No Cats Allowed by Miranda James – a Review

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Description:
In the latest mystery in the New York Times bestselling Cat in the Stacks series, librarian Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon cat Diesel must clear a friend when the evidence is stacked against her…
 
Springtime in Mississippi is abloom with beauty, but the library’s employees are too busy worrying to stop and smell the flowers. The new library director, Elwyn Dillard, is a brash, unfriendly Yankee who’s on a mission to cut costs—and his first targets are the archive and the rare book collection.
 
As annoying as a long-overdue book, Dillard quickly raises the hackles of everyone on staff, including Charlie’s fiery friend Melba—whom Dillard wants to replace with someone younger. But his biggest offense is declaring all four-legged creatures banned from the stacks.
 
With enemies aplenty, the suspect list is long when Dillard’s body is discovered in the library. But things take a turn for the worse when a threatening e-mail throws suspicion on Melba.
 
Charlie is convinced that his friend is no murderer, especially when he catches sight of a menacing stranger lurking around the library. Now he and Diesel will have to read between the lines, before Melba is shelved under “G” for guilty…

Review:

No Cats Allowed by Miranda James is the 7^th book in the Cat in the Stacks series. This is my first time reading James and this series. This read very well as a standalone, and I enjoyed the book. No Cats Allowed is a very nice sweet mystery that keeps your attention throughout. What makes this nice are the characters that James has created, especially the hero, Charlie Harris and his wonderful partner, Diesel, a Maine coon cat that goes every where with him. Charlie is retired, and works part time in the library.

Everyone in the library loves Diesel, except the new interim library director, Oscar Reilly. In a short period Reilly has alienated most of the library staff, including Charlie, when he is ordered to not bring Diesel anymore. Charlie decides to take a leave, and begins to investigate Reilly. Before long, Reilly is murdered, with many of the library staff becoming suspects. Charlie, who always manages to become involved in mysteries, becomes the interim library director, and soon finds threats against him. Charlie doubles his research into the library funds to try to find out why Reilly was murdered, and why the killer is still trying to stop the investigation.

What follows is a sweet fun mystery, with very likable characters. Charlie is not the annoying type, who pushes his way where he doesn’t belong. Instead, he does what he knows best, and works well with the cop in charge, but he also puts himself into danger. I enjoyed reading this story, loved Diesel, who doesn’t solve the crime, like other famous cats; but he is so cute, funny and lovable.

Miranda James not only creates a fabulous fun duo in Charlie and Diesel, but also has such wonderful supporting players, including Charlie’s adult children, Melba, his assistant, and other great characters. No Cats Allowed was a good murder mystery, with some surprises, as well as being interesting and holding your attention. I wholly recommend you read this book, especially on a light lazy day, when you want to relax and enjoy.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher