Christmas is almost here and Charlie Harris has his hands full. His daughter-in-law is a new mother and not handling it very well. His concern for her and his new grandchild occupies his mind, but his concerns do not stop there. A box of kittens land on his doorstep. Along with his faithful Maine coon cat, Diesel, they take care of the kittens until they can find out who put them there and why.

Mysteries always surround Charlie and Diesel. Their neighbor, realtor Gerry Arbitron, is more than a little interested in Charlie and his house. She’s a nuisance, but Charlie tries to be neighborly. He accepts her invitation to a big holiday party. The whole town is there, but things don’t end well for Gerry when she ends up the victim of a murder.

Charlie is hot on the trail of a killer. The clock is ticking to December 25th. Charlie doesn’t want to ruin the holiday with an unsolved murder mystery.

What can be better than a new “Cat in the Stacks” mystery set to the backdrop of Christmas? This is the 10th book in the series with an absolutely gorgeous cover.

I’ve always adored this series. Although I’m a bit behind on it, I couldn’t resist reading the newest edition. It’s like visiting old friends. Diesel sort of takes a backseat in this murder mystery as he has his paws full with kittens. Being a cat lover, my favorite scenes are the ones with Diesel taking care of the kitties. It’s a sweet secondary plot line to the main murder storyline.

The murder mystery takes several twists and turns. They made my head spin and I was quite surprised at the outcome. I really did not want the book to end. I wanted more Diesel!

Beautifully written, it’s the perfect cozy mystery for this time of year. I can’t say enough good things about it. It left me in happy tears.

3.5 stars

Six Cat’s a Slayin’ is the tenth book and my first introduction to the Cat in the Stacks series by Miranda James.

Christmas is right around the corner and Charlie is doing his best to show peace and goodwill toward his new neighbor Gerry Arbitron. But when Gerry winds up dead at her own holiday party? Dun! Dun! Cue the mystery element of this story. With a new mystery to solve, the last thing Charlie expects to find on his doorstep is a box with five kittens inside and a note begging him to keep them safe. Aww! Cue the cuteness factor of this story.

As I mentioned, this was my first introduction to Charlie and his cat Diesel. Apparently, they have quite the reputation for solving crimes. Since I haven’t read the previous nine books, I found the mystery element and Charlie’s involvement a little hard to take in. Perhaps if I had known these characters a little better, it would have made the story a little more believable?

To me, most of the focus of this book seemed to be the five kittens and where they came from. That was okay with me because it was a great side story. And what’s not to love about kittens?! But I love a good mystery and would’ve liked a deeper look at what really happened to Gerry. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the mystery and I thought it was down well, but it ultimately felt rushed through.

I will eventually read the previous books in this series. I look forward to really getting to know Charlie, Diesel
and the rest of the cast of characters a bit more. If you’re like me and haven’t read another book in this series yet, start at the beginning. I think you’ll enjoy this read a lot more if you do.

Charlie 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.

--

Series: Cat in the Stacks Mystery - Book 10
Author: Miranda James
Genre: Cozy/Pet Mystery
Publisher: Berkley

Publishing Date: October 23, 2018

Six Cats a Slayin’ is the 10th book in the “Cats in the Stacks” mystery series. Ms. James easily weaves a tale that both amuses and intrigues. Her writing style is fast-paced, smooth, with a sense of humor and intellect. This new addition to the series, like all the other books, has readers turning the page excitedly.

The character of Charlie is not your average lead in a cozy, he is after all, a he. He is also not the young hunk that so many cozies insert as a love interest. Charlie is a grandfather, and a proud one at that. He has a family he loves, friends, and coworkers that insert themselves into his life when least expected but are always welcome. His love interest, Helen Louise has a way of showing up out of the blue and helping Charlie see reason and to keep a level head.

Charlie’s cat, Diesel is a character all his own. If you didn’t know he was a cat you would assume he was a longtime friend of Charlies. Diesel knows everyone Charlie knows and even goes to work with him.

Other characters in this book/series play an important part in Charlie’s life and solving the murder. Azalea, Charlie’s housekeeper is an intricate part of his life and household. She is also an amazing cook, and more than happy to have 5 new kittens in the house, even if she doesn’t really show it on the surface. Add a daughter-in-law who is suffering from postpartum depression with unachievable mom goals, two new grandbabies and a host of other characters, and you have the makings of a story that draws you in and never let’s go.

