lovers triangle.

But the more Charlie looks into the case, the more tangled the web becomes. Another potential love triangle emerges from the rumor mill involving Warriner and his wife. As rumors, lies, and deceit emerge, the suspect list continues to grow. And then another murder occurs and Charlie knows he is onto something with his research. The real question is why were these two people murdered? If Charlie can uncover the connection, he may be able to solve the case!

I loved many things about this novel! First, it is rare to have a male protagonist in cozy mysteries. Charlie was such a great character. He is a gentleman to his core, but that doesn’t make him a saint. He’s as interested in uncovering the truth behind those salacious rumors, just as we are. There were tons of great characters in this book. Charlie’s greatest advantage besides his intellect is certainly his network of friends who seem to be tapped into the main gossip. I loved that aspect to this book!

I also thought Miranda James did a fantastic job keeping the book focused on the mystery. Cozies do veer off course a bit at times, particularly later into a series because they want to build on the happenings in the character’s life and town. This book had all of the charm of those elements but it didn’t steer away from the mystery for a single scene. I loved hearing about the home cooked meals Charlie enjoyed from his housekeeper (who happens to be the mother to the detective, so that is a blast!). I also loved Diesel and his new kitten Ramsey. So cute!

Thank you to Berkley for my copy. Opinions are my own.

This is a wonderful cozy to enjoy on a hot afternoon. It is book 11 in the Cat in the Stacks series and it's a great addition. Fans will love revisiting Diesel and Charlie. The duo must solve two murders that are connected with Athena college where Charlie is auditing a course in the history department. This could be a stand alone read for new readers of the series but I'd probably recommend reading a few of the previous titles. The writing is vivid and colorful and I want to see a Maine Coon cat in person, They sound like perfect companions. Pet lovers and cozy fans will both appreciate this book. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I love the little town of Athena, Mississippi and all the murders that Charlie and Diesel manage to get themselves involved with! "The Pawful Truth" is another great addition to The Cat in the Stacks series.

Another fun outing with Charlie and Diesel. I stick with this series because of the characters - I adore them all (human and feline)!

Good mystery in this one although the solution didn’t click with me 100%. Maybe I needed a few more paragraphs to connect some of the words to the behaviors and secrets for it to completely click. This one ends with a lot of energy - and a set up for book 12 coming in 2020. I’ll be picking that one up for sure.

Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon Cat Diesel are going back to school with Professor Mariner on English history. Corpses get in the way. Charlie and Diesel are hot on the trail of the perpetrator, but there are lots of red herrings. Well written cozy.

The Pawful Truth by Miranda James is the eleventh A Cat in the Stacks Mystery. There is background information in the first half of The Pawful Truth to aid those who are new to A Cat in the Stacks Mystery. Personally, I suggest you begin with Murder Past Due. I always enjoying picking up the latest installment in A Cat in the Stacks Mystery series. Charlie Harris has always been interested in medieval history, so he decides to audit Dr. Carey Warriner’s class. While Dr. Warriner is a captivating instructor, his behavior outside the classroom leaves a lot to be desired. The green monster seems to have taken a hold on Dr. Warriner with regard to his lovely wife, Irene. After two people end up murdered, the Ducote sisters (on the board of Athena College) visit Charlie. They want him to delve into the case to help Kanesha Berry wrap it swiftly. I thought The Pawful Truth was well-written and the pace moved along steadily. Athena, Georgia is a small Southern college town with charming shops and some quirky residents. I like the cast of characters which includes Charlie, Diesel, Melba, Azalea, Helen Louise, Stewart, Haskell, the Ducote Sisters, and, the newest member, Ramses. I like that Charlie is an older protagonist along with his love of books. He is a good man who loves his family, friends and fur babies. Charlie’s family is included so we can find out how his daughter-in-law is doing after her bout with postpartum depression. I can tell that the author has cats from the way she describes their behavior especially Ramses. When Ramses uses Charlie’s leg for a climbing tree, she perfectly described how it feels to have those sharp little claws digging into your leg. I just love Diesel’s little chirps. Those two cats are such charmers and their antics had me chuckling. The mystery had several viable suspects and there were good clues. It is a whodunit that can be solved before the solution is revealed, but that did not deter my enjoyment of this cozy mystery. I did feel there was to much speculation and repetition of case details. I did like seeing more of Miss Dickce Ducote. She has a mischievous side that likes to come out now and then. We also get to meet to two new ladies who are administrative assistants at the college, and they provide some helpful information. The Pawful Truth has rampant gossip, two suspicious deaths, a curious kitten, a distrustful spouse, a tolerant Maine Coon Cat, and an admittingly nosey librarian.

