Princess Fuzzypants here: When local ‘boy” Wil triumphantly returns to Athena after a 40 year absence, he asks their mutual friend, Melba, to set up a meeting with Charlie and Diesel. Charlie agrees and Diesel charms, as usual. Wil has a bad feeling that something evil is going to happen. His premonition turns out to be real when a former band member from high school is electrocuted at the welcome party. The deceased has blamed Wil for every misfortune in his life and he drunkenly had grabbed the mike that Wil was supposed to use. Who was the intended victim and who has sufficient anger to kill someone.

There will be more attacks and more murders before Charlie and Diesel discover the terrible truth. It is a story of perceived betrayals and horrible lies and cover ups of abuse and violence. It will not be easy nor are some of the decisions that Charlie and his family must make about their own futures. Their challenges work out much better than the other characters. And through it all, Diesel with his charming purrs, trills, coos and chirps is the ultimate therapy cat for whatever ails you. I love the way he and Charlie are so in tune with each other and protective. They always make me want to purr. And trill. And coo. And chirp.

Five purrs and two paws up.

Hiss Me Deadly by Miranda James is the fifteenth A Cat in the Stacks Mystery. It is hard to believe that we have had fourteen adventures with Charlie and Diesel. If you are new to the series, I would recommend starting with one of the earlier books in the series. Charlie and Diesel find themselves caught up in a mystery when musician and composer Wil Threadgill returns to Athena after forty years. Wil has a bad feeling that something is wrong within his entourage. He is hoping Charlie and Diesel will have some insights. I found that to be vague and odd. Then an old friend and high school bandmate of Wil’s end up dead. Charlie is not very hands on in this investigation. He does ask some questions (that’s it). There are a couple of incidents that happen to other people, but we are not privy to them. We are only told about them. The whodunit can be solved before the reveal. I felt the mystery was lacking. There is no sleuthing and no action. There was a subplot involving Wil that added nothing to the book. The story moves along lethargically. All our favorite characters are present including the adorable Diesel (love his warbles and chirps). We get to follow Charlie as he goes about his day-to-day life (getting up and having breakfast, feeding the cats, heading off to work, talking to Sean, etc.). His son, Sean, has an issue with his wife regarding her coming back to work and their new home. He seeks his father’s advice and so does Charlie’s daughter-in-law. There is lots of talking and eating in this installment. Melba acted like a lovesick fool. There was even a moment of jealousy which I thought was out of line. Hiss Me Deadly is my least favorite book in A Cat in the Stacks Mysteries. It needed some oomph (action, humor, sleuthing). I was not a fan of the foul language in the book. There was too much of it and it was unneeded. I am glad that Charlie and Helen Louise are in a good place. I am looking forward to their nuptials. Hiss Me Deadly takes us back to Athena with a returning rocker, an electric killing, curious occurrences, a chirruping cat, a family fuss, a dwelling decision, and matrimonial determinations.

3.5 stars

This cozy series is classic: gentle, G-rated, including not one but two charming cats, a Southern gentleman librarian and his family and friends. If you are not a cozy lover you might get impatient with the slow pace and daily life details, but many of us find Charlie and his Maine Coon cats Diesel and Ramses familiar and comforting.

This time out Charlie's friend Melba is caught up in the return of a local boy who left suddenly 40 years ago and went on to find fame and success in the music world on the West Coast. Not everybody is happy to see him again - his former bandmates had mixed feelings about his abandoning them and there were a couple of romantic entanglements. A shocking series of dangerous events has targeted the musician starting off with a murder by electrocution that apparently was aimed at him but killed someone else.

Charlie's curiosity and inquisitiveness gets him involved once again in solving a mystery. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Charlie and Diesel don't remember Wil Threadgill from high school but Wil's a household name now, 40 years later, and he certainly remembers Charlie! When Wil Threadgill asks to meet with Charlie and his famous crime-solving cat, little do they know just how many mysteries will need solving and just how much danger they'll all be facing before the curtain comes down on Wil's visit to Athena.

This is the long-awaited 15th book in the Cat in the Stacks series. In the acknowledgements at the end, the author thanks the readers for being patient and offers some cryptic reasonings behind the delay. To be fair, the gap between this book and the last was not an excessively long one, book 14 having been released less than two years ago (though this can seem a lifetime in the fast-paced world of cozy mysteries).

Charlie and Diesel have a lot going on besides murder. Diesel is still dealing with his annoying little brother Ramses, Charlie and Helen Louise are finally nailing down their wedding plans, and something is rotten in the state of Denmark (Denmark being Charlie's son Sean and his wife Alex). All these goings on made for an exciting backstory for the murders themselves. We also get a glimpse into Athena's sordid past as Charlie and Melba try to figure out what could have happened all those decades ago that would cause someone to seek revenge so many years later. This is further complicated by the fact that the murders seem completely unconnected with the exception of the victims' connection to Wil. With Wil at the center, is he behind it all? Or is he simply being subjected to the horror of having to watch those around him picked off before he meets his own fate?