Readers will worry along with Charlie and Helen about their loved ones, the kittens that were dumped on Charlie’s front porch, and the new mysterious neighbor who manages to get herself murdered just before the holidays. Charlie feels it is up to him to help solve the murder and the mystery of who the neighbor, Gerry was. When the identity of the victim is resolved, and the murderer unmasked the reader will thrill at the uniqueness of the motive and will understand the reason the killer felt there was no other option.

This book, Six Cats a Slayin’ is warm and inviting, even with murder at its core. It is unique with just enough old-fashioned intrigue to make it a favorite for readers of all types. If there is any issue with the book it is that the reader may need some context on who the players are and what has gone on in the past. Over all, I highly recommend this book, and suggest readers go back to book one to enjoy more of the adventures of Charlie and Diesel.

ARC Provided by NetGalley

Six Cats a Slayin' is number ten in the series Cats in the Stacks, featuring Diesel, the Maine coon cat and his owner, Charlie Harris. Charlie is a librarian at the local college library. He has a son, a daughter and a daughter-in-law, with grandchildren and a lady friend, Helen Louise.

As the book opens the characters are getting ready for Christmas. Charlie's life is calm and he likes it that way. Then trouble arrives in the form of a female neighbor, Gerry Allbritton, a non-stop flirt. She has Charlie in her sights.

Gerry holds a gala Christmas party and invites the town. She gets into arguments galore, clashing with many guests. It is no surprise that Gerry ends up dead by the end of the party. Charlie hesitates to get involved, but in the end he acquiesces and solves the mystery in time for Christmas.

I didn't mention the basket of five kittens that Charlie and Diesel inherit. That story line is fun and a nice contrast to murder.

This is a light novel. Which, for me, means I can read it before bed and be just fine. If you are looking for a cozy Christmas mystery, this is your book.

This is the 10th book in this wonderful "Cat in the Stacks" series, to which I'm sorry to say I came late to the game by reading just one. That's not a mistake I intended to make again, though, so I was delighted to be approved for an advance review copy by the publisher (via NetGalley). The two I've read stand alone well, I must add, but on the other hand, I'm always of the opinion that with any series, it's always best to start at the beginning.

There are a few reasons for my fondness of these books, but I admit "cozy" isn't among them. While I do enjoy this kind of mystery once in a while as a break from my usual mind-twisting, eye-rolling thrillers, too often I'm forced to read about a headstrong heroine who refuses to listen to reason (for the record, headstrong women I like; it's the ignoring wisdom and advice to the point of nearly being killed that gives me fits). Here, there's none of that; widower Charlie Harris, who works in the Athena College Library in Mississippi, is a fully grown, sensible adult who just happens to have an interest in crime-solving.

He also has a cat. Not just any old cat, mind you, but a Maine Coon named Diesel - who of course has a personality all his own. Hence another big reason I love this series: For years, I've missed the antics of Siamese kitties Koko and Yum Yum, the creations of the late Lilian Jackson Braun, author of <i>The Cat Who</i> books. The similarities with this series are abundant - including an arts-loving main character (in those books, former journalist "Qwill" Qwilleran) who has an intelligent lady friend he sees regularly but with whom he is not joined at the hip and who lives in a spacious, but somewhat unique, house.

Did I mention cats? They're plentiful here; in fact, counting Diesel, there are six (title alert). Five of them are young kittens, mysteriously dumped on Charlie's doorstep just before Christmas. An accompanying anonymous note begs Charlie to care for them - a plea, needless to say, that cat-loving Charlie can't ignore. With help from friends (and support from Diesel, who's intrigued by the little ones), Charlie corrals them in a living-room pen, making sure they have food, water and clean litter boxes.

Meanwhile, Charlie has a new across-the-street neighbor named Gerry Albritton, who claims to be a realtor and has atrocious taste in outdoor Christmas decorations. She's also more than a bit on the flirtatious side; early on, Charlie learns to avoid her as much as possible. When he gets an invitation to her Christmas party, then, his first instinct is to beg off; but curiosity about the inside of her house and seeing other neighbors' reactions get the better of him. Lady friend Helen Louise Brady in tow, he vows to make the best of the situation.

Then, amid even more curiosity about why on earth Gerry would serve top-of-the-line bubbly and Sam's Club munchies, Charlie and Helen Louise overhead some heated arguments between Gerry and a couple of other guests. Not long afterward, the unthinkable happens: Gerry drops dead right in front of the guests.

Enter local detective Kanesha, who's annoyed that her mother, Azalea, continues to be Charlie's housekeeper when she really doesn't need the job. Kanesha is good at her job, and for the moment, at least, she's open to some help from Charlie. From that point on, it's a race to 1) discover the identity of the kitten-dumper, 2) discover the identity of the killer and 3) get Charlie's house ready for his own Christmas party, which this year will include a couple of very special grandbabies. All those details I'll leave it to others to read so as not to spoil anything, but suffice it to say all's well that ends well. A thoroughly enjoyable adventure!

