Wil Threadgill wasn’t one of the popular kids in school. He was an outsider and treated that way. Wil ended up dropping out after his junior year. Charlie Harris remembers him but his friend and colleague, Melba, remembers him best—she had a huge crush on Wil.

Now Wil and his band have made the big time and are coming back home to play and work with students in the college music program. Melba is beyond thrilled. She’s kept in touch with Wil off and on throughout the years and can’t wait to see him again. Charlie is worried she’s reading too much into the situation and will get hurt if Wil doesn’t feel as kindly toward Melba.

As always, when you go home again, especially when you are well-known and successful, not everyone will be happy to see you as Wil finds out. First, there are small things gone wrong but when the harassment escalates, it’s impossible to say they are anything but targeted. Still, Wil has no idea who could be doing them and why.

When someone dies, Charlie and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel, are worried Melba is not just following her heart to disaster but that she’s in harm’s way. Although his family discourages his inquisitive nature, Charlie has to find the culprit to protect his friend.

I love any book with Charlie and Diesel. My only complaints are I miss the sisters and Diesel’s younger, rowdier cat counterpart needs more time on the page. Charlie is always someone you’d want on your side, no matter the problem. I look forward to the next adventures of Charlie and Diesel.

I am a goof who picked up the 15th book in a series after having only read the 1st one. That being said, this series really can be read as a set of standalones. It probably would have been a little better having the strings between the books, but it was still a lot of fun.

James's cozy series continues to be a delight. The cats and characters bring this series to a top level mystery series. I hope it continues.

Charley and Diesel are back in book 15 in the Cat in the Stacks series. Many times when you get this number of books the series can get stale but Miranda James keeps things fresh and fun. Charley is working part time at the library cataloging books and Diesel enjoys going along. Wil is returning to Athena after making it big in the music industry to teach a course at the local college. Someone isn't happy he's returning and now murder is surrounding his visit. All your favorites are back lending an opinion to Charley as he and Diesel are working to keep Wil alive and find the killer. This book can be read as a stand alone but enjoy them all.

When an Oscar nominated singer/songwriter Wil Threadgill decides to return to his tiny home town to share his craft and knowledge with the music students at the college. Everyone is excited. Except of course, the one person that has enough pent-up anger to kill him.

His arrival has everyone in a dither, with the exception of Charlie and his partner in amateur sleuthing Diesel, his Main Coon cat. Charlie barely remembers Wil, who had a band with a group of locals before he fled to California seemingly overnight. The other band members were left trying to keep things together, but couldn’t make it without Wil.

When Charlie is asked to escort Wil and help him while he is in town, he reluctantly agrees. Little did he know that someone would attempt murdering Wil and accidently kill one of his former band members. But was it really an attempted murder or just an accident? Tempers flair as several other attempts to hurt or kill the other band members that came with Wil. The police are baffled, but remain vigilant. Charlie and Diesel are on the trail. Having solved murders before, they just could not stand by as attempts to harm Wil and his band were ramping up.

This is the fifteenth book starring Charlie and Diesel as a crimefighting duo. It is the first one I have read, but I now have the previous 14 on my to be read list. The interesting characters and engaging plot make this cozy mystery a fast and fun read. I highly recommend this book to everyone that enjoys cozy mysteries. It is very well written and keeps readers guessing until the last pages.

Miranda James is one of the pseudonyms for prolific writer Dean James. He has led an interestingly diverse life. He grew up on a farm, and then went on to earn his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees as well as an M. S. in library science. His first book, By a Woman’s Hand, won an Agatha Award for Best Mystery Non-Fiction. He writes under several pen names, most notably Jimmie Ruth Evans and Honor Hartman.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the publicist and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2023 Laura Hartman

Dollycas's Thoughts

After a bit of a hiatus, we are back in Athena, Mississippi visiting Charlie Harris and his family and my personal favorite fictional feline, Diesel. In this story, a man Charlie and his bestie Melba went to school with returns after making it big musically in California. He is being given an honorary degree at the college and will spend two weeks mentoring students in the music department. Melba had/has a huge crush on the man and is acting like a schoolgirl whenever he is around.

But not everyone is thrilled to have the man back in town. It seems that his departure all those years ago had a real impact on the ones he left behind and someone is making it known. At a reception to welcome Wilfred “Wil” Threadgill home the threats and harassment hit a whole new level when one of Wil's former bandmates is killed. Charlie is worried that anyone connected to the man could be in danger including Melba. Charlie has no choice but to try to find who was hurt by Wil's departure bad enough to kill. With Diesel by his side, he hopes he can make the killer sing out a confession and fast before anyone else is singing their swansong.

