This was a decent read, but it didn’t fully pull me in the way I hoped. The writing was solid and the premise had potential, but the pacing felt uneven—some parts dragged, while others moved a bit too quickly. I also wanted a little more depth from the characters to really connect with their stories.

The mystery was engaging enough to keep me reading, though I found parts of it predictable. Still, there were a few good twists and moments of tension that I appreciated.

Overall, it was an okay read—not bad, just not particularly memorable. A good choice if you’re in the mood for something light and easy.

I didn’t realize the main character was a man when I downloaded this, and it completely threw me off so I DNF'd it.

Charlie Harris, his second wife, Mary Louise, and Diesel (Charlie's Maine Coon) are away from the states on honeymoon to Castle O'Brady in Ireland. They plan to visit Mary Louise's Irish relatives and to also celebrate the 100th birthday of her uncle Baron Finn O'Brady. While on the drive up to the castle, they witness Uncle's fall to his death. Starts with a real dramatic incident but the investigation moves along with fascinating characters (including an ancient ghost cat), interesting twists, and lots of translated Irish slang. Good relaxing read.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley via NetGalley. Avail Jul 29, 2025 **** review
#SomethingWhiskered by #amandaJamesAuthor #CatintheStacksMysteriesBk17 @berkleypub #NetGalley
#cozymystery #MaineCoonCat #ireland #relatives #localgarda #ghostcat #castle

#SomethingWhiskered #NetGalley
I absolutely loved this latest book in this series.
Charlie, Helen Louise, and Diesel are in Ireland on their honeymoon, visiting her family, and celebrating the baron's 100th birthday.
Things get off to a sad start when as soon as the newlyweds approach the home, a body tumbles down from the roof, landing in front of the car.
The body belongs to the baron, and his untimely death could be murder.
The family asks Charlie to keep an eye out and to possibly help determine if this was indeed murder.

I really liked that Helen Louise was a crucial part of the investigation, and that Diesel went along on their honeymoon. He's such a big part of the series that it wouldn't have been as good if he wasn't there.
It was a nice change of pace having a new setting and such different colorful characters. It made this book exciting to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Something Whiskered by Miranda James is the 17th entry in the Cat in the Stacks series. Charlie Harris, along with his new wife Helen Louise and Maine Coon cat Diesel are visiting Helen Louise's family in Ireland as part of their honeymoon. Unfortunately, they arrive just in time to see the family patriarch plummet to his death from the roof of the manor house. The new baron, Helen Louise's cousin, asks Charlie to investigate. The Cat in the Stacks books usually occur in and around Athens, Mississippi, where Charlie and Diesel live and work. A book set in Ireland provides a fresh, unique setting. I liked the new characters, and the author's admiration for the Irish landscape was apparent. Yet, I felt that Charlie was a bit removed from this mystery, perhaps because he was a stranger. If you have not read any of the Cat in the Stacks books, don't start with this one. The first book in the series is Murder Past Due. The books can be read out of order, but you would miss out on the appealing, cozy community atmosphere if you start here. If you are already a fan of Diesel the cat and his human companions, you will enjoy tagging along to Ireland. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing a review copy of this book.

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐨.

In this 17th installment of the long-running Cat in the Stacks cozy series, Charlie Harris and his wife Helen Louise have arrived in Ireland for their honeymoon. After a few uneventful days in Dublin, they head to County Clare to visit Helen Louise's extended family, who run a bed and breakfast at the family castle. But when the couple drive up, a body falls from the roof. Sadly, it's Helen Louise's 100-year old great uncle, who fell from the castle parapet just moments before the couple drove up. What would an elderly man be doing on the roof, especially one who was afraid of heights?

This installment was different for several reasons. First, I really enjoyed the change in setting. The lush descriptions of the Irish countryside were beautiful and easy to envision. It's going to take some time to acclimate to Helen Louise being more than just a side character, but I do like her no-nonsense approach. However, the biggest difference I saw in this one was that Charlie was not as instrumental in solving the crime as he usually is.

A solid addition to this charming series. Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the early copy. Look for this one on July 29, 2025.

3.5 stars

This is a familiar and comforting cozy series, maybe not the most dynamic but we have come to care about retired librarian Charlie, his charming Maine Coon cat Diesel, and his new wife Helen.

They are in Ireland visiting the estate of Helen's relatives. Their visit starts off quite startlingly when the body of Helen's 100-year old great uncle falls from the castle parapet and lands in the driveway as they are arriving. The old baron was noted for his fear of heights, and that causes suspicion as to who might have pushed the baron to his death.

The castle is full of Helen's relatives, who range from the warm and welcoming to the antagonistic and threatening. Soon Helen and Charlie discover a second body and are receiving hostile messages and threats.

I was surprised to find out that Charlie was in his 50s. He is quite staid in his habits and outlooks and I thought he was a much older character. But I enjoy his and Diesel's mystery outings. There is a bit of ghostly lore here involving the comforting presence of cat Fergal. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Charlie and Diesel hit the road, along with Helen Louise, to visit Helen Louise's cousins in Ireland during their honeymoon. Tragedy strikes immediately upon their arrival. Helen Louise's cousin, the current baron of an ancient family and castle, falls off the roof of the castle as they were arriving. It's as devastating as it is confusing-the baron was well known to be terrified of heights. Why was he up there? And did someone help him over the edge? While we miss some of our favorite characters back home in Athena, the Irish slang, history, and landmarks make this an especially charming addition to the series.

Such a fun book in the series! Miranda James' research for Ireland and its language and the scenery brings everything to life. Unfortunately, as a mystery someone has to die, but I wish it were someone I didn't want to get to know better. Diesel and his humans help the local guards in discovering who might have been responsible and have delightful adventures along the way.

During their honeymoon trip to Ireland, Charlie Harris and his lovely new bride (and since this is a Cats in the Stacks mystery - Diesel is along for the ride!) look forward to time at Castle O'Brady. They are there to visit Mary Louise's Irish relatives and to also celebrate the 100th birthday of her uncle Baron Finn O'Brady. Charlie and Mary Louise barely arrive at Castle O'Brady before they witness the death of Uncle Finn. Charlie's investigative skills are needed as there are many secrets and grudges concerning those in and around the castle. Threatening messages lead Charlie to wonder who else is in danger ....especially since Uncle Finn's body isn't the only one found. The new setting means that there are no familiar faces (Melba, Azalea, etc.) that the reader knows aren't involved in the killings. Practically everyone is a suspect in Something Whiskered.
Thanks to Berkley, Miranda James and NetGalley for this ARC.

I have read all of the Charlie and Diesel books. I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the others. I’m not sure taking Diesel along on Charlie and Helen Marie’s honeymoon to Ireland was a good idea. There were a lot of details about people and room descriptions. . Some seemed unnecessary. The story started out with a bang, but then spent too much time on other things that didn’t seem very relevant. I personally wouldn’t take a cat oversees, I know Diesel is popular but I think that traveling with him would be an imposition. The mystery itself was pretty good, but there were too many possible suspects. I felt that parts of the story dragged.

Long time readers of this series will be happy to see Charlie and Helen Louise set off to Ireland for their honeymoon. Have no fear, Charlie’s beloved Maine Coon cat, Diesel, is also along for the journey. For those that like the mysterious action to start early in a book, this is the one for you! Literally upon their arrival at Helen Louise’s distant family homestead, they are met with a tragic death. Of course, Charlie’s inquisitive mind soon lands him in the thick of things. Descriptions of the scenery are lovely and frequent use of Irish slang (which is translated for the reader) by many characters is great fun and educational. Surely the Harrises will be happy to return home, but the change of scene for this novel is most welcome.