Overall this is probably one of the more exciting books in this series, which is one I have been reading since very early on. I look forward to many more to come!

Hiss Me Deadly by Miranda James is the latest installment in the Cat in the Stacks series. Athena (city and college) welcome home successful musician Wil Threadgill as Wil shares his talent with the college music students. Forty years ago, Wil left the town, band mates and a tragic family life to make it big in California. His homecoming brings long-festering emotions to a head, resulting in some people in Wil's circle being murdered or attacked. Old high school acquaintances Charlie and Melba seek to protect Wil and investigate. Once again, Charlie and Diesel "aid" Kanesha Berry and uncover clues and possible suspects. In all this, Charlie again puts his life in danger. He really can't help himself and receives an unexpected compliment..for being "either the bravest, most loyal person"...or "the absolute craziest."
This is an entertaining cozy mystery and a charming series. The mystery itself is enjoyable while the development of Charlie's children and his relationship with Helen Louise add to make this a satisfying read.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing, Miranda James and NetGalley for this ARC.

Hiss Me Deadly is book 15 in the Cat in the Stacks Series by Miranda James.

James did a great job with the characters Charlie and Diesel are wonderful characters who kept me entertained and flipping the pages. And the whole surrounding cast are interesting.
The small town setting in Athena, Mississippi was so detailed with characters who were fleshed out, and twist and turns throughout. I had fun trying to figure out who the killer was only to find out I was wrong.
The motive took me by complete surprise. The murder mystery is expertly crafted, and kept me guessing almost to the end.
Very well crafted story that draws you in for an adventurous ride. I had a great time trying to uncover this one and thought Miranda James did an excellent job creating an amazing and wonderful mystery.
I liked the story, the mystery, the investigation, the setting, the characters... everything was highly enjoyable. This was such a fast paced little cozy and so much personality.

If you enjoy cats, books, well-written cozy mysteries, and wonderfully engaging characters then you’ll truly enjoy this outstanding story.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Berkley for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Hiss Me Deadly is the latest book in the Cat in the Stacks cozy mysteries written by Miranda James. Set in a small town in Mississippi, the series focuses on a Charlie Harris, ~60ish widower (newly engaged, with two grown-up kids and several grandchildren), who solves murders. In this installment, best friend Melba asks Charlie to talk to a former high school friend whose found great success in the music business but is worried someone is trying to hurt him. Wil, the friend, made a few enemies when he left his local band for the shores of California nearly 40 years ago, and it seems to have caught up with him. Several bandmates, former and current, are murdered or injured during the man's triumphant (not so?) return home.

Charlie's a great protagonist, even though in this one he seemed a bit off. Still smart and curious, he also felt a bit washed out, perhaps tired. That said, the mystery had lots of interesting arcs and kept me focused. I knew early on who the killer was, but I found the path to get there filled with red herrings and truthful but misleading facts. All fair game in this type of light mystery, and in the end, Charlie almost gets killed - again! I read them for the fun characters, and this as no exception. Good writer, fantastic at creating a setting and drawing you in. Looking forward to more in the future.

Another Cat in the Stacks Mystery featuring Charlie and his cat, Diesel. I enjoy this series and all the various characters. A good cozy mystery that held my attention.

A famous musician who left his band and small town decades ago comes back to the area to receive an honorary degree and teach a short class.
It turns out that the current band has been threatened so James and his cat Diesel become the eyes of the situation but too late people begin dying.

This addition to the Cat in the Stacks series is fast paced and a satisfying read.

Will Threadgood, a former Athena resident, left town forty years ago. He deserted his band members when he relocated to the west coast and made a name as a successful musician. Now he's returning to Athena to receive an honorary degree and teach a master music class.
Charlie is surprised when Wil asks him to serve as lookout for any suspicious activity while he's in town. Will explains that he has reason to be anxious about his safety. After dutifully encouraging Wil to contact local police, he agrees to Wil's request.
Wil and his band are scheduled to play at a reception in his honor. Just as the event is to begin, John Earl, a former member of Wil's teen band forty years ago, storms the stage, grabs the microphone and is electrocuted - then a hit and run kills another member of the the old band and an attempt is made on the life of Wil's best friend and current band member.
Murder brings in lhe police and Charlie has to keep a low profile as he trys to prevent a other killing. In doing so he puts his life in danger in a nail-biting conclusion.
This is number 15 in the series and fans will enjoy catching up with Charlie's family and friends as well as major progress in his relationship with Helen Louise.
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the advanced copy.

The latest in this long running series is an enjoyable "comfort" read for fans of Charlie and his Maine coon cat Diesel as Charlie once again finds himself embroiled in murder. A famous musician who spent his childhood and teenage years in Athena is back to teach a masterclass at the college but he and his bandmates are threatened by a series of freakish accidents and attacks.

Against the wishes of family and friends Charlie tries to help Wil understand what is happening and who is behind the attacks. Series fans will devour this book.

Still reviewing ASAP as soon as I read the books.