______

It was great to catch up Charlie. He is always busy with some cataloging or smoothing something out for his family or friends or in the middle of another mystery. I can never get enough of his fabulous cat Diesel and his chirps and mrrrrs. His son Sean and his wife are going through some adjustments with a new baby and a home renovation and Charlie is always there with an open ear to listen and maybe impart some words of wisdom. Helen Louise and Charlie are getting closer and fans like me will love to see that relationship evolve in a meaningful way. Truthfully all the core characters continue to develop nicely but with everything Charlie had on his plate, he didn't seem to be the Charlie I had expected to see. I can't totally put my finger on it but heck people in real life go through ebbs and flows so there is no reason a fictional character can't too. Charlie is blessed though to have the best cat who can lift anyone's spirits and make them feel better with a couple of chirps, trills, and touches.

The mystery blended nicely with the subplots. I found myself focused on a couple of suspects pretty quickly but I had an inking about someone else too. So when all was revealed in dramatic fashion with some key characters in mortal danger I was pretty impressed with my own amateur sleuthing.  I did enjoy the twists and clever attempts of misdirection. The ending was a little abrupt though. I didn't get the final closure I needed regarding Wil Threadgill, his career, and Melba but maybe we will in the next book. I do wish Charlie had been more actively involved in the investigation but he was there when it counted.

The author always does an excellent job setting the scene so readers can easily visualize everything. Charlie's home, his office, the library, Helen Louise's bistro, Sean's new home, and everywhere in between including where the showdown took place. It is always a joy to travel around with Charlie.

There were a couple of editing issues that I hope were ironed out before the final copy was printed like Charlie living through the same afternoon twice including two lunch breaks. They gave me pause and messed with flow but I was able to get back on track.

Hiss Me Deadly gets us back to Athena and the characters we love and that is a very good thing. I was delighted to see that the next book in the series has been turned in to the publisher as of yesterday and should be released next summer. I have already added it to my calendar.

Miranda James gives us another Cat in the Stacks mystery in Hiss Me Deadly; Diesel the Maine coon cat and his master librarian Charlie Harris is pulled into a murder investigation when a local musician made good nationally comes home and people start dropping dead. There is a local connection, but all threads lead nowhere. Read and figure out whodunit. Best character is Diesel.

"Hiss Me Deadly" is another great addition to the Cat in the Stacks series! Charlie and Diesel are back at it again, solving another murder. It is always great to visit their small Mississippi town, and overall is a solid cozy mystery series for fans of the genre.

Hiss Me Deadly is book number 15 in the Cat in the Stacks Mystery series . I feel at a little at a disadvantage having not read the other books in the series ,I do not think this book can be a stand only but best read in the series order . I thought the story was a little rushed and not something that was well thought out . Overall it was a good read . I am sure long time fans will enjoy it . I may have to go back and read the series from the beginning.

Hiss Me Deadly by Miranda James. #HissMeDeadly #NetGalley

Miranda James comes through again with another good addition to the Cat in the Stacks series. In this installment, Charlie and his friend Melba reunite with a high school friend who became a famous musician. When he returns to their hometown for a presentation at the college, it seems that somebody wants the musician dead. Charlie and Melba have to figure out who is after their friend without anymore people being murdered. This is an entertaining read and hearing about Diesel the gigantic cat is always fun. I highly recommend the entire series for an excellent reading adventure. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in return for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this book. I love Diesel! I like the characters make progress in their lives. The mystery kept me guessing.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This series is my comfort zone and I so enjoyed this one. Something about the way Charlie investigates with Diesel just lulls me into the coziest headspace (even despite all the murders). There are always vibrant characters in addition to our favorite friends and family. This is a current case, but with the vibes and some nuances of a cold case (with characters reuniting after 40 years), which I so enjoyed. I love that Charlie also focuses on his family and doesn't put his investigating above looking out for them, seeing when they are troubled and doing whatever he can to help them. This ending was shocking and I can admit it took me a while to piece together the answers and Charlie definitely beat me to it. I can't wait for more!

Charlie Harris and his crime-solving companion Diesel have been called into action. The librarian and his Maine coon have solved more than a couple of mysteries in Athena, Mississippi. Now his exploits have made it all the way to Hollywood, and someone is coming to town to talk to him about them. It’s not for a movie though. Musician and composer Wil Threadgill is coming home and he’s worried that someone is trying to kill him.

Will went to school with Charlie and his best friend Melba, but he had been a few years ahead of them. He had quit school and ran off to California to become a professional musician before he could graduate, not telling anyone that he was going or how to get in touch with him. In the decades since, he has won accolades and the hearts of fans with his band and with his movie soundtracks. Wil and Melba had gotten back in touch while he was out there, and she’s very excited that he’s finally coming home.

