Out of Circulation

Cat in the Stacks, Book 4

By: Miranda James

Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

The Ducote sisters are in a tiff with Vera Cassity over the location of this year's library fundraising gala, and Charlie would rather curl up in a corner than get into the fray. It seems everyone - even his housekeeper Azalea - has it in for Vera. And at the gala, she gives them good reason, with a public display of rancor aimed at anyone who gets in her way.

But those bitter words wind up being her last. When Charlie discovers Azalea standing over Vera's dead body, it's up to him - with a little help from Diesel - to clear Azalea's name, and catch a killer before his last chapter is finished.

©2013 Dean James (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Humor and plenty of Southern charm buoy James's fifth Cat in the Stacks mystery." ( Publishers Weekly)

Maine coon cat

Why is a woman reading the part of man?SHE has a nice voice but not for a man's character.

A successful writer makes you care deeply about their characters...and I do!

I have grown to care so much for Charlie and his family. I am so please his children are living good and happy lives, and that Charlie has found Helen-Louise. And Diesel. Who could forget Diesel! I'm absolutely nutty of him. He's such a sweet, smart, and considerate member of the household. I'm reading this series in order, and growing more fond of this family and their friends with each turn of the page.

A delightful and spicy mystery

Charlie Harris has gotten busier since the last time we visited Athena, Mississippi where he lives with his large Maine coon cat named Diesel. As this book opens, we learn that Charlie is now on the board of the Friends of the Library organization. As a last minute favor to the ill member of the board who had promised to host this meeting, Charlie holds the board meeting at his home.

A decision on where to orchestrate the annual Christmas fund raising event must be made. Usually held at the home of An’gel and Dickce Ducote, Vera Cassity thinks her mansion would be perfect, but then so do the Ducote sisters. Vera begins a rather heated debate with sour words and comments of great rancor, when the sisters combat her with great Southern charm. As quickly as it began, the conflict is resolved for not only this event, but several into the future.

Azalea, Charlie’s housekeeper, is mortified to learn that Vera Cassity had been in “her” home and warns Charlie to never have her again or she would leave his employ. Charlie is surprised at her vehemence so when the Ducotes invite him to tea that day, he accepts. Here he starts to hear the under story to Athena local history. What he learns begins to explain the feud with Vera Cassity and why so many people shudder when her name comes up.

In order to increase funds raised at this gala event, the board members agree to make this a masquerade with characters based on literary figures. It was Charlie who inadvertently chose a finger foods buffet rather than a sit down dinner to make mingling easier. After planning and implementing his character, Charlie attends the gala sans Diesel. The Ducote sisters had promised to reveal a way to end Vera’s sour retorts for good, and their method proves ingenious.

However, finding Vera’s body on the decrepit back stairs was not part of that plan. It was Azalea who was trapped on the ancient staircase with Vera’s body dressed in voluminous skirts. Unfortunately, Azalea is then considered a prime suspect in the murder.

Since Vera had been trying to see the Ducote papers donated to the Athena library where Charlie was caretaker, he decides to look into the personal effects to find an answer to the question of who pushed Vera down the stairs. He is taken aback while reading a journal, knowing that its contents would change the Ducote family tree forever.

What a delightful and spicy way to begin the Ducote family spinoff to another mystery series written by Miranda James. The sisters don’t leave Athena and will continue in this series as well. What Southern mystery doesn’t involve a scandal? Will Charlie find the clues needed to clear Azalea? Readers would miss a stunning denouement if they do not continue reading this fabulous new piece of history.

Awesome

This one is the best yet! The "old southern girls" are hilarious! The story is great too! Plus I love the kitty!

So in love...

With this whole series! I love the family and friends of Charlie
and Diesel. The world Miranda James has created is cozy, loving and happy - with a splash of mystery to solve. I find myself smiling most of the time or creasing my brow to figure out—just who did it. On to the next Charlie and Diesel adventure:-)

Delightful Book & Narration... but...

Although I found the book and the narration to be top notch... I have to admit wishing that since the protagonist was male, that the narrator was male as well. I constantly had to keep reminding myself that the speaker (protagonist) was male. Unfortunately, that did mar my experience a bit, but still worth a delightful 5-stars!

The best sleuth with his cat in tow

Charlie continues his amateur sleuthing with Does by his side. Such fun and this one I solved!

Another fantastic story

Love the storyline and all the characters. The narrator does a good job. My opinion, the narrator should be a mane with this series just because main character is a guy.

Easy Listening

Fun and enjoyable the series so far is very entertaining and enjoyable I like them and encourage others to read.

Excellent

I enjoyed thoroughly. The story and characters are very believable and the narrator is very good.