3.75 stars
Charlie Harris, retired librarian, and his charismatic Maine Coon cat Diesel are back for another adventure. This book felt like it brought a little new energy into an enjoyable series.

Charlie's flirtatious new neighbor across the street has not made herself popular with the neighborhood but nevertheless, most of the residents attend her holiday party. So everyone is shocked when she is found dead under suspicious circumstances at party's end.

Meanwhile, Charlie's son and his wife are having problems adjusting to the stresses of new parenthood. Not only that, but Charlie has ended up care-taking five rambunctious kittens which adds a little fun to the goings-on.

The enjoyment in this series is in the interactions of Charlie, his household and family, and various friends and community members. This could be read as a standalone, but the reader who has read the entire set will have a better feeling for the relationships and history of the characters.

Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another fun adventure for Charley and Diesel when 5 kittens show up on their doorstep and a new neighbor moves in across the street. Small town secrets are hard to keep forever.

Charlie Harris, a retired librarian, finds 5 kittens on his doorstep close to Christmas. Where did they come from? He is also affronted by his new neighbor, Gerry Arbitron, a realtor, who wants to purchase houses in the area. Who is she, where did she come from, and who killed her? An enjoyable read.

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.

Charlie is getting ready for Christmas. He could do without his nosy flirting neighbor. And then there's the five kittens that show up in a box at his front door. He has enough to do without them but he takes them in...

Berkley and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published October 23rd.

Diesel finds the new kittens fascinating and is willing to babysit them. That's good because his daughter-in-law is getting exhausted and they are trying to get her to accept help. Then there's the party across the street he should attend as a good neighbor. He does. And then the hostess falls over dead at the end of the party.

Between trying to help the police with the murder, finding out who left him the kittens, and worrying about his daughter-in-law, he's real busy.

Ms. James writes good cozy mysteries. I enjoyed this one, too. Give it a read. You'll be happy you did.

Another great addition to the Cat in the Stacks series! I look forward to a new book coming out every year and enjoy reading about Charlie, DIesel and the entire town of Athena, Mississippi.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Anyone who reads my reviews knows how much I love the Cats in the Stacks series. I fell paw over tail in love with Diesel from a the first book. The fact that he is also a Maine Coon obviously has nothing at all to do with it. He just happens to be an amazing and handsome hunk of a kitty and with his human, Charlie, has managed to charm both the town of Athena, where the stories are set, and the reading public, meow included.
It never occurred to me that so late in the series, there would be a book that I would love even more than the others but this is it. Charlie and Diesel are left five kittens by a mysterious child who, heartbreakingly, says in a note that the kittens are in danger if he cannot find a safe refuge for them. The big hearted duo take the babies in and it is so sweet to read how Diesel becomes their babysitter and protector. There is a lot of Diesel in this book, even more than normal. There is never too much Diesel.
But a mystery needs more than a devastatingly gorgeous kitty: it needs a good story. This one has substance in spades. It is coming up to Christmas and Charlie now has two grandchildren. Sadly new mom Alex is not handling things well. Everyone is worried about her. Then when the new neighbour across the road holds a party,she does not make it to the end to say goodnight to her guests. Since she has managed to alienate most people she has met, it is no surprise she meets an early demise.
What sets her murder and the story apart is the unusual issues that come to light during the investigation. Since Charlie is there when she dies, it would be normal for him to become involved. But with his own personal worries, he is hesitant. It seems fate and his friendly nemesis, Kanesha, are determined to embroil him. She actually seeks out his insights admitting that he sees things in a dfferent manner to her and often it is that difference that allows her to discover the truth.
There are just so many great human relationship angles to the book that it is a joy to read. It is easy for the reader to care about the characters. They are like good friends. I never tire of seeing them. The way family, both immediate and extended, is handled is delightful.
I give this book five glowing purrs and two high paws up.

What's better than a basket of kittens for Christmas--been if you're really not sure where they came from? Who's the pushy woman across the street? We know her name, but really, who IS she? Come along with Diesel and Charlie as they attempt to find the answers to these questions while attempting to herd cats, literally.

This is a lovely mystery for those who prefer a quiet, cozy, genteel story with lots of twists and turns.

I received a free digital copy of this title to review.