The local college had invited him to come back, to offer him an honorary doctorate and to spend some time with the music students, teaching classes and offering instruction and inspiration. Wil asks Charlie to meet with him, so Charlie gets to meet the man and find out his concerns. Wil can’t put his finger on why he feels out of sorts about coming back to Mississippi, but he feels like he may be in danger. And he can only think of one person who might have it in for him—John Earl Whitaker.

Wil and John Earl had been in a band together as teenagers, and when Wil left suddenly, the rest of the band broke up. John Earl had married young and spent too many years at the bottom of a bottle. Wil is concerned that he might have saved up 40 years of resentments for the moment Wil comes back. And Charlie starts to believe that’s possible too, when John Earl shows up drunk just as about Wil’s band is about to take the stage. But when John Earl grabs the microphone before Wil can, he is hit with enough voltage to stop his heart.

Melba is almost hysterical, worried that Wil had been the target. And when there is another attempt the next morning, Charlie is worried that Melba may be right. He and Diesel start sniffing around to see who might want to end Wil’s music career, but will they be able to find the killer before the killer finds them?

Hiss Me Deadly is book 15 in Miranda James’ Cat in the Stacks mystery series. This charming cozy series set in a Southern college town is filled with small town friendships, family, and adorable pets. James is a smart writer, crafting solid plots along with likable characters (aside from the killer, clearly).

I really enjoyed Hiss Me Deadly, and not just because of Diesel. I loved the story line of the successful musician coming home was lovely, and I thought that the mystery was interesting and compelling. This is the first of the Cat in the Stacks books I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. I have read, but I’ve heard great things about James through the years. And I have to say, I was not disappointed. I loved hanging out with Diesel and Ramses, and the next time I need a good cat mystery, I will find myself wandering in the stacks again to hang out with them.

Egalleys for Hiss Me Deadly were provided by Berkley through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Charlie Harris and his cat Diesel have been requested by Wil Threadgill, a musician coming to town to work with the music students at Athena College. Wil grew up in Athena, Mississippi, but he left forty years ago. He’s worried that something will go wrong on his return visit. And he turns out to be correct when someone dies at his opening reception. Will Charlie figure out what is going on?

It's been almost two years since the previous book in the series came out, and it was great to be seeing these characters again. All the regulars are as fun as ever, including the four legged characters. Fans will be happy with one development we get in the book. Unfortunately, the plot was weak, with Charlie not as involved as he should be. The ending is abrupt, but it does answer most of our questions. There are also some timeline issues, with Charlie living the same time twice. While the book could be stronger, fans will still be happy to see Charlie, Diesel, and the rest again.

Hiss Me Deadly is the fifteenth book in the A Cat In The Stacks Mystery series.

It’s been a while since the last Cat In The Stacks book but so worth the wait.

This book will take Charlie and his co-worker, Melba, back to their high school days. Their fellow classmate, Wilfred “Wil Threadgill, left Athena when he was 17. He was in a band before leaving for California, where he became a famous musician and composer. As far as Melba knew, she was the only classmate in touch with Wil. Melba informs Charlie that Wil will return to receive an honorary degree from Athena College and conduct clinics with music department members.
When Charlie is introduced to Wil, Wil asks that he is concerned for his life and asks Charlie to watch for any suspicious activity.

Wil and his band that came with him are about to perform at the dinner in honor of Wil. But before they take the stage, John Earl, a former member of Wil’s high school band, jumps on the stage, grabs the microphone, and is electrocuted. Charlie begins to feel that maybe there is something to Wil’s fear that someone is out to kill him. Before long, a member of his travel group is killed in a hit-and-run, and another sustains minor injuries in Wil’s room. A third member of his group dies, which might have been a suicide. Kanesha Berry, sheriff, and her deputies are baffled by the events but work diligently to learn what is happening. Charlie senses that Melba might have feelings for Wil and starts spending time with Wil going over what had happened during high school and what is going on now. They need to find the killer before anyone else is hurt or killed.

In addition to the murder, Charlie had to deal with his son, Sean, and daughter-in-law, getting through a rough patch in their marriage.

The book is well-written, plotted, and engaging. Most of the regular characters are back once again. The characters are well-developed, enjoyable, and believable. Also, Diesel and Ramsey are so adorable. Diesel even ends up being a hero.

I’m looking forward to reading the next Cat In The Stacks book.

I have missed this series and was so excited to revisit Athena, Mississippi and all my favorite characters. I especially loved seeing Diesel and Ramses who is as usual up to his usual tricks. The plot was an interesting connecting back to an old acquaintance from high school who is uneasy about coming back to his hometown. Did trouble follow him or was it waiting for him?