Series: Cat in the Stacks Mystery - Book 11
Author: Miranda James (Dean James)
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Library/Pets
Publisher: Berkley
Page Count: 304

The latest in the Cat in a Stack cozy book series, “The Pawful Truth” from Berkley comes out next week. This is a favorite series with books coming out quickly, the next addition, Careless Whiskers, scheduled for January 2020. Miranda (Dean) James is a fantastic storyteller, with a penchant for creating strong likable characters with depth, and plots that are filled with twists and turns.

Charlie is doing his best not to get involved in the latest murder investigation, but it wasn’t in him to stay on the sidelines when he needed questions answered. Charlie is not your typical cozy book protagonist. Charlie isn’t a young amateur sleuth, he is a mature man with grown children, a couple of young grandchildren, has a wonderful girlfriend, and works at the college library. He is intelligent and inquisitive about murder. He is lovable and innately good at solving mysteries, especially homicide.

Charlie has a cast of characters that help him solve crimes, including his beloved Maine Coon Cat, Diesel, his girlfriend, Helen, his daughter, and son, as well as his housekeeper and cook, Azalea. The entire cast returns in this latest addition in this cozy book series. But are his family and friends help, or could they become a pawn in a killer’s game?

The victim(s) aren’t well liked or mourned. Some even say they got what was coming to them. Regardless of what kind of people they were, the killer is worse. When Charlie unmasks the perpetrator, he places himself in danger.

This is a beautiful story, with wonderful characters. It is fast-paced with just enough detail to keep readers turning the page. There are moments of brilliance within the pages of this cozy book series that endear it to readers everywhere. I am thrilled to recommend “The Pawful Truth” and this entire series.

The Pawful Truth is a fun and sagacious 11th installment in the Cat in the Stacks series by Miranda James. Charlie Harris, along with his trusty Maine Coon cat, Diesel, enjoys the world of academia while inadvertently solving mysteries along the way. The current mystery involves a “mature” student, several professors, and a Shakespearean plot – all the ingredients you need for a puzzling murder mystery.

What I liked:

The college local is a perfect cozy setting. The small college town is a tight-knit community, imperative for a cozy mystery, but also has many people coming in and out as students and professors come and go. This setting allows for new characters and new mysteries while never feeling contrived.

The solution to the mystery was believable but not predictable. One of the hardest but most essential parts of any cozy is to get the balance between red herrings and actual clues just right. The Pawful Truth is an excellent example of how to do that very thing, which enhances the story.

Charlie Harris is refreshing as a detective in a world that is dominated by female sleuths. There are some male detectives of note in this genre, but they are few and far between. Charlie is an easy-going member of the college and surrounding community, making him relatable to the characters and readers alike.

Diesel is every inch a Maine Coon cat complete with the breeds many quirks and proclivities. I own a female Maine Coon cat, so it was particularly enjoyable to me to read about Diesel’s antics. From the characteristic trills and warbles they make to their unusual ability to understand and react to human words; Maine Coons are a remarkable breed, and I loved seeing them celebrated in the series.


What I Wish

Some parts were not written in such excruciating detail. Several dialogue sections in the novel were overly detailed, which leads to minor frustration in the reader who is looking for more of the items that move the plot along. This detail did not happen so often as to impact the reading experience negatively, but it was noticeable.

More depth to Charlie. Charlie came off as two dimensional. This lack of character development is not uncommon is a cozy mystery, but I still would have loved to have had more depth into his character. I am new to the series, so there may be more depth provided in the previous novels, but in this story, that was something I noted.

To Read or Not to Read
If you are a fan of cozy mysteries and(or) cats, this is the perfect book and perfect series for you. It’s smart and fun and gives you a great puzzle to solve. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Widower Charlie Harris retired from his job in the Houston TX library system upon the death of his Aunt Dottie. He now works part-time as a librarian/archivist at his alma mater, Athena College in Anthena MS. Dottie left him her home and a formidable housekeeper and cook named Azalea who looks after him and the boarders he has taken in since moving in. His grown children and new grandchildren are also in the area. Along the way, he found Diesel, a huge and intelligent Maine Coon cat and now has a new kitten, Ramses. Since coming back to Athena, he has discovered a talent for solving mysteries, much to the displeasure of Azalea's detective daughter, Kanesha, and his family.

Murder strikes the Athena campus when the charismatic and gifted medieval history professor whose course Charlie was auditing is murdered, as well as another auditing student. There are plenty of rumors swirling around the dead professor and his wife. Both might be carrying on affairs with multiple partners. Even a new boarder at Charlie's home may be involved. There are many characters, both old and new in The Pawful Truth, but James manages to make them all stand out. Diesel's calm presence is always welcome, and Ramses adds comic relief. Even though this is a long-running series, a new reader could start here with no confusion.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for an advance digital copy. This series never fails to deliver a well-plotted mystery and lots of Southern charm. The opinions are my own.