Charlie (and the cats, of course) and Melba are back at it…solving crimes and whodunits. I really like the cast of characters in this series. I did have a few problems with Wil. He just wasn’t a very likeable person. I kind of wanted him to be the bad guy. Charlie’s family and friends continue to grow and become more interesting. Changes are a-coming…babies, wedding and a bit of trouble in paradise.

A homecoming 4 decades in the making turns deadly. Charlie and his cat Diesel work to put the clues together to protect their friends and family before more people turn up dead in this cozy series mystery.

A visit to Athena is always a welcome respite from the real world. I enjoyed this check-in with the familiar characters (even the Ducote Sisters got a shout out if not an appearance.) While not as gripping or suspenseful as some of the previous entries, the mystery was solid. However the solution was a bit obvious to a careful reader. Fans of the series will overlook any shortcomings and appreciate the time spent with genteel Charlie and his handsome sidekick, Diesel the Maine Coon.

It’s been too long since we had one of Miranda James’ Cat in the Stacks mysteries, so fans of Charlie Harris and Diesel, the Maine Coon cat will be happy to welcome them back. In Hiss Me Deadly, thanks to friend and co-worker Melba Gilley, Charlie finds himself examining the past when they were both students in high school in Athena, Mississippi.

Melba remembers Wilfred “Wil” Threadgill with fondness. He went by Fred when they were in high school, and Melba still has a crush on him. He’s getting an honorary degree at the local college. Wil left town forty years earlier. He’s now a musician in California, and has been nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for film scores. He’ll conduct clinics at the music department at Athena College. Now, before the opening reception, Wil lets Melba know he’d like to meet Charlie and the famous local celebrity, Diesel. He loves cats, but he really wants to pick Charlie’s brain about his cases, and Wil’s suspicions.

When Wil left town abruptly, some of his high school bandmates were angry. That night, everyone in the reception gets to see how angry a drunk John Earl Whitaker is when he storms the stage before Wil’s band is to perform. Then, Whitaker is electrocuted when he touches the mike where Wil was to perform. Charlie has questions. Was Wil the intended target, or did someone know a drunken John Earl would grab the mike?

As attacks pile up, some aimed at Wil’s current bandmates, and one at former ones, Charlie can’t let go of his suspicion that Wil might know more than he’s telling. But, the last thing Charlie wants to do is upset Melba who still seems to have a crush on the musician.

I’ve read all fifteen books in the Cat in the Stacks series. I didn’t have the same suspicions Charlie did, and my thoughts went in an entirely different direction. I was closer to the correct solution than he was.

Fans of the series will be happy to have Charlie and Diesel back. There’s a great deal of action for both of them. I’m sure readers will also be happy to read the new bits about Charlie’s growing family as his son and daughter continue to adjust to their married lives. Hiss Me Deadly should satisfy fans.

It was great to revisit Charlie and Diesel again. I thought the mystery was well done and kept me guessing. I could have done with a little less of Charlie's internal dilemma about getting involved, when we know he's going to do it (that got to be a little much). I liked the extra Melba time with her storyline and wish things would work out for her one time. :) I'm happy for Charlie and Helen Louise and look forward to the next book!

I always look forward to new books in the Charlie and Diesel series. This one was up to the challenge. Charlie and Diesel must assist a musician, returned home as a guest lecturer, at Athena college where Charlie works as a special collections cataloger. When accidents start to happen to him and his band mates past histories are revealed. When the accidents turn deadly Charlie and Diesel start looking for clues and possibilities.. This next installment is as entertaining as the rest.

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I have the previous ones in the series. This book was a little darker and it seemed as though there were too many subplots. I also don’t think things were resolved that well, too many unanswered questions. I do look forward to the next one though.

Another cozy mystery with Charlie and Diesel. It covers how family and friendships can work together and how trust can be an issue. Even with a broken trust, family and friendship wins out in the end.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this cozy mystery.

A former resident of Athena returns to get an honorary degree from the university. Wilfred Threadgill had run off forty years ago and turned up in Hollywood, where he made a good living as a musician and had written several well received movie scores. He was a good friend of Melba (who seems to know everyone) and had written her letters over the years. He's asked to meet Charlie and his cat Diesel when he arrives and Charlie is happy to do so. At the reception given by the university, a stage is set up for Wil's band to perform, when in walks a former friend and bandmate of Wil before he left town. John Earl has become an abusive drunk and blames Wil for his lack of success. John Earl reaches for the microphone and is electrified and dies in front of a roomful of horrified people.

Later, other member of Wil's band are menaced (cut hand, attempted knife attack) and another friend from forty years ago is killed by being run down by a car. Charlie is beginning to wonder if Wil himself is behind these attacks. But this doesn't stop him from visiting with his often, and even accompanying him to an empty house on a dark night in the country to meet with the murderer.

While I enjoyed hearing about Charlie and Diesel again, I felt there are lots of holes in this story and the plot is clumsy and not believable. As is a preprint, maybe some editing would tighten it up.