I really liked that Melba is so personally involved in this book. She's usually a side character but seeing her front and center and vulnerable was an interesting change. There were so many possiblities for motive and murderer that I was kept guessing until just before the end. The pacing was a bit slower than I usually prefer on a cozy but it didn't keep me from enjoying it. As well, it didn't feel like Charlie was driving the investigation as he usually does but was instead going about his daily life and people were bring information to him which may have been why the pacing felt a bit slower.

While this probably wasn't my favorite in the series I did enjoy it. The mystery was enjoyable and I always love seeing my friends in Athena (especially Diesel!).

📖My Thoughts📖

It’s not often that a cozy mystery has me completely stumped, but this one most certainly did! There were so many things to like about this book. The characters were so likable, it had its fair share of mystery, of course a murder, Diesel the cat, a sweet romance and the list goes on! There are fourteen other books preceding this one in the “Cat in the Stacks” mystery series. Unfortunately haven’t read any of them, but I was able to read this as a standalone with no issues. The storyline was riveting and kept my attention the entire time, all while being completely modest. If this book is any indication as to how the rest of the series is, you’ll want to start catching up now. I know I do!
Thank you Netgalley, Miranda James and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Charlie Harris has his hands full with family problems. When his good friend Melba Gilley begs him to help her, he can’t say no.

A former high school friend of theirs, Wil Threadgill, returns to Athena and turns the town upside down. Many of the people he left behind are conflicted with their feelings about him. Melba is one of those people. It doesn’t take long before they discover someone is after Wil. Someone close to him is murdered. They realize Wil is in more danger than they thought.

Charlie agrees to help Wil and Melba get to the bottom of this and his handsome maine coon kitty, Diesel, is right by his side for all of it. Charlie is surprised to find out there are quite a few people who are angry with Wil, but who is angry enough to kill?

This is the 15th book in the Cat in the Stacks series and I loved every minute of it. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and it did not disappoint. I haven’t read all the books in the series, but I’ve read six of them and plan to do some catching up soon.

The relationship between Charlie and Diesel, of course, is my favorite part of these books. I love how Charlie takes Diesel with him everywhere. I’m, also, enjoying Charlie’s relationships with the humans in his life. All the characters are well-rounded and realistic.

The plot is intriguing, captivating and difficult to guess whodunit. I didn’t realize it until the last couple of chapters. It is a fast-paced book that I couldn’t put down.

Miranda James is a master storyteller and never lets me down. I’m hoping the next book will be out soon. Until then, I’m going to be playing catch up with this series.









FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Hiss Me Deadly is the fifteenth book in the “Cat in the Stacks” series. I have enjoyed this series from the beginning. I love Diesel and Charlie. In this book, former band members start dropping like flies when Wil, a native son of Athena, comes home to work with students at the local college's music department. But someone decides that this music maker needs to die before he even gets started and will go to almost any length to make it happen.

The suspects in this addition are easy to spot, but the evidence doesn’t point to anyone in particular. When the killer is revealed, I felt let down. I knew who it was, even their motive, but I am never a fan of the killer being introduced in the last half of a book. The pace of this story was slower than I would have liked, and there was way too much eating and feeding Diesel. The side stories didn’t work for me as they seemed unnecessary to the plot. In and of themselves, they would have made a good story on their own and weren’t a necessary part of this book. There wasn’t all that much action, but that is not unusual for this series. The old high school band angle, I felt, was pushed a bit too much as the motive and lacked believability.

Charlie and Diesel are an incredible duo; they always have been. I can clearly see them walking down the sidewalk enjoying the weather or at a restaurant where Charlie would feed his beloved cat under the table. Other characters, such as Helen Louise and Melba and the other returning cast members, add fun and real life to this series and are invaluable to Charlie and his investigations. I was not crazy about the ending, as I wanted to know what happened to Wil and the band after the killer was caught, but we didn’t get those answers which made their stories feel unresolved. I did like that Charlie and Helen finally set a date for the wedding, and I can’t wait to read about it, hopefully in the next book. I enjoyed this book but not as much as I thought.

Hiss Me Deadly is the fifteenth cozy mystery in the Cat In the Stacks series.
It’s great to see another book in the series after some time has passed since the last one.


I will admit to always being entertained by our amateur sleuth, but he wasn’t as hands on in this investigation. After splitting the scene during high school to form a band musical genius Wil is once again back but does this local boy have bad intentions?
When those having connections to him and his band are turning up dead it seems pretty obvious what’s going on.


A cozy with a cat that investigates everything as well, yes please. Diesel goes everywhere and is involved in the questioning as well. He’s a lap surfer but cats are smart, and he knows who to avoid as well.


I had a wonderful time reading this book and trying to piece together who did it with all the red herrings thrown in. The author has done a wonderful job of keeping me entertained. I look forward to more books in this series.

Pub Date 27 Jun 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.