Author: Miranda James
Series: Cat in the Stacks Mystery (Book 10)
Publication: Berkley (October 23, 2018)
Description: Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel, are busy decking the halls for the holidays when an unexpected delivery and a shocking murder conspire to shake up the season in this all new installment of the New York Times bestselling series.
December twenty-fifth is right around the corner, and Charlie is making his list and checking it twice. He is doing his best to show some peace and goodwill toward his nosy neighbor Gerry Arbitron, a real estate agent who seems to have designs on his house (and maybe on him, as well), while preparing for a very important role, indeed--his first Christmas as a grandfather.
The last thing Charlie expects is to gain several new additions to his family. Charlie finds a box on his doorstep with five kittens inside and a note begging him to keep them safe. With Diesel's help, Charlie welcomes the tiny felines into the Harris household just as Gerry decides it is time to throw a lavish holiday party.
Determined to make her mark on Athena, Gerry instead winds up dead at her very own party. Though attempts to dig into her past come up empty, Charlie and his girlfriend, Helen Louise, witness two heated exchanges involving Gerry before her death: one with a leading citizen and another with the wife of a good friend. Will one of these ladies wind up on the sheriff's naughty list? Charlie and Diesel have to wrap up the case before the special season is ruined by a sinister scrooge.
My Thoughts: This is the tenth Cat in the Stacks mystery, but the first that I have read. Widower Charlie Harris is getting ready for Christmas. He has a Maine coon cat named Diesel and a job working part-time at the Athens College Library. He is also a new grandfather with both his daughter Laura and daughter-in-law Alex having presented him with a grandson and a granddaughter.
Charlie's main problem currently is his new neighbor Gerry Albritton who was overly flirtatious when Charlie stopped over to welcome her to the neighborhood. He's been avoiding her ever since that day but now has received an invitation to her Christmas party as have all of the neighbors around her house. Charlie is determined to take his lady friend Helen Louise with him. Another worry for Charlie and his family is that his daughter-in-law is suffering from postpartum depression but won't accept any help with taking care of herself and her new baby until things get critical.
Charlie has also had a surprise gift. Someone left a basket with five kittens on his doorstep with a note. Charlie believes that a child left the kittens but doesn't know who it is. He takes in the kittens who are eagerly received by Diesel as he tries to find out who left them.
Then the Christmas party happens and Gerry Albritton, after arguing with a variety of her guests, collapses and dies - apparently of poison. Charlie doesn't need one more mystery to solve when he already has a number of problems already occupying his mind. But he can't stop thinking about Gerry's death and helps the police with a number of insights.
This was an engaging and entertaining cozy mystery. I'll have to add earlier books in the series to my wishlist.
Favorite Quote:
I had read it at least twice already, but I've always thought that my favorites were worth rereading, and more than once. In a way, I considered it spending time with a good friend. By doing this on a regular basis, I knew it was missing opportunities to read new books and perhaps discover new favorites, but the pull of old friends was irresistible.I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.
I'm adding this to my list. I really enjoyed a few books in this series and after reading your review, I'm reminded to get back to it!
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