#SixCatsaSlayin'#NetGalley

This book follows beloved Athenian Charlie and Diesel Harris who have landed themselves 5 kittens. Charlie takes them determined to find out who the owner is and why they have been left there with a cryptic note. Charlie also meets a new neighbor who seems very mysterious Gerry Arbitron. Gerry seems to be very flirtatious towards Charlie which raises more questions of whom she really is?

Charlie and others around Athena have been invited to a part at Gerry's house and everyone is curious to learn more about the party goers and the one whose throwing the party. Charlie and Helen Louise over hear a very vocal argument between Gerry and another resident Mrs. Thompson what could they possibly be arguing about? When Gerry winds up dead and all party goers are questioned and released it's up to Charlie to figure out who killed Gerry and why?

In between Charlie's two mysteries he's also watching the effects of a baby on a new mom Alex has been having a heck of time with baby Rosie. Alex is starting to think she's a bad mom for even thinking of help but sometimes you need help and it's not great defeat to ask for it. Sean steps in and makes the hard decisions when the time comes.

I love Charlie and Diesel, Laura, Frank, Sean and Alex and all their friends and loved ones they come together it's so beautiful to see how far Charlie has come since the beginning. He has opened himself up to so many people and we get to see where they go every time. One of my go to books whenever I see one available. I read it one day and that really makes it all the more wonderful!

I love this cozy series. It was nice to see a holiday slant. Gotta love Diesel. The ensemble characters Create a wonderful family. The inclusion of the kittens and the little boy makes for a heart warming tale.

This is the tenth installment in this series. I have read every prior book but this book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone. A new resident in Charlie Harris' neighborhood decides to host an open house/Christmas party. She says that she is returning to her hometown of Athena and is a member of a prominent family. However, elements of her story just aren't adding up. She collapses and dies at her own party. When Charlie looks into her background, there are more questions than answers. Are these questions motive for murder?

I really enjoyed this mystery. The story had other facets, including the identity of the owner of 5 stray kittens, hence the title. The plot was well-crafted with familiar characters trying to identify the killer's identity. There are some surprising twists, which are handled with great dignity. This is one of my favorite series and I love the special relationship between Charlie & Diesel, his Maine Coon cat.

*** Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary ARC of this book. My review is voluntary

This is the tenth "Cat in the Stacks" mystery, the chronicles of Charlie Harris (mild-mannered librarian) and Diesel (enormous and vocal Maine Coon cat). As the series has grown, so has the reader's acquaintance with the townsfolk of Athena, Mississippi, and so has Charlie's family.

This Christmas would have been special even without a murder to solve: Charlie's first Christmas as a grandfather. It's also Diesel's first experience as a father (of sorts) - babysitter to a box of kittens that someone leaves on the doorstep. Who would have known that only-cat Diesel would love and care for a bunch of wriggly kittens?

However, someone besides Charlie has taken a dislike to his new neighbor, a realtor whose business tactics are as deplorable as her Christmas decorations. She collapses and dies at her lavish, garish holiday party, creating two mysteries. "Who was she, anyway? " people wonder, since she seemed, somehow, familiar. And, who would kill a stranger?

I hope this series never ends.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Love this series - Charlie and Diesel are old friends I enjoy visiting with and seeing how they are going to solve the mystery or mysteries in this case. Who killed the neighbor, where did the kittens come from, and a little family drama.

I received an eARC from Berkley via NetGalley for an honest review. - One of the best cozy series around. Great characters and an interesting story.

Diesel and his human, Charlie, are back in another mystery set in Athena. This time, it starts out with a little surprise left at Charlie's door. While dealing with the basket of mischievous kittens, a new neighbor is also making waves all over town, and Charlie's daughter in law also appears to be in trouble. There are no lack of problems for Diesel and Charlie to deal with this Christmas season, will they be able to enjoy the holidays at all? A delightful visit to Athena and a visit with many familiar characters, with a few new memorable ones thrown in to keep things interesting. This installment definitely reminds us what the spirit of the holidays should really be all about.

It is Christmas time Athena, Mississippi, Charlie Harris is excited as it is the first holiday he will be a Grandfather. A neighbor, Gerry Arbitron Christmas decorations are in poor taste and she is planning a neighborhood open-house in the 10th installment, During the party, Gerry collapsed and Charlie becomes involved with another death. Meanwhile, one morning the doorbell rang and Charlie and Diesel find a box with 5 kittens. The note attached asked him to keep the kittens saved he was going to drown them. Diesel's actions are surprising as he chooses to babysit the kittens. The story alternates between Charlies efforts to find the owner of the kittens, family affairs, and the death investigation to make a delightful tale. The ending is a surprise and brings a smile. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book and series.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Berkley for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.